JEFF FISHER

Coach Fisher has been successful by creating an "environment conducive to winning."

"They know they're permitted to have fun. I want them to look forward to coming to work, even after the toughest losses. A lot of coaches make it harder than it should be. Some are too hard on themselves, obsessing about controlling everything, not trusting their assistants, worrying about time. When you have trust, it gives you a better chance to be successful."

Said one Titans assistant:
"Jeff gets it on so many levels. He is fabulous to coach for. Nobody is tight here. There are no hidden agendas. Everybody enjoys being here. He treats you so well, you want to do well for him. He creates loyalty."

According to his players, Fisher, who "speaks with a soft, understated voice," avoids the highs and lows typically associated with coaching:

"Jeff is very even-keel," said Titans center Kevin Mawae, who has played for six NFL coaches. "There are no peaks and valleys. With Bill Parcells, one day he's up, one day he's down. You didn't want to catch him when he was in the valley. Herm Edwards was always high-strung. Tom Flores was always low-strung. Jeff is in the middle, and guys appreciate that."

Fisher believes distractions are the No. 1 reason teams fail. So he finds ways to minimize them.

"It amazes me how he sees any potential negative as an opportunity," [GM Mike] Reinfeldt says. "He conveys it that way to the team. He believes, so they believe."
"He is prepared, he's calm, he isn't a big risk-taker," Reinfeldt says.