IT IS around this time of year that the jungle drums start to resonate to the cry of "sack the coach". So far, Neale Daniher, Dean Laidley, Chris Connolly, Kevin Sheedy, Mark Thompson, Denis Pagan and Terry Wallace have had their turn in the firing line.

Both Laidley and Thompson are riding the crest of the wave at present and have defeated the hangman, at least for the time being.

We are good at highlighting deficiencies and sometimes better at inventing them. I was told a long time ago by a great industry leader that people don't fail, organisations fail. In essence, once you have selected someone as the right candidate you actually take on the responsibility of guaranteeing that they grow and develop in the role, something football clubs are not very good at. Of course, the coach also needs to accept responsibility for his progress and development.

Has it taken 10 years for Melbourne to realise that Daniher's word is not hitting the spot with the Demons? I am certain Neale is a far better coach now than he was last year, let alone when he started. Ten years of experience is testimony to that.

The question is how much time, effort and development has the club put into the coach to ensure he grows with the game and his influence and effect dramatically increases over time.

Coaches are regarded as being advice-proof and development-proof — but that is far from the truth.

Sheedy, by most accounts, has lost his "mojo" after 27 years as the Messiah. I would like to know where it has gone and perhaps cynically Kevin would also. Things like "he's been there too long", "he's too old", "the game has gone past him", roll off the tongues of many footy pundits.

You should not be crucified just because you have been a loyal servant at one club for 27 years or because you are in your 60s. What has Essendon done to ensure Kevin has kept abreast of the important things in coaching and the game as it is today? He is a very astute competitor who has been able to adapt and answer all the challenges over the past three decades. In soccer, baseball, American football or basketball it would not be a factor. Sheedy would be considered the guru. He would have an army of support staff that complemented his strengths and offset his deficiencies. Instead, people criticise him. Is Essendon willing him down a path of failure to vindicate a decision to appoint a new coach or is it aggressively going about ensuring he has the capacity and support to take his coaching to another level?

Terry Wallace was regarded as one of the best coaches some time ago but now is in the crosshairs of many footy followers. Terry would be the first to admit the strategy the Tigers are employing now should have been instigated when he arrived in 2005. The Tigers have effectively lost two years but they are at least on the right path. Plough is media savvy, innovative, tactically astute, a very good communicator and is able to motivate people. Richmond should ensure it spends the next two years developing the areas that both the club and Terry outline as to be improved.

Terry is already a highly regarded coach and I am suggesting a two-year development program running alongside his existing skills would deliver a vastly improved coach who will be at the club for a sustained period.

Connolly would have been hung, drawn and quartered if his team had not delivered against the Saints on Friday. I would suggest certain sections of the public and media would have been willing him to fail to enable a tirade of criticism. Those same people will also be saying he has saved himself and bought some time. Think about that; within two hours a coach has gone from chopping block to back in the fridge. What has transpired that stops the calls for instant dismissal in that time?

Pagan is an outstanding coach. The influence he will have on his young charges will remain with them for the rest of their careers and form the foundation of their decision-making and professionalism.

Pagan does not coach to be liked, he coaches to win premierships. Sure, there may be a slight disconnection with the youth of today and he may be considered inflexible in relation to game plan and tactics, but if you want a leader who is fanatical, passionate, unrelenting and knows what is required, he is the best fit for a young emerging team.

I have also sensed a fair degree of adaptability within Denis, that previously was not evident. Recently there has been a real connection between him and the players, as well as a more engaging attitude to the media.

Fortunately for Pagan and Sheedy, they have won flags. Premierships make legends out of people but each year just one coach can win one. I love the humility of 2005 premiership coach Paul Roos and consider him to be an excellent mentor although I would like to see him in the cauldron of Melbourne.

Roos has a tremendous temperament for leading people in the volatile environment of AFL. His players value him and he involves them in everything from selection to behaviour issues to decision-making on the ground. But, his greatest attribute — like John Worsfold, Mark Williams and Leigh Matthews — is that he has recently coached a side to a flag.

In summary, there are many quality individuals at the helm; hopefully their decision-makers appreciate their strengths and provide the support that will lead to them becoming premiership coaches. Sometimes it is better to improve the devil you know.