It's been awfully quiet on the Kansas City Chiefs head coaching search with interim coach Romeo Crennel as the only known candidate but we now have another name to throw into the ring -- Joe Philbin. He's the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator and, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are scheduled to interview Philbin tonight.
Even more interesting is that Schefter reports the Chiefs have had "several interviews" for the head coaching job. We don't know the names of any of those guys, outside of Crennel and now Philbin.
Philbin came to Green Bay in 2003 as the assistant offensive line coach and took over the offensive line by 2006. In 2007, he was named the Packers offensive coordinator, a position he's held ever since.
The only connection to the Chiefs I see with Philbin is a friend-of-a-friend sorta thing -- he coached with Kirk Ferentz at Iowa back at the turn of the century (I always wanted to say "turn of the century'). I'm sure there are other connections we don't know about.
We'll be getting to know Philbin more in the coming days (or hours, really).
0 recs | 122 comments
Sometimes it’s OK to date new people, instead of always going through a friend of a friend.
Topchief1 - January 4, 2012
The NFL and the coaching circle is pretty small
Everyone knows everyone or knows someone who knows them. It’s probably 1-2 degrees of separation from the GM to every coach in the league.
Fozzyboyd - January 4, 2012
Pioli has to hit on the new coach
Crennel or whomever, Pioli has to do it right, it’s his last chance too.
Chiefs3188 - January 4, 2012
Would love this hiring.
that performance by Flynn was because a great system and great coaching are in place.
RamX21 - January 4, 2012
I think Flynn had a little to do with it as well.
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
Obviously because he was out there
but Just like the eagles for the last 14 years with QB’s and Denver in the late 90’s and 2000’s with RB’s. Systems make most players
RamX21 - January 4, 2012
Players make players
Schemes help teams.
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
ok
RamX21 - January 4, 2012
I thought it was the scheme that makes the players
that’s how we got tricked into getting Cassel and that’s how Arizona got tricked into getting Kolb
KingChief - January 4, 2012
exactly
RamX21 - January 4, 2012
Good points.
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
Systems and the right players.
It’s never just the system and rarely just the player. If you put Montana in the old Raiders, stretch the field offense he probably wouldn’t have done well because he didn’t have that kind of arm but put him in the West Coast and he was awesome. Put Jamaal Charles in a Power Running offense and he may make some plays but he wouldn’t be as effective.
A good coach finds the right players for his system and can adjust his system to the players strengths.
Fozzyboyd - January 4, 2012
ept and I (and Mills) had a discussion on this last night ...
which raised a lot of questions … ZBS or Power Blocking, E-P or West Coast? get HC/OC/DC for the personnel … or scrap it all for different system, philosophy and perhaps players?
upamtn - January 4, 2012
Defense stick with it but offense could be changed, not blown up
Our defense had some bad games this year but started coming along towards the end. With Berry back next year I could see this being a top 5-10 defense. I wouldn’t want to mess with that. The personel on that side is pretty set. Plus with the 3-4 there are lots of ways to run it so if the next guy wanted to tweak it, then thats fine but for the most part its set.
Offense, I don’t know if we are at a point where we can just blow it up player wise. There is some talent there but I think it has been misused over the last 3 years. Our line is still more set for a zone-blocking scheme. Asamoah and Hudson are both not that big and both will probably be starters next year. I would like an offense that uses the backs and TEs more. I could see Cassel doing better with more of the Saunders/Air Coryell offense. He’s not good at making reads and may be better just throwing to a spot.
Fozzyboyd - January 4, 2012
System's part of it, but Flynn's no slouch
He obviously had some decent talent coming out of college, although I would caution one to not take such a small sample size as that recent performance and assume it would hold up all that well. The more film there is on a guy, the more teams are going to be able to defend him.
burntorangehorn - January 4, 2012
agreed
chiefnation - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I'd be interested to see this happen
Hire Philbin, keep RAC, sign Flynn in FA? We keep Bowe and draft another playmaker and well have the makings of great offense AND defense.
