Most head coaches will tell their players to ignore the media. It can only be a distraction from the important job of improving the football team. One would think a highly structured and detailed person like Ben Johnson would see it that way. However, the Chicago Bears head coach has demonstrated a far deeper understanding of the role the media plays in football than others. More specifically, it doesn’t have to just be a tedious distraction. If manipulated properly, it can be a phenomenal motivational tool.
In the past year, Johnson has learned a great deal about quarterback Caleb Williams. Chief among them is his online presence and how he seems to use all of the negative energy to fuel his desire to improve. Johnson told Cassie Carlson of FOX 32 that having a quarterback like that makes his job easier.
“He’s certainly leading the charge, but he doesn’t need anything more from me. I mean, he certainly sees what’s going on out there, whether it’s some negativity that adds a little bit.”
However, Carlson quickly called him out, stating that Johnson has a reputation for funneling some of that negative media to Williams. The head coach grinned, admitting that he’ll do what is necessary to get his players juiced up to attack every day.
“Well, I’m a little bit petty myself. So, that’s whatever it takes to make sure that we’re coming in and ready to attack the day, every single day.”
Ben Johnson is a rare breed in this regard.
Most head coaches prefer to avoid the media. They’ll give generic answers in press conferences and nothing more. However, there have been a certain few scattered throughout modern history who haven’t been shy about using television, radio, and now social media to carefully manipulate their players. Bill Parcells was famous for it in the 1980s with the New York Giants. Jimmy Johnson did the same when he was with the Dallas Cowboys. Doug Pederson, Rex Ryan, Mike McCarthy, and Dan Campbell have all dabbled as well.
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It takes a careful mixture of guts and psychology to do something like that. Johnson must understand which of his players will respond the right way to getting slighted by the media. Williams is obviously one such example. The trick is picking the right time and place to do it. If a coach uses that tactic too often, it loses effectiveness. That is why Johnson usually leaves his players to their own devices. He’ll step in when he feels they might not be bringing the juice as much as he wants.
Johnson will use every tool available.
That is something he’s made clear from the start. Coaches should never be afraid of trying new things. Those who stay on the cutting edge in the NFL tend to have the most success. That is why George Halas dominated for decades. Few in his time were more innovative. Ben Johnson is much the same. He’s always looking for new ways to make his team better. That isn’t limited to scheming or technology. One of his biggest duties is finding methods to motivate his players.
As with anything else, delivering the same speeches and messaging over and over will stop working over time. Players tend to tune such things out after a while. That is why a coach must always keep them on their toes. Using the media to prod their personal pride is a highly effective way to do this. It isn’t surprising that Johnson quickly learned to use it, especially on his quarterback.
