Thirty Minute Mentors Podcast Transcript: NFL Coach Romeo Crennel

I recently interviewed Romeo Crennel on my podcast, Thirty Minute Mentors. Here is a transcript of our interview:

Adam: Our guest today spent more than 50 years coaching football, including for decades coaching in the NFL. Romeo Crennel has won five Super Bowls, two with the Giants, and three with the Patriots, and was the head coach of three different NFL teams. Romeo, thank you for joining us.

Romeo: Hey, Adam, thanks for having me. I'm excited about our conversation. And I'm looking forward to it.

Adam: I'm excited to have you on and looking forward to diving in as well. You were a lineman at Western Kentucky University. And as soon as you graduated, you started coaching at your alma mater first, as a graduate assistant. And then as a defensive line coach, you started coaching in 1970. And you kept coaching through the 2020 season. What drew you to the profession of coaching and what kept you in the profession of coaching for so many years?

Romeo: Well, Adam, the thing that kind of drew me to coaching was my father. He was a career military man. And he retired from the Army with 26 years when he was just 49. So being around him and watching him, I thought maybe I wanted to go into the army. But I decided that I did not want to go as an enlisted man. Okay, I wanted to go as an officer. Because I would see those guys marching early in the morning, 5:30-6 o'clock, they're marching and calling cadence out to their bivouac area where they're going to do the drills. And then at night, as the sun is going down, they're marching back. So I said that I did not want to go through all of that a little bit. I realized at that time what I wanted was an officer. So with those guys. And so I kind of wanted to go into the military. I took ROTC for the first two years in college. The second two years, it is a scholarship program - you have to be invited. And even though I was starting on the football team, they told me that I was overweight and I have flat feet. And so they really didn't need me in the advanced program. Therefore, I had to decide what else I wanted to do. And education was always preached in the house. And some of my teachers were impressive people. And so I thought about education and coaching because I enjoyed football, particularly, even though I didn't get to play very much early on. But I enjoyed it. And so I had to divert to education and coaching, which I did. And that's why during my graduate assistant year, the first part of the year I was with the football team. The second part of the year, I was with administration, I was up in the housing office and seeing what administrators had to do and had to work with. And so I think that experience was a good experience for me going down the road, then I got lucky to tell you the truth. The coach on the staff decided that he wanted to go into private business, and he was leaving coaching. And that left the opening. And Coach Fixe, who was our head coach, offered me the opportunity to join the staff.

Adam: You mentioned as part of your journey early on, that you got lucky. But so much of it is taking advantage of whatever breaks you're able to catch and you can point to luck that you enjoyed. You could point to coaches who you met along the way who you were able to connect with and one coach in particular, who I want to ask you about Bill Parcells. He was a coach who you started coaching with very early on in your career. He was the defensive coordinator at Texas Tech. You joined him and he later became the head coach of the New York Giants. You joined him and I want to ask you what you've learned from him. And any thoughts you have for listeners on how to build successful relationships, how to take advantage of whatever luck might come your way?

Romeo: One of the things that I've learned about this business is for the ball business, and it's a rock’em sock’em game, but it's really a people business. You have to deal with people, you got to deal with the players, you'd have to deal with coaches on the staff. Not that you interact tremendously with the fans, but there's an interaction with fans as well. And so you have to be able to manage people, deal with people, and communicate with people. And I think that if you realize that, that can help you with your career if football is it's what you want to do. There's no way around it. You're dealing with people all the time. You got players, you got coaches, you got fans, you got alumni, on all of those things. And so you have to understand that it's a people business, and if you understand that you have to deal with the people, then you'd have a chance to be successful. And so a lot of that has happened with me. As you mentioned Bill Parcells, when I was at Western, Bill was the defensive coordinator at Vandy, and met the old one recruiting night while we're out at a high school game and had a chance to talk with him at that time. And so then when Sloane who was the head coach at Vandy, decided to go to Texas Tech, here again, he had an opening. And he called and asked if I would be interested in coming. I also had met Rex Dockery, who was his offensive coordinator. And so I knew both of those guys. And so I said, “Okay, I'll go and take a chance”. For me, it was an opportunity to elevate to a higher level Division One, because Western at the time was a small college division to school. And so the chance to elevate in my career, move up to the top level was an interesting challenge. And so I decided to go out to Texas Tech. And Steve, he offered me the job over the telephone. He said, You don't have to come and look, I've heard enough good things about you. And I'm offering you the job. And I took it over the telephone without going out to lunch. And some people tell me that I was crazy for doing that. Because Lubbock is out there in West Texas, and they say you can stand on a beer can and see for miles, which is true, the wind blows a little bit. Even when I got off the plane, they didn't have the jetways. Then they had to tarmac, and they have to walk across the tarmac, and I was getting dust in my mouth. And then after I got picked up and we're going to the stadium, a tumbleweed blows across the road. And I said to myself, “What have I got myself into?”. But football is football and knowing the guys on the staff that I knew I felt good about that. And then the people in love that I encountered a man who had to deal with, I enjoyed the people in love while we were there. And so that's kind of how the entry into major college football started.

