When a rookie coach comes to a well established team just two years from an SB win, it makes sense to be a "players coach" at least to start. He cannot be a Bill Bellacheat or Nick Sabin type right off the bat. He needs to get buy in from his players and gain their confidence, and "fairness" is one of the ways to do that. This is leadership 101 in any profession with well compensated, highly talented employees. If/when he earns the reputation as a winning coach he can be less concerned about alienating his players.