ESPN: Why did Steve Spurrier fail in NFL?

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by irish

Switzer just rode in on JJ's coat tails and had a great team that was already set up to win so he just had to keep from messing things up.

JJ was successful because he recognized that the talent levels in the NFL are essentially the same so he paid attention to details on both sides of the ball and knew how to adjust as the game went on. Plus I think he ran a more "pro style" on both sides of the ball in college so he didnt have too much to do by way of adapting to the pro game.

Yeah, you're right. When Dallas won their last Super Bowl in 1995 with Switzer as HC, Jimmy Johnson's shadow still loomed greatly because those were his players on that team that he'd put together. Johnson also had a few strengths which like you said with the ability to pay attention to detail where his entire team was concerned.

Spurrier on the other hand was out of his element from day one.