Coordinator vs. Head Coach

[Andrewjm]

When Mcvay was hired, he was doubted as being too young, and more of a “ra ra” guy who would only focus on offense and schemes, and would be better suited as a coordinator. When Shanahan was hired, he was viewed as a slam dunk, an ultra successful coordinator everywhere he went, and was just the fix for a struggling niners squad.

My friends, and fellow Rams fans, McVay and Shanahan are a TEXTBOOK example of someone being made to be a coordinator and head coach, except people had it mixed up. I’ve never believed in Shanahan as a head coach since watching his unit last year. He strikes me as a very smart, very calculating play caller and schemer, who isn’t relatable with players and can’t see the forest from the trees(coaching up an entire team, not just offense). Want an example? Tell any niner fan Shanahan isn’t a good coach, and they’ll tell you how they’re ranked 13th in offensive yards per game.

McVay, on the other hand, has single handily changed, not just the offense, but the entire discipline and energy of the Rams. The Rams, since McVay, are a buttoned up unit, well-disciplined, focused, and coached up.

Shanahan very well may be a gifted, brilliant coordinator and playcaller. But I’ll happily take the guy made to be a head coach over the guy made to be a coordinator.

 

[yrba1]

Always thought Shanahan was a better play caller than McVay but McVay is the better coach in terms of overseeing the staff and players. The real test for McVay will be life after Wade; hoping he stays long enough for him to get the full grasp of game planning on defense.

 

[Merlin]

We'll have to wait and see on Shanny. I do agree he isn't the "total package" like Sean is, particularly from the communication aspect you allude to above. He is indeed brilliant on the scheme side of things, and they're going to get the most from their offensive talent while they have him, but straight up there's no doubt who I'd prefer to have as my head coach.

Another thing about Sean is he's got a lot of growing to do. He's not at his peak yet. Which has to be scary for fans of opposing teams. By the time Wade hangs them up, I suspect Sean will have a Belichick-esque handle of both sides of the ball.

 

[Picked4td]

To play devils advocate: McVay doesn’t have the full responsiblities of a normal head coach simply because he has such great Defensive and ST coordinators. It lowers his work load and allow him to focus more on offense which imo is a huge advantage

On the flip side when Shannahan was hired he didn’t even hire an offensive coordinator (not sure if he has for year2). So not only does he have to essentially run the offense himself but he has the added duties of a head coach which include overseeing the d and st

 

[Selassie I]

Shanahan looks like a complete dickhead. Just a miserable looking sob.

 

[Memento]

Shanahan looks like a complete dork. Just a miserable looking sob.

I'd call him "Horseface", but his face looks more like a horse's ass than a face.

 

[Mikey Ram]

Shanahan looks like a complete dork. Just a miserable looking sob.

Yes, yes he does...He's got a "I'm the smartest guy in the room" look on his face...

 

[RhodyRams]

Shanahan looks like a complete dork. Just a miserable looking sob.

You would look pretty miserable if you were 1-6 LOL

 

[Legatron4]

To play devils advocate: McVay doesn’t have the full responsiblities of a normal head coach simply because he has such great Defensive and ST coordinators. It lowers his work load and allow him to focus more on offense which imo is a huge advantage

On the flip side when Shannahan was hired he didn’t even hire an offensive coordinator (not sure if he has for year2). So not only does he have to essentially run the offense himself but he has the added duties of a head coach which include overseeing the d and st

That’s what good head coaches do though. Let his coaches coach. I’ve read that McVay knows just as much about defense as he does offense. He came in the first week and showed Aaron Donald a couple tips and Aaron couldn’t believe how well he understood everything. I’m sure he could run both sides if he wanted.

I always thought the head coach should be calling plays anyway. Especially in today’s NFL.

 

[Picked4td]

That’s what good head coaches do though. Let his coaches coach. I’ve read that McVay knows just as much about defense as he does offense. He came in the first week and showed Aaron Donald a couple tips and Aaron couldn’t believe how well he understood everything. I’m sure he could run both sides if he wanted.

I always thought the head coach should be calling plays anyway. Especially in today’s NFL.

