It will be interesting how much weight personalities carry in this decision. I wonder how many current successful HCs really fit the "I love to address large groups and crowds and I'm an extrovert" mold?
It's also interesting to think that Dan Campbell absolutely fits that mold - as a guy who can unite and hype up a team - but in the aftermath of the loss in the NFC Championship game he is taking the most heat for his internal X and Os thinking and execution.
I certainly think that both introverted and extroverted types of leadership can be successful. Look at Bill B vs a guy like D Vermiel. Both successful. Very different styles of leadership.
The thing John has to weigh is whether the team as currently constitued can prosper under a leader with a completey different style AND who hs never been in the position before. Can a guy who is better at 1v1 interaction and reaching a player individually, be equally as effective in capturing the attention and motovation of 53 at a time? Or will a shift to a MacDonlad style of leadership necessitate a tear down of the roster to bring in guys that will work with him, who he feels aligned with.
This is a VERY real consideration for John. Speaking from the experience of being an introverted leader, it can be a challenge to grow the aspect of yourself that shows up effectively in front of 100 people. Its a different muscle that needs to be worked to accomplish that without coming off as detached, out of touch, or even weak. And it requires a lot more attention to take an introverted leadership style and maximize what it does best (creating strong personal connections) in the context of a 53 person 'team'... plus coaches, plus admin staff. For that kind of leader, having a string team to delegate to is paramount. Having guys that 'get him' is critical. Not to say that it cant work, because i myself went from a guy who only ever led a group of 6 to 10, to leading an office of 50, and giving lectures to 100s. It will just take time and the willingness on th epart of ownerhsip and John to grow not just through the xs and os, the administrative duties, etc of running a team, but also through the time it takes for a coach to find his way and his own method of leading.
Extroverted types need growth as well, but usually have the 'gravitas' part down, natively. Doesnt mean they have the tools to lead. Clint Hurtt is an example. He could command a room. He could project 'leader'. But the substance obviously wasnt there.
I think with MacDonald, he seems to have the substance. Its a matter for how he learns to engage and project leadership that will be the X factor.