Going the Coordinator route is usually the best way to go

[Dpantherman]

Teams decisions to go the coordinator route when looking a new head coach, rather than hiring the "fan favorite" or the big name, has worked out very well for teams as of late.

Look at this year's playoff teams:

New York Jets- Rex Ryan (fmr Ravens DC)

Indy Colts- Jim Caldwell (fmr Indy QB coach...also has Peyton Manning)

Baltimore Ravens- John Harbaugh (fmr ST coach Eagles)

Kansas City Chiefs- Todd Haley (fmr OC Cards)

Pittsburgh Steelers- Mike Tomlin (fmr DC Vikes & DB coach Bucs)*

New England Patriots- Bill Belichick (fmr Browns HC...was he a big name when he was hired?? idk..)...

Atlanta Falcons- Mike Smith (fmr DC Jaguars)

Chicago Bears- Lovie Smith (fmr DC Rams; LB coach Bucs)

Green Bay Packers- Mike McCarthy (fmr OC 49ers and Saints)

Philadelphia Eagles- Andy Reid (fmr GB assistant....several positions)

New Orleans Saints- Sean Payton (fmr OC Cowboys & Giants)*

Seahawks- exception

*won Super Bowl

Who was the last College Coach or Retread to win the Super Bowl? Of course either way you can hit or miss, but with all the talk about energizing the franchise with a big hire, winning cures all, so the best candidate should get the job, not who everyone likes. (of course if they are one in the same, then all systems go anyway )

(Note: Yes still want Harbaugh, but....)

[Kettle]

nice post. fyi though. pretty sure its one AND the same.

[CatMan72]

I like Ron Rivera, he certainly has proved he can be a highly effective coach at the NFL level... not sure about Fewell.

[blackcatgrowl]

Despite the explosion of "OH NOES! JR didn't know Harbaugh?" on this board, college coaches are sorta like college drafted players. Sometimes they can transition. Sometimes they can't. Steve Spurrier came to mind as one that couldn't.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I like Ron Rivera, he certainly has proved he can be a highly effective coach at the NFL level... not sure about Fewell.

I feel the same right now. Furthermore, I'm completely fine with going after a defensive-minded coach, provided we can get a creative offensive coordinator in here that is able to get us passing the ball effectively.

[Mr. Scot]

Seahawks- exception

Don't know that i'd count that as much of an accomplishment yet.

He got to the playoffs on a losing record because his division is a flaming sack of dog flop.

[Dpantherman]

Don't know that i'd count that as much of an accomplishment yet.

He got to the playoffs on a losing record because his division is a flaming sack of dog flop.

Thats what I meant by exception. I didn't even want to put his name up.

Edit: looks like I forgot to list his name anyway

[Kettle]

i've seen spurrier mentioned but what are other examples of college coaches coming up? other than Carrol. i'm sure we all know about Jimmy Johnson, but I struggle to come up with any others.

[CatMan72]

I feel the same right now. Furthermore, I'm completely fine with going after a defensive-minded coach, provided we can get a creative offensive coordinator in here that is able to get us passing the ball effectively.

Yup, Bellichek is a defense-minded coach and that's worked out pretty okay for the Pats... the real question is how much freedom the HC will give the OC, Fox had his OC's on lockdown.

[Mr. Scot]

i've seen spurrier mentioned but what are other examples of college coaches coming up? other than Carrol. i'm sure we all know about Jimmy Johnson, but I struggle to come up with any others.

Dick Vermeil

[Dpantherman]

i've seen spurrier mentioned but what are other examples of college coaches coming up? other than Carrol. i'm sure we all know about Jimmy Johnson, but I struggle to come up with any others.

Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino

[CatMan72]

i've seen spurrier mentioned but what are other examples of college coaches coming up? other than Carrol. i'm sure we all know about Jimmy Johnson, but I struggle to come up with any others.

In my opinion, the difference with Harbaugh is that he's an NFL guy posing as a college coach and running an NFL-style offense with a great deal of success. A guy like Spurrier was running a gimmick offense at Florida that relied on him having superior athletes, that advantage was taken away from him in the NFL and he couldn't adapt... a classic one-trick pony.

[Dpantherman]

For the record, I still think Harbaugh will be a great NFL coach...

[Kevin Greene]

Nice post Op.

Bill Cowher was once an assistant wasn't he?