QUOTE: “The leader has to be practical and a realist yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.” -- Eric Hoffer
On Tuesday, we looked at Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren, two Super Bowl-winning coaches and candidates to return to the NFL in the future – particularly if and when Daniel Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins, decides it’s time to make an inevitable change. Today, we’ll slide into Snyder’s mind once more and consider three others who may well become the object of his affection.
Bill Cowher: 52 years old, 161-99-1 overall, one Super Bowl
Since we’re pretending to be “The Daniel,” we have to make a few assumptions. Assumption No. 1, we have no chance to get Cowher to leave the cozy desk of CBS Sports to work at Redskins Park. Cowher may want to coach in the NFL again next year, but the job has to meet his criteria, which centers on an owner who does not meddle (that’s not me) and a team that has a solid quarterback in place (that’s not the ‘Skins). Assumption No. 2, we have to assume that Cowher, who happens to be best friends with Marty Schottenheimer, has heard all the bad stories about my little temper tantrums. It’s hard not to have a temper when you made a billion dollars before the age of 40. We might also assume that Cowher has heard that I’m very involved with every decision regarding the football team. By the way, Marty also got rid of Vinny Cerrato when he was here, so it’s safe to assume that Cowher might not want the front office I have in place. And we know that Snyder loves Vinny like a family member. Money can cure many problems in the NFL, but I don’t think there’s enough money to make Cowher forget the ghost stories from the very short Marty era in Washington. However, time does change people, and everyone knows I can sell anything -- even the idea that I’ve changed.
APBill Cowher
Cowher would bring a program similar to the one Schottenheimer brought in 2001. Schottenheimer won 200 NFL games in his career, but that wasn’t good enough to stay on as ‘Skins coach. In fact, I fired Marty to bring in Steve Spurrier, who everyone told me was a cinch to win games, but his lack of understanding of the pro game made him a disaster. FYI, all the people who called on Steve’s behalf back in 2001: Do not call me now.
Cowher’s signature as a head coach is being tough -- both physically and mentally. He demands control; he is highly organized with a great understanding of defensive football. When he has the kind of players who fit his profile, the team will respond to his style of coaching. He allows his assistant coaches to coach, but he is involved in every aspect of the game.
We have seen how this kind of coach works with “The Daniel” -- it lasted only one year. The team that benefited the most from the firing of Schottenheimer was the Chargers, who got a very good coach at a cut-rate cost, since the ‘Skins had to offset his contract. Just another example of “The Daniel” spreading his wealth around the league.
Brian Billick: 55 years old, 85-67 overall, one Super Bowl
Billick’s only head coaching job was with the Ravens, just a quick trip up I-95 from Washington and clearly in view of everyone evaluating his performance. Billick has a reputation of being an offensive guru, but the one area the Ravens could never establish any consistency was on the offensive side of the ball. Billick asked the fans to “take a leap of faith” on his evaluation of QB Scott Mitchell when the team signed him in 1999, his first year as the head coach. Mitchell only started two games during the 1999 season and in his Ravens career.
APBrian Billick
The “Billick Era” never could settle on a quarterback (sounds like the Snyder era here in Washington), going from Tony Banks to Elvis Grbac to Randall Cunningham to Chris Redman to Anthony Wright to Jeff Blake to Trent Dilfer to Steve McNair to Kyle Boller and ending with Troy Smith. The Ravens kept searching for the right answer but never could get the position fixed, despite hiring Billick for his ability to procure and develop quarterbacks.
Billick is a unique Super Bowl-winning coach in the sense that the defense dominated the team. However, in fairness to Billick, his attempts to make the offense competitive and contemporary in the NFL played a huge part in helping the Ravens win the Super Bowl. Billick did not manage the game as a defensive coach would have -- just hoping the offense ran the ball three times and punted. His attempts to become a more diverse offense allowed the Ravens to be a challenge for opponents. A few first downs from the offense then allowed the Ravens to control vertical field position, which gave the offense a very short field. In fact, in their Super Bowl-winning year of 2000, they scored 333 points, averaging 20 per game, which was plenty with the defense they had.
It might not have been an artistically beautiful offense during the Super Bowl year, but it was very effective.
Billick worked last year for the NFL Network along with Fox Sports, covering games and team needs for the draft. He demonstrated a passion for TV in his preparation and detail -- which on the surface would indicate he might at least consider a return to the NFL.
