The Next Head Coach

[scpanther22]

I just dont wont retreads

[magnus]

Honestly, you could argue that being a position coach is a closer resemblance to being a head coach in some ways. Head coaching is game planning, decision making and motivation. Coordinating is all Xs and Os.

The ideal mix would likely be someone successful at both levels (hence why OCs and DCs tend to be the ones who get the jobs) but guys like Andy Reid prove you can make the leap and be successful.

I guess it just opens things up for guys who fit best, not necessarily guys who are simply coordinators. It's a byproduct of keeping assistants from getting to interview for jobs that are a step up. Still not sure how I feel about that - that a guy who's an ace QBs coach on a team that's very good, that has staying power, ends up not getting to be a coordinator because the team doesn't want him to interview.

Organizationally, wanted to put some things out there:

I like a head coach who doesn't call his own plays. I like a head coach who has input on both sides, without undermining.

I like one assistant head coach, that probably shouldn't be either coordinator spot. I don't want two asst. HCs, I don't want any associate/executive head coaches. I've seen teams like the Redskins get inundated with it, and go look at the FSU staff too. It's nuts. They've got a guy who'll be their next head coach, an asst, exec, and associate head coach. None of these guys are the same guy. It's too much.

I don't want the OC to be the QBs coach. I think that's a very outdated way of doing things. Always hated Henning's way of doing that, and someone eventually intervened. Ideally, I like a WCO organizational structure, where the OC runs the offense, the QBs coach does a lot of the gameplanning, and they work together on the offense, but the OC is in charge. I don't want a running game coordinator or passing game coordinator.

I prefer my coordinators on the ground, not the booth. But it's not exceptionally different one way or the other.

I like an assistant line coach and assistant DB coach (each carry enough players you can't help but have a guy to help the primary coach).

I don't like "assistant line coach/TE coach". That's specifically saying that one coach or position is more important. You require a title for one coach to help with another position? That's a problem.

I like third-tier assistants - up to three of them. One offensive to help the OC and QBs coach, one for the front seven, and one for the back four/seven. These coaches don't have to help coach positions, but it's nice to get them experience. It's also a nice way to get college coaches a way in, and gives you in-house options for replacement coaches. These are also guys who should help out coaching special teams, and that should mentor first and second year guys into film study. Of course, these coaches do quality control and film prep as their primary duty.

If it's a 3-4, I can see two LBs coaches, but otherwise, no.

[magnus]

also - Winston Moss? Assistant head coach with the Packers, highly esteemed. He's not "a 3-4 guy" necessarily, and who knows what he'd run here, but he's a former Pro player (and inevitably that earns points with JR), who's gotten an interview or two.

I'm talking myself into liking the Holmgren idea.

[PanthersFanNY]

Rivera didnt impress me last night

Singeltary's defense in 2006: 26th overall, 344 ypg, 32nd in points allowed

Singeltary's defense in 2007: 25th overall, 346 ypg, 20th in points allowed

First four games during his first full year as HC: 6th overall, 284 ypg, 2nd in points allowed (13.2 ppg)

[magnus]

Singletary wasn't a defensive coordinator.

That actually figured to make him career limiting - not only wasn't he a DC, but his team desperately needed one and he chose not to take it. Simply not being a coordinator isn't a terrible thing - especially if you do have a good plan for your offense and defense. But turning it down is odd.

So, to me, he could've either toiled for a number of years or he could essentially luck into the spot he got into. Most guys don't become interim head coach and get it to stick, and I don't know he'd have gotten a job so easily otherwise. Not like the 49ers were great with him there before he ascended.

[KatsAzz]

This is an ongoing discussion, in several threads, so I thought I'd make a bit of an effort to consolidate it here.

Here's a look at the possible options for next year, if John Fox is fired.

(and keep in mind that even with the 0-3 start, this is not a given)

I just don't understand the line of thinking by some folks...the whole re-tread idea seems soooo lame to me. you pay MORE in salary, meanwhile the expectations are the same...change the culture of the organization. would the hire of cowher have fans thinking that the Panthers are an instant superbowl contender? really??

San Francisco...Indianapolis...Denver...NY Jets...just a few teams that have hired coaches that nobody ever had before. look at the success these teams had, and that's just THIS YEAR. look at last year...Miami and Baltimore

Get a young coach. let him grow and build this team back up. the Panthers don't need a quick fix. they need to be BUILT into a championship contender

Oh yeah, and i totally forgot about Mike Tomlin, Mike Smith, and Ken Wisenhunt

Please explain to me again why the Panthers MUST get a re-tread??

[fredlane34]

the next coach will have ten toes

[jramsey4]

the next coach will have ten toes

[Mr. Scot]

also - Winston Moss? Assistant head coach with the Packers, highly esteemed. He's not "a 3-4 guy" necessarily, and who knows what he'd run here, but he's a former Pro player (and inevitably that earns points with JR), who's gotten an interview or two.

I'm talking myself into liking the Holmgren idea.

He's had interviews before and sounds viable. Only thing that bothered me was reading how enthusiastic he was at the idea of working for Al Davis :sosp:

[Mesmer]

I think JR did a good job with hiring John Fox. It was one of those hires where I think we didn't get the first guy we wanted, but it ended up working out really well. (All things considered)

I think the office goes with the more unknown up-and-comer route this time as well. I think if this were 2002 again, that JR would be looking heavily at Cowher and Shanahan like crazy, but I feel like he's much wiser now and will provide us with some promising up-and-coming coaching talent.

At least I hope.

[rayzor]

i wonder if harbaugh's having been on the team for a little bit would help or hurt his chances of coming here?

he was already working for W Kentucky at that point so it was pretty obvious what direction he was going to be taking and that he was at the end of his pro playing career.

[Mr. Scot]

If the pattern follows, it'll wind up being somebody none of us expect

[Mesmer]

If the pattern follows, it'll wind up being somebody none of us expect

If I go "Wait... who?" when the guy is hired... I'll be a lot happier (initially) then if I see Cowher's ugly mug on the front page of the Observer.

[rayzor]

that's what i'm afraid of.

wouldn't the pattern also be a retread bringing few ugly seasons with him?

yikes. i hate patterns like that. take this one for example...compare 2008 with 1996 (the only years we finished 12-4) and then look at the year that preceded both of them. scary if you dwell on it too much.