HURNEY FIRED

Solarte: "This is a defense that ... unheralded .... they're giving up one touchdown a game. They're giving up field goals as well, but it's better than touchdowns."

Yo Mike, 12 divided by 6 =/= one.

 

thought we were letting it go, but as a head coach he had his chance, and I can't think of any guys who got a third shot after a .413 record in five years.

Doesn't really need to go from there. But - he wasn't likeable, and unlikeable and unsuccessful is a poor combo. If you want someone to blindly follow you, you don't hire a guy that players badmouthed, or a guy who regrets throwing his former franchise under the bus (warranted or not) anymore than you want a guy who might screw you later (and he fits all of those).


hasn't been in coaching for two years, and the number of coaches who have left the game entirely for two years to be successful afterward has to include maybe a HOF coach or something else obscure, but in this case it seems like a massive obstacle that you shouldn't have to deal with, given tons of options out there that haven't shit the bed.
Think about all the things that have changed

Also, was only a DC one year, and wasn't very good at that. This is commentary, but it's fairly clear the Jets hired him trying to get one over on the Pats, and that didn't work.

and, finally, literally no one that I'm aware has considered him a head coaching candidate recently.

So, why would he actually be a candidate?

 

He coached the Cleveland Browns.

 

so did that guy in New England

 

No that was the Ravens.

 

Belichick was .450 after five, but fair enough. Dick Jauron got a third job after a much worse record than .413, but that doesn't really help my cause. Shanahan had a .400 record with Oakland, but Denver was just his second job instead of a third. I guess I'm not so bothered by the record because I almost don't count what anyone does in Cleveland, while Mangini did have a winning record in two out of his three seasons with the Jets. Fox only did that once over his nine years with Carolina.

But there aren't. You already said that you can't think of anyone with prior head coaching experience that you would want. So Carolina would be following a first-time head coach who appears in over his head with another first-time head coach and hoping not to repeat the result. I firmly believe that this roster needs a guy who has already been a head coach because it will be hard enough to give this team direction without adding learning on the job. That and I honestly believe Mangini will be a successful head coach if given another good opportunity, but I acknowledge that it's not a widely shared belief.

You do have a good point about the hiatus from coaching, but I think that's some of the era we're in with TV being everything. I don't think I'd be more confident in a guy going to college or becoming a coordinator than I would someone who studies tape as an analyst.

 

What will happen, because I say so:

1. Rivera will finish the season, and will be terminated.

2. The majority of his staff will also be tossed. Chud could stay, that is unless he catches fire again in garbage time and becomes another hot name on the coaching market. I would still hope to retain. Shula, Belin -- would keep them.

3. A General Manager, or someone similar (Dir of Personnel, etc) will be hired and given a good deal of freedom. Not as much as Hurney, but enough concentrate on player evaluation.

4. An established head coach will be hired. Like Mangini, every former HC has some blemishes on his track record. Otherwise, they would still be coaching. Cowher has always made too much sense, as Richardson is on record in saying he wants this franchise to be "Pitt Light". He lives in the Carolinas, went to NC State. It makes too much goddamn sense -- if, IF, Cowher wants to do it. And, if the opportunity presents, I don't agree with those that he would flirt and say no. He wants to coach again. They all do.

For what it's worth, Brian Billick has a bit of a boner to get back into this, and his track record for not being a shitdick loser is fairly solid. (5 winning seasons, 4 playoff appearances, pimp and motivator). I know, his offenses sucked and his defense saved his ass. But he's the anti-Rivera. Dare I say, swaggerous.

Whatever. The next coach needs to exude energy, in the locker room, on the sidelines, and with the fans. Rivera is a dullard, which is fine as long as the results are there (Reid, Belichick, Lovie, etc). I am not happy with a combination of a fuckton of close, needless losses + a stoic meathead.

Fox needlessly lost close games in 2002 (Arizona, Dallas, Green Bay, Tampa), and there was plenty of doubt following that season. But, to his credit, his 2003 team was clutch -- with some luck -- but that team was fucking capitalistic. In year two. Rivera is almost a season and a half into this thing, and he's yet to field a team that either knows how to hold a late lead (less Houston), or mount a comeback to win a game. It's fucking maddening, and inexcusable, given the abundance of situations this team has been in to win with under 5 minutes to play.

Being loud and posing for the cameras is one thing. Having no finger on the pulse of your team is another. Too many players suggesting this of late, re: Chico.

But, what the fuck do I know.

 

they do count, of course. He didn't have to take the Browns job if the excuse is it was unwinnable. Belichick is kinda unique, given that he had a franchise literally pulled out from under him, but excusing 1995 he's still under .500.

Correct. My list doesn't have much of anyone with experience, but I don't expect for us to hire a retread and Mangini isn't even one of the more interesting names. There's just not much backing him and no one really cares about him. Again, he's not charismatic and he's not really a leader, which were two of the stipulations you suggested before bringing him up. So I don't see any real upside.

Given the changes in the NFL over the last two years, I'd definitely rather have someone working than not.

 

No, that was Rivera and McDermott.

 

rofl