What we're missing
Watching the highlights of Wade Phillips' introductory news conference in Dallas, I was reminded again of the disservice Marty Schottenheimer -- among other NFL coaches -- does to his assistants by restricting them from talking to the media.
Besides the fact that assistant coaches are often the best sources on a football team -- they, after all, interact directly with their players on a daily basis, more so than the head coach -- keeping the assistants anonymous robs them of the opportunity to show their personalities.
It doesn't necessarily prevent them from moving up as head coaches, as evidenced by the fact that both of Marty's coordinators (Wade and Cam Cameron) now have their own teams to run. But I think they'd be better served, better prepared for going to the next level, by dealing with reporters. And the public would have a chance to get to know these guys.
Phillips is an engaging, funny guy, much in the mold of his dad, longtime Oilers coach Bum Phillips. Too bad the fans of San Diego never got a chance to see it.