I'm working on a story for SBNation.com about the NFL coaching hires this offseason and trying to put a grade on all of them. I started out thinking Romeo Crennel needed to be No. 1 or No. 2, but wanted to make sure I'm not a homer.
And, indeed, I am not a homer for thinking Crennel is a good hire. SI.com ranks him as the No. 1 hire this offseason so some people outside of myself think this was a good move.
But how would you rank all the hires?
My list looks like this: Jeff Fisher (Rams), Romeo Crennel (Chiefs), Joe Philbin (Dolphins), Chuck Pagano (Colts), Dennis Allen (Raiders), Mike Mularkey (Jaguars) and Greg Schiano (Bucs).
Pagano, to me, is the most interesting coach on the list. He's a defensive minded guy heading to a place that's been known for their offense over the last decade-plus. So, ideally, he fixes the Colts defense while hiring a hot-shot offensive coordinator to handle Andrew Luck.
Thoughts on the best hires this offseason?
0 recs | 41 comments
For me it would depend on the criteria for "Best"
I think RAC is the best pick up short term from all those listed.
But I think the Rams benefit most in the long term from this coaching hire, just due to age considerations with Romeo.
TRSChief - January 27, 2012
I should also add that this list could change depending on who each head coach brings in for their assistants / staff
TRSChief - January 27, 2012
Crennel seems like the best fit of any of them
Everyone on the list has a question mark as to experience except Fisher and Crennel – but they have asterisks because they don’t have amazing win-loss records (although Fisher does have playoff wins and a SB appearance).
Fisher’s the big name, and he walks into a situation where he gets a high draft pick and can’t do much worse than the previous regime. But he’s also expensive and there has to be some apprehension as to how long until this guy produces.
Crennel IS the best new HC this year, because he’s the only new HC who knows his team. No terminology changes necessary, no surprises as to who this guy is and how he coaches.
As far as who will be the most successful over the next 3 years, that will be decided on the field.
The Gentry - January 27, 2012
What the?!?
I don’t come here for thoughtful analysis. I come to AP for knee-jerk reactions, wholly biased opinions, and people spouting conjecture as fact.
What manner of trickery is this?
TRSChief - January 27, 2012
Sorry TRS, how's this?
FIRE CRENNEL NOW! We need to do whatever it takes to get Peyton Manning in here and make him the head coach and offensive coordinator and let him run our draft!!!
The Gentry - January 27, 2012
NOW you're talking our language ....
upamtn - January 27, 2012
Aaahhhh, much better.
And my trepidation melts away.
TRSChief - January 27, 2012
trepidation? we can USE words like that here?
wow … who knew!
upamtn - January 27, 2012
Social scrabble is a beautiful thing =)
shotty - January 27, 2012
Dammit, sorry.
I meant – “Ah ain’t skeered bout that thar n’more!”
TRSChief - January 27, 2012
you forgot to add, "cuzz" or at least
a bro, (broh?, brah?).
Eastcoastransplant - January 27, 2012
Whew! Back to normal
TheScootness - January 27, 2012
Rams chiefs and dolphins
I think the Rams ,Chiefs, and Dolphins are the top three out of all of them.they all cant but better themselves in their new roles as Head Coaches.lets just hope Romeo has lots of pull in his filling in the roster moves to make us better.
chiefsfool - January 27, 2012
I'm not as big on the Pagano hiring
I think Pagano and Philbin probably have the best shot at being the biggest busts or at least start as the most overrated because of what they did and where they came from. Philbin was a peon in Green Bay who may have helped during the week with gameplanning but ultimately that whole franchise is being propped up on the arm of Aaron Rodgers and Philbin is benefitting from it. Pagano is just another “successful” DC coming from Ray Lewis’ defense. It seems like every DC/assistant from Baltimore is considered the next great coach but we’ve now seen a few of them leave and be very mediocre even on the defensive side of the ball.
GenericBrand - January 27, 2012
Shiano is the biggest head scratcher IMO
I like the Crennel hire, I think it was the right one, but in terms of proven head coaches Fisher earns the top spot as the best HC hire among the teams listed.
shotty - January 27, 2012
I don't know much about Shiano
But I do know my initial reaction was “huh?” as was probably alot of Bucs fans considering the coaches they paraded in the building before signing him.
GenericBrand - January 27, 2012
Def. Romeo
He’s already gotta headstart on these guys, we’re ready to fuckin rock and roll while those teams will still be learning/in the process. Big things comin!
KCinIL - January 27, 2012
I wonder what the grades and ranks will look like...
After these guys have actually coached in some games for their new teams?
Right now, it’s a little tough to tell…for me.
Scott B. - January 27, 2012
I say Romeo,
But I’m a homer
dbakerku - January 27, 2012
Nothing wrong with that.
