Post by Jet Nut Sauce on Feb 24, 2015 16:45:45 GMT -5
nyj.247sports.com/Bolt/Texans-GM-believes-Maccagnan-has-bright-future-with-Jets-35809691
General managers hold one of the toughest jobs in professional sports because their responsibilities are so expansive.
In the NFL, they're usually responsible for contract negotiations, the draft and that team's entire scouting operation. For that reason, it's tough to predict how even those groomed for the top job in a front office will fare.
Texans GM Rick Smith, the former boss of new Jets GM Mike Maccagnan, believes his long-time pupil will excel in his new roles but noted it's not a simple jump.
"It's not an easy transition," Smith said at the NFL Combine, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. "As much as you think about it and prepare for it, when you get into the position, there's still a huge learning curve. That's just the reality of the position. From that standpoint, there will be a learning curve [for Maccagnan]. There will be things he will be responsible for and skills he will have to develop that he didn't have to do. But the aptitude is there for him to develop those skills in order to be successful."
Maccagnan most recently served as the director of college scouting in Houston, a position he held for four years. He had been with the Texans since 2000, starting as the coordinator of college scouting and then moving up to assistant director of college scouting. Smith has been the organization's GM since 2006, so the two spent plenty of time together.
"I gave him a lot of advice, but I'm going to keep it between us," Smith said, per Cimini. "He has deserved this opportunity. He's very loyal, he's a hardworking guy. He loves football. He has earned this opportunity."
General managers hold one of the toughest jobs in professional sports because their responsibilities are so expansive.
In the NFL, they're usually responsible for contract negotiations, the draft and that team's entire scouting operation. For that reason, it's tough to predict how even those groomed for the top job in a front office will fare.
Texans GM Rick Smith, the former boss of new Jets GM Mike Maccagnan, believes his long-time pupil will excel in his new roles but noted it's not a simple jump.
"It's not an easy transition," Smith said at the NFL Combine, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. "As much as you think about it and prepare for it, when you get into the position, there's still a huge learning curve. That's just the reality of the position. From that standpoint, there will be a learning curve [for Maccagnan]. There will be things he will be responsible for and skills he will have to develop that he didn't have to do. But the aptitude is there for him to develop those skills in order to be successful."
Maccagnan most recently served as the director of college scouting in Houston, a position he held for four years. He had been with the Texans since 2000, starting as the coordinator of college scouting and then moving up to assistant director of college scouting. Smith has been the organization's GM since 2006, so the two spent plenty of time together.
"I gave him a lot of advice, but I'm going to keep it between us," Smith said, per Cimini. "He has deserved this opportunity. He's very loyal, he's a hardworking guy. He loves football. He has earned this opportunity."