Coaches with Experience

[silvermike]

Here's an idea of who's out there to be had if we go with an experienced coach. I'm splitting this up into 'retired' coaches - those who aren't currently coaching at any level, and 'former' coaches, who are assistants or college coaches. I'm also limiting to eliminate anyone who hasn't coached pro football since 2000, or doesn't have any playoff experience.

 

RETIRED COACHES (not currently employed as coaches):

 

Bill Cowher

Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers 1992-2006. 149-90-1. 1 Super Bowl win, two appearances. 12-9 in the playoffs. Currently works for CBS.

 

Marty Schottenheimer

Head Coach, Cleveland Browns 1984-1988, Kansas City Chiefs 1989-1998, Washington Redskins 2001, San Diego Chargers 2002-2006. 200-126-1. 5-13 in the playoffs, 8 division titles. Age 65. Currently works for ESPN.

 

Dan Reeves

Head Coach, Denver Broncos 1981-1992, New York Giants 1993-1996, Atlanta Falcons 1997-2003. 190-165-2. 11-9 in the playoffs, four Super Bowl appearances, no wins. Age 64, has shown no interest in returning to coaching. Currently working as a colorman for Westwood One's radio coverage.

 

Jim Mora

Head Coach, New Orleans Saints 1986-1996, Indianapolis Colts 1998-2001. 125-106. 0-6 in the playoffs. Age 73, currently working for the NFL Network.

 

Dick Vermeil

Head Coach, Philadelphia Eagles 1976-1982, St. Louis Rams 1997-1999, Kansas City Chiefs 2001-2005. 120-109 lifetime, 1 Super Bowl win in two showings. 6-5 in the playoffs. Age 72, works for the NFL Network.

 

Dennis Green

Head Coach, Minnesota Vikings 1992-2001, Arizona Cardinals 2004-2006. 113-94, 4-8 in the playoffs. No Super Bowls. Works for radio broadcasts on Westwood One. Is who you thought he is.

 

Brian Billick

Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens 1999-2007. 80-64, 5-3 in the playoffs. One Super Bowl win. Works for Fox.

 

Steve Maricucci

Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers 1997-2002, Detroit Lions 2003-2005. 72-67, 3-4 in the playoffs. Currently works for the NFL network.

 

Jim Fassel

Head Coach, New York Giants 1997-2003. 58-53, 2-3 in the playoffs with one Super Bowl appearance.

 

Art Shell

I'm not looking up Art Shell.

 

FORMER HEAD COACHES (currently working in coaching, not as an NFL head coach)

 

Dave Wannestadt

Head Coach, Chicago Bears 1993-1998, Miami Dolphins 2000-2004. 82-87, 2-3 in the playoffs. Head coach of the Pitt Panthers, 24-22 overall.

 

Mike Sherman

Head Coach, Green Bay Packers 2000-2005, 57-39, 2-4 in the playoffs. Currently head coach of Texas A&M (4-8)

 

Mike Martz

Head Coach, St. Louis Rams 2000-2005. 53-32, 3-4 in the playoffs. One Super Bowl berth. OC, Detroit lions 2006-07, San Francisco 49ers 2008. 14-31 since leaving STL.

 

Dom Capers

Head Coach, Carolina Panthers 1995-98, Houston Texans 2002-05. 48-80, 1-1 in the playoffs. DC, Miami Dolphins 2006-07, Special assistant/DBs, New England Patriots 2008. 14-30 as an assistant.

 

Mike Tice

Head Coach, Minnesota Vikings 2001-2005. 32-33, 1-1 in the playoffs. Assistant with the Jaguars.

 

And those, are pretty much, the options.

 

EDIT: Looks like I actually bailed on this list too soon. Butch Davis and Bill Callahan techinically count here. We don't want them.

[Beerball]

You left off G. Williams and M. Mularkey.

[BillsVet]

There is no obvious answer here. No one around here seriously think Mike Tomlin could make the transition from Cowher that seamlessly.

 

Mike Smith in ATL was a DC with Jacksonville. Tony Sparano was the OL coach in Dallas.

 

Those three guys are either close to or sitting in a playoff spot. None were "name coaches" when they were hired.

 

When we go for a "hot" assistant, we swing and miss. When Marv hires a coach with previous experience, we throw the bat into the stands.

 

Baseball season can't come quick enough.

[Fan in San Diego]

Cowher and Martyball seems the best of that list!

[Alphadawg7]

Cowher and Martyball seems the best of that list!

 

Billick and Mariucci would be great fit here too...

[NicholasCal1]

ralph would never pay the money that would be needed to sign most of the coaches on that list. i wouldn't mind getting steve mariucci.cower would also want total control.

[billnutinphoenix]

I forgot about mariucci..I'd like him...

