Coach Adam Simpson Megathread est. 2017 - Skip to 2024: Simpson coaching tenure officially ends

[Bender_]

Simmo in a press conference said aggressive yelling and abuse (my paraphrasing) only worked roughly every 10 games so judging by our win over Freo we can assume there was "strong no BS" words spoken back then which means we have roughly 2 games before it will work on the group again.

Do you think he marks it in his calendar?

 

[Smotie2]

Do you think he marks it in his calendar?

It's possible but I can't confirm it lol.

Would like to ask him but he doesn't afford me any interviews lately.

 

[Cuzz09]

I feel like Oscar would be a better on field leader also and the fact he's been missing robs us of something extra leadership wise, also he's a gun.

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[RookiePick]

Do you think he marks it in his calendar?

"Today's date..."

 

[Keys]

Spitballing

Jarrad Schofield

Jarrad Schofield

Age

49

Ht

178cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.0

4star

K

10.5

4star

HB

5.5

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

6.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

2.6

3star

M

1.6

2star

T

0.8

3star

is seen by some as a potential future coach although he’s perhaps guilty by association as an assistant over the last 3 years. Still, when Simpson does move on I think Schofield will be among the candidates to take over

With that in mind, is there any consideration to making 2025 a transition year where Schofield progressively takes over responsibility for the side before becoming senior coach in 2026

I get that there isn’t a strong body of evidence to suggest a succession plan would actually work as most haven’t. And without going through an interview process it would be unknown if Schofield is the best choice

But it means we don’t have to pay out Simpson and Schofield gets a gradual introduction to being a head coach.

Potentially becomes confusing for players if there’s mixed messages coming from Simpson v Schofield but it does provide a clear path which would eliminate conjecture over Simpson’s future through 2025 if it’s known he’s moving on

 

[MerryHell]

Don't think Simmo would go for that

 

[kaiserchief13]

Simmo in a press conference said aggressive yelling and abuse (my paraphrasing) only worked roughly every 10 games so judging by our win over Freo we can assume there was "strong no BS" words spoken back then which means we have roughly 2 games before it will work on the group again.

Have heard around the Media that current day players can't accept criticism and abuse from coaches like the players used to take in older generations.

How is there a defined period where abuse is/is not tolerated? Do your ****ing job and then no criticism required. Don't do your job, then you should be getting criticised every week.

 

[Monocle]

Spitballing

Jarrad Schofield is seen by some as a potential future coach although he’s perhaps guilty by association as an assistant over the last 3 years. Still, when Simpson does move on I think Schofield will be among the candidates to take over

With that in mind, is there any consideration to making 2025 a transition year where Schofield progressively takes over responsibility for the side before becoming senior coach in 2026

I get that there isn’t a strong body of evidence to suggest a succession plan would actually work as most haven’t. And without going through an interview process it would be unknown if Schofield is the best choice

But it means we don’t have to pay out Simpson and Schofield gets a gradual introduction to being a head coach.

Potentially becomes confusing for players if there’s mixed messages coming from Simpson v Schofield but it does provide a clear path which would eliminate conjecture over Simpson’s future through 2025 if it’s known he’s moving on

I would much prefer that we cast the recruiting net as far and wide as we can.

That way seeing exactly what pool of candidates are available and interested in the challenging role.

If Schofield is the absolutely undisputed lead candidate, I would be very surprised if he is.
A worthy candidate, probably but certainly no shoe in.

I happen to think that it’s always a good strategy, to hear from the half dozen legitimate candidates that make the short list.
At least you hear a variety of styles, strategies and perceptions of your Club and your list.

Similarly you get a wider range of opinions, game styles, planning strategy and coaching philosophies.

A lot of the success of a good and successful Coaching strategy ( and football department) is being able to accurately predict where the game is trending and adapt to best plan accordingly.
Being exposed to other Clubs and Coaching view points, is a useful and helpful tool to keep abreast with how others perceive such trending, so taking the opportunity in the interview process to hear other views I would suggest would be a prudent practice.

