Why did Healy never coach?

[Xie Shan]

Dennis Cometti said it best during a Hawks game in '05 or thereabouts.

When Dwayne (?) said of Alistair Clarkson: 'He's always wanted to be an AFL coach' (or words to that effect), Dennis came back with: 'Serves him right then!'

[sWAns63]

It's easy to sit in a box and commentate high above the ground no ones really cares except the supporters if you make a mistake.
If you're a coach though the buck stops with you if you stuff up everbody has a go at you.
Even as a player you have 21 players to share the wins and losses with.

[Swansinger]

I seem to remember that Gerard Healy coached the International Rules side one year (or was he an assistant?). How come he never went on to coach an AFL side?

Because he is even less articulate than Paul Roos .

[sWAns63]

Probably because he knew he wasn't up to it. He actually said Gary Lyon should coach Melbourne the other day. Yes, that's the same Gary Lyon that watches 2 games a weekend and comments on all of them

Yeah maybe afraid of failure
Easier to commentate

[Dogzbody]

Healy is a really smart person, very well spoken and well respected across the AFL world both for his achievements as a player and a media personality. I don't think it would come down to money....I just think he knows where his strengths are.

[smasher]

Healy had a big physio practice on the Peninsula.He wouldn't have time to coach with his media,surfing and family along with his lesser physio duties.He has a good,well balanced life.Why would he want to coach?

[Mr Magoo]

That's a big call. I don't think all coaches do it for ego (many probably do, but not all).



I guess I meant in the context of "should I stay with my successful high paying media career or should I coach". In that situation I would think that ego (and not necessarily ego in a bad way) would make you forget the media and take up coaching .

[Reggi]

Reggi, I thought you'd be at Hotham

Nah waiting for the real stuff

[Lohengrin]

Problem with Dermie is that his attention span is about 10 seconds.

Yes, although he seems like a good bloke!

[Vonsteinman]

Fear of failure.

A bit harsh on Healy. He is a very good commentator, as you mentioned and his partnership with the late, great Hookesy was top quality radio. He plays to his strengths.

Lack of desire to coach, as L suggested, may be a more generous (and possibly accurate) way of putting it.

[Nico]

Many players go into the media and enjoy it and don't have a burning desire to coach so they don't wish to move and time eventually passes on. I think Healy is like that and other good special comments men are too, such as Lyon, Brereton, etc. It's a lot easier in the media than coaching, although I'm sure a number of the good special comments guys would have been decent coaches.

Problem with Dermie is that his attention span is about 10 seconds.

[Lohengrin]

Many players go into the media and enjoy it and don't have a burning desire to coach so they don't wish to move and time eventually passes on. I think Healy is like that and other good special comments men are too, such as Lyon, Brereton, etc. It's a lot easier in the media than coaching, although I'm sure a number of the good special comments guys would have been decent coaches.

[Nico]

Probably because he knew he wasn't up to it. He actually said Gary Lyon should coach Melbourne the other day. Yes, that's the same Gary Lyon that watches 2 games a weekend and comments on all of them

Fear of failure. Both these blokes are big on rhetoric but I don't reckon they have the balls to coach. Mind you I think Healy is a pretty good football commentator and is a thinker on game. Gary "briquette head" Lyon on the other hand wouldn't know @@@@@ from clay.

Coaching the International Rules side is no big deal. If they lose so what, there is no ongoing accountability.

[goswannies]

He's a physio isnt he (well they keep referring to this on OTC).

He definately was a physio. But they don't make that much - coaching would be a better paying gig than most physio jobs.

Anyway, coaching is an ego thing,

That's a big call. I don't think all coaches do it for ego (many probably do, but not all).

media is where the money is (and less hours ) and he's been successfully employed in the media for some time

True and true. Points well taken

[Mr Magoo]

He's a physio isnt he (well they keep referring to this on OTC).

Anyway, coaching is an ego thing, media is where the money is (and less hours ) and he's been successfully employed in the media for some time