Who do you want as our next coach?

[DaveFan'51]

I'd have to go with Josh McDaniels. Greg Williams would be my number 1 option though.

McDaniels not only Flamed out as HC in Denver, he Flamed out as OC with the Rams in ST. Louis! I would go back their!

 

[Jacobarch]

Saban was talking secretly with the Giants last year. Perhaps thats the move. Shaw or Meyers are also a good choice from the college ranks. I also would kick the tires on guys like Gruden, Cohwer and Coughlin.

Just say no to Coughlin!

You think Fisher is hard headed and old fashioned? Coughlin is far worse.

 

[den-the-coach]

1. Jim Harbaugh....You have to take a shot at him, offer him control and more money. Most likely he stays at his Alma mater, however, you have to take a shot at him.
2. David Shaw....Disciplined and an offensive coach, however, conservative, but compared to Jeff Fisher he is a Radical.
3. Josh McDaniels...IMO, he has the inside track I believe I read somewhere that he and Kroenke know each other, I would be fine with McDaniels as a Coach and allow someone else to handle personnel.

 

[Jacobarch]

I want Norv Turner and Williams back as our DC.

Norv has proven track record with young QB's he also put his teams in the playoffs almost every year. I know he always came up short with getting to the Superbowl. But give me a coach that gets his team far into the playoffs over a sub .500 coach any-day-of-the-week.

 

[FRO]

If the Bengals fires Marvin Lewis I would be all in on him.

 

[Picked4td]

I'd say his offense is pretty innovative. When Luck was there, they ran a traditional WCO with great success. They were a pass-first team. When Luck left, they pivoted to more of a spread offense-WCO hybrid with a power running element to make best use of Hogan being an athletic QB with only average passing ability. They've now started to pivot more and more to a ground and pound based attack to make up for their current QB situation.

Yes, he runs a WCO base. That's not innovative. But he adapts to his personnel and evolves the offense based on what they have. He has an identity and a philosophy, but he's also flexible. During his tenure, they've been an unstoppable ground and pound attack or a high-flying passing attack.

He is a very conservative game manager. But so are other good coaches.

Frankly, the fact that he runs everything from a WCO base makes me believe he can successfully adapt to the NFL. Here's an interesting article on Shaw's approach:
http://mmqb.si.com/2013/09/17/stanford-cardinal-peter-king

maybe innovative isnt the right word, like the article says he runs pretty simple, straight-forward plays. Its the formation and looks that make it tough to stop, which is one thing I do like about him. He does adjust to his personnel well, but even that article presents a problem in that his big comparison is chip kelly who we have seen struggle to be successful in the nfl. Regardless of all of this, my biggest problem with him is still his overly conservative approach, which I feel isnt a winning philosophy in the NFL anymore

 

[Young Ram]

In other words the head coaching candidates are either young and unknown or old and has beens. Yippeeeee!

 

[Rambitious1]

Martz has been out of coaching for years. I don't see him coming back for an assistant job.

Based on the last interview of him I read, I think he would.

 

[Merlin]

I have cooled considerably on Haley as I research these guys. Dude is an enormous douchebag and I don't think his offensive knowledge will compensate enough for that to allow him to have sustained success as a head coach.

McDaniels has some of the same qualities tbh. I'd be ok with Stan hiring him, but I don't think he's the best head coaching candidate from the Patriots' staff.

Yeah, that would be Patricia. And what is painful about recognizing what a great HC candidate he is, is the fact he's a defensive guy. But with him it's sort of similar to going BPA in the draft, where even though you want that other flashy or need-based option the BPA is the one who will give you the most success.

But I'll float one more thing out here for you guys... Look at Belichick and consider the signs he showed of his future success when he was a DC:

1. An ability to shut down his opponent in any game or situation, regardless of whether his unit was overmatched. In other words, sustained and top-notch performance at the coordinator level.

2. Cut his teeth in a winning program. I include this because obviously he picked up many good things that helped him be a head coach working under Parcells.

Guys like Fish, who never mastered the coordinator level, are at a disadvantage. This is the kind of guy the Rams need to hire if and when Fish walks and they pull from the NFL fraternity. Someone who has mastered the coordinator level and who works for a program where they've seen things done right.

Failing that, they need to dip into college and get a guy who has run a whole program and who has demonstrated the strategic edge the NFL requires. Not the guy who wins with vastly better talent. The guy who gets the most from less and wins big games year to year. IMO.

