why so u think wayne gretzky fails to succeed as a coach?

Question

I think he sucks at coaching because he is expecting his players to be like he was. and all gretzky did was wait at the blue line for passes. he kinda forgets the other half of the game. defense.

Answer 1

hahahaha. it always makes me laugh when armchair athletes speak. Grab your doritos and big bottle of pop and go away.
You have a lot to learn before you know absolutely nothing.

Answer 2

Look at any sport out there. How many great coaches/managers were great players?

In basketball, Larry Bird wasn't a great coach and Isiah Thomas sucks as a coach. On the other hand, I can't say much for Phil Jackson's playing career.

In football, how good a coach did a fine player like Herman Edwards turn out to be? And how great a player was Bill Belichick?

In baseball, Bobby Cox won all those World Series with the Braves, but how great a player was he? Or Tommy Lasorda? Or Sparky Anderson? And what kind of manager was Ted Williams?

Great players don't make great coaches because they place their expectations way too high. And when you look at the Coyotes, it is apparent that Wayne would be the best player on the team if he suited up now, even though he's in his 40s. That's why I cringe when rumors come up that Messier is going to coach the Rangers. Please no!

Answer 3

Wait at the blue line for passes? I would suggest you look up Gretzky's records for assists in single games and overall. He got more assists than goals. The main reason why he is having a bad time coaching is due to the fact that he isn't that adapt at being a coach. Some guys come from being a player to the coaching like a fish to water but some have a lot of trouble.

Answer 4

It's kind of easy to blame his failures on the lack of talent, and that is somewhat true. Their goaltending in particular is extremely subpar.

But his main problem as a coach is that his success as a player was a result of his hockey instincts, and that's almost impossible to teach. It takes a different type of mind to be a successful coach, one that can set up a system that isn't subject to the limitations of his players. I'm not sure Gretzky has managed to pull that off yet. The Coyotes are not a terrifyingly talented team, but that's no excuse for players like Doan and Nagy to have the miserable seasons they had. The best players underachieved the entire season, and the responsibility for that rests with the coach.

Answer 5

You are right about the expectations thing. I don't like the answers here. What is wrong with asking the question? And even though he has an average team, why do they play below average. That answer is a cop out. I have seen many average teams in the last couple of years make it far. Why? Great coaching.

So yes, Wayne's expectations of individuals is too high. You are right on that. To tell an average player to go out and perform a miracle doesn't work. Not when you assume he knows what you are talking about. Not when you don't build him first. If you look at successful coaches in the league you will find that most were only average players.

Answer 6

Like many gifted athletes, the game came naturally to him, he does things based on instinct, which is often hard to teach. Gretzky may not be able to explain 'why' he performed a certain action in a specific situation the way others might.

The 'gifted athlete' type doesn't have to work as hard in practice to improve his game or to study as hard to learn the nuances. The players who tend to excel as coaches are those who didn't have the natural ability and had to really study the game to get ahead, spending hours in practice or watching tape.

It's the same for the NFL, NBA and Baseball; the great coaches and managers were usually not the best player on their team during their playing days.

Answer 7

Principally because his team stinks.

But I'll admit it cracks me up that people suggest Gretzky for commissioner. Look, the guy was a great hockey player, and that means crap when it come to being a great coach, or commissioner, or general manager. Now maybe he'd be a better coach with better players, and maybe coaching isn't his thing. But to suggest him for Commissioner....jeez...someone has been playing goal without a mask again.

Answer 8

It's very rare for a great player to become a coach, much less be successful at it. He doesn't need the money so he must be doing it because he loves the game and can't stand to be away from it.
I'd say by the way you phrased your so called question you never really saw him play and know very little about the game.

Answer 9

Come on. He has a terrible team in Phoenix. No coach could do much more with a bunch of has bins and nobodies. We haven't even seen Gretzky coach enough to comment on what kind of a coach he really is. Phoenix is just a garbage team right now. Silly queston.

Answer 10

gretzky is a HORRIBLE coach! i don't know why everyone's blaming the players. they at least have berry smith to help out, but it's not enough. i went to 5 phoenix games this season - not a ton - but enough to see that there was NO cohesivness amongst the team whatsoever, huge lack of communication on ice & bad leadership - with both gretzky & doan. it was sick to watch & i'd normally go to the games to cheer for the opposing team, cuz there is no reason for me to pay to see a 'yotes game. without cujo & berry smith, this team may never have won a game.

Answer 11

Subpar team and let's not forget he's never coached hockey at the NHL level before the Coyotes gig. Most coaches develop their skills through the years, sometimes starting off at Junior and working their way up. Gretz never had that, so he's learning with a bunch of AHL talent... that's not a recipe for success!