Q: Do you think coaches in pro sports are more or less important now than, say, 30 or so years ago? -- Michael Henley, Kenosha, Wis.

	For Jackson, something's rotten in Zenmark.

A: Earlier this year, Bill Parcells told me that he thinks players want to be led and they want to be taught. I agree with that to a degree, but I think today's players are savvy enough to know who is teaching them and what their track record is.

So if Parcells is going to teach you something or demand something of you, that's fine because he's won Super Bowls. Or if it's Phil Jackson, that's fine -- he's won NBA titles.

I think today's players have a harder time listening to the coach just because he's the coach. It's far tougher nowadays to be a coach because not only are expectations placed on you by fans, management and media, but also sports are such big business. You almost have to win now -- not many coaches are afforded a hall pass.

Q: I'm a huge Mark McGwire fan, always have been, but I thought it kind of tacky for him to use your interview with Jason Giambi to vent his frustration at not getting the 1998 MVP. -- Richard Kenney, Oakland
A: I understand Mark McGwire's frustrations with the award. I have a problem with the award itself and how it's labeled "most valuable." How do you equate value? And can you only be valuable if you make the postseason? Should it be the Most Outstanding Player or the player that makes the most impact? What could McGwire have done differently in 1998? Can you blame him for his team not making the postseason?

McGwire was told he was the feel-good story of the year. He was told he was the Most Valuable Player in baseball -- by both the fans and the writers -- but because he didn't make the postseason, he couldn't be valuable. I understand his frustrations. Maybe at a time when Giambi is celebrating being named the AL MVP, it's not the appropriate time to vent his frustrations, but I think that we touched on a nerve during the interview. Don't blame McGwire, blame me. I asked him about it.

Q: There are about 60 of us who would like you to rerun your radio shows. We are always finding out too late about your great guests. We are all McGwire fans and just found out that he was on recently. PLEASE, PLEASE rerun your shows or let us know if we can get a copy! -- Chris MacDougall, Warminster, Pa.
A: Chris, you are in luck. About 10 minutes after the conclusion of each show, the audio link will become an archive of that day's program. You can listen to it all you want until the start of the next show. You can also scroll through the various segments or back to hear them again. Just log on to my Web site (www.espn.go.com/danpatrick/) and check out the "Radio Show" box at the top right of the page.