Coordinators await vacancies at the top
Success of 2017’s new coaches likely to influence hires.
There’s always a stable of rising assistant coaches and coordinators who are advertised as being in line for a head coaching position. It looks like heading toward 2018, some of those guys actually have already been in charge somewhere.
Last year, five teams — the 49ers, Rams, Bills, Broncos and Chargers — hired new coaches. All of them were assistants from a variety of organizations who moved up.
A sixth change came in Jacksonville, where interim Doug Marrone got the fulltime gig. He previously was a head coach in Buffalo, though. The five novice head coaches are a collective 21-30, from Sean McVay’s terrific 7-3 with the Rams, to Kyle Shanahan’s unsightly 1-9 in San Francisco. Marrone is 7-3 with the Jaguars.
It appears there are more assistants and coordinators with previous top man experience who are in line for possible openings than potential rookie head coaches. Such names as Pat Shurmur in Minnesota, Jim Schwartz in Philadelphia and Josh McDaniels in New England are bandied about. None had particular success in those previous stints, but their work with the Vikings’ and Patriots’ offense and Eagles’ defense has lifted them loudly into the conversation if the No. 1 jobs come open in Cleveland or Cincinnati or Indianapolis or Chicago or Tampa Bay or with the Giants in New York.
That doesn’t surprise Bill Polian, who didn’t get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor because he couldn’t find strong coaches. Among his guys are Marv Levy and Tony Dungy, both of whom are also enshrined in Canton.
“It helps,” Polian says of prior head coaching experience, regardless of the level, but particularly in the pros. “All things being equal, having had that experience before may well be the determining factor in if you choose him or not. There is no substitute for having the experience.”
Not that the next Jimmy Johnson is on the horizon for pro teams. In recent years, few college coaches have done well in the NFL, with Chip Kelly perhaps the most obvious example.
While there have been several experienced head coaches recently landing another spot in charge of a pro team — John Fox in Chicago, Jim Caldwell in Detroit, Jack Del Rio in Oakland — more teams are enamored of the “hot” assistant.
Mike Zimmer has turned out just fine in Minnesota, as have Doug Pederson in Philadelphia and Dan Quinn in Atlanta. They got their positions in part because of their years serving under a proven head coach such as Marvin Lewis, Andy Reid or Pete Carroll.
They also were hired because they recognized what owners are seeking.
“I think the most important thing is vision,” Polian says. “Does he see the big picture as a head coach as opposed to being a coordinator or position coach?”
Jacksonville’s turnaround season could get offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett or defensive coordinator Todd Wash some looks. Carolina DC Steve Wilks has caught many eyes. So has Texans DC Mike Vrabel.
Should they get the opportunity, Polian has some advice for them.
“What players want and respond to is authenticity, consistency, truth, dignity and the ability to provide them with a chance to be a better player and a better team,” he says. “They will respond to that no matter how the message is delivered.”
Bills: Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin will not play against the Chiefs today because of a knee injury sustained on the opening drive last week against the Chargers. He was playing only his second game with Buffalo since his trade from Carolina on Oct. 31.
Falcons: Running back Devonta Freeman has been ruled out for the second straight week with a concussion and won’t play against Tampa Bay. Atlanta will rely again on Tevin Coleman and third-stringer Terron Ward.
Titans: Activated wide receiver Harry Douglas, who had been on injured reserve since the start of the season because of a knee injury. He caught 15 passes for 210 yards and no TDs last season.
Raiders: Cornerback David Amerson (foot) will miss his fourth straight game today against the Broncos.
Friday’s Games Saturday’s Games
(At) 76ers 130, Magic 111: J.J. Redick hit eight 3-pointers and scored 29 points for Philadelphia, which handed Orlando its eighth consecutive loss.
Trail Blazers 108, (at) Wizards 105: C.J. McCollum scored 26 points, including seven straight during a 10-0 run, as Portland overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Spurs 106, (at) Hornets 86: Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge each had 17 points and seven rebounds as San Antonio held Charlotte to 37 percent shooting.
Raptors 112, (at) Hawks 78: Norman Powell scored 17 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 16 for Toronto, which led 99-58 after three quarters.
Celtics 108, (at) Pacers 98: Kyrie Irving scored 25 points and Al Horford added 21 for Boston, which outscored Indiana 37-16 in the third quarter.
(At) Rockets 117, Knicks 102: James Harden had 37 points and 10 assists as Houston erased a 22-point deficit.
(At) Mavericks 97, Thunder 81: Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 19 points in Dallas’ victory.
(At) Warriors 110, Pelicans 95: Stephen Curry bounced back after an 0-for-10 start and scored 14 of his 27 points in the third quarter for Golden State.
Bucks at Jazz: Late
Clippers at Kings: Late
NBA notes
Wizards: Guard John Wall is expected to miss about two weeks with inflammation in his left knee. Wall, 27, will receive injections in the hope of reducing the inflammation.
Hornets: Center Dwight Howard was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward Cleveland fans Friday.
Today’s Games