From Deseret News archives:
How long will Checketts stick with Ellinger
One more game? One more month? One more season?
Only Checketts knows the answer to that question, whereas the players are trying not to think about it. Their focus is on this Saturday's game at Los Angeles, where they know a victory would go a long way toward ensuring Ellinger's future with the club.
"I think a lot of the guys on this team feel they owe him a debt of gratitude," said forward Jason Kreis, who is the first player in franchise history. "He is the type of coach players like to play for, and I've said that from the very beginning, and it's still true. We need results so it can continue."
It's really as simple as that. It's still early enough in the season that with a few good results, RSL will vault back into the Western Conference pack, and in turn silence all the uncertainty surrounding Ellinger.
Even though wins have been few and far between for last year's expansion club, Kreis believes his coach is approaching things the right way. Sure it took Ellinger a while to adjust to the idiosyncracies of the professional athlete, as opposed to youngsters playing for fun, the type of player he coached for nearly a decade with the youth national teams. But tactically, Kreis stands behind his coach's decisions.
"I think his coaching ideas and philosophies have stayed the same," said Kreis. "John is John, he's going to do what he does, and he should be proud of that and continue to do what he does, and we've got to reward him for that."
Salt Lake midfielder Chris Klein was in Kansas City last year, so he's only suffered through six of RSL's 18-game winless streak. Nonetheless, he knows that six straight games without a win to open a season is never a good thing.
"When we get this thing going, that's when he's really going to be able to express his talents as a coach and manager," said Klein. "I love his personality, and I love how much he wants to win, and I think he's a very passionate, emotional guy. I think that's how I am, so I can relate to that."
While the players know ultimately they must get the job done on the field, they're hoping to make a difference with an off-the-field tactic.
Ellinger's philosophy has always been one of openness. He's never been one to get caught up in the gamesmanship of keeping starting line-ups a secret until game time. He's always said, "This is my team, and may the best team win."
During a team meeting earlier this week, a handful of RSL veterans approached Ellinger and suggested he try something different. So beginning this week, Ellinger is no longer revealing his starting line-up early, opting instead to conform with the philosophy of virtually every other coach in the league, and keep a tight lip.
"They want to try it, and don't think they're using it as an excuse (for the losses)," said Ellinger.
It might only make a difference in the opening five or 10 minutes, but the players are hoping the secrecy gives them a competitive advantage early in the game.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com
