While the focus of Super Bowl XLIX should be on players like Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Marshawn Lynch and many other great players. They will take the field on Sunday, putting everything on the line and going after each other with one hit after another.
While the ridiculous "Deflate Gate" non-story clouds New England and Bill Belichick's image, the Super Bowl and on-field decisions are all that matter. This is what makes Super Bowl XLIX so exciting, a strategic battle between two very different coaches. Now let's take a look at these two very different coaches and what makes them different and important to their team's success.
Bill Belichick
It's unfortunate that a miniscule issue turned into a media sensation. While conversations over the past 10 days on ESPN, FOX and regular news outlets have focused on a ball boy and the deflation of footballs, this should be about Belichick on his way to joining Chuck Noll as only the second coach in NFL history with four Super Bowl titles. A cherry to add on top of the NFL-record 21 postseasons wins in his career, a first-ballot Hall of Fame resume.
We all know about the reserved, yet amusing press conferences he can deliver. While he murmurs short responses, you can't forget notable lines like "We're on to Cincinnati" which was repeated over and over to the media after a 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Moments like "MyFace, YourFace, and InstantFace" and his scientific explanation provide vintage looks into Belichick.
Belichick is an old-school coach, even though he is seven months younger than Pete Carroll, the two have different philosophies. Belichick is simple "the only way to get better in football is to wear full pads and play football" and his coaching style certainly reflects it. Knowledge is power and Belichick is a bigger believer in that than anyone, fully entrenching himself into the game and learning everything possible.
This is the same coach who benched running back Jonas Gray for being tardy to a Friday practice, less than a week after Gray's 37 carry, 201 yards and four touchdown performance on Sunday Night Football against the Indianapolis Colts. Belichick doesn't hold back, it's not about sending a message but just sticking to his rules and enforcing them when someone missteps. While it may seem strict to some, players love him and it's led to a Hall of Fame resume.
Belichick also deserves credit for putting together Super Bowl-competitive teams year after year. He has certainly benefited from having a Hall of Fame quarterback, but New England has won in a variety of ways. From a dominant defense that carried the team to Brady having record-setting seasons, New England always finds new ways to compete for titles.
A legendary coach can be the difference between whether or not you win the Super Bowl or even have an opportunity to get there. Coaches have cost their team a shot to the big game, we've seen it this postseason and we will always see it. Belichick is better than anyone at taking away what the opponent does best, so you can bet New England's focus will be on limiting Seattle's running attack. If they are successful and force Russell Wilson into leading Seattle to a win, Brady and Belichick can walk out of Arizona with their fourth Super Bowl ring.
Pete Carroll
While Belichick makes footballs as rough to handle and increase rough elements at practice, Carroll takes a different approach to his team's practice habits. If you walk on to the practice field in Seattle, you will see a hard working and energetic, listening to music.
It starts in training camp, where Carroll has a sports psychologist brought in to help lead meditation sessions with some of the team and yoga workouts with the entire roster. At a time where men are fighting for roster spots and the Collective Bargaining Agreement has limited practice time, Carroll finds ways to help keep his team upbeat and motivated. We also see this throughout the season in practices where Carroll has music played, while Seattle has also dedicated a staff to just talk to players when they need it.
This is not to say Belichick or any other coach's way of running practice is wrong, but Carroll certainly has found success with it. Seattle came within feet of a NFC Championship Game trip in 2012 but fell short in Wilson's rookie season. They went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII and now are days away from going out there with a chance to repeat as champions.
We are seeing Carroll's coaching tree extend out across the NFL as well. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was Seattle's defensive coordinator from 2009-2012. His replacement, Dan Quinn, is set to take the Atlanta Falcons head-coaching job after the Super Bowl. Even offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has also drawn interest across the league, but will remain in Seattle for at least another season. Owners and general managers across the league have noticed the success Carroll has had and now hope some of his disciples can bring that to their team.
The upbeat, open-minded coach has found in the NFL after failed stints with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. He has changed his methods and found success, now he stands on the door of becoming just the 12th coach with two Super Bowl rings. He may not ever rank amongst the greatest like Belichick, but he was pivotal to putting the Seahawks together and potentially changing the way NFL teams practice.