King of the Cassel - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Flynn looked good
but what scares the junk out of me us past expierence and overpaying for nothing
Chiefs3188 - January 4, 2012
You have the same thing when you draft (past experience, overpaying for nuttin).
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
Didn't Flynn look putrid in the pre-season
against us. I think that was him, he hit like 2 passes and looked bad.
Chiefs3188 - January 4, 2012
Kevin Kolb bad
or Scott Mitchell bad?
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
Scott Mitchell
That was the game Cassel played into the third Qtr and Flynn was playing. Cassel looked better, but he was playing with his starters.
Chiefs3188 - January 4, 2012
Yeah, I remember
I’m hopping it’s like Washington or Seattle or someone like that who falls for the Matt Flynn trick. Basically anyone but us….
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
No clue. You are probably right. A one hit wonder.
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
Haven't GB backups been pretty decent when they've left
Hasselbeck, Brunnel. I thought there was at least one other.
Fozzyboyd - January 4, 2012
Hmm seems familiar
McD-Cassel. ughh
RamX21 - January 4, 2012
Is this for the HC gig?
or the OC?
I do not like this move if its for the HC gig, but approve if for the OC spot
KC Nate - January 4, 2012
Can Coaches leave if they are under contract?
Chiefs3188 - January 4, 2012
I think they can if it's considered a promotion and not a lateral move
EricaSp - January 4, 2012
ahhh
Thats what I was guessing
Chiefs3188 - January 4, 2012
Would you leave Arron Rodgers for a once in a lifetime chance
to OC Cassel?
Ummm…yeah…it’s the HC gig.
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
Haha
Joel Thorman - January 4, 2012
Well if hes not calling plays he might want more control to show his stuff.
kc_okerix - January 4, 2012
I'm sure we could think of lots of reasons why he would do it
I was mostly just being silly. But it is the HC gig. You don’t start interviewing OCs before you have your HC. We can all assume that it’s going to be Romeo, but until it is, we aren’t going to do shit about the OC position.
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
It worked for Dallas
KingChief - January 4, 2012
Huh?
Dallas made JG interim, then they hired him as their official HC…then he hired Rob Ryan to DC and never hired an OC.
Am I missing something?
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
He was actually hired as the OC
then they hired Wade Phillips as the HC
KingChief - January 4, 2012
ah
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
unless ... Pioli's already decided on HC and just hasn't told anyone
be it Crennel or someone else
upamtn - January 4, 2012
You know how RAC keeps saying
Perhaps he is aware of his age and health (Monte Kiffin); he may have already talked with Pioli upon the Haley firing that he’d stay as DC and helped HC the team until Pioli finds the next HC. I’m hoping RAC is happy to be DC as much as he would not mind being the HC.
58 was my friend - January 4, 2012
This is a valid point. Head coach is long hours. I bet RAC still wants to be around the team, but might not be excited about the late nights/early mornings.
Brsrkr - January 4, 2012
why Satch! that there's what you ca;;; a challenge ... all guys like a challenge!
upamtn - January 4, 2012
It's not a challenge
It’s a fool’s errand
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
when you get paid what those guys do, makes no difference what you call it :-)
upamtn - January 4, 2012
Thanks for being an ass.
It was one damn question and I didn’t see anything in the article.
KC Nate - January 4, 2012
My thoughts exactly
That would be great if he is interviewing for OC position. People say that coaches in those positions typically don’t make lateral moves…. uh yeah they do, it’s called getting paid more.
SwimCoach - January 4, 2012
Yeah but the previous team could block it
But they can’t block a promotion.
Joel Thorman - January 4, 2012
But only if their contract is up.
Otherwise, the NFL locks ‘em in unless it’s a move up.
Dagda - January 4, 2012
so coaches are not allowed to lateral if under contract?
seems a bit strange
jcrunninwild - January 4, 2012
What's strange about it?
If Tom Brady is under contract to be the QB for the Patriots, should he be allowed to take a lateral move to be the QB of the Vikings?
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
What Satch said, plus it’s not exactly difficult to get around the rule.
