Just curious with all the coaching moves in football I was intrigued at how one becomes a candidate for either HC or OC/DC more directly what do GM's look for? Seems year to year new names come along and some times old names vanish we keep hearing Jason Garrett,I recall the name Jim Schwartz(titans DC) but he has yet to get a HC job now he isnt even mentioned as HC material why? I am just curious if I could get some fedback on what makes a coach a "hot candidate" Thanks
success as a cordinator, respect of players, leadership, reputation of developing players, having a clear cut vision. If you look at most new HC, they have a plan in place and work right away to getting that type of player for there team. If you know what type of system you want to run (especially defense) it's easier to get the type of player you want. That's why Tony Dungy has no problem getting the type of player he wants (Tampa 2) while Cincy continues to struggle finding good defensive players (really have no idea what type of DL or LB they want). Even though Jim Mora was not great in Atlanta, he did have a vision of what he wanted on offense and on defense. As it turns out, guys like Roddy White and Mike Jenkins are decent WRs. And to his credit, the team has a lot more talent on defense than they did when he got there. On a side note, I think the reason Cam was not successful too much was because he didn't meet many of the qualities I mentioned. He was a good OC, and he kind of had the reputation of developing QBs, but he did not get the respect of his players (remember, only LT endorsed the move last year), and he did not have a clear cut vision of what he wanted to do
All other respects being equal, leadership what seperates HC from OC's/DC's. Some guys just ooze leadership; other guys just never had nor never develop critical leadership skills.
Wins (or NFL rankings for O and D coorindators) Personally, over the years, the only thing that makes a coordinator a good HC candidate is if the team he is presently on has success and posts W's or his squad ranks high in NFL cats, etc. Frankly, once they become a HC if they have any playoff teams or success they get retread over an over by the next owner hoping for magic.
Actually, a very good question... as pertinent now as it was three years ago. T0 me a good head coach must be: 1) Knowledgeable enough of the X's and O's to be able to effectively manage his co-ordinators, so he is not hostage to them. 2) Incredibly good with people. Motivating them. 3) Walk his talk. His message must be consistent with his actions, year after year. 4) Accountable. honest. Otherwise he loses his players respect. 5) Passionate about football and winning. 6) A hard worker. 7) AN out-of-the-box thinker, willing to confront difficult truths about himself, his staff and players that are unpleasant but necessary to deal with. 8) Courageous. Having strength of conviction, so he will make the hard but right choices. 9) A man with great faith (doesn't have to be religious, but some sort of deep faith or beliefs to instill and inspire) 10) A great teacher, mentor and nurturer of younger men 11) Confident and entitled. Feels and acts deserving of being the best without apology. Champion's attitude. 12) Gratitude. Appreciates and is grateful to those around him and his opportunities, so he will always show respect for both. That's it. A lot of these sound similar to Wooden's pyramid of values. To my mind, Paul Brown, Bill Walsh and Vince Lombardi are the three greatest coaches, imo.