Jon “Love You Bro” Gruden: 45 years old, 100-81 overall, one Super Bowl
First, I’m always going to write “Love you Bro” when I refer to Gruden because no matter how many times I write that phrase, it will still be fewer than the number of times Gruden actually said it to someone. It’s not meant to demean the respect I have for his ability to coach; rather, it sheds light on his coaching style.
APJon Gruden
A little background into the origin of the phrase “Love you Bro”: It’s intended to poke insider fun at Gruden because no matter how long he’s known someone, or how much he might dislike someone, he always ends his conversation with “Love you Bro.” So I’m keeping the nickname for two reasons: one, he always says it, and two, it plays a role in his player procurement policy and coaching style.
The following comes from a column I wrote when the Bucs fired Gruden in January: We can examine his record in Tampa Bay and see that he was slightly over the .500 mark (57-55). He’s a great sound bite for NFL Films, and they have done a great job of promoting the legend of Jon Gruden. The won-loss record doesn’t tell the whole story -- they are just numbers. Nevertheless, when you look at the core of the team, the foundation built, Jon’s inability to “Love You Bro” hinders him from being successful. He does not want to fall in love with any one player, and he is very hard on the players.
I referred to him once as the Larry Brown of the NFL. I meant that as a compliment because I love Brown, the Hall of Fame NBA coach, but like Brown, when Gruden has control of the personnel, he makes horrible decisions and hates the players he has to coach each day. He wants new, but after new is over, he wants more new. Does that sound familiar?
From Brad Johnson to Chris Simms to Brian Griese to Luke McCown to Jeff Garcia, there was never stability in the one position that is vital to the franchise. This is also the one position Gruden can coach as well as anyone in the league. Yet his refusal to fall in love with someone (I called him the Warren Beatty of quarterbacks coaches a while back) in the most critical position was his downfall in Tampa Bay.
Gruden is now a member of the Monday Night Football crew, but his passion has always been coaching. He may be in the booth for this season, but he loves the technical side of the game and craves the interaction with players and practice time. Gruden loves practice and he loves being with the players; he would always have a camp shortly after the season, in large part because he craved being around players. The Monday night gig doesn’t offer that element that Gruden not only craves but also loves.
So that’s our review of our five Super Bowl-winning coaches who are candidates as we continue to pretend to be Daniel Snyder. Thursday, we’ll break down the hiring process, shedding light on what goes on behind the scenes at these kinds of hires. We actually get to be in “The Daniel’s” office and maybe even using his private plane.
Don’t forget to check out our Fantasy Football Guide, which will help you win your fantasy league. I know I’m biased, but it’s a well-done draft guide and frankly is better than some of the reports I’ve heard in many draft rooms.
Mike,
I think it is interesting that three of those coaches are WC disciples. I guess if one of them got the job Campbell would be released the next day.
I am not going to let you off on Gruden. You say he loves no one and is always looking for the next QB, but what about Gannon? You were there, what was their relationship like?
Finally, what is your opinion of Vinny? I think you two overlapped in SF for a couple of years. Is he good, bad or ugly?
My impression of Billick is that he's overrated. I haven't researched his career in depth (yes he has a solid record) but I give most of the credit to that solid Baltimore "lifeblood supply" department in Newsome & Co bringing in premium talent (..out of this years Draft I think they hit the jackpot with Oher...& huge kudos last year in hitting on Flacco & acquiring Cam Cameron) When I listen to Billick give his analysis as a commentator he doesn't impress me. There isn't much fresh insight & his lines seem just cliche'. They shouldn't put him next to Mayock who blows him away in that department. I pass on Billick.
I always have a hard time understanding when a Coach is a guru on one side of the ball yet when he's brought in as a HC his side suffers or doesn't get much better. (Billick/Offense, MLewis/Cinci/Defense, Linehan/STL/Offense, etc.) If I were an owner I EXPECT you to be DOMINANT on your side of the ball first & foremost as well as being balanced/strong on D & ST's later on down the line. If your side continues to suffer, & chances are the entire team is also struggling, that HC probably isn't HC material & doesn't have what it takes to be AN EFFECTIVE HC & is probably better off being just a solid coordinator. (Look at Norv Turner, Cameron, & Linehan.)