 

[Merlin]

Jim Harbaugh....You have to take a shot at him, offer him control and more money. Most likely he stays at his Alma mater, however, you have to take a shot at him.

If I'm Stan... Before I do anything else I call Jim Harbaugh and offer him $15 million per year to be my head coach plus final say in football decisions to include the GM and front office hires.

 

[ramsince62]

It seems that the general consensus here is that we should move on from Jeff Fisher. I don't know what the Rams will do. Some will say that this thread is premature. You're entitled to that opinion. But this is a message board, so we might as well speculate. Here are the coaches that I'd consider leading candidates for the job along with my thoughts (in no order):
1. Anthony Lynn OC Buffalo Bills
Pros

• Former NFL player who is reportedly incredibly respected by players in the locker-room
• Diverse coaching tree (coached under Parcells, Del Rio, Ryan, Shanahan, and Crennel)
• Highly successful position coach and successful thus far as an OC

Cons

• No HC experience and very little OC experience
• No clue what sort of staff he'd pull

My Outlook

• I think he's a strong candidate for us because he's offensive-minded and should connect well with players. I have concerns about his lack of experience and ability to pull a top tier staff. However, he does have connections with a ton of different coaching trees, and he's done well it at every step of the way thus far as a coach.

2. Jim Bob Cooter OC Detroit Lions
Pros

• Offensive-minded coach whose system looks amazing in Detroit
• Experience as a player and a coach is with Quarterbacks (good for Goff)
• Modern offensive scheme

Cons

• Very young (32 years old)
• No HC experience and very little OC experience
• No clue what sort of staff he'd pull as he doesn't have a diverse coaching tree and is very young

My Outlook

• Cooter has really taken the NFL by storm by helping Detroit to first place in the NFC North. He has Stafford playing at the highest level of his career, and his system looks highly effective. Cooter is a much easier sell here if he stuck with Gregg Williams, the defensive staff, and John Fassel (as well as his staff). That would alleviate my concerns about his ability to put together a staff.

3. Matt Patricia DC New England Patriots
Pros

• Experience coaching both sides of the ball
• Considered to be absolutely brilliant and has been successful as a coordinator
• Seems highly energetic, well-liked by his players, and very enthusiastic about his job

Cons

• No HC experience
• Belichick's assistants have not fared well outside of New England
• What sort of staff will he put together? (limited coaching tree)

My Outlook

• Patricia is an interesting one. Hiring a Belichick assistant scares me, but Patricia is reportedly exceptionally brilliant. What makes him a rarity to me is that exceptionally brilliant coaches generally seem to be the types who don't connect well with players. From my observations, Patricia is very well-liked by the guys who play for him. He reminds me a lot of Mike Zimmer in the energy and passion he brings to games.

4. Todd Haley OC Pittsburgh Steelers
Pros

• Has some success as a head coach and a lot of success as an OC
• Runs a modern scheme that perfectly fits Goff's game
• Comes from a very diverse coaching tree (should be able to put a good staff together)

Cons

• Failed as a HC the first time; reportedly had issues with the players in the locker-room
• Walked into a stable situation in Pittsburgh with a ton of offensive talent
• He didn't play football in college or the pros

My Outlook

• I like the scheme that Haley brings, and there's no doubt that he's a very bright offensive mind. I do have concerns about his ability to handle the locker-room. It was a struggle for him in Kansas City. He did have a playoff year in KC, but he also got fired. I'm on the fence with him. The most important thing for me with our next coaching hire is that the guys in the locker-room will play for and respect that coach.

5. Kyle Shanahan OC Atlanta Falcons
Pros

• Long track record of success in a lot of different situations
• Modern offense that would work well with the pieces we have
• Should have the sufficient connections to create a great staff

Cons

• A lot of rumors floating around that players don't like him
• No HC experience
• Young (36 years old)

My Outlook

• If it were strictly Xs and Os, Shanahan would be #1 on my list because I think his scheme perfectly fits our offense. He's a brilliant coordinator. However, I'd avoid hiring him if the rumors are true. The rumors are that he's very arrogant and rubs players the wrong way. This led to players in Washington not liking him and players in Atlanta currently do not like him. I wouldn't want to take a chance on a coach who is not liked by players.

