For the Grinders!

[Deleted]

This from And Reid. I haven’t really slept. I was reading. A little peak into being a grinder, for those of you who also enjoy the grind:
   
“You just took the drive that I take every day and there’s nothing to the outside world right there. It’s calm, it’s dark, and then I go in this building and I study. Then when I leave it’s dark. It’s calm, and I go home and sleep and rest and then come back and do it again. That to me, is what’s real. That’s what I enjoy. I don’t worry about the other stuff. I don’t go there. Everybody’s gonna have their opinion on whether you can coach or can’t coach. Or this or that. I’ve been doing it a long time. Loved every minute. I love the relationships maybe most of all. I love putting the strategy together with my young coaches. I get in there and grind with them. I got some great minds that love to study and be creative.

“Everything else? Eh. It is what it is.” 

It’s from the story from Peter King in MMQB. Hope you enjoy.

[jaydub66]

Working a lot of hours doesn't necessarily mean you're being productive though.

While I respect the working hard aspect and he gets a lot of enjoyment out of this, what about the family and other aspects of life that require attention?

I put in the most work of the week during Saturday when we get the opponents film, I do the hudl input stuff for tendencies, and compile the stats for offense, defense, and special teams. I do this while sitting at home, watching college football with my daughter who enjoys it.

Going out when it's dark and coming home when it's dark doesn't mean you achieved everything to get done, it just means you weren't home for a long period of time.

[coachcb]

IMO, a staff really shouldn't need to put in that much time over a weekend if they're organized. Get the HUDL assignments done on Saturday or Sunday before the meeting, contribute to the two Google Docs we have floating around and meet for a few hours on Sunday evening. It honestly only becomes a grind when coaches don't get their chit done. Then a) someone is stuck picking up that slack and b) meetings start to drag out.

I don't honestly think I've ever asked for more than four hours of extra work from assistants before the meeting on Sunday night. If that gets done, the meeting won't last long. If it doesn't, we'll be there later because we're going to make sure that we have everything done before Monday morning.

[Victor]

It is easy to grind when your salary is around millions. But I understand what he says, though. Same thing with Brady if you take a look on the last off seasons, he started to spent more time with the family finding a balance between them and getting ready for the season. I take a bet IF he coaches it will when his kids leave for HS, but I have my doubts...

[MICoach]

Jan 27, 2020 9:18:19 GMT -6 coachcb said:

IMO, a staff really shouldn't need to put in that much time over a weekend if they're organized. Get the HUDL assignments done on Saturday or Sunday before the meeting, contribute to the two Google Docs we have floating around and meet for a few hours on Sunday evening. It honestly only becomes a grind when coaches don't get their chit done. Then a) someone is stuck picking up that slack and b) meetings start to drag out.

I don't honestly think I've ever asked for more than four hours of extra work from assistants before the meeting on Sunday night. If that gets done, the meeting won't last long. If it doesn't, we'll be there later because we're going to make sure that we have everything done before Monday morning.

Paying for Hudl Assist or whatever it's called was a game changer in terms of weekend work.

[funkfriss]

I was a grinder, still am, but not even close to what I used to be due to experience and efficiency.

Grinding is great, especially when you are young, have the time, and don't have a family you're worried about taking time away from. I have some of my assistants who I would let grind, I have some who I would sit down and say "you can't do this" to. Ultimately, I can't stop them, but there are more important things in life.

Overall though, I really hope high school coaches aren't taking their cues from college and NFL coaches. Totally different planets.

[Deleted]

My post was not about working. I did not read into it that way. I read into it, a guy who enjoys what he does. A guy who enjoys studying and learning the game. That’s the take away I intended.

[Victor]

Jan 27, 2020 11:14:51 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

My post was not about working. I did not read into it that way. I read into it, a guy who enjoys what he does. A guy who enjoys studying and learning the game. That’s the take away I intended.

Just like Tom House, he has analyzed so many players that he only sees sticks, angles and etc  

[Defcord]

While I do not think "grinding" is necessary, I also don't think it automatically makes you a bad guy either. If that's what makes you happiest and you can find a balance that you and your family are happy with, go for it.

[jaydub66]

Jan 27, 2020 11:14:51 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

My post was not about working. I did not read into it that way. I read into it, a guy who enjoys what he does. A guy who enjoys studying and learning the game. That’s the take away I intended.

Oh we all love the game but it's one of those, "you stare into the abyss long enough and it stares back."

There are horror stories of coaches losing complete control of their lives because of this sort of stuff.

Like Andy Reid lost a child to a drug overdose. I can't imagine how he felt or still feels about it but I'd assume there has to be some regret not being involved as much as he could have been. Not saying he's a bad father because he did help his son try to get off drugs but there has to be a feeling of, "I wish I spent more time with him while he was here."

