Thoughts on What Comes After Andy
Like everybody else, I'm trying to think about what the Eagles might do when this disappointing season ends and Andy Reid's 14-year coaching tenure presumably ends.
Thoughts on What Comes After Andy
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Like everybody else, I'm trying to think about what the Eagles might do when this disappointing season ends and Andy Reid's 14-year coaching tenure presumably ends.
I'll be really surprised if the choice is some guy who won a Super Bowl elsewhere -- Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, even Bill Cowher, who tends to be more highly regarded than Gruden or Billick in NFL circles. A couple of reasons there: 1. Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman think of themselves as bold, innovative people; they are unlikely to settle for trying to recreate what someone did somewhere else, and more important, 2. IT NEVER WORKS. How many coaches have won a Super Bowl somewhere, then gone somewhere else and won another? The answer is nobody, never, ever. Not Vince Lombardi, not Bill Parcells, not Mike Holmgren, who came closest, not Mike Shanahan.
This last point is something too few people in the fan base seem to understand. The objective here is not to hire somebody who will give us entertaining press conferences, or somebody who once beat the Eagles in an important game.
One caveat: I'd make an exception for Sean Payton, who would be available under unique circumstances that might make him different from the other retreads. But I really don't think Payton is leaving New Orleans, and if he does, he has strong ties to Dallas.
I'm pretty sure Lurie and Roseman will go for a "bright young man" type. Of course, that has its risks, too. A lot of those guys look less bright, once they're in charge. See Steve Spagnuolo, Todd Haley, Ron Rivera, Tony Sparano, etc.
The guy that everybody is talking about, in regard to every potential NFL coaching vacancy, is Oregon coach Chip Kelly, who certainly is a successful innovator. I am leery. Kelly has never spent a minute in the NFL, as a player or coach. "Pure" college coaches have been really, really unsuccessful in the NFL lately -- Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino. Yes, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Schiano have been good hires, but both had strong NFL backgrounds, which they took to college coaching, before returning to the NFL.
Besides, Kelly is the guy who, when a disgruntled Ducks fan wrote him demanding a refund for traveling to a loss at Boise State, sent the guy a check for $439. The Eagles have a much larger, more critical fanbase. I see looming bankruptcy for Chip if he comes here.
And it would be hard to keep up with uniforms that would change constantly.
More seriously, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is not a bright YOUNG man -- he's my age, 56 -- but Zimmer, the longtime Cowboys d-coordinator, sure knows defense.
Dirk Koetter, the Atlanta offensive coordinator, is going to be a hot name if the Falcons' success holds up into the playoffs. He's 53, has been a college head coach, unlike Zimmer, who is a career assistant.
It also might be relevant that Roseman's agent is Bob LaMonte, Reid's agent, and the guy who sometimes seems to orchestrate NFL coaching moves. Jon Gruden is a LaMonte client, as is his brother Jay, the Bengals' offensive coordinator.
But really, the hottest guys will be the top assistants on the teams that get to the Super Bowl. That game will be played more than a month after the Eagles' season concludes. (I'm assuming, I think safely, there will be no Andy-job-saving run into the playoffs).
Will the Eagles have hired a coach by then? As somebody who's going to have to cover this, I think that would be nice, but it's unlikely. I would anticipate a meticulous search, with Lurie and Roseman seeking advice from people they know across the league, weighing variables, holding multiple interviews. One goal here is to go another 14 years without having to do this. There is no need to rush.
Ironically, the hottest head coach on the market this offseason will be Andy Reid (other than Bill Cowher).— p-diddy- Jeff Lurie will continue to send a "social" message with whomever he hires:
First Female NFL Coach - Linda McMahon is available; Anybody who has done time and can't get a job; Survivors of life-threatening diseases - Asperger's Disorder comes to mind; Minority Members - particularly aging, White Republicans; Survivors of any natural disaster - "Sandy" would be appropriate in this neck of the woods...— He Visto Todo - Holy Schnocky, Jaws as GM would crush the NFL!
I have to concede your point on the retreads Les. Well played my friend, well played.— WestonF01 - Les, I thought Kelley coaches Notre Dame, not Oregon. I don't want him anyway. Agree with those who feel that with Roseman continuing making personnel decisions, we are up the creek big time. Make the right move, Lurie. We are counting on you.— Ballgame
- As interesting, where does Andy go? San Diego? Philadelphia has become an professional and personal black hole for Reid. His family problems and the team problems.— Eagles1980
- You morons will never have a leading coach like Tom Coughlin or Bill Parcells! Go Giants!— MRD
- When evaluating a coach one should look at things like, how good of a talent evaluator the coach is, how the coach identifies and takes advantage of competitive advantages while diminishing advantages of opponents, and how effective of a motivator the coach is. Basically. how much is a coach like Jimmy Johnson. Boo hiss I know, but he was one helluva coach, and makes for an ideal template. Obviously some pedigree is important. What is scary is that the dominant coaching pedigree in the NFL today descends from Andy himself.— HeelYes
- A commander in charge of sh*t is still going to a a sh*t commander. Birds need to clean house and get some real O-line talent in as well as some innovative coaching staff.— LarsMendte2
- As long as Howie is the GM, we are in trouble. This organization loves to put a square peg in a round hole. OL coach to DC, draft a guard to play tackle, put a laywer in charge of personnel, it goes on & on. The defense has 3 facets; line, linebackers & DB working against each other. I can go on forever. Completely disgusted.— domdee15
- Bring McNabb back and make him head coach. They may not win and the team may have no heart but at least he won't be saying "he needs to do a better job" after every loss....he'll blame everyone else for sure.— The Dude Abides
- Kevin McBride, balanced offense, pocket passer, SB winner!!!
— hodigger - It's a shame.Before Reid we had decades of mediocre teams [except for a few years with Vermeil and a little hope with Budd].Andy brought a sense of pride and accomplishment to the franchise.If he goes he deserves some respect and gratitude.I would ask one question before you he's thrown to the wolves....How many teams have survived 4 out of 5 starting linemen going down [including the center and the best left guard in the league].Has anyone ever won anything in that situation ??I'm afraid we in for another stretch of mediocrity because the GM's strength is NOT judging talent.— mike garman
- Howie can't get any credit if they bring in a "Name" guy. Howie knows the new coach must be an inexperienced guy just eager for a chance. Someone that will take the job with little Howie calling the shots.— Kioto
- Rest in Peace Jim Johnson.— maxwellinformed
- The Eagles Defense is where the problem lies however, can a defensive minded coach bring Foles along? With coaching opportunities in Florida and California, I don't see the Eagles being a prime opportunity. Why would Kelly come east to Philly when San Diego should be available?
Personally I'm not sold on this being Reid's farewell song. Lurie didn't say this was a make or break year for Reid, he said 8 and 8 wouldn't be good enough. That does not translate to Reid being Fired.
Considering Reid didn't have such a bad draft in 2012, there are a lot worse the Eagles can do than retain Reid as their coach for one last hurrah.
I'm not sold on a noted coach optioning to come to Philly to walk in the foot print left by Andy Reid.— Dexter
