So, you want a new head coach?
Posted December 2nd, 2008 by Luke Chandler
If you can find a Romeo Crennel supporter right now in North East Ohio, I'm not sure why you are asking Romeo himself about his employment future with the Cleveland Browns. With recent news that he needs a "miracle" to keep his job, the rumor mill has started turning.
So who are the best candidates right now? And I don't mean Bill Cowher or Marty Schottenheimer…
Steve Spagnuolo, Defensive Coordinator, New York Giants
Easily the hottest name in coaching circles, but does he even want to be a head coach yet? He turned down the head coaching job with the Washington Redskins last offseason, and may do the same this offseason with the offers that come in. With just about two seasons as the Giants coordinator, he's shown he can scheme with the best of them. This season the Giants defense lost several players due to injury, and they are still an elite unit. Best of all, Spagnuolo's system is geared towards making the linebackers and ends highly productive. Spagnuolo may be light on experience, but his upside is highly intriguing.
Clancy Pendergast, Defensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals
If Spagnuolo is the best at turning up the heat and blitzing, Pendergast is a close second. He is a highly creative defensive mind, and will use concepts that are shunned by most NFL teams. Under his guise, Adrian Wilson has turned into an elite strong safety. Last season Wilson set an NFL single season record for sacks in a season by a defensive back with eight.
Rex Ryan, Defensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
Weakening a rival's core would be nice, and Ryan would be a start. Considered a bright and creative coach, he runs aggressive schemes meant to pressure the quarterback. The talent level in Baltimore has helped him be a bit more dangerous with his blitz packages, but he still has a proven track record. He has helped tailor little known talents like safety Dawan Landry, linebacker Bart Scott, and linebacker/end Jarret Johnson into high level defenders.
Cam Cameron, Offensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
Before you jump down my throat on this one, realize that Cameron's track record with quarterbacks is impressive. Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, and now rookie Joe Flacco flourish in his passing game and are fundamentally sound. He also runs nearly an identical system to what the Browns offense do currently, so the transition to a new system would be nill. Yes, his 2007 Dolphins team went 1-15, but they also lost six games by less than a field goal. Bad luck doesn't always show up in the wins and losses, admittedly. Cameron may get another shot, and much like Ryan, weakening a division rival would be key.
Mike Mularkey, Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons
After a failed stint as the Bills head coach, and then as the Dolphins offensive coordinator, Mularkey has landed on his feet in Atlanta this season. His tutoring of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has lead the former Boston College product to be a highly productive and efficient passer this season. Mularkey comes with some baggage, having resigned from the Bills job due to disagreements with management. Right now, he's the least qualified candidate.
Other names to watch include:
Brian Schottenheimer, Offensive Coordinator, New York Jets
Rob Ryan, Defensive Coordinator, Oakland Raiders
Mike Nolan, former head coach, San Francisco 49ers
Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
Brian Billick, former head coach, Baltimore Ravens
So who are you interested in coaching the Browns in 2009?
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
If the name has "coordinator" attached to it, BROWNS FANS ARE DEFINITELY NOT INTERESTED. Coordinators are as good as towel boys or water boys at this point. Brian Billick is the only one qualified unless Mike Nolan had a winning record at S.F. but I doubt it.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
How many current (or former) NFL Head Coaches are available? The few currernt that I can say might be available are: Wade Phillips, Herm Edwards, and Norv Turner. I would think about Wade Phillips, but if the Cowboys fire him he'll be a guy who's been fired twice in the NFL, which rarely translates into a good NFL coach.
Hiring a guy like Billick is just as, if not more risky than hiring a coordinator.
I hate to say it too, but this is far from a desireable destination for coaches. So getting a guy with NFL head coaching experience might be out the window.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Why is no one mentioning Russ Grimm? Former All-Pro lineman, former offensive line coach at Pittsburgh — haven't they traditionally had great lines and running games? — currently assistant head coach and line coach at Arizona — aren't they playoff bound after being horrible for years? — and recently a finalist for a number of head coaching positions. We'd be smart to take a guy who's respected as a former player, understands Cleveland football and the importance of a ground game, and has proven himself as a coach at the pro level.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Yikes. That list is scary. I'm tempted to say I like Josh McDaniels because of his success in New England and his obvious ties to this area. He'd also be one guy who'd actually COME here, because it's a big step up, job-wise, and it may be a dream come true for the young man.