As a rule I also favour bringing in an outsider when a new coach is appointed, it instantly gives the jobs for the boys and nepotism and hefty shunt out the door.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[Doashuey]

Spitballing

Jarrad Schofield is seen by some as a potential future coach although he’s perhaps guilty by association as an assistant over the last 3 years. Still, when Simpson does move on I think Schofield will be among the candidates to take over

With that in mind, is there any consideration to making 2025 a transition year where Schofield progressively takes over responsibility for the side before becoming senior coach in 2026

I get that there isn’t a strong body of evidence to suggest a succession plan would actually work as most haven’t. And without going through an interview process it would be unknown if Schofield is the best choice

But it means we don’t have to pay out Simpson and Schofield gets a gradual introduction to being a head coach.

Potentially becomes confusing for players if there’s mixed messages coming from Simpson v Schofield but it does provide a clear path which would eliminate conjecture over Simpson’s future through 2025 if it’s known he’s moving on

More like spewballing.
What a mess that would make.

 

[RookiePick]

Have heard around the Media that current day players can't accept criticism and abuse from coaches like the players used to take in older generations.

How is there a defined period where abuse is/is not tolerated? Do your ****ing job and then no criticism required. Don't do your job, then you should be getting criticised every week.

"But I did guard space, corral and point to the next player downfield to cover my man Coach? Just like you asked!"

 

[bzparkes]

Have heard around the Media that current day players can't accept criticism and abuse from coaches like the players used to take in older generations.

It's not about not accepting criticism, it's that times have changed from blanket flaming every player to working with them to get the best out of them.

Some people respond to harsh criticism, whilst others produce better results with a different approach.

I was a manager in hotels for 10 years and you have to vary up your approach with people, based on what you know they respond to. Some I'd get feisty with and others I'd coddle a little bit but they would respond very positively to this approach and ended up being some of my best staff, when they'd go into their shells with other managers taking an overly firm approach.

There's a time and place for everything but the fire and brimstone approach is a relic of the past, unless you like having to replace people all the time.

How is there a defined period where abuse is/is not tolerated? Do your ****ing job and then no criticism required. Don't do your job, then you should be getting criticised every week.

Again, you shouldn't be abusing anyone. Criticism is entirely fine, abusing people for failures and mistakes makes you look like a complete turnip and ensures you rapidly lose support and respect from the people you are leading.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Spitballing

Jarrad Schofield is seen by some as a potential future coach although he’s perhaps guilty by association as an assistant over the last 3 years. Still, when Simpson does move on I think Schofield will be among the candidates to take over

With that in mind, is there any consideration to making 2025 a transition year where Schofield progressively takes over responsibility for the side before becoming senior coach in 2026

I get that there isn’t a strong body of evidence to suggest a succession plan would actually work as most haven’t. And without going through an interview process it would be unknown if Schofield is the best choice

But it means we don’t have to pay out Simpson and Schofield gets a gradual introduction to being a head coach.

Potentially becomes confusing for players if there’s mixed messages coming from Simpson v Schofield but it does provide a clear path which would eliminate conjecture over Simpson’s future through 2025 if it’s known he’s moving on

That would depend on how it was set up, generally a new coach wants to stamp his new world on the playing group and what you are suggesting would not allow that.

Out with the old and in with the new is the best course. How the club sees it is anybody's guess but I am not sure that Pyke will give Adam the leniency Trevor did.

 

[Smotie2]

Have heard around the Media that current day players can't accept criticism and abuse from coaches like the players used to take in older generations.

How is there a defined period where abuse is/is not tolerated? Do your ****ing job and then no criticism required. Don't do your job, then you should be getting criticised every week.

Yes we live in interesting times.

I don't like getting abused and nobody should get abused at work but there is a difference between abuse and forceful verbal motivation?