Andy loves the game, that's obvious, but I don't think this kind of mindset of spending literally all day doing something like this is good. A lot of fans might say, "oh yeah, that's what I want out of a football coach." but does it honestly make you or the team better?

Does sleeping in an office make you better?
Does watching 10-12 hours of film a day make you teach a technique better?

We all love the game but it's not the only thing we should love in life. 

[carookie]

Jan 27, 2020 11:25:49 GMT -6 jaydub66 said:

Jan 27, 2020 11:14:51 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

My post was not about working. I did not read into it that way. I read into it, a guy who enjoys what he does. A guy who enjoys studying and learning the game. That’s the take away I intended.

Oh we all love the game but it's one of those, "you stare into the abyss long enough and it stares back."

There are horror stories of coaches losing complete control of their lives because of this sort of stuff.

Like Andy Reid lost a child to a drug overdose. I can't imagine how he felt or still feels about it but I'd assume there has to be some regret not being involved as much as he could have been. Not saying he's a bad father because he did help his son try to get off drugs but there has to be a feeling of, "I wish I spent more time with him while he was here."

Andy loves the game, that's obvious, but I don't think this kind of mindset of spending literally all day doing something like this is good. A lot of fans might say, "oh yeah, that's what I want out of a football coach." but does it honestly make you or the team better?

Does sleeping in an office make you better?
Does watching 10-12 hours of film a day make you teach a technique better?

We all love the game but it's not the only thing we should love in life. 

I think possibly, but at a very diminished marginal return. You may pick up something in hour 50 that you didn't in the previous 49 hours, but I doubt it will be game changing. Moreover, it could possibly make it worse.

I agree with the premise of your post. For a lot of us coaching is both a job and a hobby; the problem is when we think that the hobby part (the hour long hypothetical strategy sessions, the drawing up of 80 different fronts they COULD run, the rewatching of a film for the 30th time) is making us do our job part better. Truth is, it could make you actually worse- you could become tired or less efficient, and chalk it up to the grind which is actually just hobby time. You could start strategically chasing ghosts, and not see the big picture in what you try to do. Or you could begin to define yourself by your hobby-grind and expect others to match, and in turn push some good people away.

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2020 11:23:22 GMT -6 Defcord said:

While I do not think "grinding" is necessary, I also don't think it automatically makes you a bad guy either. If that's what makes you happiest and you can find a balance that you and your family are happy with, go for it.

A lot of it is what you want out of life. My sister is totally about family, her husband and two kids. Live, laugh, love. My nephew makes her laugh, and my niece beats her in marathons. But my sister has spent the last 6 mo. Working 70-100 hrs/wk so she can give her kids everything they want, and then take them to Europe. Twice in two years now. My sister would tell you the grind of her two kids is adult beverage worthy. But she loves those kids.

[funkfriss]

Jan 27, 2020 11:14:51 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

My post was not about working. I did not read into it that way. I read into it, a guy who enjoys what he does. A guy who enjoys studying and learning the game. That’s the take away I intended.

”It’s calm, it’s dark, and then I go in this building and I study. Then when I leave it’s dark. It’s calm, and I go home and sleep and rest and then come back and do it again.”

I don’t know any other way to interpret that other than he spends every waking hour away from home working. Even if he doesn’t see it as work and he loves the grind, he’s still sacrificing other things that are important. That’s great if that’s his thing, but I wouldn’t promote it or glorify it.

It’s like taking the “God, family, football” idea but only making time for a third of it

[larrymoe]

Andy Reid isn't a real good person to hold up as a goal to achieve in coaching given how his idea of fun affected his family.

[Deleted]

It is entirely ok to disagree with the man.

[larrymoe]

Jan 27, 2020 15:56:17 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

It is entirely ok to disagree with the man.

True, but you know dang well that his success, coupled with this coming out as they prepare for the Super Bowl will just further affirm to the majority that this is what is necessary to be a quality coach.

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2020 16:17:41 GMT -6 larrymoe said:

Jan 27, 2020 15:56:17 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

It is entirely ok to disagree with the man.

True, but you know dang well that his success, coupled with this coming out as they prepare for the Super Bowl will just further affirm to the majority that this is what is necessary to be a quality coach.

Yes. But those who know, understand, know better. Andy Reid, Jon Gruden, The NFL, Nick Saban are not one size fits all. And the same is true for those live balanced lives. Both are fine. Something in between is fine. Its not a right and wrong thing. Everybody operates from a different perspective. I dont agree with most any of them, but it doesnt matter, its not my life.

[Coach.A]

A few thoughts on this.

- I think it's very unfair to bring up his son's death. Even if he worked 1/3rd of the hours he does, there would still be regret & doubt when a tragedy like that strikes.

