Head Coach Hunting - A Retrospective
38 replies
Galantforum_veteranOPWith calls going out more and more frequently for Gase to be replaced the obvious immediate question is - and replace him with whom?
I thought it would be interesting to re-visit this time in October 2015 when Philbin was fired and the hunt for a HC was on to see who everyone wanted back then, and if we can learn anything from that.
DAN CAMPBELL
MonstBlitz created an early/mid-season thread with a poll on whether or not to keep Campbell - there were 36 people who voted and the result was split:
Yes - 17 vote(s) - 47.2%
No - 19 vote(s) - 52.8%
Campbell eventually went on to become assistant HC and TE coach for the Saints. So it's hard to say how things would have worked out with him.
Posts - based on mentions in posts a lot of people seemed to want to give him a chance.
HUE JACKSON - Browns HC fired this year after what 2 wins in 2 years?
Posts - Lots and lots of comments wanting Jackson has HC.....
SEAN PAYTON - A long shot to hire but there was talk about him. In 2015 he had two years on his contract and seemed happy with the Saints where he had been since 2006 and with whom he had won 1 Superbowl. He's still there and the Saints are doing very well this year. (Dan Campbell is his Asst. HC and TE coach). So Payton was of interest but it was more a pipe-dream.
JIM SCHWARTZ - In 2015 was working with NFL officiating to provide coaching insight. The Dolphins offered him the DC position to replace Coyle but he declined. There was talk he would have taken the HC position but in 2016 he took the DC position with the Eagles and he's still there. Their defense dramatically improved under his supervision. They're the reigning NFL champions. They've struggled a bit this year and there have been calls for him to be fired....
Posts - A number of people liked this one but we went a different direction... maybe one that got away - or maybe one to revisit?
ERIC MANGINI - In 2015 he was DC for the 49ers after being a consultant and TE coach. Prior to that he was unemployed. He was last a HC for the Browns in 2011. He was released again, along with others, in 2015 when the 49ers cleaned house. He's now a commentator/analyst on TV.
GUS MALZAHN - In 2015, as now, he was HC for the Auburn Tigers where he has continued to have winning seasons.
Not sure if he was looked at or expressed interest. No indication I can find that anyone approached him.
MIKE SHANAHAN - Fired from Washington in 2013. He's not coached since.
KYLE SHANAHAN - In Jan 2015 hired as the OC for the Falcons and they developed one of the best offenses in the NFL eventually reaching the Superbowl. In 2017 he became HC for the 49ers but not with any success so far.
Posts - Both Shanahans drew a some fan interest but no indication the team was interested.
BEN MCADOO - in 2015 was OC for the Giants and their offense was improving. He was promoted to HC but by Dec. 2017 was fired. Currently unemployed.
IIRC was interviewed. Didn't see many posts of fan interest in him.
SEAN MCDERMOTT - In 2015 he was DC for the Panthers who were doing well. In 2017 he became HC for the Bills. They reached the playoffs for the first time in ages, but haven't been great this season.
DOUG MARRONE - Picked up as Jaguars Asst. HC and OL coach in Jan 2015. By Jan 2017 he was the official HC. They reached the AFC Championship of 17/18 and were beaten by the Pats. His contract has been extended to 2021.
Was interviewed by the Dolphins. Don't recall if he was offered the position. Not a lot of fan talk about him though.
JOSH MCDANIELS - OC for the Patriots. Agreed to be HC for the Colts in 2018 but infamously changed his mind and returned as OC for NE. Cheaters.
Here's one thread in 2015 looking for opinions on a replacement for Philbin.
Based on the loose generalisations above, it looks like Marrone was the biggest miss in the coaching search, followed maybe by Schwartz. So cookies to those people who wanted to bring them in as HC.
As for those who wanted Hue Jackson, maybe we could start a thread where you can post your current opinions on the HC position and we can send them to the Dolphins as what not to do.
(Just kidding guys...)
"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive... It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord." (Christmas message, 2011)
djphinfansubscriberMy coaching search went all the way back to mike Tomlin, lobbied real hard for that dude, then it came down to wanting Harbaugh, but if we didn’t get him, I looked in depth into Mike Zimmers story and life and came out so impressed, what a genuine man, someone who you would run through a wall for..lobbied hard for him..we know how both of those turned out.