After hearing this QB search horror story with the above 2 HC's (that goes along with the same for many of the other teams) I would really research my HC in search of finding someone who LEGITIMATELY is able to find & develop a franchise QB. What type of Offense does he prefer & WHO are his top OC & QB Coach candidates? Check out their credentials thoroughly. If you don't like what you see move on to the next HC & his crew. If your looking at a prior college coach meticulously look into how he developed his QB & Offense. Same with a prior NFL coach.
Effective play & winning games on the field ALL STARTS WITH THE QB. You first & foremost MUST acquire & develop a solid one. Put my 49ERS on that list. It's been a nightmare since Garcia was traded & TODAY SEVERAL YEARS LATER STILL IS. It puts me to my knees man....
you NEED that franchise QB period. You need to do careful knowledgeable homework to cut down on the misses & keep drafting or acquiring a FA if you can find the right one, until you get it right. (I'd say 1-3 candidates total s/b enough.) Then of course you need to build correctly around him (solid OL & some playmakers) & give him the proper expert coaching bringing him along & playing to his strengths.
A friend who is a Browns fan said it best about Tomlin's arrival:
"They'll always be in the hunt now with the talent they always get. Finally they have a coach who can get the game plan out of the stone age and let a QB succeed. Cowher killed a lot of good teams sticking to his guns too long over Kordell Stewart."
The next year those Tomlin coached Steelers won it all.
Brian Billick is lucky to have an association with Bill Walsh keep the reputation afloat, because his claimed skills with an offense don't appear on game day. He had a team whose core was basically nurtured by the dynasty coach of the last decade, before its move from Cleveland.
Keep in mind that Gruden as an OC helped an Eagles team become goal oriented and produce with a Detmer at the QB position. He may make the most of an average passer, or he can do great things with a great one. His biggest challenge may be in developing a great, he might need that product pre fit to the specs of a plan.
Thus, his best prospect might actually be another former Dungy team, one with a great QB already in place. The Colts OC was facing an issue with potential retirement demands, due terms of retirement awards, as well. Gruden could be in perfect place for an overhaul there.
....whoops, sorry I was looking at Cowher's record for Billick.
Billick's record at 85-67 matches more on how I pictured him....an average HC. (I repeat I give more credit to Ozzie & his crew for Baltimore's success for them bringing in premium talent year to year.)
I'm a big fan of Bill Cowher. He's a great leader of men who will earn their respect. With all the reasons you stated I don't see him going to the Redskins at all. Snyder needs his yes man in Cerrato & Cowher would want his own personnel guy.
MIke,
Thanks for clearing up the origins of "Love You, Bro." I have to admit, it's easier to take once I realize it's not just shtick. (At least it was today ... can't promise it won't start annoying me again in another week.)
Now, another request: can we all please stop referring to Brian Billick as an "offensive guru"? For one, I can't believe he still has that reputation. It has to be more accurate to say he HAD a reputation as an offensive guru, then he came to Baltimore and systematically destroyed the confidence and creativity of an entire generation of Baltimore QBs and receivers. As a Ravens fan, watching Cam Cameron call a series last season was mind-boggling --- I'd almost forgotten an NFL offense could be fun.
I didn't watch the Vikings when Billick was O-Coordinator in Minnesota (I'd actually be very interested in hearing a Vikings fan's perspective on what Billick brought to that offense --- it couldn't ALL have been jump balls to Randy Moss.) What I think ended up destroying Billick in Baltimore was taking over a team with no QB, no big-time receiving threats, but a young and soon to be historically great defense. After a few years in that situation, he couldn't help but start changing the way he called a game --- maybe not just run-run-run-punt, but certainly the kind of increasingly conservative philosophy that finally lost him the respect of the defense and got him fired.
By the time he drafted a strong-armed QB in Boller (who probably wouldn't have amounted to much more than an NFL backup even had Norv Turner been his coach --- too inaccurate and hyper under pressure), the lessons of the Super Bowl season had sunk in too deep and could not be unlearned. Whatever abilities he brought with him from Minnesota had been lost.
anyway, that's my take on Billick.
Very great read this week, Michael. As a Lions fan, reading this almost saddens me because you've been more thorough in these three posts this week than owner William Clay Ford was in hiring Matt Millen's replacement.