Adam: There are so many important lessons there. The importance of being willing to get out of your comfort zone. Take a risk, trust your gut, not listen to the noise, not listen to the naysayers, and capitalize on whatever opportunity you have in front of you. And in your case, you're told Lubbock, Texas, what are you crazy? But in your case, you understood that, well, maybe it does sound a little bit crazy. And maybe it's not the most fun place in America to live with all due respect to any listeners of this podcast, who are tuning in from Lubbock, Texas. But you understood that for that moment in your life and your career. It was the right thing for you to do and you went with it. You also mentioned a couple of times the importance of relationships as it relates to succeeding in the world of football, football being a people business. And the reality is that just about every business is a people business. And along those lines, what are your best tips for listeners on how to build winning relationships?

Romeo: I think that people enjoy positive interaction. And if you treat people the way that you want to be treated, I think that goes a long way into establishing positive relationships and good relationships with people. No matter who it is. I think that if you can do that, say hello in the morning, smile, those kinds of things. People appreciate that. Even in New York, they talk about hustle and bustle. But if you smile at people, many times they will return to smile. And so I think that's a start. And then that can open up lines of communication, where you are able to talk and communicate with people to find out more about who they are, and then they can find out more about who you are. And then let's say that also helps with those relationships.

Adam: You mentioned the importance of smiling as it comes to building winning relationships. And I'm going to ask you about a person who you have enjoyed an incredibly close relationship with who's not exactly known for smiling. And that is another legendary coach Bill Belichick. And you coached with Bill Belichick throughout your career, you won three Super Bowls together with the New England Patriots. Those were the first three Super Bowls that the Patriots have won over the course of this great run, three Super Bowls in four years. Can you take listeners back to that period that won, how did Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the other leaders on that team, create the New England Patriots machine that every football fan has grown accustomed to today?

Romeo: I'm gonna go back a little bit further than that, if you don't mind, because Bill and I worked together at the Giants. And we were part of those two Super Bowls there. And then Bill Parcells, who you mentioned earlier, Bill Parcells, I think had a vision for the type of team that he wanted. And he always wanted big players, physical players, and tough players. And so that's what we put on the team. And as we put those guys on the team, we got better as a group, because the Giants were down at the time that we started with him. But we were able to boom, lift them up, and get to the Super Bowls. And so it started back then, with Belichick and myself because we were both assistants, that was what started off on special teams and I was quality control. And then when we became the head coaches that will check then became in charge of the defense and I became in charge of special teams. And so we've grown together to the point, we're together in New England, other than ourselves because he's dropped by the wayside at that time. But they all and I, because in our office, we had five guys in a room. And that was our office. So we got to know each other pretty well. We got to see the work ethic of the guys in that room. And so we developed somewhat of a bond and a friendship during that time. And so I had gone to the Browns as a defensive coordinator, and in 2000, when Bill had gotten the head job in New England. So then, after we got released with the Browns, I got a call from Charlie Wise, he was asked if I would be interested. And I said, sure I would. And then Bill called me and offered me the coordinator’s job. And so now I'm in New England, and I'm coordinating. And with a new group of players, I knew some of the coaches that were still there. And so we were able to begin to get on the same page and began to get the players on the same page. And we were like a 500 team and Tom had gotten his break. And I don't know if “break” is the correct word to use because of an injury to Drew Bledsoe. If Drew had not gotten hurt, I don't know if Tom would have made the field. But Tom got on the field. And he took advantage of those opportunities like he talked about. And he started moving the ball, started winning games, started gaining the confidence of his teammates. And then after about mid-season where we're about a 500 team at that time, then things began to click. And we kind of got on a roll. And we were able to ride that to the Super Bowl, and then winning in the Super Bowl. And I tell you one of the things that impressed me the most about Tom Brady, with less than two minutes to go and 80 yards to move the team. On the very first plate from the 20-yard line, he was almost sacked. But he was able to keep his composure, step up and deliver the ball to the running back on a crossing route, who was able to get out of bounds to save time and move the ball down. And then we kept the winning kill to win that Super Bowl. And so we're able to win three and four years. And Tom just got better as we're going along. And so that opportunity they say when opportunity knocks open the door. Well, I think that's what happened with time the door was open. But he took advantage of it. And we were able to be a really good football team on both sides of the ball. 