I am a fan of Dan Campbell, I think he has great leadership and head coaching intangibles.. The philosophy for him is finding two coordinators who are good and he can trust, which would allow him to focus on team sharpness and highly motivated..
I haven’t looked deep enough on any other prospects yet..But will if that’s the direction we’re going..
Unlucky 13subscriberI wanted Schwartz instead of Gase in 2016. And among realistic targets, he would come after John Harbaugh on my list this time around too.
thetylernatorforum_veteranBeing from Syracuse, New York, my family and I watch a lot of Syracuse football. Doug Marrone came in and immediately made the Orange relevant for the first time in a long time. I could tell his coaching style would translate into the NFL and he would have success. Then, the Orange turned around and hired a guy named Scott Shafer who managed to tear down everything Marrone had built, achieving nothing but a 14-23 over 3 years.
Dino Babers is the new head coach, formerly coaching Bowling Green and Eastern Illinois. He's won everywhere he's been, and he's already turned Syracuse football into a contender again; they're nationally ranked for the first time in 17 years.
Babers may not find an NFL gig for a few more years, but I'm calling it now--he's going to be a good one. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few interviews this off-season.
djphinfansubscriber"thetylernator wrote:
Being from Syracuse, New York, my family and I watch a lot of Syracuse football. Doug Marrone came in and immediately made the Orange relevant for the first time in a long time. I could tell his coaching style would translate into the NFL and he would have success. Then, the Orange turned around and hired a guy named Scott Shafer who managed to tear down everything Marrone had built, achieving nothing but a 14-23 over 3 years.
Dino Babers is the new head coach, formerly coaching Bowling Green and Eastern Illinois. He's won everywhere he's been, and he's already turned Syracuse football into a contender again; they're nationally ranked for the first time in 17 years.
Babers may not find an NFL gig for a few more years, but I'm calling it now--he's going to be a good one. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few interviews this off-season.
Thus is the philosophy I like to adhere to, you find a coachthat turns a program around that is known to be bad.
"djphinfan wrote:
Thus is the philosophy I like to adhere to, you find a coachthat turns a program around that is known to be bad.
I think that can be part of it, but understanding the college game doesn't mean you are an NFL coach. There definitely has to be other criteria.
I'm currently really interested in Lincoln Riley...
"danmarino wrote:
I'm currently really interested in Lincoln Riley...
is he wanting to leave OU after yr 2?
Puka-headsubscriber"danmarino wrote:
I'm currently really interested in Lincoln Riley...
Maybe you should write him a letter or something,let him know your feelings.
texanphinaticforum_veteranA few interesting names in the college game, but I am so leery of going down that road. For all their basic game similarities, they require very different approaches. The players are different, the media is different, fans are different, your boss is different and the talent level is smushed.
I'm also leery of Lincoln's lack of defense. Would need a very strong coordinator.
"Puka-head wrote:
Maybe you should write him a letter or something,let him know your feelings.
Tried that and a box of chocolate.
So far, nothing. Maybe I'm not his type?
djphinfansubscriber"AGuyNamedAlex wrote:
I think that can be part of it, but understanding the college game doesn't mean you are an NFL coach. There definitely has to be other criteria.
Agreed, but it really means something to take a program that was in the dump and flip into a relevance..
The NFL franchise is a program.
What this dude is doing at Syracuse needs to be looked at hard..
texanphinaticforum_veteran"danmarino wrote:
Tried that and a box of chocolate.
So far, nothing. Maybe I'm not his type?
Change your name to Nebraska Dan and say "Lincoln come home."
"djphinfan wrote:
Agreed, but it really means something to take a program that was in the dump and flip into a relevance..
The NFL franchise is a program.
What this dude is doing at Syracuse needs to be looked at hard..
Oh definitely. Any sort of major success is a big plus, especially in places others have failed.
Puka-headsubscriberNot really ready to dump Gase yet, don't think he's had a chance to be successful as he could be.
But I'll play the name game and throw a curve ball out there...
Scott Turner. Norv's baby boy.
"danmarino wrote:
Tried that and a box of chocolate.
So far, nothing. Maybe I'm not his type?
did you eat the dark chocolates out the box, i hear he doesn't like them? or maybe its the light ones he doesn't like!!!