- In the quote he says: "I love the relationships maybe most of all". I think that should be the focal point of the quote. At the NFL level, I'm sure he truly sees his organization as his family. Also, I don't know for sure, but I would assume his actual family is fully immersed in the Chiefs organization as well.

- I doubt he consistently reports to work in the dark and returns in the dark in the off-season (less hours of sunlight in Oct-Jan as well  ). I understand NFL football is a full year deal, BUT even at the NFL level there is an off-season where the "grind" slows down.

- Reading that quote, the man seems at peace and very content. He's doing what he loves and is developing strong relationships in the process. He's also making millions for it. How many of us can say that?

I'm not really fanatic about any NFL team, but I'm cheering for Andy Reid on Sunday!

[fantom]

Jan 27, 2020 17:47:55 GMT -6 Coach.A said:

A few thoughts on this.

- I think it's very unfair to bring up his son's death. Even if he worked 1/3rd of the hours he does, there would still be regret & doubt when a tragedy like that strikes.

- In the quote he says: "I love the relationships maybe most of all". I think that should be the focal point of the quote. At the NFL level, I'm sure he truly sees his organization as his family. Also, I don't know for sure, but I would assume his actual family is fully immersed in the Chiefs organization as well.

- I doubt he consistently reports to work in the dark and returns in the dark in the off-season (less hours of sunlight in Oct-Jan as well  ). I understand NFL football is a full year deal, BUT even at the NFL level there is an off-season where the "grind" slows down.

- Reading that quote, the man seems at peace and very content. He's doing what he loves and is developing strong relationships in the process. He's also making millions for it. How many of us can say that?

I'm not really fanatic about any NFL team, but I'm cheering for Andy Reid on Sunday!

Heck, when I was teaching and coaching I was leaving in the dark and driving home in the dark. 

[larrymoe]

www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3089753

[54695469]

Grind...
Give me a break!
Just do your job and then go home, whether it's dark out or sunny. Stop with all of the self-adulation / promotion.

[gccwolverine]

Jan 27, 2020 21:56:04 GMT -6 larrymoe said:

www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3089753

1st, "The judge said the parents clearly loved and supported their children and had tried many times over the years to get them help."  2nd you are disgusting, this is beyond a low blow.  3rd Reid could have worked 16 hour days or 4 hour days addiction knows no boundaries and doesn't care how many hours your parents put in at the office.       

[silkyice]

Jan 28, 2020 8:44:43 GMT -6 gccwolverine said:

Jan 27, 2020 21:56:04 GMT -6 larrymoe said:

www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3089753

1st, "The judge said the parents clearly loved and supported their children and had tried many times over the years to get them help."  2nd you are disgusting, this is beyond a low blow.  3rd Reid could have worked 16 hour days or 4 hour days addiction knows no boundaries and doesn't care how many hours your parents put in at the office.       

I am going to defend larrymoe here. All he did was post a link from an ESPN article. He made no comments. This article has been out there. The comment from the judge was obviously in the article and anyone can come to their own conclusions.

I think most everyone would take away from it pretty much what I took away from it. Be careful spending time away from those you love. I don't think anyone would believe that if you grind, your kids will be drug addicts. Or if you are a stay-at-home dad they won't. But there are consequences for every decision.

If we are going to praise a public figure for working non-stop, the rest of their life is also crucial information for people to make informed decisions on.

No matter what, I think we would agree some degree of balance is necessary.

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2020 9:21:23 GMT -6 silkyice said:

Jan 28, 2020 8:44:43 GMT -6 gccwolverine said:

1st, "The judge said the parents clearly loved and supported their children and had tried many times over the years to get them help."  2nd you are disgusting, this is beyond a low blow.  3rd Reid could have worked 16 hour days or 4 hour days addiction knows no boundaries and doesn't care how many hours your parents put in at the office.       

I am going to defend larrymoe here. All he did was post a link from an ESPN article. He made no comments. This article has been out there. The comment from the judge was obviously in the article and anyone can come to their own conclusions.

I think most everyone would take away from it pretty much what I took away from it. Be careful spending time away from those you love. I don't think anyone would believe that if you grind, your kids will be drug addicts. Or if you are a stay-at-home dad they won't. But there are consequences for every decision.

If we are going to praise a public figure for working non-stop, the rest of their life is also crucial information for people to make informed decisions on.

No matter what, I think we would agree some degree of balance is necessary.

informed decision? How? Nobody has all the facts. Including andy reid. Balance is in the eye beholder. Their really is no universal truth with things like this.

[silkyice]

Jan 28, 2020 9:35:41 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

Jan 28, 2020 9:21:23 GMT -6 silkyice said:

I am going to defend larrymoe here. All he did was post a link from an ESPN article. He made no comments. This article has been out there. The comment from the judge was obviously in the article and anyone can come to their own conclusions.

