Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano has taken plenty of punches this year, silently accepting most of the blows. On Thursday, one of his top lieutenants finally fired back.
Via PewterReport.com, defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan defended Schiano against criticism that seemed to reach critical mass last week, via a column published by the league’s official website -- an operation that is partially owned by the owners of the Buccaneers.
“It definitely is not warranted,” Sheridan said during his weekly press conference regarding the ongoing criticism of Schiano. “And it may be hard for people on the outside who don’t know Greg because of some of the criticism he apparently is receiving and I don’t follow that, it definitely isn’t warranted.
“I’ve worked for a lot of quality people in this profession, long before I ever came to the NFL and I’ve certainly worked for quality people in the National Football League. I would put Greg up against anybody I’ve worked for in regards to a guy of single-mindedness and purpose toward doing the job he’s been asked to do and doing it with complete and total integrity. In our profession, if we get criticized for that, then he should be criticized.
“All he’s ever done since I’ve been here is be the first guy in the building and the last guy to leave. [He] focuses his entire energy and concentration on what he can do on a daily basis to help the Bucs win and he’s done it with complete unadulterated integrity. If in our profession we get criticized for that, then that’s the way it is. But without expounding on that any more that’s my response and I appreciate you giving me a chance to say that.”
It all sounds good, and it’s sort of expected. Indeed, if Schiano’s key employees weren’t defending him against mounting complaints, it eventually would seem that they agree with the attacks.
Besides, Sheridan’s experiences consist of working for plenty of guys like Schiano. With other NFL teams, Sheridan worked for reputed taskmaster Tom Coughlin and Bill Parcells pupil Tony Sparano. Sheridan previously spent 20 years working for college coaches like Bo Schembechler, Nick Saban, and Lloyd Carr.
Regardless of whether it’s Schiano or Saban or Coughlin or anyone else, a my-way-or-the-highway style isn’t sustainable when wins aren’t happening.
Really, no style is sustainable when wins aren’t happening. But the enemies cultivated by an abrasive demeanor become far more motivated to see an actual or perceived tyrant get run out of town.