Adam: Can you talk a little bit more about the culture that you and Bill Belichick and Tom Brady and the other leaders on the team were able to create? And if you could contrast that with some of the losing cultures that you're a part of, you coached on five different teams that won the Super Bowl three with the Patriots, two with the Giants. But you also coached on some of the worst teams in football. So you've had this experience where you could juxtapose teams that have made it to the top with teams that have really struggled, what have you found differentiates winning teams, and winning cultures, from losing teams and losing cultures? And how can leaders build winning teams and build winning cultures?

Romeo: Adam, I think that as you go through, what I've noticed about winning teams, particularly the Giants, and the Patriots, is that the vision of the head coach, it kind of starts there. And he has to pass that vision on to the general manager and the ownership so that we can acquire the kind of players that we're looking for, and we want on the field. And then the players have to buy into our vision, our culture, and New England and they call it the Patriot way. And players who came to the Patriots, they understood that there was a certain way that we did business, the way that we practice, the way that we operate in the meeting room, the way that we play on game day, the way that we make adjustments they had to buy into it. And the players themselves because we were successful, the veterans on the team, the leaders in each position, they would, they would approach a new player who maybe wasn't buying into it and say, “Look, this is the way we do it. And if you can't do it this way, then you need to move on”. And so that reinforces the coach's vision and the culture. And then it just grows and it develops. And then you just kind of keep winning. Now the teams that I was on where we were not winners, it was that cultured, never really got developed. We didn't develop a culture of winning, some of it had to do with the personnel and not getting enough of the right type of people. Some of it had to do with off-the-field stuff. A guy was riding a motorcycle and blew out his knee, I mean, who did player things like that making those choices. And when we had the culture at the Giants, and at the Patriots guys bought in, they were all in a meeting room, everywhere. And so that helps the team be better. And we forget sometimes that football is a team sport. One guy cannot do it alone. Whoever he is, Tom Brady can't do it alone. Lawrence Taylor can't do it alone. It takes the guys around him. It takes coaching. It takes leadership management, trainers, it takes everybody. And that's what I tell the guys all the time. It takes everybody for the team to be successful. And if the team is successful, everybody on the team benefits from it.

Adam: It starts with a vision. It continues with clearly communicating that vision, translating the vision into a clear cohesive culture, and then gaining buy-in from the players on the team, or if you want to extend this to any organization to your employees, and having the leaders within your team enforce that culture. Do you have any other tips around how leaders within an organization can build buy-in?

Romeo: Well, I think the leader has to let people know what the vision is, what he sees, how he sees things should operate, and then give them a plan so that they can pass it on to the people there. Working with just like ourselves and Belichick, he says this is the way I would see it, this is what I think we need to get done. Now you guys go talk to the players and make sure they understand this is how we're going to operate. And then within that vision, you have to have the flexibility to be able to adjust and adapt, because the opponent is going to adjust and adapt, he's going to try to figure out what you're doing. And then they're going to try to change up. So you have to be able to make an adjustment on the sideline if they're doing something to slow you down. So that you can take advantage of their adjustment so that they are a step behind. And if they're a step behind, Tom Brady's gonna complete it for a touchdown. Are the sacks going to occur willing to get us for Lawrence Taylor, they're going to get a sack to help us win the game.

Adam: What are the most important characteristics that comprise a great leader? And what can anyone do to become a better leader?

