Hiring is an Art

In 2 years I still haven’t touched upon what I do for work. As a recruiter I get a great overview of almost every industry, job type and what ultimately makes companies successful or not.

I’ve worked for large companies, small, old, young, tech, non-tech. I’ve also spent 4 years working in the football department while in college and am an avid fan since.

As a Patriots fan, and with some inside info, I know Charlie Weis is not someone I would care to meet. That being said, as much as it will make me happy as graduate of BC to see a jerk ND coach fired, he has value. The problem is not that he is a bad coach, it is that he’s not a good head coach in college.

Hiring is incredibly subjective. Too many companies (and engineers I deal with) try and turn it into a science. In college too much value is put on success. Sounds counter intuitive I know. Weis was part of leading a 2 time Super Bowl champ and a football geniuses understudy, can’t miss, right? Wrong. In the NFL the focus is on week to week strategy, he had essentially no player evaluation responsibilities and drafting/contract negotiation was handles by the coach and GM.

College coaching is about 2 things. Recruiting and motivation. Urban Myer’s spread offense is great…it is also the same as every other team that runs it. You know the difference? Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Brandon Spykes and the rest of the studs he recruited to there. College is about exploiting match-ups and keeping 18-21 year olds focuses. Clearly Weis sucks at that…doesn’t make him a bad coach though.

As fast as he’s about to get canned from ND (and be given a $18 million dollar check), he will get a coordinator job in the NFL. I’ll never like him, but will use this as an example for future clients on how to hire. ND needs to focus on a college guy (not Cowher or Billeck). Meyer and Stoops are obvious names. How about Golden (bias noted), Mike Gundy, Kelly (Brian & Chip) or Gary Patterson? Find people who have done well with a difficult situation, run a modern offense and can be molded by ND rather than come in with an ego.

Companies need to do the same. Want that MBA, 20 years of experience doing the same job and managing 20+ people to take a manager title managing 6 people for less money? Get real.

What would ND, or any company, say if they were told some young gun was the next Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden or equivalent? Hopefully hire them in a second, but I don’t believe they would. Do the right thing ND….we’ve beaten you 7 of the last 8 years, this is getting boring!

One of A(I) Kind

AI retired today. BS!

This is going to last as long as Hussain Bolt the 100m dash. Iverson is one of the best scorers in the history of the league, still is. He has a beaten body, but is tough as nails.

Why retire then? How many athletes take a smaller role to join a championship team?

Think:KG, Ray Allen, Shaq (yes Shaq), Karl Malone, Gary Payton and Rodman kinda.

The difference? Each person’s game was adaptable to a team game if necessary. KG defense. Allen shooting when open. Shaq…only shoot within 3 ft. Malone…get out of the way. Payton…assists and defense. Rodman w/Bulls…defense and rebounds.

Problem is AI is THE MAN…THE SCORER. That’s what he does, that’s what he’s always done, and worst of all, that’s what he thinks he’ll ALWAYS be able to do.
This is why he’s retired at 34. Do I think he’ll stay that way…not a chance.

Problem is in the NBA given recent history, the current economic climate and teams jockeying for 2010 free agent position, there are few teams actually in the running for a title. The choices are Celtics, Magic, Cavs, Lakers, Nuggets and Spurs. Sorry everyone else.

AI has already alienated the Nuggets. He doesn’t come close to fitting into the Spurs game. Does Kobe dominate the team enough to keep him in line? Perhaps. Maybe the Magic! Except they have Vincanity already as an aging piece they’re praying doesn’t break down. Celts can’t take the chance, no way Doc can coach that.

This leaves the Cavs. Doesn’t make sense. LeBron doesn’t need the shots, can give it up, but you need the ball in Mo’s hands and that hurts AI. You already have big guys fighting for time and Mike Brown isn’t good enough to keep track of all this. That said, Danny Ferry is something the other teams (except Denver who AI has already played with) doesn’t have. Desperation to win. Gotta win while LeBron is there.

AI lands in Cleveland….after the break…mark my words. Might work out, I love AI, I love the Celts, and I’d get to see AI and see the Cavs suffer. 2 birds, one stone.

Anyways, enjoy the time off our favorite corned row buddy!