The New England Patriots have won two out of the last three Super Bowls, a real testament to success in an industry that prides itself on parity. How do the Pats do it? Patriot Reign isn't intended to be a business book, but Holley's tome shows how organizational discipline, accountability, team work, personnel evaluation, and a no-excuses attitude breed success.
Head coach and general manager Belichick—the team's CEO—is an unflinching evaluator of talent, a brilliant tactician. He is not a "rah-rah" leader, but rather someone who gives his players data and tactics rather than a Knute Rockne stem-winder to send them into battle. Going into a game against the Dallas Cowboys, Belichick and his coaches developed a few basic reminders for the players:
"Defense:
- Get ahead and take Dallas out of their ball-control offense. Force them to pass to win.
- Disguise coverages.
- Set edge versus run.
- Keep Quincy Carter in the pocket.
- Be physical, jam, disrupt, and reroute the receivers—especially number 88 (Terry Glenn).
- Jam number 20 (Richie Anderson).
- No big plays."
"Offense:
- No turnovers.
- Control the ball.
- Beat man-to-man coverage.
- Pick up the blitz.
- Block number 59 (Dat Nguyen) on runs.
- Third-down conversions."
Holley, who was given backstage access to meetings and practices, paints a vivid, profanity-laden portrait of executive life in the National Football League. You don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy this book about organizational success.—Sean Silverthorne