While the NFL regular season is finished, and we are heading into the playoffs, there are many coaches who can take credit for the calls and plays that they make on an every day basis.
The NFL Coach of the Year award isn’t about the most productive or superior coach. It rewards the individual that gets the most done with the players they have and goes beyond all the given expectations.
Most coaches don’t get the credit they deserve for taking underachieved teams and turning them around very fast. Brian Daboll was up to the task the minute he arrived at Big Blue headquarters.
Therefore, my pick for the 2022 NFL Head Coach of the Year is Brian Daboll of the New York Giants.
Establishing a new Culture
One of the first things that any head coach must do to start creating a winning team is to change the past stigma from the previous coach or in this case coaches. In this situation, the New York Giants have not had a winning record or have made the playoffs since 2016 and even that was a quick exit to the Green Bay Packers.
In fact, their best showing since then was a ho-hum 6-10 season by then first year head coach Joe Judge in 2020. I think Judge was clearly not ready to be a head coach, since he was only a special teams coach under Bill Belichick. After a 4-13 season, the Giants canned the 39-year-old and hired Daboll who was the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator.
Daboll arrived to the Giants after an impressive stint in Buffalo. He won the Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2021, while developing Josh Allen into a blossoming superstar QB. The one thing missing from his resume was a Lombardi Trophy.
When the University of Rochester graduate arrived to NYG headquarters, he knew what he was getting himself into. The team was still committed to promising, but struggling quarterback, Daniel Jones. Many in the media thought this would be Jones’ last season with the G-Men. But instead of giving up on the #6 overall pick, Daboll wanted a chance to work with him and see what he could do in his quick passing, run-pass option, and spread offense.
Many in the league have also said that Jones could never be a franchise quarterback, but after that first game against the Titans, Jones and Daboll have proven their media critics wrong.
How Daboll restored player’s trust
When Daboll accepted the position almost a year ago, he pledged to his team that he is a man of his word. As a coach, he is used to the hard work, having taken on the lifestyle for over two decades.
The likeable coach seems to bond with everyone around him. Not just his players, but with the coaches, employees, and the different departments within the teams organization. He has a special way about him, how he treats everyone especially his players as “individuals” and takes the time to explore what makes each person unique.
His first experience was in the 2001 AFC Playoffs when the New England Patriots took on Jon Gruden’s Oakland Raiders. The game came down to one of the most controversial overturned calls in NFL history that is still talked about today.
January 19th, 2002
Charles Woodson’s forced fumble is overturned after replay as Tom Brady and the Patriots go on to win 16-13 in OT in the famous “Tuck Rule Game”! #TomBrady #CharlesWoodson #GolsebumpSports #Touchdown #NFL #Raiders #Patriots #NewEngland #LasVegas #Oakland #sport pic.twitter.com/9XiKCC833T— Goosebump Sports (@GoosebumpSports) January 10, 2023
Known as the “Tuck Rule”, quarterback Tom Brady attempted a pump fake that knocked the ball out of his hands and was recovered by hall of fame defensive back Charles Woodson. The season appeared to be over for the Patriots and the Raiders were about to run out the clock and come out with a huge win on the road.
Then, replay buzzed in and referee Walt Coleman went to review to see if Brady’s arm was going forward. Everybody who knows football knew it was a fumble, but Coleman saw that Brady’s arm appeared to be going forward, to which then Coleman ruled it an incomplete pass.
The Patriots retained the ball and drove down the field to set up a 45-yard field goal attempt in the snow by kicker Adam Vinatieri to send the game into overtime. The field goal was good and then on the Patriots next possession in OT, Vinatieri kicked the game winner to send the Patriots to the AFC Championship game on the road at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rather than celebrating after the win, Daboll staying true to his profession, went back to start scouting for the Steelers.
My Opinion
I am very sad to see Daboll go as a Bills fan, but I am happy he finally earned his chance to stay nearby and run his own show. I am one who still believes Jones could play the game and could go even further. I also think he was blamed for the previous coaching staff’s mismanagement of developing him.
Daboll is a quarterback guru who was part of building a winning culture as an OC in Buffalo under head coach McDermott. Jones is not Allen by any means, but he is a capable athletic quarterback, who by the way, can run with the ball too. The difference is Allen is more daring and confident, while Jones is deliberant and careful with his running style.
I think Daboll did an amazing job in only his first-year as an NFL head coach. The Giants roster was virtually the same with Jones and Barkley as the team leaders. However, he was able to better utilize their talents and put them in smarter positions to win games.
To turn the team around from 4-13 in 2021, to a 9 win team in 2022 with this roster is unbelievable. Coach Daboll and his coaching team deserve all the credit for this.
Now Daboll and the team will face the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wildcard Playoff game on the road this Sunday @ 4:30pm on FOX. It is the first time the NY Giants have been to a playoff game in 6 seasons.
For all the reasons listed above I think that Brian Daboll should be the Coach of the Year in the NFL.
Let me know who your choice is?
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https://gridironheroics.com/how-can-t-y-hilton-help-the-dallas-cowboys/
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6 Comments
McDaniels? Please tell me that one was a joke. He is literally getting attention for how bad he is. Raiders should’ve kept Bisaccia.
Great article! I’m going with Sean McDermott go bills!
McDermott definitely
Not Siraini. Dabol. Who came in to 2022 with a winning team?
For all the reasons Jamie listed above in his article I think that Brian Daboll should also be the Coach of the Year in the NFL
Albeit biased and a huge Patriots fan I am humbled to concur Jamie.
“Tuck Rule”, not withstanding and “GOAT” (good on another team), but great where he came from. I stand “currently” a bills fan snd in full agreement with you Jamie. I Too Love Sports!!
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