JComp11 - January 4, 2012
that's what the contract is for. ;)
jbj8609 - January 4, 2012
Philbin is a curious candidate
He doesn’t call the plays in Green Bay, McCarthy does that. He also isn’t responsible for the QBs or the WRs, the stellar attributes of the Packer offense.
Dagda - January 4, 2012
Oh come on, he obviously does something with the offense!
bossmanham - January 4, 2012
clipboard holder?
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
Yeah, but what?
As a former O-line coach, he’s nothing more than a former Bill Muir.
Dagda - January 4, 2012
Younger Bill Muir
Dagda - January 4, 2012
A sleeper?
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
What's really important here
Is this guy related to Regis and if so, will Kelly Ripa (or whatever) start wearing a Chiefs Cheerleader costume on her shitty morning show?
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
matt flynn and him would be
Interesting he could end up being another matt shaub. Or another matt Cassel but we will have weapons here and flynn might flourish ugh anything better than Cassel
rickrock58 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Did you watch Flynn play?
Because he looked like a less confident version of Matt Cassel to me. I’m pretty sure the ’11 regular season finale will go down as the highlight of his career.
jmcgoblue - January 4, 2012
He had a good game against NE last year also
KingChief - January 4, 2012
against us
In preseason we were playing our first team against flynn and his second thrid stringers. With the first string he looked good against a team that shut down Cassel
rickrock58 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
if we don't upgrade the OLine he'd look precisely like Cassel
upamtn - January 4, 2012
If we don't upgrade Cassel
our OL will continue to look shitty.
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
our oline looked better
With Orton and im sure we will upgrade our oline in the offseason
rickrock58 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
This
I line didn’t look AS bad with Orton . I mean he was only sacked 1 time in three games. Grant it weigman needs to go and brich needs replacement but I still think cassel makes the line look worse than it is
chiefsman! - January 4, 2012 via mobile
we moved the ball from 20 to 20 but still have MAJOR issues in the Red Zone
we have NO push on the interior and Lilja took a couple of steps backward … I agree Orton is better than Cassel (that’s like saying McDonald’s is better than a mud pie) and yeah, we CAN get by and win with Orton, but still not enough when you have no short game and no ability to punch the ball in from the 2 yard line
OLine needs major and immediate help …
upamtn - January 4, 2012
Like say...
DeCastro? ;)
bh13 - January 4, 2012
keep Orton, dump Cassel and Draft Oline...
Orton is easily as good as Flacco…I’d prefer Orton to Flacco…
We can get to the big show and win with Orton…Let’s focus on the Oline and continue to get depth on Defense this year in the draft…
SFLChief - January 4, 2012
2nd what you say opens up the offense with a QB who can read & throw .
sodablaster - January 4, 2012
Cassel = McDonald's, Orton = Winstead's
Brsrkr - January 4, 2012
Mmm Winstead's
bh13 - January 4, 2012
I think our oline is probably better than theirs
Rodgers being able to move around in the pocket helps cut down on their sacks
KingChief - January 4, 2012
What about Joe Lombardi?
For OC? Assuming we keep RAC as HC. He’s the QB coach for the Saints and has obviously done some nice things with Brees. It’d be a decent person to look at I think. Wondering what other coaches we have interviewed and if they are just going through these as a formality but keep RAC. Or if we hire a new HC is Pioli telling these guys they have to keep RAC as DC, assuming RAC accepts that.
jcrunninwild - January 4, 2012
I would rather go after Tom Clements
He fixed Rodgers throwing motion and helped him become more accurate. Brees had already had a good 1 1/2 years in SD
KingChief - January 4, 2012
Exactly
As a QB coach, Clements has helped the likes of Elvis Grbac, Kordell Stewart, and Tommy Maddox reach the Pro Bowl as well as standout players like Rodgers. If we are looking for a new starting QB for next season, I’d like to have him working with Clements.
Chiefs4Life - January 4, 2012
Does anyone get the feeling that...
the reason we aren’t hearing “said names of said interviews” or “bigger names” is because our team isn’t that attractive for two reasons:
Cassel
Pioli
EricaSp - January 4, 2012
Could be, or the perception the Chiefs have already made their minds up.
