The season is over. Expectations are dashed. Fans are angry. What’s next?
Expectations are a funny thing. What makes a successful season? Does it always have to end in a championship? If that’s the case, almost every outcome is a failure.
If a team is a championship contender, it’s likely good enough to make a deep playoff run every year. But miss out on a title for a few straight years? Then fans get restless.
The toughest scenario is one of underachievement. Pointing to injuries or a tough schedule can blunt the severity of an abrupt end to a season. Underwhelming play cannot do the same.
If a team doesn’t live up to expectations, the easiest thing to do is to fire the coach. Is this always the best thing? Maybe a five-year plan is the best scenario unless the situation is absolutely dire. Let a system grow and players change before making a switch.
The framework or mindset could be: overhaul, evaluate, tweak, overhaul (if needed).
That way, it’s easier to evaluate at a global level and a granular level. And easier to make a meaningful change.