Antique Shop Closed: Retread NFL Coaches Ignored
Anyone who has been terminated, lost a job or not had a contract renewed can identify with this article. When discussing the plethora of NFL coaching vacancies, it seems we only mention young up-and-coming coordinators or assistant coaches with a certain pedigree.
But what about experience? Is the value of experience and maturity waning? Let’s take a look at my list of the top ten retreads, and their positives and drawbacks.
1. Bill Cowher
Positive: Won a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh. Was almost always competitive during a long tenure with the Steelers.
Negative: Seeks total franchise control. Interested in living on the East Coast near family. Making a good living working only weekends for CBS.
2. Mike Shanahan
Positive: Won a Super Bowl in Denver where he was labeled a genius.
Negative: Extremely arrogant control freak who’s value has slipped in recent years (see 2008 slide). May need some time to revive juices.
3. Marty Schottenheimer
Positive: Great regular season record at four different stops (Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego).
Negative: Terrible post-season record (see John Elway). Appears to be enjoying golf down in North Carolina.
4. Brian Billick
Positive: Won a Super Bowl at Baltimore.
Negative: Record faded in recent years. Criticized for the failure to develop a QB in Baltimore, despite being labeled an offensive guru.
5. Mike Holmgren
Positive: Won Super Bowl at Green Bay and took the Seahawks to the Bowl as well.
Negative: Self-admitted burnout taking a year off to be with family.
6. Dennis Green
Positive: Successful in Minnesota before struggling in Arizona. Early disciple of Bill Walsh.
Negative: Off-the-field scandal with sexual harassment. Infamous “they were who we thought they were” meltdown.
7. Jim Fassel
Positive: Took the Giants to the Super Bowl.
Negative: Has been passed over for several years and appears to have fallen out of favor with the GM’s.
8. Mike Martz
Positive: Took Rams to the Super Bowl and was one of the architects of the Greatest Show on Turf.
Negative: Inflexible, arrogant and self absorbed.
9. Mike Nolan
Positive: Bright, young defensive mind from well-respected coaching tree (Dick Nolan).
Negative: Failed miserably in San Francisco, losing control of the team.
10. Pete Carroll
Positive: Has established a juggernaut at USC.
Negative: Failed in New England. Might not be willing to leave USC.
Successful Retreads:
- Bill Belichick
- Mike Shanahan
- Tom Coughlin
- Tony Dungy
- Chucky
- Mike Holmgren
- Marty Schottenheimer
Scrapheap:
- Art Shell
- The Genius of Defeat (Harm)
- Scott Linehan
- Steve Mariucci
- Sam Wyche
- Ray Rhodes
- George Seifert
Why has the NFL given up on these mature, experienced coaches in favor of the potential rising stars? It seems to me that they are driven by potential — betting on the come rather than attempting to harness the experience of prior coaching stints.
What about your Chiefs? Experience or potential? Let us know here at the Addict…
Mike Nolan has been tapped as Denver’s D coordinator
January 13th, 2009 at 1:03 amIt’s really baffled me how many have been clamoring for oc’s and dc’s who have never been coaches before when Marty and Shanahan are geniuses. Marty is perhaps the great regular season coach to ever coach in the nfl..He has literally turned around every team he ever coached..He even went 8-8 with the red skins in just that one year he coached them..Sure his playoff record is zilch but after these past two years with Herm and seeing our constant incompetence, Marty looks amazing..
Honestly, whether it’s shanahan, cowher, or Marty I’d be thrilled with any..I know everyone has a hard on for Cowher but if he hadn’t won that last superbowl, Marty would be a hotter candidate..As far as I’m concerned we can’t go wrong with any of these three coaches..Honestly, a superbowl is not even something I’m contemplating..I just want to see us consistently back in the playoffs and have arrowhead like it used to be..Arrowhead losts it pride a few years back with the hire of Herman Edwards
January 13th, 2009 at 2:15 amArrowhead did lose it’s pride with Harm’s hire, but I’m worried that all three of those coaching vets have lost their hunger, sandya.
Great post, old man. But I do worry about energy and hunger, as well as adaptibility. Old coaches, like Joe Gibbs, have sometimes seemed unable top adopt to both the players and the gameplay of today’s NFL. Plus, if you sign an older coach there’s no real chance to have that fruitful decade-long run. And these coaches would have never have been on this list in the first place if someone didn’t take a chance on them.
January 13th, 2009 at 4:31 amgreat post…9 of the last 10 Superbowl Winning coaches won with their second team…or, were retreads…
January 13th, 2009 at 4:57 amTony Dungy is out there on the market now.
January 13th, 2009 at 5:18 amNot sure Tony would leave Indy and Manning to come to KC and Thigpen. Dungy is done for a few years I believe.
January 13th, 2009 at 8:54 amDennis Green is so terrible. He is a complete idiot. His coordinators were another story….
January 13th, 2009 at 9:30 amGood article Doc. I think difference between going with proven success versus taking a chance on a new guy comes down whether or not you believe the retread still has the desire and skills to succeed. In other words, the guy who does not lack for potential (the proven winner) also does not have as much to prove (the “hunger,” as Adam puts it). At the same time, you want somebody who possesses the skills and know how to make it happen. It’s a gamble either way.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:48 amUsually I agree to a large degree with what you write. This time, I think you missed the boat by a mile. Your assertion is that the NFL has ‘given up’ on these coaches. However, on your list several coaches (Shanahan, Holmgren, Nolan, Martz) worked just this year. Pete Carroll is locked down at USC, but has been linked to several NFL jobs. Bill Cowher has intereviewed for a couple of jobs and has ssid he doesn’t want to coach this year. Clearly, he can write his own ticket. That comprises 60% of your list. Your whole premise falls apart at that point.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:49 amI’ll take a 14-2 fired retread any day..The chargers did nothing by firing Marty..They regressed quite a bit and I believe they continue to underachieve because marty isn’t out there on the side lines..I don’t consider marty and shanahan retreads when their worst records in the last 15 years have been 7-9 or so..I’ll take these guys any day over anyone else in the market..Sure I’d take cowher as well..
Shame on Cleveland and other teams for not looking at Marty when he has literally turned around EVERY team he has come into coach and every coaching job has been a rebuilding project and he does it quickly..Can’t wait to see Cleveland’s continual run with mediocrity..
I’m hoping we bring in Shanahan or Marty..Shanny would be just a trip though..A great trip..Seeing him decked out in chiefs attire, wow..As long as Pioli is the main person evaluating and conducting the drafts and a proven defensive coordinator like Crennel comes in (by the way we should grab him) Shanny would be free to do what he does best..Coach a hell of a game..
January 13th, 2009 at 2:44 pmI don’t know – something about Shanny coaching the Chiefs just makes me a little queazy. Erk – I just yuked up in my mouth a little.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:58 pmESPN.com … two sources say Pioli coming to KC as head of football operations.
January 13th, 2009 at 3:26 pm