People say Eric Mangini, Belichick's former assistant, is a quality head coach. And I think he started as the waterboy or something. McDaniels probably has just as good, if not better, credentials….if we're again going with an unproven head man.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Russ, as I was telling someone recently (maybe even Luke), there's a reason Grimm hasn't had a head job yet. He gets interviewed every year but still can't land something. To me, that says something is up.
I think the fans would revolt if another Patriots assistant is hired. Not saying they should, just saying they probably would.
I hate to be the guy who just says someone who wasn't mentioned, but how about Jim Schwartz from Tennessee? Of those guys, though, I'd probably go with Billick. Schottenheimer and Nolan suck. Rob Ryan is kooky. Spagnuolo might not want to come to a place like this. Cameron and Mularkey are just eh.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
The knock on Grimm is that he's not bright enough to be a head coach. He's a good positional guy who works well with offensive linemen, but that's about it.
I can't imagine Billick working in Cleveland. The guy was a supposed offensive genius who barely could an average passing attack going in Baltimore.
I still think Pendergast is the best shot. He took a defense full of nobodies and started doing all these weird stuff like running a 5-2, playing Antrel Rolle at rover, blitzing Calvin Pace from all over the field on every play, and turned them into a top ten unit. He would probably maximize the talent at linebacker well, and could turn Sean Jones into a dominant strong safety.
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Unfreakinbelievable! None of the above.
They are going to have to work through a talent search, pull someone from way off the grid, like Parcells, to turn this disaster around. Maybe there's some soccer coaches from England available, huh Randy? What's that? Oh, it's not late January yet. I thought I heard Randy say something. He's not even here? That's the deal……
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Maddaci, what exactly do you want Lerner to be doing? He hires the guys and pays the checks. Would you rather have an owner like Jerry Jones in Dallas? Because for everyone of him, there's an Al Davis in Oakland, a team that is far worse off than the Browns.
Luke, you make a compelling case for Clancy. I'll have to think on this one.
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:37 pm
dan, are you one of those guys derek anderson was referring to? you know, the crack smokers?
would i rather have an owner like jerry jones (3 super bowl championships) or al davis (3 super bowl championships)????
hell yes!!!!
sure al davis is a senile joke now and jerry jones micromanages piss breaks at texas stadium but they have won rings!!!! isn't that what you want? to have a winning team?
and are the raiders really worse off than the browns? i don't think so. the raiders have at least made a super bowl this decade and got screwed out of another one. the browns have lost ONE wildcard game. this organization only has one organization that matches them in ineptitude—the detroit lions. the raiders and cowboys have a lot more to be proud of.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Terje, you misread what I wrote. For every Jerry Jones (a good owner) there is an Al Davis (a bad owner). If you want to live in the past, like other Browns fans, go right ahead. But I'm referring to right now. 2008. The Raiders are far worse off than the Browns.
Heck, they ran a trick play to their fat kicker on Sunday! What else do you need to know? How about how Davis doesn't draft players based on ability, but their 40-yard dash time. That is, except their No. 1 pick quarterback who can't get off the bench or weigh less than 280 pounds.
The Raiders are completely worse off than the Browns. While Cleveland's best player may be its placekicker, Oakland's is its punter. While the Browns have cornerbacks who's names you'd like to not say, the Raiders have cornerbacks who's names you can't say. While the Browns have a receiver who can't catch passes, the Raiders have receivers you don't even want to throw the ball to. I can keep going. The bottom line is the Raiders are awful. The Browns aren't quite that awful.
But hey, the Raiders won three Super Bowls! The Browns won an NFL championship! It was the turn of the 1900s just over 100 years ago!
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
that raiders cornerback who's name you can't say is one of the best in the league.
they are 3 and 9, 1 game back from the browns. but it's a wash. they both suck.
you can say the browns are better off if it helps you sleep at night. saying it doesn't make it true however.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I think we can all agree both franchises are better than the Lions.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
agreed
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Josh McDaniels wins hands down. This young man is very bright and moved up fast. Just as important as the brains and drive, the Browns need a coach that wants to come to Cleveland. That wants to stay in Cleveland. Continuity. Continuity. Continuity. Yes, he may fail. Anyone on the list may fail. But if this young man from Canton, Ohio succeeds, we are set for years of competitive football. Everyone who has interviewed or spoke with Josh McDaniels comes away very impressed.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:11 am
brian billick is the best and bill cowher and marty
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:03 am
As a UK-based Ravens fan, I found your blog on google and read a few of your other Ravens posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.