Otherwise all a coach has left is dropping them which for us we have simmo who doesn't like doing that and to do that as discipline we would have to drop 20 players from last weekend.

 

[thebutterflyeffect]

If he persists with the player selections that he has been going with, then I want him gone at seasons end.

I can cop the losses if the kids fall short, HOWEVER, it’s the selections of Sheed and Gaff that do my head in.

Plus!

The reasoning behind playing Barrass , Gov and H Edwards against North is a a real *ing head scratcher to me.

We go too tall across the forward line and backline and then act surprised when we get beaten with ground ball contests.

I would rather get games into any of Johnston, Hall, Burgiel, Trew and Deware than have to watch the lazy running and ineffectiveness of Sheed.

Simpson keeps backing his go to players and that’s a point that’s really starting to grind me.

I was against moving him on at the end of last season, purely because I felt we would just be setting a new coach up to fail.

But the evolution of our game plan and game day management, or lack thereof, is a point of frustration and annoyance to me.

I also think he is just way too slow and conservative on game day to make moves and be counterproductive.

He is a stubborn bastard and sometimes in life a persons greatest strength can become their greatest weakness.

I think this may well be the case with Simpson.

Tbh not really getting the Gaff hate. Simmo did what you expect from a coach, dropped an underperfoming player who came back into the team after a series of consistent performances and as a result of injury.

It's the Sheed selection that is baffling. Not because I hate him but he's been out for a long time and is recalled after being outperformed by other players in the WAFL (Trew) and has done nothing to remain in the team apart from one good tagging performance - against Oliver who has hardly set the world on fire this year and when our midfield was on top all game.

Are we really certain that Trew couldn't perform as well as Sheed if given the same opportunity? Got no problem with Sheed in the team if he earns it like Gaff had or is performing the way Trew and Culley have in the wafl over 3-6 weeks.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Yeah it's a weird one.

Simpson was hands down the best an most appealing option to replace Worsfold back in the day, had a very very good CV.

I know i was chuffed when we landed him, like many others on here.

Off the top of my head i'm not sure how many options like that are kicking around these days, Other than Cox, and i don't think he even compares to what Simpson had going for him initially in 2013.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Yeah it's a weird one.

Simpson was hands down the best an most appealing option to replace Worsfold back in the day, had a very very good CV.

I know i was chuffed when we landed him, like many others on here.

Off the top of my head i'm not sure how many options like that are kicking around these days, Other than Cox, and i don't think he even compares to what Simpson had going for him initially in 2013.

Yes see I wanted Suma at the time and I thought he deserved a crack at it. We all have different views. Adam really came out of nowhere to get the job.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Surely Dean Cox

Dean Cox

Age

43

Ht

203cm

Wt

107kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.9

4star

K

8.9

3star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.5

3star

G

0.6

4star

No current season stats available

D

13.0

4star

K

5.8

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

1.4

4star

G

0.0

1star

will get it if he applies?

 

[Dark Sharks]

I doubt we'd have made a GF in Suma's 2nd year as coach or won a flag in his 5th year.

But who know


Until recent years i don't think we could've hoped for much more from Simpson. He had a fantastic record, until he totally cooked it from probably the 2020 season until now. 5 years worth.

 

[RookiePick]

I doubt we'd have made a GF in Suma's 2nd year as coach or won a flag in his 5th year.

But who know


Until recent years i don't think we could've hoped for much more from Simpson. He had a fantastic record, until he totally cooked it from probably the 2020 season until now. 5 years worth.

Shuey, Nic and Yeo being unavailable sunk Simmo's battleship.

We really were robbed by not getting to see those 3 + TK in full flight. The club riolied the dice and lost unfortunately.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I doubt we'd have made a GF in Suma's 2nd year as coach or won a flag in his 5th year.

But who know


Until recent years i don't think we could've hoped for much more from Simpson. He had a fantastic record, until he totally cooked it from probably the 2020 season until now. 5 years worth.

