The New Boss Insulting the Old Boss
Maybe it's not the wisest decision and move to play
It might not, at first thought, seem harmful as a leader to communicate to the media about how the person you replaced did a pitiful job, especially when the evidence by all accounts seems to back you up. This assumption however can quickly prove to be poor judgment and faulty risk assessment for your own good name, as one accomplished, respected leader just learned.
Sean Payton is the new head coach of the Denver Broncos and he won a Super Bowl with New Orleans in the 2009-10 season. For that reason, his long record of success and great offenses with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, he is widely respected around the league.
That doesn’t mean smart people don’t do dumb things.
That’s what Payton just did when he said of the man he replaced — Nathaniel Hackett — who was fired before he could finish his first season with the franchise:
“It might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the (National Football League),” Payton said.
“One of the worst…in the history…of the NFL.”
Ouch.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the future Hall of Famer, who had Hackett as an assistant coach when the two were employed by the Green Bay Packers, stood up for his coach and friend.
"On the field, he's arguably my favorite coach I've ever had in the NFL,” Rodgers said. “His approach to it, how he makes it fun, how he cares about the guys, just how he goes about his business is with respect, with leadership, with honesty, with integrity and it made me feel bad that someone who has accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall if it doesn't go well for that team this year.
"Thought it was way out of line, inappropriate,” Rodgers continued, “and I think he needs to keep my coaches' names out of his mouth."
Payton did apologize yet the damage was done: to Hackett and also, Payton’s name. Different players spoke out, it wasn’t just Rodgers. Payton crashed his reputation. Not entirely, mind you, but he did it no favors and will now have his work this season and beyond scrutinized more than it was already going to be judged.
Expect schadenfreude if Payton’s team struggles in 2023 and in the near future.
He invited that negativity upon himself and he likely knows and (privately) regrets it.
Was what Payton said necessary to defend his new organization and the quarterback he will be coaching, Russell Wilson, who was extensively criticized last season? Of course not.
What is often well intentioned can go sideways and end up creating another communication and relationship fire instead of putting one out. Payton wanted to stand up for others yet decided recklessly to hammer someone else to do it.
That is high-risk strategy. Let the departed boss lick their wounds. Don’t choose to beat them up, publicly or privately, especially publicly. There isn’t much good that come from it.
I’m sure Broncos and Wilson appreciated what Payton said and maybe will say that’s all that matters yet that’s not true.
Professionalism and emotional intelligence does too. Payton just learned a lesson. He’ll learn another one if the Jets (with Hackett as an assistant, associated with Rodgers again) beat Denver on the field and if the Broncos are again a bad team, even with Hackett gone.
Don’t set yourself up for being harshly criticized and people rooting for your downfall by communicating what doesn’t need to be communicated.
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