Management: Full-Court Stress

Forget Xs and Os. How do coaches cope when their jobs are on the line?

Imagine a job where outsiders write daily performance evaluations read by thousands living near your giant, steel-encased cubicle. You have an office that, during work hours, invites throngs of unqualified guests to sit beside you, question your judgment, even scream that you don't deserve a livelihood. "A stockbroker doesn't have 80,000 people sitting behind him just waiting for a mistake," says Jim Fassel, whom fans serenaded with "Fire Fassel!" chants during his final weeks as head coach of the New York Giants last season. "It can drive you crazy." From head coach to head case in three easy steps.

Few jobs...

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