Destroyerforum_veteranLast 3 coaches I’ve lobbied for are Jim Schwartz, Doug Marrone and the one I wanted most Mike Zimmer. I’m kind of off the Schwartz wagon now.
The Dolphins are the softest team in the NFL. Tua hater starting 12/11/22.
Colmaxforum_veteranHow about our own Darren Rizzi?
Cameron Wolfe mentioned on Twitter Rizzi misses being a HC (he coached in college).
I could honestly get behind this 100%.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
~Henry David Thoreau
jdallen1222forum_veteran"Colmax wrote:
How about our own Darren Rizzi?
Cameron Wolfe mentioned on Twitter Rizzi misses being a HC (he coached in college).
I could honestly get behind this 100%.
He'll be the interim coach after Gase is fired midseason next year.
🎃
Unlucky 13subscriber"Destroyer wrote:
Last 3 coaches I’ve lobbied for are Jim Schwartz, Doug Marrone and the one I wanted most Mike Zimmer. I’m kind of off the Schwartz wagon now.
I don't like Marrone at all. Too harsh and abrasive, very little humanity. He also claims to have not watched the Super Bowl since the 70s, which is either a crock of **** or shows that he's a bizarre dude.
Unlucky 13subscriber"jdallen1222 wrote:
He'll be the interim coach after Gase is fired midseason next year.
Its very likely, yes. And then hopefully there will be a complete and total cleansing of the operation from top to bottom and we can start over fresh. No more attachments to Bill Parcells or Nick Saban.
Destroyerforum_veteran"Unlucky 13 wrote:
I don't like Marrone at all. Too harsh and abrasive, very little humanity. He also claims to have not watched the Super Bowl since the 70s, which is either a crock of **** or shows that he's a bizarre dude.
He sounds like the right guy for this job based on that description.
The Dolphins are the softest team in the NFL. Tua hater starting 12/11/22.
Drizzysubscriber"jdallen1222 wrote:
He'll be the interim coach after Gase is fired midseason next year.
Ross did the same with Sparano and Philbin so it would certainly be following a trend.
texanphinaticforum_veteranMarrone looked great last year ... this year not so much. I see us having a similar season to the Jags if we try to trundle into next year with same ol, same ol at HC and QB.
Schwartz ... ugh. Hes a good coordinator but not a good coach. His Lions struggled heavily with basic coaching stuff like game planning and clock management. Not a fan at all, rather keep Gase tbh. Also no on McCarthy if green bay sends him packing.
Might be a tad early, but potentially time to look at Rams coaches. KC coaches are having great success too, but that well may need time to replenish. I see both NE coordinators are expected to gather interest which ... man tread carefully. I think if you go with a NE coach, you actually dont want a BB clone, which is what all the rest have been.
ESPN had a good article on the coaching pipeline a few days ago.
adamprez2003forum_veteran"texanphinatic wrote:
Marrone looked great last year ... this year not so much. I see us having a similar season to the Jags if we try to trundle into next year with same ol, same ol at HC and QB.
Schwartz ... ugh. Hes a good coordinator but not a good coach. His Lions struggled heavily with basic coaching stuff like game planning and clock management. Not a fan at all, rather keep Gase tbh. Also no on McCarthy if green bay sends him packing.
Might be a tad early, but potentially time to look at Rams coaches. KC coaches are having great success too, but that well may need time to replenish. I see both NE coordinators are expected to gather interest which ... man tread carefully. I think if you go with a NE coach, you actually dont want a BB clone, which is what all the rest have been.
ESPN had a good article on the coaching pipeline a few days ago.
We aren't getting a new head coach but there is a possibility that Gase will be asked to give up offensive coordinator duties. If that happens Jed Fisch, offensive assistant for the LA Rams, might be the choice. I believe He's friends with Gase from their Denver days. He was a offensive coordinator for UCLA recently and before that Jacksonville Jaguars
2019 DRAFT WISH LIST
1) DT Dexter Lawrence - Clemson
2) DE Jaylon Ferguson - Lousiana Tech
3) OG Chris Lindstrom - Boston College
4) CB Amani Oruwariye - Penn State
5) DE Shareef Miller - Penn State
7) C Sean Krepcz - Nevada
7) RB Wes Hills - Slippery Rock
Reporter: "Why did you fire Coach Gase?"
Ross: "Because he wants to win now"
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