# Will Gretzky make it as a coach? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220 "2005-08-09T01:28:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ava\_Gina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Ava\_Gina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ava_Gina)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/1 "2005-08-09T01:28:57Z")
He has just been named as head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. It has never really worked in other sports when a super star has tried coaching. outside of maybe Bill Russell. But he was a player coach. Granted it’s never been tried in the NHL. I think he will do well. Time will tell. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/2 "2005-08-09T01:40:47Z")
I’m gonna say no. Being a great player is one thing. Being even a good coach is completely different. He’ll bring in the crowds though, even if he stinks as a coach. I just hope this doesn’t do a number on his stature like Jordan did with his comebacks. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/3 "2005-08-09T01:56:32Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > I’m gonna say no. Being a great player is one thing. Being even a good coach is completely different. He’ll bring in the crowds though, even if he stinks as a coach. Maybe for three games. As great a player as he was, looking at the back of his head while he stands there isn’t quite scintillating enough to get people to fork over the big bux for tickets. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/4 "2005-08-09T02:25:35Z")
There’s no telling, but I’m doubtful. It’s extremely rare for a great player to make a good coach. Frank Robinson turned into a good manager, but it took him decades. ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/5 "2005-08-09T03:00:02Z")
Two words: Larry Bird. It’s certainly possible for Gretzky to do well in his new job, but I wouldn’t consider him any less of a long-shot than any other first-time head coach. I remember Michael Jordan (I think) once saying that he could never be a good coach because he would have a hard time expecting any less from his players as he would from himself. And even as good as Larry Bird was as a coach, he gave it up after only 2 or 3 seasons. Perhaps Wayne should keep his eye out for a managerial position, considering what that did for Jerry West. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/6 "2005-08-09T04:17:13Z")
> [@Dahnlor](#): > > Perhaps Wayne should keep his eye out for a managerial position, considering what that did for Jerry West. And considering what he did putting together the Canadian teams at the Olympics and for the world cup it may be a better option, but to be honest I think I could have put together a winning Canadian team as well. Coaching will probably not go well for him, hopefully I am wrong, but my gut says DANGER. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/7 "2005-08-09T12:33:33Z")
It’s silly to say that being a great star automatically makes you a poor manager/coach. Ty Cobb and Ted Williams did pretty well in the beginning, especially since they had little to work with. I’m sure that their personalities tended to grate as time went on. Joe Cronin was both a great star and a great manager. Walter Johnson was fairly successful (lifetime managerial W-L percentage of .550). In football, there was George Halas and Bart Starr. Vince Lombardi was also a top player. In hockey, there’s Sid Abel, Frank Boucher, and Toe Blake. Nowadays, it’s less likely for a big star to want to come back, since it’ll be a cut in pay. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/8 "2005-08-09T13:26:51Z")
With the team he’s coaching, it doesn’t matter if he’s the next Scotty Bowman. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gretzky-make-it-as-a-coach/316220/9 "2005-08-09T13:34:30Z")
#99 has the love of the game, and loads of talent. Whether he can communicate those to other players as a coach remains to be seen - and the world will be watching. Nothing like a little pressure! On the upside - I’m sure he’s comfortable enough that the pay cut won’t hurt too bad.