There’s nothing more emblematic of today’s media climate than snap judgments on whether a coach won or lost his introductory press conference.
Even before a game is played, a verdict has to be reached on whether an incoming coach “won” or “lost” his first chance to speak with the local media and connect with the fanbase. And it has to be analyzed and scrutinized as an immediate indication of the success or failure to come.
That was never more apparent than on Monday when two NFL press conferences went in distinctly opposite directions of vibes. Aaron Glenn wowed reporters and the NFL intelligentsia with his no-nonsense approach in “winning” his introductory press conference. On the other side, new Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen “lost” his press conference by awkwardly saying “Duuuuuuval” and generally looking like Jack McBrayer playing an NFL head coach for a late night skit.
But in truth, winning and losing press conferences is nothing more than catnip for the masses that depend on such tropes for content purposes. Us included!
In reality, there’s nothing more meaningless than coaches winning or losing a press conference. Remember Nick Sirianni? He famously bombed his introductory press conference with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now he’s coaching in his second Super Bowl.
As for others who “won” their press conferences? Well, let’s just say that it was the high point for some of these coaches, owners, and players.
Hue Jackson – Cleveland Browns
New Browns coach Hue Jackson won the press conference.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 14, 2016
Hue Jackson has convincingly won the press conference! SUPER BOWL!
— Kevin Kleps (@KevinKleps) January 14, 2016
Hue Jackson’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns is without a shadow of a doubt the worst in NFL history and the ultimate example of how winning a press conference is totally meaningless. Jackson may have gone 1-0 in press conferences, but he stacked up a 3-36 record against actual NFL competition.
Thomas Brown – Chicago Bears
Thomas Brown won the press conference. #DaBears
— Jeff Agrest #🟦 (@JeffAgrest) December 2, 2024
The interim coach of the Chicago Bears did not have big shoes to fill in stepping in for Matt Eberflus. Although Brown impressed in front of the microphones, he went 1-4 as Bears head coach.
Alex Meruelo – Arizona Coyotes
I know the term “winning the press conference” is sometimes overused and doesn’t mean a ton, but Meruelo not only won the press conference but stomped a mud hole in it. Very glad he’s the new owner. Perfect fit IMO. #Coyotes #OurPack https://t.co/hO4IwW0T3m
— Dave Zorn (@davezorn72) August 1, 2019
Alex Meuelo bought the Arizona Coyotes in 2019. A few years later and the NHL took over operations before a sale to Ryan Smith and a move to Utah. At least Coyotes fans will always have that press conference though.
Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons
I’ll give Kirk Cousins credit…He comes across as a humble guy and most definitely won the press conference just now #RiseUp
— Jon M Chuckery (@jmch316) March 14, 2024
After “winning” the press conference, Kirk Cousins was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. and his huge contract is now seen as an albatross that the Falcons franchise is desperately trying to get out from underneath of.
Russell Wilson – Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson definitely won the press conference @KDKA
— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) March 15, 2024
In fairness to Wilson, the Steelers did make the NFL playoffs in 2024. But it wasn’t thanks to great quarterback play. Wilson and Justin Fields traded snaps and stats to see who could be the most mediocre signal caller all season. Wilson ranked 22nd in QBR in 2024, just one spot ahead of the aforementioned Cousins.
Jerod Mayo – New England Patriots
So I think Jerod Mayo “won” the press conference, right?
— Kleaver Sports (@KleaverSports) January 17, 2024
Jerod Mayo won the press conference. He was bright, intelligent, encaging and personable. But winning a press conference is different than winning football games. This reminds me a lot of Kraft hiring Peter Carrol after Parcells. Kraft was looking for a coach he could collaborate
— alan miller (@alanm33) January 17, 2024
Unfortunately for Jerod Mayo, he didn’t even make it to a second season as head coach of the New England Patriots. He was fired after one season and replaced by another former Pats player in Mike Vrabel.
Kalen DeBoer – Alabama Football
Mark Edwards’ opinion: New Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer won the press conference Saturday, and here’s betting he’ll win more than a few football games, too. | Click the pic to read the storyhttps://t.co/KwOqosFHPK
— Mark Edwards (@MarkSportsStar) January 14, 2024
The former Washington head coach had a tall task in replacing Nick Saban at Alabama. And even though he made a good first impression, the Tide failed to reach 10 wins for the first time since Saban’s first year all the way back in 2007.
Aaron Rodgers – New York Jets
Have to say, love this answer from Rodgers. Shows a lot of respect to Joe Namath and the Jets’ history, and also wins some brownie points with the fans too. He’s won the press conference, just needs to go out and do a lot of winning where it matters #Jets pic.twitter.com/8Y2v8Zd8wR
— Andrew Steele (@andrewsteeled) April 26, 2023
Rodgers’ tenure in New York has been marred by injuries, conspiracy theories, throwing teammates under the bus, whining, griping, a massive drop off in productivity, and did we mention a lot of losing too?
Vic Fangio – Denver Broncos
Vic won the press conference. Time to get to work. #Broncos pic.twitter.com/VZuKxCE8qX
— Brian Kelley (@BKelleyBU) January 10, 2019
The veteran defensive coordinator coached three seasons in Denver and never had a winning season before being let go in 2021.
Jeremy Pruitt – Tennessee Volunteers
HE WON THE PRESS CONFERENCE. JUST GO AHEAD AND GIVE THEM THE TITLE THEN. https://t.co/OBQztD5Raf
— Charles Loring (@Charles_Loring) July 19, 2018
Pruitt has the infamy of not only failing on the field, where he led Tennessee to a 16-19 record over three seasons, but also being fired and getting handed a six year show cause penalty from the NCAA for various recruiting violations. All of his wins from 2019 and 2020 were vacated. But you can stack up his press conference win with all those other hypothetical victories the SEC loves to brag about.
Jim McElwain – Florida Gators
Jim McElwain is 1-0 at Florida. In a mild upset, he won the press conference.
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) December 6, 2014
In spite of two divisional titles in his first two seasons, McElwain lasted just halfway through his third year before things went up in flames in the swamp.
James Franklin – Penn State
James Franklin is 1-0 at Penn State. He won the press conference 49-0.
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) January 11, 2014
Paul Finebaum sure did love awarding press conference trophies! James Franklin: 1-0 in introductory press conferences, 1-14 against Top 5 teams.
Kevin Warren – Big Ten Conference
We’ll say it: Kevin Warren “won the press conference.” pic.twitter.com/AdbgnWERk4
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019
Kevin Warren’s tenure as Big Ten commissioner was dubious to say the least. His handling of the COVID pandemic drew a ton of criticism, he left the conference’s massive television deal’s unfinished, and then he left for the NFL and a position with the Chicago Bears. Is it merely coincidence that the Big Ten started winning national championships once their embattled commissioner departed?