NFL coaching searches
A couple of weeks ago, a lot of us were complaining about the Ravens' search for a head coach, but the Ravens were smooth compared to the searches in Atlanta and Washington.
The Redskins are amusing. Not only can't they find a head coach to their liking, but the owner has hired the offensive coordinator before he has hired his coach. That seldom happens, and Washington owner Dan Snyder might be interfering too much. Head coaches want to hire their own coaches, and they also want to set the pay scale for them. When you take that kind of control out of their hands, you're going to have problems.
The head coach wants assistants to be loyal to him first, not to the owner. The Redskins are saying they won't make a decision on a head coach until after the Super Bowl. Good luck, gentlemen.
Oops, one other thing. While the NFL has gone corporate in searching for head coaches, remember the best coach in the league is a grouchy, old mad scientist who wears a hooded sweatshirt every week.
Comments
You know this is the new age of owners. Young with plenty of money that was made from outside ventures that they knew a great deal about.Some of today's new owners don't have a clue how to run a football team and don't gernerally rely on there Football people, They surround themselves with accountants that just show them the good bottom line of the organization instead of good football man. I hope that Steve b wakes up very soon , and stops relying on Dick Cass instead of ozzie,i am happy that they hired John for there head coaching position, but be aware that it wasn't ozzie hire , he is to old school and would have hired Marty.the reason they haven't hired Rex ryan as of yet is because there is a power struggle going on at the castle that needs to be taken care of before this team will get back on track.
Posted by: bob lancione | January 28, 2008 11:32 AM
We need to hear more of your thoughts on the disaster in Landover, Mike. We need to stir up some genuine dislike for the deadskins now that the season is over and the two teams play next year in Baltimore. I for one think the skins are total corporate and very overpriced. Did I metion the most subjective media in the NFL?
While I may not agree with the hiring of Harbaugh ( already thinking of nicknames), it may all work out. As my father used to say- anyone can be a decent leader if they surround themselves with smart people. Harbaugh has done exactly this with Cameron and Ryan leading his staff. Good QB and DB coaches will be the next crucial.
Posted by: Patrick | January 28, 2008 11:34 AM
Ravens have the best coaching staff in football. i think harbaugh is gonna be a huge success here in town. He has to too much talent around him not to be. Look out nfl we actually have a compentent coach!
Posted by: brendan klekner | January 28, 2008 11:36 AM
No doubt the ravens search went well. While certain columnists (Maese) made it seem like the sky was falling when Garrett turned them down, things worked out pretty well. They now have the respective coordinators of the highest scoring offense and defense from 2006. While this may not translate to success on the field with this team, one thing is for sure. You can not blame it on these coordinators. They have been there and done that. It is now up to the players to perform.
Posted by: frox | January 28, 2008 12:24 PM
Mike,
Dan Snyder just does not get it. He's the owner/fan....not the GM/head coach. Yes, he's a passionate owner; however, logic...tradition...business acumen must also be a part of the equation. Hire someone with good credentials and a vision...then sit back and watch.
As a management consultant, I give Mr. Snyder the following advice:
1. do an indepth study of the NFL organizations that have consistently stayed the course since the advent of free agency/salary caps/etc. Try the Baltimore Ravens...both the previous owner and the current owner are on the same page.
2. identify those characteristics of these organizations most responsible for their success--many fans can tell these right now!
3. hire a GM who can develop this organizational profile
4. forget about the media, be a good cheerleader and continue to focus on maintaining the franchise as a major force for good in the community.
Posted by: walt holman | January 28, 2008 2:01 PM
Ignorance is bliss, and Dan Synder is happy as a clam!
Posted by: call it like I see it | January 28, 2008 4:19 PM
I love to see what the Deadskins are going through. They are the most overrated, overhyped, piece of crap organization right now, aside from Oakland. Their owner doesn't know jack about how to run a football team, and from what I hear they are 20 mil over in salary cap space. Their fans are wishy washy and their colors are ugly.
Hail to the Deadskins, 6-10 Baby! We Da Best!
Posted by: Deadskins suck | January 29, 2008 2:00 AM
I dont see any development in Snyder. His decrees are becoming more and more arbitrary. He's a joke. Lord Farquad with a tie. The best Napoleon since Ian Holm. But enough.
The premiere radio media down there, particularly WTEM, are more polished, but they hire people that could conceivably give a lug nut like Limbaugh a run for his money. No sense.
Those make the program unlistenable. Even when they have great and interesting guests. Its unfortunate, really. I love good sports radio. Hard to get.
As far as 'OUR' owner goes, increased between the line reading and video footage of Bisciotti give me the impression we could come to see a different GM some day soon. Nnnnnnot so good.
Posted by: HeWhoCannotBeNamed | January 29, 2008 6:16 AM