[BuffaloWings]

There is no obvious answer here. No one around here seriously think Mike Tomlin could make the transition from Cowher that seamlessly.

 

Mike Smith in ATL was a DC with Jacksonville. Tony Sparano was the OL coach in Dallas.

 

Those three guys are either close to or sitting in a playoff spot. None were "name coaches" when they were hired.

 

When we go for a "hot" assistant, we swing and miss. When Marv hires a coach with previous experience, we throw the bat into the stands.

 

Baseball season can't come quick enough.

Spot on. A lot of times, a hot assistant/coordinator doesn't necessarily work out, though there are exceptions (Cowher, Fox, even Billick and Marvin Lewis). It's hard to find the guys like Mike Tomlin, Mike Smith, & Tony Sparano....the names you don't know.

 

One guy I wanted when Mularkey was hired was Jim Fassel...a very stand-up guy that demands respect from his players. He was an OC with Arizona before landing his gig with the Giants, but he understands both sides of the ball and will still take control when necessary. I know he didn't finish well in New Jersey, but I honestly don't know why he hasn't landed another job yet.

[1billsfan]

And those, are pretty much, the options.

 

How about the Buffalo Bills do the SMART thing and forget about all of the NFL retreads you have mentioned. Other than Cowher (who is not going to come here) all of these guys are either too old or have been proven to be failures as head coaches if winning championships are what you are after if you're the team owner.

 

Why didn't the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens follow your advice and hire any of those guys on your list? It's becuase they are smart teams that wanted to hire the best coaching option for their team...

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/miamidolphins/coa...ad&team=MIA

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/baltimoreravens/c...ad&team=BAL

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/atlantafalcons/profile?team=ATL

 

Guess what? None of these rookie head coaches were on your list yet all are heading to the playoffs and two of them with rookie QBs

 

 

 

Why didn't Pittsburgh hire any of those guys a couple of years ago? Because the were smart.

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/coaches?coaType=head&team=PIT

 

 

 

The Bills should hire Raheem Morris who is the DBs coach for the Bucs and is widely considered the next Mike Tomlin.

 

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/14/sp...s-touch/sports/

[Hazed and Amuzed]

How about the Buffalo Bills do the SMART thing and forget about all of the NFL retreads you have mentioned. Other than Cowher (who is not going to come here) all of these guys are either too old or have been proven to be failures as head coaches if winning championships are what you are after if you're the team owner.

 

Why didn't the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens follow your advice and hire any of those guys on your list? It's becuase they are smart teams that wanted to hire the best coaching option for their team...

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/miamidolphins/coa...ad&team=MIA

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/baltimoreravens/c...ad&team=BAL

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/atlantafalcons/profile?team=ATL

 

Guess what? None of these rookie head coaches were on your list yet all are heading to the playoffs and two of them with rookie QBs

 

 

 

Why didn't Pittsburgh hire any of those guys a couple of years ago? Because the were smart.

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/coaches?coaType=head&team=PIT

 

 

 

The Bills should hire Raheem Morris who is the DBs coach for the Bucs and is widely considered the next Mike Tomlin.

 

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/14/sp...s-touch/sports/

 

 

Doesn't the hiring of Mike Mularkey and Gregg Williams throw a monkey wrench into your theory? What makes you think that Wilson has the eye for coaching talent? In fact the last coach we had with any merit was when we promoted Wade Phillips(who was a big name). So I guess I fail to see your logic.

[The Senator]

Get ready for Marv V3.0

[2003Contenders]

Don't understand the love for Mariucci. He inherited a great 49er team and ran it into the ground and pooped the bed with the Lions.

[Alphadawg7]

How about the Buffalo Bills do the SMART thing and forget about all of the NFL retreads you have mentioned. Other than Cowher (who is not going to come here) all of these guys are either too old or have been proven to be failures as head coaches if winning championships are what you are after if you're the team owner.

 

Why didn't the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens follow your advice and hire any of those guys on your list? It's becuase they are smart teams that wanted to hire the best coaching option for their team...

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/miamidolphins/coa...ad&team=MIA

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/baltimoreravens/c...ad&team=BAL

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/atlantafalcons/profile?team=ATL

 

Guess what? None of these rookie head coaches were on your list yet all are heading to the playoffs and two of them with rookie QBs

 

 

 

Why didn't Pittsburgh hire any of those guys a couple of years ago? Because the were smart.

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/coaches?coaType=head&team=PIT

 

 

 

The Bills should hire Raheem Morris who is the DBs coach for the Bucs and is widely considered the next Mike Tomlin.