Romeo: Well, I think leaders as we look at them, they carry themselves a certain way, they have an aura about them, they have character, they do the right things, they know that people are watching, they know that people are looking to them for leadership. And so they're going to be well prepared, they're going to study, they're going to be on top of it, they're gonna have a plan, and then they're going to work the plan, and they're gonna gain respect from the people who work with them. And so now, if you have that respect, you have a plan, then the people say, hey, this guy knows what he's doing. And so now he knows what he's doing, I'm gonna put all into it. And now then when you get everybody putting it all in, then you're successful. And so that makes the leader successful. And so whoever the leader is, I mean, he's the leader, because he has a little bit extra, he's done a little bit more, he carries more weight, like the buck stops at the head coach's desk. So everybody understands that. But they still want to see him have a plan, they still want to see him interact the correct way. They still want to see him carry himself the right way. And then they're not crazy about somebody who doesn't expound on the supposed qualities of a leader, knowing, planning, character, decision making, all of those kinds of things have to be in place.

Adam: I love it. How did you motivate your players throughout your coaching career? And what are your best tips for all leaders listening to this conversation on the topic of motivation?

Romeo: Adam, I think that there are different types of leaders, all leaders are not the same. There are some leaders who are maybe quiet, there's some leaders who are aggressive, there are some leaders who show their feelings on their sleeve. But all leaders are not the same. And they all interact with people differently. And so I think that you, as the leader, need to be yourself. What are you and I think the leader has to know what he is, like, for instance, they say that I'm a player's coach, and maybe I am a player's coach. But what I tried to do is I tried to let the players know that I care about them, but I demand that they do it the correct way. This is how we're going to win, you need to do this to help us win. A great example, I think, is the defensive line. The defensive line, particularly defensive tackles, they are not glory guys, they ended up taking off double teams. And then the guys coming off the hedge or the glory guys, because they're getting sacks and they got the one-on-one blocks, the defensive tackles are taking on double teams, and they got to stop the run. And so I tell them, look, if you do your job, then that's gonna help us win. And I end it by talking to those linebackers behind you. Because when you take up too much on that double, that means they're free to run to make the play. And so yeah, they're gonna be on ESPN, and they're gonna be in the paper. But if you don't do your job, then they're not going to get the allocates. And then when we win, everybody gets to enjoy the victory and be part of it. And so I think leaders have to be able to do that to get the guys who are not glamor guys but get them to understand that they are an important piece of the puzzle. And now you put the puzzle together and then you have success. And so I think a leader has to be able to get that done and do that. And so, for me, I care about you as a player, I care about you as a person. But in this business, you have to understand that this is a production business. And if you don't produce, then I have to look at somebody else to see if they can produce. Adam, I tell them all the time, if you're not producing, I don't know the other guy. I don't know what he can do. But I have to give him a chance. If you produce, you're gonna stay here, and that other guy never gets a chance. So to produce, you have to do it the way we're talking about doing it, you have to hustle, you have to be well prepared, and you have to do everything in your ability to be the best player that you can be. And then that will help this team, this organization move forward.

Adam: Romeo, you shared so much great advice. And I want to hone in on a couple of points you made. Number one, know thyself. Before you can effectively lead others you need to be able to lead your own life. Don't try to be the second best version of someone else, be the best version of yourself. And when it comes to leading others. In order for you to be successful, you have to be in tune and in touch with who you are. Self-awareness is the first step to being successful as a leader. And you mentioned the importance of caring about those around you. But at the same time treating everyone on your team with accountability and they go hand in hand. You can be a leader who cares and loves. And you could also be a leader who leads with accountability. And you should use one hand with love and care and use the other hand with accountability.

Romeo: Exactly. And even Purcell's who wore it on his sleeve. And he would yell and scream. And I remember Phil Simms coming off the field many times, he imposed himself there in a shouting match, alright, but after that play is over. Then he goes back and says, look, we got to do it this way. And I didn't see this, I saw that. And take, for instance, calm Landry being on the sideline, and he's got a sports coat and got his hat. And I don't recall ever seeing Tom, getting upset on the sideline yelling and screaming or throwing his hat, and things like that. But he still had a winner, ourselves still had a winner. So there are different types of leadership, different ways to get it done.

Adam: Yeah, be true to yourself. You started coaching when you were in your early 20s and you stopped coaching when you were in your early 70s. How are you able to connect with each new generation of players as you grew further apart in age, from the players you are leading? And how can anyone stay relevant within the workforce and connect with and lead people in their 20s and 30s, regardless of their age?

