OPINION is divided on whether Michael Voss needs to do a coaching apprenticeship before taking the reins himself. People think it would be throwing him in at the deep end.

People such as Voss and Nathan Buckley are not aware there is a shallow end. They demand to be challenged. That is why they are as good as they are — they do not put glass ceilings on their thinking or goals.

It is crystal clear to me that Voss doesn't need to be an understudy in order to coach. Buckley is another who exudes the qualities of a successful coach in the making.

I ask the question: "Learn what off whom?" I think today's senior coaches would be the first to acknowledge that coaching is overstated and not an overly sophisticated practice.

The art of successful coaching is not what is common knowledge — that is, footy itself, the strategy, the tactics, the training, the skills, the preparation, the planning, the development, the analysis, the motivation, the leadership and so on.

The thing that separates good coaches from great coaches is their ability to understand their players mentally, to create an environment that is harmonious and uplifting, and with the people-management skills to inspire, advise, support and direct their troops, irrespective of circumstances.

You need to be brutally tough but you also must have a personality that allows your players to feel comfortable in coming to see you for any reason and at any time.

Unless I am missing something, I cannot understand why an outstanding coaching candidate who possesses all the key ingredients to coach would need to work in that environment before taking charge himself.

There would be more learned on what not to do as a prospective coach as there would be on what to do. It is a very immature role still.

It would be difficult to argue that coaching has developed commensurately with other significant leadership roles in the community over the past 120 years or so. We have tended to just do what the predecessor has done but maybe a tad better.

Many of the great coaches in the past did not serve an apprenticeship.

This is a classic case of cost-benefit analysis; evaluating the cost of some potential mistakes against the benefits of some new, pristine, untouched thinking applied to a very habitual role.

A poor coach will be exposed by an inability to handle pressure and constant media exposure. The media can make or break a coach, especially if you are sensitive and not resilient.

I think a year in the media for Voss, who is a polished performer, will assist him greatly.

I have some concerns with the habitual and traditional aspects of coaching. Voss may be better served by not having any preconceived ideas about coaching. I would welcome his fresh ideas and individual approach to issues and circumstances, rather than see him simply applying the strategies learned as an assistant.

There is no AFL coaching manual and no one has a mortgage on what to do and how to do it. Instinct and intuition are still very valuable tools in motivating and managing people.

There is no doubt in my mind that Vossy would have instant respect and be able to inspire the players.

Managing the team on game day can be intimidating. However, he has the confidence to back himself in this regard and no doubt would select an experienced support crew.

There is no mystery to strategy and tactics. They are grossly overstated pursuits. Once the style and brand that best suits the team and the specific circumstances has been decided, it all comes down to implementation.

Let us not forget Voss' outstanding career, culminating in him captaining three successive premiership teams with the Brisbane Lions, and that he was coached by the man widely regarded as the best player of all time and the most highly respected and successful coach now.

What there is to learn about footy for Michael Voss is not worth knowing. He is gaining valuable media experience this year and is undergoing a management course at Melbourne University.

Like everything he has done before, Michael Voss means business.

He is born to lead and lead he will.

If charged with the responsibility, I would have no hesitation in appointing him or Nathan Buckley as a senior AFL coach.