 

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/14/sp...s-touch/sports/

 

 

First, all the coaches you list here are also NOT proven winners by the Super Bowl standards you set when referring to the "retread" coaches listed above and have won nothing yet...no Super Bowls or appearances

 

Fact is, very few coaches have Super Bowl wins under their belt in the current NFL...most are dead, too old, retired, or in a front office. The others, well they are currently coaching or available. The ones available were on that list...Cowher, Billick, Reeves, Fassel, Martz, Vermeil, etc.

 

Those guys have either won divisional championships and/or Super Bowls...that equals a proven winner to me...some have done it for multiple teams and even in multiple conferences.

 

For every one Mike Tomlin there is 10 Mike Mularky's (not to mention, Tomlin INHERITED almost that whole team whcih won a Super Bowl with most of that same talent 3 years ago, so its hard to see how much is him and how much is the team he took over)...so going with an unproven coordinator is no slam dunk and is more trendy than smart. Marvin Lewis was supposed to be the savior in Cincy and started strong but has severly under achieved ever since to the point his team is pitiful...so the jury is still out on your young HC guys you mention as they are all in their first year and have accomplished nothing yet.

 

Heck, Gregg Williams was supposed to be the next great HC...uh, we saw what happened with him, and look at woeful his JAX D looked last night, especially in the fourth quarter where they knew Hou was just gonna run and yet let Slaton run off 2 late TD's without being touched.

[Alphadawg7]

Don't understand the love for Mariucci. He inherited a great 49er team and ran it into the ground and pooped the bed with the Lions.

 

He inherited a rebuilding 49ers who were old, retired and woeful and turned them around and made them relevant fast. He took a nobody in Jeff Garcia and turned him into a Pro Bowl QB. He did a great job in SF but the FRONT OFFICE and its horrible cap management ruined that team, plus T.O. became T.O. and tore that team down from the inside...

 

Detroit...come on man, you cant hold that on him...not even Bill Parcells could have won in Det with the talent they had and the busts they had in the draft...that was a lose lose situation for him. Which is why he wont be taking the St. Louis job if it comes open, he doesnt want to be put in that situation again working with that little talent.

[reddogblitz]

How about the Buffalo Bills do the SMART thing and forget about all of the NFL retreads you have mentioned. Other than Cowher (who is not going to come here) all of these guys are either too old or have been proven to be failures as head coaches if winning championships are what you are after if you're the team owner.

 

Why didn't the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens follow your advice and hire any of those guys on your list? It's becuase they are smart teams that wanted to hire the best coaching option for their team...

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/miamidolphins/coa...ad&team=MIA

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/baltimoreravens/c...ad&team=BAL

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/atlantafalcons/profile?team=ATL

 

Guess what? None of these rookie head coaches were on your list yet all are heading to the playoffs and two of them with rookie QBs

 

 

 

Why didn't Pittsburgh hire any of those guys a couple of years ago? Because the were smart.

 

http://www.nfl.com/teams/coaches?coaType=head&team=PIT

 

 

 

The Bills should hire Raheem Morris who is the DBs coach for the Bucs and is widely considered the next Mike Tomlin.

 

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/14/sp...s-touch/sports/

 

Great if it works, but as others have said, it's risky and chances are just as good it'll be a bust. What about the guy who got fired from Sant Louis, he was highly touted when hired. What about lane Kiffin?

 

For my money, pick someone whose won something in the NFL who can help attract talented free agents too. Would a free agent want to sign on with a team with Raheem Morris as coach who has done nothing, or Marty Schottenhiemer or Dan Reeves or Jim Fassell? I know where I'd go.

 

I'm tired of screwing around with the "next great thing" as HC and a sniveling snot nosed kid at QB.

 

Let's get serious and get a real coach and real QB and kick some ass next year! We're close.

[1billsfan]

First, all the coaches you list here are also NOT proven winners by the Super Bowl standards you set when referring to the "retread" coaches listed above and have won nothing yet...no Super Bowls or appearances

 

Fact is, very few coaches have Super Bowl wins under their belt in the current NFL...most are dead, too old, retired, or in a front office. The others, well they are currently coaching or available. The ones available were on that list...Cowher, Billick, Reeves, Fassel, Martz, Vermeil, etc.

 

Those guys have either won divisional championships and/or Super Bowls...that equals a proven winner to me...some have done it for multiple teams and even in multiple conferences.

 

For every one Mike Tomlin there is 10 Mike Mularky's (not to mention, Tomlin INHERITED almost that whole team whcih won a Super Bowl with most of that same talent 3 years ago, so its hard to see how much is him and how much is the team he took over)...so going with an unproven coordinator is no slam dunk and is more trendy than smart. Marvin Lewis was supposed to be the savior in Cincy and started strong but has severly under achieved ever since to the point his team is pitiful...so the jury is still out on your young HC guys you mention as they are all in their first year and have accomplished nothing yet.