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
Nope
Coaches always make the mistake of thinking they have the magic wand to fix the QB. We aren’t hearing names because if you get caught leaking info out of Arrowhead, they shitcan you.
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
and then they blacklist you
jmcgoblue - January 4, 2012
Then comes the waterboard.
Mr.Pibbs - January 4, 2012
Then Comes the Snowboard
Bigcherokeechief - January 4, 2012
I was watching NFL network when Haley was fired
and I remember Brain Bellick (spelling?) asked if was interested in coaching again, he said this is a GM’s leauge and he would have no control and go sit in a office and do nothing. He didn’t say Pioli but they were talking about Haley.
Chiefs3188 - January 4, 2012
No, but their was this part...
There is a chance that someone like Fischer has already been through KC, hence his comments about wanting a stable QB situation. The season also just ended and they probably wanted things to be quiet in the media.
ravenhawk - January 4, 2012
Hey, let's grab the OC from Boise State...
Slim with the Tilted Brim - January 4, 2012
I would say the good thing about Phillbin he he would keep RAC
It is hard to say how much he is involved with the success of GB, but I doubt you pay someone OC salary to hold a clipboard.
Bigcherokeechief - January 4, 2012
Perception is a funny thing
I can remember how the consensus thinking around here when Romeo was hired was that he didn’t really do anything in NE and Hoodie was the real DC.
Of course Phillbin has a job and he’s obviously good at it. Does that mean he’d be a good HC? No idea….
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
That wasn't the consensus thinking, that was just the loudest thinking.
Brsrkr - January 4, 2012
That's probably true
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
I was High on Crennel coming, and since I live in Cleveland, I had a real good idear about that guy
Bigcherokeechief - January 4, 2012
kinda of unknown for sure
Bigcherokeechief - January 4, 2012
My Guess
the unheard interviews are internal candidates that you can keep in house. I either want Offensive coaches from GB or NO. NO would make more sense due to ties with Payton, Parcells, and PIoli. Those two clubs have been top 10 scoring offenses 4 times since 2006.
chiefsnation64436 - January 4, 2012
I hope they interview a lot of people
In fact what bothers me most about Pioli is his penchant for favoring ex-Patriots. I really don’t care where our next HC comes from or the coaching tree he’s from so long as he is good!
aFan4Life - January 4, 2012
KC Satchmo ur point was
ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE…comparing a coach moving to another team to take a job to a player doing the same thing is ridiculous. Of course a player cant up and change teams…if that was the case a lot of teams wouldnt have players
JustaArrowheadDude - January 4, 2012 via Android app
Do you even understand what the word contract means?
The team is under no obligation to let a coach, under contract, go work for someone else. Just as they don’t let players, under contract, go work for another team.
But you did use all caps so…YOU WINZORZ!!!!
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
I'm pretty sure a team doesn't HAVE to allow a coach under contract interview for a promotion with another team
jmcgoblue - January 4, 2012
Doesn't whatshisnuts
call the plays?
KCMizzou - January 4, 2012
Whatshisnuts is HC of Arizona
keep your teams straight
upamtn - January 4, 2012
Well done, sir!
KCMizzou - January 4, 2012
Anybody could be the OC for Green Bay and look good.
They have so much talent at WR and QB its unreal..
Mustang fever - January 4, 2012
Especially when they don't even call the plays
old_school - January 4, 2012
Eh, I'd be more excited to hear we were interviewing their QB coach.
Brsrkr - January 4, 2012
I'd rather it was the QB hisself ;-)
upamtn - January 4, 2012
Winner! :)
Hire him as the OC/QB Coach then demote him to starting QB :D
KC Nate - January 4, 2012
Martz was let go by Chicago - possible OC?
Does he make sense as an OC hire based on our current personnel? He was OC for the Rams when they had “the greatest show on turf”with Warner slinging the ball everywhere. I don’t think we have a QB on the roster that could play that role.We’dhave to get a QB that can provide a credible downfield threat.