Oh I don’t disagree I was just making a point that having wade vs an unproven young dc like the niners is a huge advantage simply because it less work and one less thing McVay need to worry about and micromanage.

Same with having an offensive coordinator. Even though both head coaches call plays there’s a lot of work that goes into being an OC throughout the week that McVay can have his OC(s) do while shabby doesn’t have an OC to do that for him. Now obviously these hires are what help make McVay such a great coach and the added work is no one but shannys fault I was just trying to make the point that McVay has essientially the perfect situation as a young first time head coach and he’s taking full advantage of it

 

[Prime Time]

Charisma, the "It Factor" is underrated. A natural born leader will get men to buy into his vision and follow him. Sean McVay seems to have it.

Don't know enough about Shanahan to make a judgment on him but there are men who make great coordinators and then fail in the head coaching position. Mike Martz would be one example for Rams fans. And don't start with his winning record as a HC, he inherited Vermeil's team. Loved Martz as an OC but not so much as a HC.

The numbers of those who have been promoted and failed in sports as well as in business is legion. The Rams organization has hit the Lotto number with the hiring of Sean McVay. All the pieces are in place, GM, coaches, and players. Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[Mackeyser]

To play devils advocate: McVay doesn’t have the full responsiblities of a normal head coach simply because he has such great Defensive and ST coordinators. It lowers his work load and allow him to focus more on offense which imo is a huge advantage

On the flip side when Shannahan was hired he didn’t even hire an offensive coordinator (not sure if he has for year2). So not only does he have to essentially run the offense himself but he has the added duties of a head coach which include overseeing the d and st

Saleh mostly oversees the D. It's not that dissimilar a situation to ours... except McVay is McAwesome and Shanahan is shenanigans...

 

[Mikey Ram]

Oh I don’t disagree I was just making a point that having wade vs an unproven young dc like the niners is a huge advantage simply because it less work and one less thing McVay need to worry about and micromanage.

Same with having an offensive coordinator. Even though both head coaches call plays there’s a lot of work that goes into being an OC throughout the week that McVay can have his OC(s) do while shabby doesn’t have an OC to do that for him. Now obviously these hires are what help make McVay such a great coach and the added work is no one but shannys fault I was just trying to make the point that McVay has essientially the perfect situation as a young first time head coach and he’s taking full advantage of it

Yeah agree..But as you said, Shanahan created his problem with his own decisions..Sean also created his situation with his decisions...His decisions just happened to be much better, and we're seeing that wasn't just blind luck...

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I am happy to be wrong on this one. I wanted Snead to hire Shanahan. I knew very little of McVay. His youth scared me a bit too.

That's not to say that I would have dismissed McVay if I had interviewed him myself. He seems to be a very engaging guy with more knowledge than many retread coaches have accumulated in two, or three times, the amount of time McVay has coached (looking at you Jeff Fisher).

I thought McVay didn't even make it to the Niners. Didn't Snead hire him before he left town? A read a Niner fan's post stating that he went to San Fran first.

 

[bluecoconuts]

I thought McVay didn't even make it to the Niners. Didn't Snead hire him before he left town? A read a Niner fan's post stating that he went to San Fran first.

He interviewed with the Niners, they were going to call him back for a second interview apparently, but they let him walk to talk to Shannahan. The Rams met with McVay afterwards and basically hired him on the spot. They recognized the greatness and wanted to jump on it rather than the 49ers who wanted to land the big fish, likely for the sake of landing the big fish. Their loss was our gain though, I'm so glad that Demoff and Snead rolled the dice.

But, like I said in the What the Whiners are saying thread, Shannahan will make for a good OC for us in a few years.

 

[shaunpinney]

That’s what good head coaches do though. Let his coaches coach. I’ve read that McVay knows just as much about defense as he does offense. He came in the first week and showed Aaron Donald a couple tips and Aaron couldn’t believe how well he understood everything. I’m sure he could run both sides if he wanted.

I always thought the head coach should be calling plays anyway. Especially in today’s NFL.

I've heard Wade say a similar thing too - that he has a total understanding of the D

 

[Faceplant]

One is a leader of men, the other is Mike Shanahans son....