Yep it's impossible to know that, we may have won 2015 with Suma as coach?? We will never know as we picked Simmo.
I agree that simmo has been a great contributer to our club and a good coach but something went amiss and the players simply have not turned up for 5 years. Way to much up and down performances and thats on Simmo.
I don't think he shy away from it but I think it will bite him in the arse at the end. I still have no idea why he wanted to stay when he could of got a few jobs back home in melbourne.

 

[BrotherDodge]

There's a time and place for everything but the fire and brimstone approach is a relic of the past, unless you like having to replace people all the time.

Absolutely. There are probably guys who played in the '70s who could have been hall of famers but instead thought "**** this" and went back to the farm because they got sick of moustachioed lunatics screaming at them.

 

[BSD]

Cox would be the absolute best coach out there. Have a look at how Sydney is going at the moment.
Being a West Coast legend shouldn't disqualify him. Both Hanson and Graham are also ex eagles players.
If the decision is made to terminate Simmo then all the assistants should go with him.
A new coach should be able to pick his own team. Get rid of the jobs for the boys mentality.

 

[Monocle]

Tbh not really getting the Gaff hate.

Are we really certain that Trew couldn't perform as well as Sheed

It's got nothing to do with a dislike, or hate of Gaff.
I am a big fan and appreciate him and consider him as a player who was really good footballer and wonderful servant of the Club.

More so its the fact that IMO Trew, by way of example, hasn't been given a fair crack at showing us what he can produce at AFL , because he has never had or been given a sustained run at it.

Thats my point of annoyance, it has nothing to do with my supposed dislike of certain players.

I think we are all pretty clear whats install for Gaff at seasons end with list management.
Trew I think gets a similar fate, however and it's just my opinion, I think he hasn't been afforded the same scope of opportunity as he has deserved.

If we weren't planning to play him, then it begs the question just why the * did we retain him on the list.

It's the inconsistency of selection policy that pisses me off, Gaff deserved to be dropped multiple times last year for poor performances, yet he wasn't and he retained his spot.
You could mount a similar case for Sheed, with his form this year.
The difference being, that the pair benefited from the credits in the bank policy, where as Trew never was afforded the same tolerance or margin for error.

Now I am not for one moment saying that I think Trew will or can make it, but right now I don't categorically know, because we simply haven't invested enough game time in him to be able to make an informed decision.

Simpson has his favourites ( all coaches do ) but he plays them at the expense of seeing just what the kids might be able to produce if he backed them in, as much as he does his favourites.

For me I would have liked for us to have made it a strategic priority in season 2024, to explore fully the scope of our list and give the kids a good crack at playing.
I personally don't give shit about how many games we win, but I do want to develop and invest in the kids and then at seasons end, work out who stays and who goes.

I don't see us as having bottomed out yet, as we will have a slight bounce up the ladder a spot or two, but won't stay there, because, the full bottom out comes in a few years when McGovern, Kelly, Gaff, Yeo, Darling, Cripps all retire, within a few seasons of each other.
We need to be working NOW to replace them and if that means we drop some game in the process, then so be it.

Thats why we need to accelerate the development or delistings of the kids and those players, who are past their use by or best before dates.

Trading in players, is going to be the single most vital element of just how long we stay shit.
Trade and draft well and we start to move in a Northerly direction in three to four years, if we fail to do that , have a look at Norths last five season and thats the sort of abyss we will be looking at.

 

[Grahame]

I don't like getting abused and nobody should get abused at work but there is a difference between abuse and forceful verbal motivation?

‘Forceful verbal motivation’ sounds like one definition of abuse.

Times have moved on, I think there are smarter and more effective ways to motivate. Welcome to 2024.

 

[Smotie2]

‘Forceful verbal motivation’ sounds like one definition of abuse.

Times have moved on, I think there are smarter and more effective ways to motivate. Welcome to 2024.

And yet Simpson said it works.