I think most everyone would take away from it pretty much what I took away from it. Be careful spending time away from those you love. I don't think anyone would believe that if you grind, your kids will be drug addicts. Or if you are a stay-at-home dad they won't. But there are consequences for every decision.

If we are going to praise a public figure for working non-stop, the rest of their life is also crucial information for people to make informed decisions on.

No matter what, I think we would agree some degree of balance is necessary.

informed decision? How? Nobody has all the facts. Including andy reid. Balance is in the eye beholder. Their really is no universal truth with things like this.

Good gracious. I don't think that anyone is asking anyone to be the jury and judge here. No one needs all the facts. I am not blaming Andy Reid. I have no idea what is going on.

But, Andy Reid is an ultimate grinder. Read the ESPN article. The judge says the "family is in crisis." BOTH sons got in legal trouble and lived at home. One pointed a gun at another person. The same kid had 89 pills in his JAIL CELL. They think he shoved them up his butt to smuggle them in.


You are correct, no on has the facts. No one has the answers. Balance is in the eye of the beholder. All that is true.



But why can't someone just point out the dude that worked ALL the time had a family in crisis?? Each one of us are adults and can interpret that how we want.

I don't interpret that as Andy Reid is bad guy. I just interpret that as I need to make sure I don't neglect my family. Period.

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2020 9:49:39 GMT -6 silkyice said:

Jan 28, 2020 9:35:41 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

informed decision? How? Nobody has all the facts. Including andy reid. Balance is in the eye beholder. Their really is no universal truth with things like this.

Good gracious. I don't think that anyone is asking anyone to be the jury and judge here. No one needs all the facts. I am not blaming Andy Reid. I have no idea what is going on.

But, Andy Reid is an ultimate grinder. Read the ESPN article. The judge says the "family is in crisis." BOTH sons got in legal trouble and lived at home. One pointed a gun at another person. The same kid had 89 pills in his JAIL CELL. They think he shoved them up his butt to smuggle them in.


You are correct, no on has the facts. No one has the answers. Balance is in the eye of the beholder. All that is true.



But why can't someone just point out the dude that worked ALL the time had a family in crisis?? Each one of us are adults and can interpret that how we want.

I don't interpret that as Andy Reid is bad guy. I just interpret that as I need to make sure I don't neglect my family. Period.

i am not ripping larrymoe. I am not ripping anyone. It is all in the eye of the beholder. I work/grind all the time. I make time for family. But most of my time is spent working. We dont know all the facts. So to assume work equals family dysfunction leads to faulty conclusion. Balance and grinding included.

[silkyice]

Jan 28, 2020 10:05:33 GMT -6 @coachpithy said:

Jan 28, 2020 9:49:39 GMT -6 silkyice said:

Good gracious. I don't think that anyone is asking anyone to be the jury and judge here. No one needs all the facts. I am not blaming Andy Reid. I have no idea what is going on.

But, Andy Reid is an ultimate grinder. Read the ESPN article. The judge says the "family is in crisis." BOTH sons got in legal trouble and lived at home. One pointed a gun at another person. The same kid had 89 pills in his JAIL CELL. They think he shoved them up his butt to smuggle them in.


You are correct, no on has the facts. No one has the answers. Balance is in the eye of the beholder. All that is true.



But why can't someone just point out the dude that worked ALL the time had a family in crisis?? Each one of us are adults and can interpret that how we want.

I don't interpret that as Andy Reid is bad guy. I just interpret that as I need to make sure I don't neglect my family. Period.

i am not ripping larrymoe. I am not ripping anyone. It is all in the eye of the beholder. I work/grind all the time. I make time for family. But most of my time is spent working. We dont know all the facts. So to assume work equals family dysfunction leads to faulty conclusion. Balance and grinding included.

Agreed here.

I think we had two different interpretations from larrymoe posting the ESPN article.

I didn't take it as an assumption that work/grinding equals dysfunction. Just more as a warning to keep everything in balance as much as possible.

[coachcb]

There's a simple reality in coaching; you're going to struggle to balance time between family and football, "grinder" or not. It's the nature of the gig; the minimal hours put in (practice, travel, games, etc..) can be a full time job itself.

[Deleted]

Is working from home grinding?

[silkyice]

Jan 29, 2020 11:39:07 GMT -6 @augmer said:

Is working from home grinding?

No.

Grinding is about appearing to work harder and sacrificing more than everyone else. The amount of work accomplished is irrelevant.

If you get 10 times more work done than I do, but you do it from home and I do it from dusk to dark at work, I win. If I post on social media and you don't, I didn't just win, I destroyed you.