Calico Jack: Why the Oakland Raiders Should Extend Del Rio

The Player’s Coach

Furthermore, Del Rio’s relationship with his players speaks of a man who knows how to get the best out of his guys, and someone who could bond with and inspire a group of men who sorely needed it. Paul Gutierrez of ESPN wrote just last month of the coaching dichotomy that was apparent between Del Rio’s way, and the coaches the Silver and Black had before. Gutierrez lists Taiwan Jones as saying:

"“When Dennis Allen was here, I can’t remember too many conversations we had,” Jones said. “I mean, we spoke, but it was real short. With Jack, we joke around, we talk, and I know how he feels about me … that’s big. Something as small as that, it makes a difference for players.”"

Del Rio has also brought a culture of accountability and honesty to Oakland. One of the features of his leadership so far has been the implementation of “Tell the Truth Tuesdays.” An opportunity for the player’s themselves to have a forum in which they can be honest and open about their thoughts on the previous week’s matchup without fear of punishment. It’s a process that has certainly led to a player group that feels their opinions are valued by an experienced and motivated head coach.

Del Rio is a former player himself, and thats something that has endeared him to the Raiders locker room. He’s been through the rigors of the game, was a Pro Bowl selection at linebacker himself, and therefore can empathize with his players on a level some coaches can’t.

Jack’s experience playing in the NFL, combined with a childhood and adolescence as a Raiders fan (his parents have owned season tickets for more than a decade) created a potent combination of a coach with experience, passion and motivation for the sport and his men. A combination that has lifted one of the NFL’s most moribund franchises out of the miry clay, and placed them among the top tier in a staggeringly short space of time.