Boston Coaches on Run for the Ages

_{Since 2007 Boston has had stability in their Professional Coaches. (Z.Trainor - SawxBlog Illustration)}

While the above illustration, created by the talented and esteemed Zac Trainor, may not be what Boston's All-Time Mt. Rushmore coaches pantheon would look like, it's at least half-way there, and when looking at the collective success these four coaches have had in the past five years, it's hard to deny the high times we live in. Looking specifically at the last four years, we find the collective winning percentage for all four coaches at .636 (not including playoffs), which equates to a lot of wins for us Boston fans, and a lot of money for their bosses.

During this four year run Boston Teams have played in four championships and won it all two of those years (2007 Red Sox and the 2007-08 Celtics) - with each Team making their respective Finals at least once, except for the Bruins.

Success has bred camaraderie too, and it's not out of the ordinary to see players and coaches attending each others games, helping give an almost collegiate feel to our Professional Teams in what is a most collegiate city.

Bill Bellichick already has the title of the best coach of his generation, and he may be a Superbowl or two away from being remembered as the best ever - shoot, he may even be there now. While Terry Francona has become the greatest Red Sox coach of all-time, which is saying a lot given the longevity and history the Red Sox have as a franchise. Meanwhile, Doc Rivers has been given the time to really flourish in Boston, and his ability to manage the Big Three while returning the Celtics to glory hasn't gone unnoticed by the league, and he's now one of its most coveted coaching stars. Claude Julian, much like his Bruins, is the weakest link in this chain, and his name was surfacing in rumors of being fired as recently as this season. He's done admirably for the Bruins though, but until real success is found in the playoffs for them, he'll continue to be the black sheep of this group.

I've written tirelessly over the past decade about how lucky we are to root for the Teams Boston sports have provided us, and think it's due time to acknowledge the coaches and managers who've helped guide the players to success, as too often they're used only as scapegoats during the low times, instead of linchpins to our Teams success during good times, and thanks to their efforts - the good times have been often, and currently show no signs of turning dour.

Comments

[Chris hixon]

Awesome illustration sawxblog! Cant wait for opening day!