Richard Sherman played for two of the most respected NFL head coaches during his first nine years in the league.
The veteran cornerback has spent time with Pete Carroll in Seattle and Kyle Shanahan since signing with the 49ers before the 2018 season. He has certainly been lucky in that, hitting three Super Bowls and winning one with the Seahawks. The two coaches have similarities, but what about their differences?
Sherman recently explained to Jim Trotter of NFL Media. He said the three biggest traits that a great coach should have are philosophy / honesty, knowledge of the game and teamwork. For example, Sherman called Shanahan “one of the best offensive minds we’ve ever had in this game” and pointed out how Carroll brought the Cover 3 defense to the NFL.
The biggest difference between the two in Sherman’s eyes is communication. Carroll is Mr. Positive, while Shanahan can be brutally honest.
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“He’s more of a straight shooter than Pete,” said Sherman. “Pete has a way to make sure everyone feels good, by making sure he presses the buttons of some players and doesn’t press the buttons of other players.
“Kyle is different. He is one size. I will tell you as directly as possible, as best I can, and I will explain to you every detail of what I understand about the game that makes it a good game or a bad game or makes us a good or a bad team . “
Sherman is known for being the right shooter himself. The 32-year-old will not hold back. It will tell you exactly how you feel. It seems to be something he really respects about Shanahan too.
“This honesty is something that I think is valuable in a head coach because there is no gray area,” said Sherman. “You know where you are at all times, almost to the point where you say to yourself” Shit! Is that really how you feel? “But you can respect that as a player because what he says is objective: did we win or lose the fluff? Why did we win or lose the fluff?
“If you can give him a good point, he can take it. He is flexible that way.”
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So far so good for Sherman and Shanahan. Although Sherman was never 100% healthy in his first season with the 49ers, in which they only won four games, he was back at full strength last year and the player and the coach have thrived. While Shanahan led the 49ers to 13 regular season wins, an NFC West title and a Super Bowl appearance, Sherman was a second All-Pro team at 31.
Sherman knows what makes a great coach. He saw it both in Carroll and in Shanahan. And it is clear that he believes in his current coach to the highest degree.