Regarding the Billick decision to trade for Scott Mitchell, I've always wondered whether a coach ever sits down with free agent QBs to look at game film to assess their ability to read defenses, understand schemes, and whatnot before offering a contract? This would probably only work for the free agent QBs that don't have suitors throwing millions at them for their services? This could be a tactic to look at the Luke McCowns, JT O'Sullivans, and Chris Simms - type QBs.
Mitchell had the tools, but he didn't know how to read coverages and he was very easy to gameplan against (without a Hall of Fame running back and two Pro Bowl wide receivers).
Mike... The way you describe Gruden makes me wonder if he'd find success in the college ranks. The turnover there would be automatic, and everything else might play to his strengths. What do you think?
Take it from someone in Tampa, Gruden is not the great coach the media's made him out to be. He's a coordinator, nothing more. EVERY single offensive skill player Gruden drafted regressed after solid rookie years. This is not the sign of a great HC. The defense carried Gruden's offenses his entire tenure here. Yes, he's charismatic,and a good sound bite, but a great Head Coach, I don't think so.
To tell the truth, this is not in the Redskins' best interests, but judging by The Daniel's track record, he will reach for the mercurial Gruden. I don't think this is wise but it's so Daniel Snyder to make such a move. Thanks, Lombardi, keep up the good work. My days are much better when I read this column (of course 90 degree + temperatures also make my days good)! Meravigliose.
If these are the only five candidates available for this discussion (and honestly, I don't know if I "like" any of them), I put them in the following order as best fits (not best coaches!):
1. Shanahan
2. Billick
3. Gruden
4. Holmgren
5. Cowher
That's my gut talking. And Snyder and I don't see eye-to-eye on anything football, so he's probably got them in the complete reverse order.
I still say Russ Grimm was the best fit, but two years removed from Gibbs and now he has a mess to clean up that will take an experienced coach to clean up.
I really don't see Holmgren or Cowher coming back to the NFL unless the QB position is set AND they fit with scheme/personnel already. I think both guys will have better options than Washington. And neither at this point in their life will be swayed by a million more dollars to go into a bad situation.
Shanahan, Billick and Gruden seem desparate enough to take the plunge.
You went through this whole series of articles and didn't even mention Jimmy Johnson? Really?
Coach Cowher will always be linked to Kordell Stewart, thus furthering the school of thought that says in today's NFL, coaches' ability to succeed is linked directly to the success of his quarterback - perhaps more true, judgements on them as a talent evaluator are based almost entirely on the quarterback they've developed.
I agree with Brent's comment, Billick's "offensive guru" label was based on the 1998 Vikings, and he never sniffed such a level again. However, Billick found ways to consistently compete, regardless of the identity of his team. Incidentally, Billick is also one of the most informed, intelligent and entertaining speakers I've ever heard, I can completely see why his players played as hard as they did for him.
I haven't heard Cowher speak, but I'll bet he's roughly the same as Billick - maybe with a few more swear words.
Tomlin, though, buries them all. All are leaders, Tomlin seems to relish and enjoy the role more, and his passion comes out through his game plan.
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Jul 15, 2009
10:56 AM
Great, great piece. Particularly like your assessment of Cowher and how he'd view The Daniel. You have to wonder - after going from maybe the best long-term owner in NFL history, why would he even THINK of going to the Redskins? After winning a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh why set himself up for failure?
If Snyder nixed Jim Fassel because the fan base wouldn't accept him, I can't believe he'd take somebody (Billick) who was fired just 50 miles north on I-95. Too many people (rightly or wrongly) would complain about taking Charm City castoffs.
One thing to think about here is exactly how bad the Skins will have to be for Zorn to get fired, and how that record affects the hiring decisionmaking. If they completely stink the joint out (which will mean Campbell probably hasn't performed well, so he goes too, does that argue for somebody like a Shanahan or a Holmgren, who will reinvent the entire organization and groom a long-term QB? If they're marginal but not awful (but still bad enough to fire Zorn), does somebody like Gruden, with a record for short-term turnarounds, make more sense?
It'd be really, really nice for the NFL, when teams are up for sale, to require some rough but informally enforceable commitments from prospective owners on how they're going to run their teams. It's a pity that the Redskins can make as much money as they do with such a mediocre product on the field, and the league as a whole is stronger when nationally known teams like the Redskins, Cowboys, and Niners have teams that live up to their histories. I would have loved it if Dan Rooney had picked up the phone and, in his own way, told Snyder that his uninformed meddling and lack of a long-term strategy was hurting the rest of the NFL.