A phrase as old as time, true in many walks of life. Sometimes it takes the form of nepotism and cronyism. Other times it’s just plain old networking. In John Lynch’s case, working at an actual television network helped.
He is the latest to jump from the broadcast booth to the front office, as 49ers GM. Steve Kerr did so as Phoenix Suns General Manager. Slow your roll, I’m not saying there is any other comparison–yet–but it works better than when Jed York tried to invoke Kerr a couple of years ago. Lynch has been around the NFL a long time, as a standout player and as a broadcaster.
He knows many important people. He could be a Hall of Famer this weekend. He’s kind of a big deal. No word yet on whether he has many fine, leather-bound books.
Lifetime “grinders,” people who have worked their way up through the scouting ranks, might be miffed that someone like Lynch makes this jump, but the “who you know” in a small, competitive football community can help you get in the door. If the owner is comfy with you, you’re golden. Fact.
Connections can also help you hit the ground running and attract some talented people who might otherwise make a detour around Santa Clara. John Lynch is friends with John Elway, a fellow Stanford alum and fellow ex-Broncos star. Lynch studied under Elway, now executive vice president in Denver since 2013.
That leads you to the Shanahans, which leads you back to John Lynch, who received a hearty endorsement from presumptive new 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. Lynch’s first move as 49ers GM is to hire the Broncos’ Adam Peters as vice president of player personnel. It’s a solid first move; a South Bay guy with a college scouting background who has worked with the Broncos and Patriots. Building a good staff is imperative for Lynch and for Shanahan.
It’s a step toward credibility for the 49ers, but only a step and there is a lot of damage to undo.
Lynch is a newbie and Shanahan is going to be a head coach for the first time. They’re going to be asked to take over a broken down bus and Madison Bumgarner isn’t around to fix it.
However, Lynch is smart and appears to have a good work ethic, with glowing endorsements from people he’s worked with at Fox and as a player.
That didn’t ease the shock when his name was announced Sunday. It was out of the blue. To his credit Lynch was able to keep it on the down-low despite staying at Jed’s place. The gut reaction is to doubt York and co. because of what’s happened the last couple of years.
They’ve earned that skepticism. On the surface it looks like a “yuckadoo swing” a la Mike Krukow.
It could be. It’s also possible it’s a splash hit.
It may also be true it was the final nail to hammer down a deal with Shanahan, who might be the hottest head-coaching candidate this year. You also get the yin and yang of an offensive and defensive guy working together.
I like the fact that Lynch has repeatedly said “I know what I don’t know.” Speaking of NFL lifer, assistant GM Tom Gamble’s knowledge, Lynch said “I’d be a fool not to sit down and soak that up.”
If it’s more than just words, that knowledge of lack of knowledge will serve him well.
And know this: a lot can change in the NFL and in particular the NFC West in the next two or three years. Armed with six-year deals, there will be time for Lynch and Shanahan to grow together. They had to have concurrent deals, and Shanahan had leverage after the 49ers had two straight one-and-done coaches.
The bottom line is what happens on Sundays. And Mondays and sadly, Thursdays on occasion. Not much will happen in 2017, nobody expects a playoff run. But, if there’s progress I think 49ers fans will take it. As a fan, I’m skeptical until we see results, but keeping an open mind.
“Who you know” gets you in the door. “Knowing and learning what you don’t know” keeps you there.
