CodeMonkey Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 "Normal chain of command" isn't necessarily all that normal. It's what we're used to seeing, because Wilson delegated quite a bit of executive responsibility to Brandon and Overdork (he had to, as his health was failing), so it was a more linear organization. In this case, it could be that the Pegulas want the authority more distributed and a more collaborative team - president, GM, and coach are roughly equals, responsible for their own aspects of managing the franchise (business, player personnel, and play, respectively), but each "reports" to the Pegulas. As such, the Pegulas act less as authority and more as coordinators for the team. It can work well...IF you have the right people for the team, who can get along and not be acrimonious when conflicts arise (which they will). But I'm just guessing - the only evidence I have is how many candidates they interviewed, which indicates quite a bit of effort to find the "right" fit for the management team (and some very thin anecdotal evidence of the Sabres being run in similar fashion.) It could just be that it was a condition of Ryan's coming on board, and they REALLY wanted Ryan, and no one thought it through completely. Interesting, thanks. So Whaley reports directly to Pegula as well then? Is this the norm across NFL teams and for that matter other sports like hockey? Ted Nolan reports to Pegula do you know? I understand that Whaley would not fire the HC without talking it over with both Brandon and Pegula even if he had the power. But it just seems weird to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Interesting, thanks. So Whaley reports directly to Pegula as well then? Is this the norm across NFL teams and for that matter other sports like hockey? Ted Nolan reports to Pegula do you know? I understand that Whaley would not fire the HC without talking it over with both Brandon and Pegula even if he had the power. But it just seems weird to me. Really, I was just spitballing. Based on what I've heard, I think Ryan, Whaley, and Brandon all report directly to Pegula. I could have misheard. But from an organizational perspective...if they all do, it's workable, and not even that unusual (though it does tends to confuse people because it's non-linear). It could also blow up in everyone's face...but then, so can a linear organization. I honestly don't know if Nolan reports directly to Pegula. Like I said, it's based on very thin and anecdotal evidence, but I suspect responsibility is distributed, and decisions collaborative, in the Sabres organization under Pegula. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Really, I was just spitballing. Based on what I've heard, I think Ryan, Whaley, and Brandon all report directly to Pegula. I could have misheard. But from an organizational perspective...if they all do, it's workable, and not even that unusual (though it does tends to confuse people because it's non-linear). It could also blow up in everyone's face...but then, so can a linear organization. I honestly don't know if Nolan reports directly to Pegula. Like I said, it's based on very thin and anecdotal evidence, but I suspect responsibility is distributed, and decisions collaborative, in the Sabres organization under Pegula. Yeah it's the non-linearity of it that is off for me. I suppose if an owner wanted more direct involvement having all 3 entities report directly to him is a good way to accomplish it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealityCheck Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Terry reminds me of Lambchop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
die hard bills fan Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Personally I don't really care how well a coach can address the public or give an interview. 99% of the time it's just coachspeak anyway and some of the worst interviewers are the best coaches (Belichick) . It's what he does in the locker room and in the games that matters. Just Win Baby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozymandius Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Russ and Whaley are still in the process of gaining the Pegulas' trust as well. I figure if the Pegulas had a comfortable 10-yr relationship with either of them, then the head coach maybe doesn't report directly to the owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 It takes a real douce to make that your first question of a new HC like Sullivan did. Terry is not the smoothest public speaker. He does come across as honest and genuine though. I didn't think I could hate Sullivan more than I did. The guy just got here, and he's already trying to find the negative angle. Seriously, when did beenig an assh0le become good journalism? I don't hate Jerry, I honestly enjoy reading his columns and most of the time agree with him. For 15 years I have watched many on this board get ruffled feathers when the Bills are criticized, however, the bottom line is 15 years of failure. The hatred for Sullivan is actually one the highlights of this board, quite amusing though irrational. Really? You agree with that no talent assclown? What he does goes beyond objective criticism. He seeks out a negative angle. That, my friend, is crappy journalism. It is what you are taught NOT to do in journalism school. If you've got a guy that tries to find a negative angle before a guy has even set up his office, there is a problem. Reconsider your Sullivan worship. He's a prick, and his articles are worthless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WrecksRyan Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Rex is most definitely an articulate guy. He's a man's man, and is loyal (almost to a fault) to his players. Your issues with him won't ever be about him as a person because he's a great guy, and someone you'd certainly love to have at a party, it grab a beer with. But his deficiencies as a head coach will become apparent to you rather quickly once the season starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 It takes a real douce to make that your first question of a new HC like Sullivan did. Terry is not the smoothest public speaker. He does come across as honest and genuine though. Well it is sully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunPolice Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Terry said that Russ, Doug, and Rex will report directly to him and Kim. Russ also made it pretty clear that he is business side only. It's typical in the business world. Dept. heads each with his own responsibilities with a CEO type at the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 T. Pegula is a surprisingly poor public speaker. I still like the guy but I'd never pay to hear him speak. Rex, on the other hand, had me pumped up. He's not actually a polished speaker either, but he comes across as genuine, knowledgeable, passionate, and driven to win. I loved the "Lookie, Lookie, Here Comes Cookie" line. He knows his Bills history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddenboy Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Terry said that Russ, Doug, and Rex will report directly to him and Kim. Russ also made it pretty clear that he is business side only. It's typical in the business world. Dept. heads each with his own responsibilities with a CEO type at the top. Is it possible we are confusing "reports to" with "is accountable to?" I cant see all 3 of them constantly picking up the phone to call Terry for approvals. Or to clarify something. I mean, it could actually be as they say. Co-equal branches of govt. But it probably just means that none can fire the other. But truly, its kinda dumb to have the head coach "report to" the owner. ( On reflection, I think that what bothers me it the feeling that Whaley is being marginalized or emasculated. Kind of like saying "you're not a real GM yet Doug, but you're on your way") Edited January 15, 2015 by maddenboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Jerry Sullivan is Triple A compared to the NY media. No kidding. Did you see the hatchet job they did on Marrone when he looked like a HC candidate? Probably cost him the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Sullivan really has outlived his purpose at the Buffalo News. He has a television show that he does with Bucky Gleason. I set the DVR to record it - figured it would be a good cop/bad cop kinda format. I was wrong, it was bad cop/worse cop. They both sat there looking like professional lemon tasters. Neither one ever cracked so much as the hint of a smile. They criticized everyone and everything with a holier than thou attitude and offered nothing but conjecture on every topic. I quickly deleted it from the DVR series manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Handles them well, though. After years of dealing with the NY media, he must have found that press conference a cake walk. Probably thinking "Jerry Sullivan? That's the worst this town can do? Really?" I tell you: Sully facing Ryan = Teacup Chihuahua facing Great Dane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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