Romeo: Well, I'm gonna tell you a story that happened to me. I'm a little old school. But I've got three daughters, and they were coming up. I was trying to explain to them about some of the things that occurred early on in my life and how it impacted me. And they said, “Oh, Dad, those were in the olden times”. And that's, wow. And what I realized then was their life experience was different from my life experience at their age. And so they haven't experienced the things that I've experienced. And so they are relating to what they have experienced. So when we get new players on the team, I understand that they're coming from a different place. And part of my job is to get those guys who are coming from a different place. And in today's society more individualized, everybody's got a cell phone, everybody's got an iPad, everybody has a TV in the room, and they are not together. And so we have to pull them together and get them on the same page. And doing that I have to understand that their life experiences are not my life experiences. And so by talking to them and finding out what they think, and what they see, that helps me be able to develop the kind of relationship that I need to develop to get them to play really hard on game day.

Adam: What was the single best lesson that you've learned either directly from her by virtue of being around Bill Belichick?

Romeo: Bill has coached every position on the football field. And Bill is a prepper ration freak, he prepares, he studies every position, he's got a game plan for every position on the field. And he's able to articulate that to players as well as coaches. And I think that's one of the things that helps make him as good as he is. The other thing I think Belichick understands is the value of players. As it relates to the team, as it relates to the salary cap and the budget, he will make moves. Sometimes fans are not crazy about it. But he makes moves, and generally, they are the right moves to make. And he's straightforward with the players. And I think that's what players want, they want someone to be straightforward with them, to tell them the truth, tell them how they can get better, help them get better. And then secretly, the chips fall.

Adam: What is the best lesson you've learned directly from or by virtue of being around Tom Brady? 

Romeo: Tom Brady, never underestimate any player. Never underestimate any player. Because in the NFL, everybody has talent. Everybody has talent. And if you underestimate a player, then their talent will come and bite you. And so never underestimate it. Because when Tom was early on, everybody underestimated him. They didn't think that he could do it, they still don't think that he can do it even at this age. But he's still doing it. And so I think he's made believers out of a lot of people. But never underestimate any player.

Adam: You've had so many great mentors. You've been a mentor to so many. What is the best tip for anyone on how to be a great mentor? And best tip for anyone on how to optimize a mentor-mentee relationship?

Romeo: Well, I think, to be a great mentor, you have a genuine feel for trying to help whoever you're mentoring, whether he's a young kid, whether he's a coach on the staff. And then be able to sit down and talk with him and explain things to him, because a lot of times, they don't have any experience I have. And so now I can explain things to him, because of my experience that will help them understand their situation. So that's communication, getting to know a guy, taking the time to get to know a guy. And then vice versa. The guy who's being mentored, he has to take the time to absorb it, and listen to what's being said, ask questions if you need to, and be willing to take advice and take help. And then those two things can then work together. And me as a mentor can help develop a young coach, young player, family member, you can help people get along and make it easier for them in their life. Now, I'm not active in coaching as much. One of the things I'm focusing on a little bit is student aces and Palm Beach Gardens. And I met Bob several years ago and have been supporting them financially. And I have appreciated the things that he's done to help young kids develop some of these leadership qualities that we've talked about. And he's written a book, and I happen to be on the cover. As a matter of fact, I'm one of the guys on the cover. And I think it's a good handbook for young students who are coming along and need some guidance for what it takes to be a leader and develop those kinds of characteristics. That's how I'm trying to help as I go down this road. And so anyone who has that opportunity, I think that it will be beneficial if they took the chance to check the book out.

Adam: Listening, essential to success as a leader, essential to success as a mentor, essential to success as a mentee, essential to success as a football player, essential to success in just about anything and everything in life.

Romeo: Exactly. I mean, if communication is giving it and receiving it. That's communication.

Adam: Romeo, what can anyone listening to this conversation do to become more successful personally and professionally?

Romeo: When the opportunity comes, take advantage of it. Adam, I tell guys, it's who you know that can get your foot in the door because he has good relationships. Seeing people who mentor you and things like that, they can help you get your foot in the door. But it's your ability that can open the door. And so if they will just understand that getting their foot in the door is not enough. You have to continue to work and be one of the best so that you can open the door and take full advantage of that opportunity that's presented to you. And so if young kids, whoever, if they will pay attention to that, then they will not relax, they will keep working, striving and then improve themselves.

Adam: Romeo, thank you for all the great advice and thank you for being a part of Thirty Minute Mentors. 

Romeo: Adam, thank you, I've enjoyed talking with you. And maybe we'll do it again sometime.

Adam: Pleasure was mine. I love that.

Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

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