6. David Shaw HC Stanford University
Pros

• He has 6 years of head coaching experience despite being only 44 years old
• Successful head coach (62-17 record at Stanford)
• Offensive-minded head coach who has shown the ability to adapt to his talent
• Has experience in the NFL working under Jon Gruden and Brian Billick
• Played in college for Bill Walsh and Dennis Green
• Father coached in the NFL for over a decade

Cons

• Has a lot of good reasons to remain at Stanford
• Is a conservative game manager
• Hasn't been able to win a national championship at the college level

My Outlook

• Personally, I think David Shaw is our best option. However, I don't know that he wants to leave Stanford. What makes Shaw a strong option is that he runs a pro style offense that he adapts to his personnel, he has experience working in the NFL, he has a lot of connections in the NFL, and he's a successful head coach already at a young age. He does have a streak of Fisherness in him (tends to be very conservative with the lead), but his offensive philosophy isn't antiquated. I think he'd work well with the personnel we have.

7. Mike McCarthy HC Green Bay Packers
Pros

• Offensive-minded HC with a Super Bowl ring
• Known as one of the best QB developers in football
• Modern offensive system
• Can put together a strong staff
• Not old for a coach who has 11 years experience and 100+ wins as a HC (53 years old)

Cons

• Is being stubborn with his offensive system in Green Bay
• Things seem to have gotten stale in Green Bay
• Is a conservative game manager
• Unlikely to be fired

My Outlook

• Truth is that it's hard to argue with Mike McCarthy's track record. If he came available, I'd go all in on him. Unfortunately, I think he's highly unlikely to be fired despite what some rumors say.

You might notice that I didn't include a few names. I didn't include Josh McDaniels because I wouldn't consider him for the job. I think you have many of the same issues that you have with Kyle Shanahan (arrogance and disliked by players) without the track record of success in many different situations.(McDaniels has universally failed outside of NE)

I didn't include Jim Schwartz because he feels like much of the same with Fisher. Schwartz is a brilliant DC, but he was too similar of a HC to his mentor, Jeff Fisher. I think we need fresh blood who has a fresh offensive approach.

I didn't include a number of coaches who are retreads in my minds because they already got shots as HC and failed. Some of them failed multiple times. These coaches include Norv Turner, Wade Phillips, Rod Marinelli, John Fox, etc.

I also didn't include coaches who are either too old (ex. Tom Coughlin) or are retired (ex. Jon Gruden). Frankly, I'm just not interesting in trying to relive the past with guys like Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, etc.

What do you guys think? Is there anyone I missed? Who would you like to see hired?(you don't have to agree with me...maybe you want Norv Turner or Jon Gruden; everybody's opinion is welcome)

I want to state at the outset: This is not a thread to rip Fisher in. We have enough of those already. Let's just focus on who we want moving forward. I know that we may not fire Fisher, but this is a forum. Half of the fun is speculating and playing armchair GM.

Astonished and disappointed that you didn't include Jon Gruden. Too old? Really?

 

[Rams43]

First of all, jrry32, outstanding post and excellent topic, man.

Pretty timely, too, I suspect.

My general thoughts are that I am hoping for a CEO type new HC.

What does that mean? An overseer. One that will hire the very best assistants and then get out of their way and just let them do their damned jobs. Merely keeping tabs on them to make sure that they're implementing his philosophies.

Has zero tolerance for the following:

Stupid penalties
Lack of attention to details that lead to mistakes,
Demands quick development by players and from his assistants alike.
Realizes that the O is an important part of the team.
Has a killer instinct and never takes his foot off the gas.
Won't draft or sign dumb players.
Has a win at all costs attitude.
Doesn't give a damn whether the players considered him a "players coach".

I'm not a big fan of over the hill retired retread HC candidates, either. No more dinosaur and/or yesterday's news HC's like Fisher. Lesson learned.

IOW, might need to be a successful existing HC rather than a coordinator. A college HC such as a Saban, Meyer, or Peterson?

I have a mild concern about hiring a present OC, even though he might be currently successful in that role. I fear we may wind up with a de facto OC actually calling his own O plays while carrying the title and salary of a HC.

Harbaugh is (or at least was) a dick. But I believe he would turn this very same roster into winners in his very first year. So, I think I could learn to live with his "jerkiness". Lol. Don't know if the Rams can or will make him an offer he can't refuse. Or the terms of his Michigan contract, for that matter.

