The value of defensive coordinator experience
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
The value of defensive coordinator experience
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
In the Eagles search for a defensive coordinator, there's been considerable attention paid toNFL experience. In fact, the presume frontrunner at this point is 49ers defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, with Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham also previously discussed as a candidate. (The Eagles are not making any official announcement) Both have been coordinators in the NFL.
The term "retread" is often attached to a former head coach who gets a second chance, but the formula clearly works for defensive coordinators. Both coordinators in this season's Super Bowl -- Baltimore's Dean Pees and San Francisco's Vic Fangio -- have previously been defensive coordinators in the NFL.
In fact, this will be the fifth consecutive season in which the Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator was on at least his second NFL defensive coordinator job:
SUPER BOWL DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS, past five years
2012 – Ravens, Dean Pees (2nd defensive coordinator job); 49ers, Vic Fangio (4th defensive coordinator)
2011 – Giants, Perry Fewell (2nd defensive coordinator job)
2010 – Packers, Dom Capers (3rd defensive coordinator job, 2 head coaching jobs)
2009 – Saints, Gregg Williams (4rd defensive coordinator job, 1 head coaching job)
2008 – Steelers, Dick LeBeau (4th defensive coordinator job, 1 head coaching job)
And five is not just an arbitrary number. The defensive coordinator for the 2001-2006 Super Bowl champions were also on at least their second defensive coordinator stint.
This does not make it a surefire way to go. But it's something to consider, especially when considering the coordinator will work with an NFL coach who has never before spent a day in the NFL.
In you list of SB Defensive Coordinators, I think you meant "2008 - Steelers, Dick LeBeau"— HDTV
i hope howie learned his lesson when he recommended reid hire jim washburn and install the wide-9 gimmick. howie should stick to debits and credits in the accounting dept and let chip kelly pick his own D.C.— hannibal barca- Still gotta have the horses to be a great D. Although Wade made the exception with the Texans so coaching matters, but cant do one without the other. I would say the exception is a bad coach can have great players and still miss. I think I just contradicted everything I said, nice.— peteike
- I heard Donatell was the DC with the Packers on the Fredex 4th and 26 play. Just what we need.— Bobphxville
- Bobphxville, was Donatell covering FredEx? He may have called the perfect defense on that play, but that doesn't mean that the players carried it out. Why do people make such presumptive comments on here? — hawaiiphillyfan
- Bobphxville, to keep it in perspective, Andy Reid was also considered a great coach at the time, and FredEx made him look stupid too.— Wordsonthebirds
- Hannible: What makes you think Howie hired Washburn and it was Howie's idea too implement the wide nine? Huh?— usedtobefromphilly
- inky reporter jeff mclane, you dope:
Andy Reid's decision to fire Jim Washburn was viewed as the Eagles coach owning up to his mistake in hiring the defensive line coach in the first place.
While Reid made the ultimate decision - he does have final say on all football matters - general manager Howie Roseman played an important role in the Eagles signing Washburn away from the Tennessee Titans in January 2011.
It was Roseman who first brought the idea to Reid's attention and then pushed for him to hire Washburn and bring his controversial wide-nine defensive scheme to the Eagles, two NFL sources said.— hannibal barca - It is known that Donatell was a scapegoat for 4th and 26. There were two defenders not following their assignments. They should hire Gregg Williams, bring some attitude back to the D. I mean, did anyone see how truly awful the Saints D is w/o him running the show?
- I'd give anything to have a DC that's good enough to get his team to the divisional round of the playoffs and would gladly take my chances on finding a safety that's smarter than the 4th and 26 guy. After giving up 32 per game under Bowles this guy will seem like a genius.— drbob1
- Kelly wants Shoutability, Is Mike Singletary available.— rblack
- Gregg Williams, as mentioned above is an interesting thought. And although it was on a college level, Todd Grantham has always seemed to put together really good defensive units.— hawaiiphillyfan
- First thing Chip should do is call Mrs. Harbaugh and ask if she's got any more sons????— Haigs
- HawaiiPhillyfan.....or should I call you Manti Teo's imaginary girlfriend back from the afterlife. Donatell is weak. Donatell me thatta this guy woulda be a good fitta for the Eagles.— rockinrob
- spagnuolo was just fired from the saints.— bloodymess
