And how many times have we heard great reports about an assistant coach that has fallen on their backsides when given the top job?
Its such a hard job. You have to understand what makes these kids tick, treat them as individuals yet maintain consistent team standards, you got to blood young players, but stay loyal to older players, you have to build for the future whilst win games in the now, stay abreast of evolving tactics, sell and market your club, deal with media, with the board, with President and with the fans. Your working life consists of being pulled in opposite directions for the most part.
Hawthorn had a bloke who was better at all of that than anyone else and wanted to keep doing it, he loved being the coach of the team. Whats the chance of Mitchell or anyone else being as good as Clarkson?
And whats the chance he isnt?