But Harbaugh would definitely provide the name recognition, credibility, and track record that Kroenke allegedly desires.

Anyway, thanks again for a fun and outside the box thread, man.

 

[Merlin]

Astonished and disappointed that you didn't include Jon Gruden. Too old? Really?

I think omitting Gruden demonstrates how much effort @jrry32 put into it.

 

[jrry32]

In other words the head coaching candidates are either young and unknown or old and has beens. Yippeeeee!

That's pretty much what you're always going to get.

 

[jrry32]

Astonished and disappointed that you didn't include Jon Gruden. Too old? Really?

Gruden isn't too old. He's just been out of the game too long. I don't want another Fisher. Gruden hasn't coached since 2008. He hasn't won a playoff game since his Super Bowl win during the 2002 season. He was pretty mediocre in Tampa Bay outside of that first year.

I don't want to risk getting another guy who can't adapt to today's NFL.

 

[snackdaddy]

If its at all possible, Harbaugh would be my first choice. He took a team similar to ours. Talent on defense and a good running back. He instantly turned them into a contender and had them playing in a super bowl. I can see him considering it. He could stick it to the 49ers and Seahawks 4 times a year. But he's got a good gig where he's at. Not sure he'd consider it and I don't know how his contract would affect things.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

I think if you could land Harbaugh that's the pick you make. With the amount of patience and power we gave Fisher, I gotta think we are an attractive position. A coach can feel secure in the fact that he probably gets 4 years to prove his system.

My pick, in this order would be:
1. Jim Harbaugh
2. Gregg Williams
3. Matt Patricia
4. Kyle Shanahan

However, all of those are pretty unlikely.

 

[Dieter the Brock]

I have cooled considerably on Haley as I research these guys. Dude is an enormous douchebag and I don't think his offensive knowledge will compensate enough for that to allow him to have sustained success as a head coach.

McDaniels has some of the same qualities tbh. I'd be ok with Stan hiring him, but I don't think he's the best head coaching candidate from the Patriots' staff.

Yeah, that would be Patricia. And what is painful about recognizing what a great HC candidate he is, is the fact he's a defensive guy. But with him it's sort of similar to going BPA in the draft, where even though you want that other flashy or need-based option the BPA is the one who will give you the most success.

But I'll float one more thing out here for you guys... Look at Belichick and consider the signs he showed of his future success when he was a DC:

1. An ability to shut down his opponent in any game or situation, regardless of whether his unit was overmatched. In other words, sustained and top-notch performance at the coordinator level.

2. Cut his teeth in a winning program. I include this because obviously he picked up many good things that helped him be a head coach working under Parcells.

Guys like Fish, who never mastered the coordinator level, are at a disadvantage. This is the kind of guy the Rams need to hire if and when Fish walks and they pull from the NFL fraternity. Someone who has mastered the coordinator level and who works for a program where they've seen things done right.

Failing that, they need to dip into college and get a guy who has run a whole program and who has demonstrated the strategic edge the NFL requires. Not the guy who wins with vastly better talent. The guy who gets the most from less and wins big games year to year. IMO.

Nice post
Yes i'm on board!!

 

[Young Ram]

That's pretty much what you're always going to get.

True. Which is why I'm fine with fisher staying. Our team is 2/3 complete. Goff will be the deciding factor whether we make it 3/3.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I'm torn. I want offense but don't want the defense to fall apart. If someone came in and kept Williams and Wauffle, maybe it would work. I don't know which of them would be most likely to do that. Maybe Shanahan or Schwartz.

I don't want Haley, or any thirty year olds. This team has a discipline problem and a leadership problem. I don't think a young guy fighting for respect would help. Haley didn't have anyone's respect in KC.

I am not high on Shaw. I don't see a lot of difference with he and Fisher.

I don't want any old school guys either. No more 1980's football.

I'm with you on this Elm.
Rather than radical change and disruption, I'd consider moving McGinnis into the top spot and retaining Boras as OC/asst.HC, ... without Fisher breathing down his neck, he should open up that offense. Boras would have orders to hire new offensive line coaches as well as a new QB coach. The Defense and Special Teams coaching remains in tact unless Fisher Jr. follows dad out the door. No long new contracts should be made on offense while Boras is on probation. jmo.