R8R H8R - January 4, 2012
He makes perfect sense
If you feel like wondering why we’re not using JC.
Time for that dude to stop living off the success they had with all that talent in STL. Dude is a bad OC who hasn’t evolved and gets QBs killed.
Pass.
KC_Satchmo - January 4, 2012
heh, can you imagine Cassel running his scheme?
The Players Union would probably file a PTSD grievance against the Chiefs on his behalf
jmcgoblue - January 4, 2012
Agreed.
He’s a one trick pony who was blessed enough to have a lot of success for a brief moment.
Plus, the way people around here complain about Pioli’s supposed ego….Martz could even teach Whitlock a thing or two about big egos.
Brsrkr - January 4, 2012
Okay - thanks for confirming what my initiall reaction was
and that’s a “no thanks!”
R8R H8R - January 4, 2012
No Thanks to Martz or Philbin
McCarthy is in charge of the offense for the Packers and he calls the plays and Martz seems to stay only for a season or two for whatever the reasons
Family Chief - January 4, 2012
I guess we can all surmise Joel's opinion of Philbin
from his choice of the head-pat picture.
Brsrkr - January 4, 2012
Would rather have Clements
as Offensive Coordinator.
Tarkus - January 4, 2012
I know a little about Philbin and am not impressed.
I don’t know anything about Clements. Therefor, Clements > Philbin.
Brsrkr - January 4, 2012
Hard to know what to think of Philbin
Sometimes a coordinator is just along for the ride, more or less. I think the guy would be a good pick as an OC with full control of the offense, if McCarthy is indeed the playcaller there. I’m unsure about him as HC.
Really, a guy’s going to have to be a pretty successful OC, preferably coming from a background of coaching under a HC with a defensive background, for me to think he’d be right for such a promotion. Ideally Crennel would either be HC with a decent OC under him or be open to returning to the DC position.
burntorangehorn - January 4, 2012
Now we're talkin' !
Romeo would be a pretty safe choice, but passing offense is obviously what’s driving the league now.
Although their are some good defenses in this years playoffs, it’s no coincidence that Brady, Rogers, Brees, and Rothlisberger lead the four teams that are the likely Superbowl Favorites.
You simply don’t win consistently without a big time QB and passing offense. Maybe Flynn has the potential….I like his potential upside as much as anyone else.
podolak - January 4, 2012
I wouldn't include Roethlisberger in that group personally
He’s good, but he’s not at the same level as the other three. I don’t know that I’d call the Steelers a Super Bowl favorite this year either.
bh13 - January 4, 2012
With this interview it may show us a lot about whether Cassel stays or go
If Philbin comes on board, bye bye Cassel.
If nothing happens, Cassel stays : (
58 was my friend - January 4, 2012
But is Pioli married to Cassel?
I hope not. Pioli’s time is running out if we don’t move forward, time for a new QB or SP is done here
Bleedingredandgold - January 4, 2012
I love
how everyone seems to agree that McCarthy calls the plays, but still rate Clements higher than Philbin as an OC? The seasons he was OC for the Bills, they were pedestrian to say the least.
BucktheFroncos - January 4, 2012
Caption this:
McFly! Hello! McFly! Just my 1st thought when I saw the picture.
Wichita Chief - January 4, 2012
Philbin
I still think that Crennel deserves Head Coach job but Philbin is interesting as possible successor to Bill Muir as OC. He could help lure Matt Flynn to sign with Chiefs for less dollars than perhaps otherwise possible and then choose between Orton and Cassel to retain. As far as I am aware the Chiefs owe no more guaranteed money to Cassel. I would prefer that Chiefs keep Orton. He has a stronger arm sideline to sideline and can stretch defenses further down field. He has also never had the recievers before than he will have in 2012. Assuming Chiefs can sign Flynn( big if) I would be Ok with team renegotiating with Cassel for lower dollars if bidding for Orton goes to high but only if Flynn gets a legitimate chance to earn starting job.
Glassuxx - January 4, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Arrowhead Pride to post a comment.