Posted on 11/16/2006 4:06:03 AM PST by llevrok
Mike Nolan and Jack Del Rio are ready to suit up.
The San Francisco coach and his Jacksonville counterpart have the NFL's permission to wear dress suits designed by Reebok during two games this season.
You might find this outfit at your local second-hand store. 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is shedding his old sideline gear in favor of a suit.
Nolan is expected to debut his old-school outfit -- a black suit, a white shirt and a red-and-gold-striped tie -- at the 49ers' home game against Seattle on Sunday. Del Rio also will wear a suit-and-tie ensemble in Monday night's home game against the Giants.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the 49ers coach has permission to "test-drive" the suit at two games this season.
"Working with Reebok, they were able to come up with something that should work for him," McCarthy said.
Nolan first broached the idea shortly after he was hired by the 49ers in 2005. He believes the ensemble will project an image of authority while also honoring his father, Dick, the 49ers' coach from 1968-75, and Hall of Fame coaches such as Tom Landry and Vince Lombardi.
But the NFL couldn't immediately give permission, citing its lucrative outfitting contract with Reebok. Nolan has worn pullovers and polo shirts during his tenure, but has worked with Reebok's designers to come up with the natty ensemble he's expected to show off Sunday.
Dan Reeves is thought to be the last NFL coach to wear a suit on the sideline. Coaches have been required to wear team-issued clothing since 1993.
Del Rio is expected to wear his suit again at the Jaguars' game against Indianapolis on Dec. 10, and Nolan will suit up again at a game still to be determined.
Maybe Brook Brothers should become an official sponsor of the NFL.
Well, I'll wait to see if Bill Belichick starts wearing a suit.
I miss the days of Tom Landry. It's a pity some grown men had to get permission to dress in a more professional manner.
I guess that that was back in the day when a middle class guy wore a suit every day...kinda like Ward Cleaver.
Well maybe us Jags will start winning!
It's always amazing to look at old baseball newsreels, everyone in the stands wore a suit.
We must be of the same generation. My Dad told a story about a guy he went salmon fishing with off the Washington coast. The guy got sea sick so before going to the rail, he undid his necktie, neatly folded it and his sport coat, went to the rail and after - put everything back on as if nothing happened!
I have indicated what I am about to say to Freepers before: Formality is about to make a huge comeback. Americans do this about every thirty years--see the 1920's, the '50s, and the 80's.
Due to a major lack of general civility, and knowing right from wrong, I believe the next 10-15 years will be more like the twenties--the era where if you did something wrong, you were chastized and corrected in public.
Amen. It isn't like anybody rushes out to buy the stuff the coaches wear anyway.
I think coaches in every sport except baseball should wear a suit.
Now if a baseball manager was to wear a suit in the dugout, I do believe he would have to be shot. There's no Windsor knots in baseball!
And hats! What I wouldn't give for hats to come back. Yes, I have one and wear it regularly in the winter.
I don't think you'll see Belichick in a suit on the sidelines. His endorsement deal with the Pine Street Inn (a Boston homeless shelter) would apparently prohibit that.
Back in the 1940s, you could walk the streets of Manhattan and not see a single man without a suit and hat. Everybody looked like Dick Tracy. They even wore suits to the beach.
dress suits designed by Reebok
Yikes! What will they think of next? I have visions of Bruno Kirby, in The Freshman, wearing a short-sleeve suit!
I think your dad set a good example, and I wish more dads were like him today.
After seeing Jack Del Rio last night, a definate "Thumbs Up" to the suit for NFL coaches.
I'm surpised a guy like Coughlin wouldn't have gone for the suit look either, I always thought he was kind of a throwback coach.
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