TRSChief - January 27, 2012
Jeff Fisher is overrated in my opinion. I saw somewhere that he had 6 winning seasons only?? I could be wrong about that number, but it still surprised me. I love Rac City!
danmang - January 27, 2012
6 in 16+ years, yes.
Tarkus - January 27, 2012
And he had 6 losing years in 17 seasons.
And everyone knows that 8-8 wins you the AFC West.
So 6 winning seasons, 5 seasons at .500, that’s 11 out of 17 AFC West championships!
I’m sad now about our collective (AFC West) terribleness. =(
TRSChief - January 27, 2012
Not terrible, just mediocre.
How many divisions have three teams with .at least 500 records, and the last place team is only a game under .500?
Tarkus - January 27, 2012
Romeo...But
What do we do with our offense. Who is the o/c and how much of a system change is coming. With Romeo as the d/c this is HUGE.
easyjb - January 27, 2012
Fisher is interesting
People act like he’s Bill Cowher or something. He’s more like the Matt Cassel of coaches. Stable, but not cream of the crop.
MichaelMantastic - January 27, 2012
good call, I agree
GaryfromIA - January 27, 2012
1. Romeo-he already knows the team
2. Mike Mularkey- the Jags need an offensive mind to help Gabbert
3. Dennis Allen-he got the Broncos defense turned around toward the end of the year and could do the same for the Raiders
4. Jeff Fisher-he brings experience, but I think he may have been given too much power
5. Joe Philbin-he rode the coattails of a great offensive mind and team, ala Todd Haley
6. Chuck Pagano-rode the coattails of a great defense
7. Greg Schiano-don’t know anything about him but college coaches usually don’t pan out
KingChief - January 27, 2012
Joel, I'm going to tell you something I think you already know.
You won’t know how these guys fit or where they rank until they do something as head coaches. Based on that Crennel has a leg up by getting two wins already.
BCRavenJHawkfan - January 27, 2012
Instead of comparing other team hires
I would say the Chiefs did the best job getting a coach to fit the organization. A high profile hire like Fisher might have looked good on the outside…but would have been a train wreck for the team. Would have been a constant power struggle with Pioli.
Crennel has proved he can work with Pioli. Defensive minded. Doesn’t want to get involved with player acquisitions. Won’t change the current team philosophy. etc etc.
Again, I think we did the best job at getting the right guy for the position.
Brad-KC - January 27, 2012
Agree with Brad for the most part
organization wise. but so far Crennel hasn’t done a thing with the coordinators or the assistant coaches. which imo needs some changes or additions. so far nothing at all.
Hoochdawg - January 27, 2012
Crennel at number 1, Fisher at 2 then...
I would agree with the rest of your list with the exception of possibly flipping Mularkey and Philbin. MM has his work cut out in Jax but I think his record working with the Bills as HC (their last winning season was with him) and his ability to raise the Falcons offense from something like 27 to 9 in rank is impressive. His only draw back is Gabbert, and needing a strong receiver. Philbin is too unknown for me having been beind McCarthy.
EricaSp - January 27, 2012
Romeo for sure..
I really hope he can bring in a good OC that is available. Then, maybe then, the staff can watch some film on Cassel and Orton and make an executive/democratic vote on who will hit the road packing and who will be wearing a red #8 jersey this coming season.
GaryfromIA - January 27, 2012
All I know is
T-Jax SUXXX Brah
dbakerku - January 27, 2012
That is going to take a long time to get old
nuff said.
Eastcoastransplant - January 27, 2012
Romeo has more Superbowl rings than the others combined.
Rev. Slappy - January 27, 2012
Dungy was a defensive-minded guy too
Didn’t make a whole lot of difference in Indy. What Peyton wanted, Peyton got.
Will be interesting to see if something similar happens with Pagano/Luck though.
cheapham - January 27, 2012
Your list is spot-on Joel, cant disagree at all.
TOUGH - January 27, 2012 via mobile
You could make a case for Fisher being #1.
Even though he’s overrated, he has a better head coaching resume’ than Romeo.
That said, Romeo is definitely the best fit for his team.
Tarkus - January 27, 2012
WITHOUT...
addressing the need for a legitimate FRANCHISE QB, we will be looking for a new coach in 3 years or less. Face it, Scotty Pioli has stunted the entire process by locking us into Matt(GrbacupII) Cassel! UNLESS he fixes this…we won’t have a chance to move to the next phase of our building/rebuilding!
Jason Drue Keith - January 27, 2012
I agree with Joel. #1 Fisher #2 Crennel
Bucs should have hired Marty. Heck I put Marty ahead of all the new hires.
NFL season ticket holder - January 27, 2012
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