 

Heck, Gregg Williams was supposed to be the next great HC...uh, we saw what happened with him, and look at woeful his JAX D looked last night, especially in the fourth quarter where they knew Hou was just gonna run and yet let Slaton run off 2 late TD's without being touched.

 

Here are my specific problems with your "options"...

 

These coaches you mention are losers and colossal NFL failures:

Capers

Shell

Tice

Wannestadt

 

These coaches are too damn old:

Mora

Vermeil

 

These coaches only won because of talent:

Sherman success = Favre

Martz success = Vermeils' Ram juggernaut

 

This coach has an ego the size of Texas:

Billick

 

That leaves us with:

Schottenheimer

Reeves

Green

Fassel

Marriucci

 

 

Out of that list I could see only Schottenheimer or Marriucci as viable options and decent fits with the Buffalo Bills. Schottenheimer because the guy does win an awful lot and Marriucci because I think he's a pretty decent head coach who'd be good at preparing and motivating our talented young players. As for Reeves, Green and Fassel, they look road hard and put away wet at this point. I think those three carry way too much baggage to ever become winning NFL coaches again.

 

 

So giving you those two on your list, I'm asking you to read the Raheem Morris article that I linked to and tell me just how anything you read looks like the second coming of either Williams or Malarkey. Williams was a coaching poser who had almost as big of an ego as Billick without the success and Malarkey was clearly a poser who's players never gained any respect for him. In both cases it wasn't because they were new coaches, it was because they never had the authenticity which NFL players can smell a mile away. So go and read the article on Morris, he clearly is what this team needs. An authentic football coach. Another NFL head coaching retread is not the CHANGE we Bills fans should want or need right now.

 

 

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/14/sp...s-touch/sports/

[Hazed and Amuzed]

Here are my specific problems with your "options"...

 

These coaches you mention are losers and colossal NFL failures:

Capers

Shell

Tice

Wannestadt

 

Thes coaches are too damn old:

Mora

Vermeil

 

These coaches only won because of talent:

Sherman success = Favre

Martz success = Vermeils' Ram juggernaut

 

This coach has an ego the size of Texas:

Billick

 

That leaves us with:

Schottenheimer

Reeves

Green

Fassel

Marriucci

 

 

Out of that list I could see only Schottenheimer or Marriucci as viable options and decent fits with the Buffalo Bills. Schottenheimer because the guy does win an awful lot and Marriucci because I think he's a pretty decent head coach who'd be good at preparing and motivating our talented young players. As for Reeves, Green and Fassel, they look road hard and put away wet at this point. I think those three carry way too much baggage to ever become winning NFL coaches again.

 

 

So giving you those two on your list, I'm asking you to read the Raheem Morris article that I linked to and tell me just how anything you read looks like the second coming of either Williams or Malarkey. Williams was a coaching poser who had almost as big of an ego as Billick without the success and Malarkey was clearly a poser who's players never gained any respect for him. In both cases it wasn't because they were new coaches, it was because they never had the authenticity which NFL players can smell a mile away. So go and read the article on Morris, he clearly is what this team needs. An authentic football coach. Another NFL head coaching is not the CHANGE we Bills fans should want or need right now.

 

 

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/14/sp...s-touch/sports/

 

 

Mularkey was a poser, but Greggo is one hell of a coach, just not a head coach.

[lets_go_bills]

Cool list silvermike. Thanks.

[2003Contenders]

He inherited a rebuilding 49ers who were old, retired and woeful and turned them around and made them relevant fast. He took a nobody in Jeff Garcia and turned him into a Pro Bowl QB. He did a great job in SF but the FRONT OFFICE and its horrible cap management ruined that team, plus T.O. became T.O. and tore that team down from the inside...

 

Detroit...come on man, you cant hold that on him...not even Bill Parcells could have won in Det with the talent they had and the busts they had in the draft...that was a lose lose situation for him. Which is why he wont be taking the St. Louis job if it comes open, he doesnt want to be put in that situation again working with that little talent.

 

 

Sounds like some of the same excuses that were being made for Jauron's Chicago experience. I'll pass.

[silvermike]

I'd be very interested in getting behind Raheem Morris as HC of the Bills next year. Of all the non-Cowher options, I think he gives us the best chance to win a Super Bowl.

 

However, it's gotten to the point where I don't even care about the Super Bowl. I just want the team to not be a f-ing joke for the next three or four years. I'd be shocked if Marty Schottenheimer couldn't get us to 10-6 with a playoff berth and a first round exit, which sounds like the glory days compared to what we've had lately.

 

But he's an intensely frustrating coach, and we would unquestionably be outcoached in big games. But it'd just be nice to play in one first before looking to a replacement.