Mort & Schefter: 10 names in line for head coaching jobs

[nctarheel0619]

 

Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott
Once considered a hot coaching candidate as the late Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's protégé before he was let go in Philadelphia because the job turned out to be too big. McDermott needed to go on his own and prove his worth. He has, taking the Carolina defense to new heights.

UCLA head coach Jim Mora
Has the NFL experience as a head coach with the Falcons and Seahawks, with varying degrees of success, and he would be a popular selection on the West Coast, where fans know what he has done at UCLA.

Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula
Always had the bloodlines, but now has the credentials to go along with them. Shula has brought together a Panthers offense that lacked weapons and elevated it to levels few expected. Now Shula's name is mentioned prominently amongst those who are expected to be on NFL teams' shopping lists, though any team that wants to hire him or McDermott might have to wait a while.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14279278/10-names-next-line-nfl-head-coaches-nfl

 

[Montsta]

Honestly I feel like this is Ron Rivera's team now more than ever. Defensively, I think Ron could hire just about anyone and still field a top 10 unit. Offensively, Cam runs the offense so the man behind the schemes isn't as important as Cam's first couple years IMO. 

It's like when New England lost Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weiss and the juggernaut just kept on moving. 

[tiger7_88]

If Shula ends up leaving, I say just make Cam QB/OC.

:P

[panthers55]

25 minutes ago, Montsta said:

Honestly I feel like this is Ron Rivera's team now more than ever. Defensively, I think Ron could hire just about anyone and still field a top 10 unit. Offensively, Cam runs the offense so the man behind the schemes isn't as important as Cam's first couple years IMO. 

It's like when New England lost Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weiss and the juggernaut just kept on moving. 

I think you are wrong.  It doesnt mean they can't be replaced but by anyone????   McDermott is a really smart guy who understands the zone blitz defense very well having worked under Johnson for a long time. He was let go in Philly without having the linebackers to run his scheme. Rivera knows defense but he doesn't have the time to do it himself.  If McDermott Leaves expect Wilkes to step right in.  It wont be an outside hire.   

This is not Cam's offense this is Shula's offense which he taught Cam.  I dont think that Cam would regress like he would have if this had happened a few years ago, but if he has to learn a different system he will definitely not be as dynamic..  

[panthers55]

16 minutes ago, tiger7_88 said:

If Shula ends up leaving, I say just make Cam QB/OC.

:P

My vote for stupid post of the day.

[Montsta]

2 hours ago, panthers55 said:

I think you are wrong.  It doesnt mean they can't be replaced but by anyone????   McDermott is a really smart guy who understands the zone blitz defense very well having worked under Johnson for a long time. He was let go in Philly without having the linebackers to run his scheme. Rivera knows defense but he doesn't have the time to do it himself.  If McDermott Leaves expect Wilkes to step right in.  It wont be an outside hire.   

This is not Cam's offense this is Shula's offense which he taught Cam.  I dont think that Cam would regress like he would have if this had happened a few years ago, but if he has to learn a different system he will definitely not be as dynamic..  

If either or both coordinators are let go, it's my opinion that Rivera would select their successors based on people he interviewed doing the things the team does well. By that I mean, if Shula leaves, he's not going to find someone with a completely different ideology for an offense. He'll find someone for the sake of continuity, and for that reason not much will change. 

Just my opinion, but I think the team has shown for five years that they will choose continuity for Cam over making a splash hire. 

As far as McDermott goes, I think it's Rivera's defense and McDermott does a great job of implementing it, and history has shown elite defenses have followed Ron Rivera wherever he has been throughout his entire career, be it as a player, coordinator, or head coach. 

Either way it's nice to have coordinators on both sides of the ball that are thought of highly enough to even be having this debate. 

[electro's horse]

Shula to Miami, takes Ken Dorsey with him to be his OC and run his offense, Panthers promote Ricky Proehl

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOK it

[Servant of Cthululelei]

21 minutes ago, Montsta said:

If either or both coordinators are let go, it's my opinion that Rivera would select their predecessors based on people he interviewed doing the things the team does well. By that I mean, if Shula leaves, he's not going to find someone with a completely different ideology for an offense. He'll find someone for the sake of continuity, and for that reason not much will change. 

Just my opinion, but I think the team has shown for five years that they will choose continuity for Cam over making a splash hire. 

As far as McDermott goes, I think it's Rivera's defense and McDermott does a great job of implementing it, and history has shown elite defenses have followed Ron Rivera wherever he has been throughout his entire career, be it as a player, coordinator, or head coach. 

Either way it's nice to have coordinators on both sides of the ball that are thought of highly enough to even be having this debate. 

Predecessors?

So you're saying he would select Chudzinski and Meeks?

[hepcat]

Here's a look at potential head coaching openings:  

LOCK: Miami and Tennessee already fired their coaches and will be looking.  

GOOD CHANCE: San Diego could let McCoy go after a terrible season, St. Louis will probably let go of Fisher (two years too late in my opinion) and Cleveland hires a new head coach every other year.  

MAYBE: The 49ers might cut loose Tomsula, but I think they'll give him another year to right the ship, the team plays hard for him.  Questions might arise in Jacksonville after another losing season, but Bradley seems to have the team heading in the right direction.  The Eagles might let Chip Kelly go after a very disappointing season. Rumors are swirling in New Orleans about parting ways with Sean Payton. 

UNLIKELY: There seems to be a surprise firing every year. Maybe the Bengals fizzle out in the playoffs again and they finally let go of Marvin Lewis.  After starting 1-7, Jim Caldwell looked as good as gone in Detroit, but they are playing much better and after beating the Packers in Green Bay and the team looking much better, I think he's back for another year.  I don't think any coach is safe in the NFC East.  Tom Coughlin has bought himself a lot of time with two Superbowl rings, but another losing season in a year they could have easily made the playoffs in a weak division could be the final straw. Gruden might get the axe in Washington with an impatient owner looking to move on from the failed RGIII trade.  Who knows what Jerry Jones will do in Dallas, but I suspect he tries to give it one more go behind Garrett with a healthy Romo in 2016.

 

Overall I think it's safe to say.  McDermott is as good as gone.  He's overseen a top 10 defense four seasons in a row.  He will get offers.  St. Louis might be a good fit - they've already have a lot of the pieces to run his scheme and a lot of talent.  The most interesting scenario is possibly returning to Philadelphia if the  Eagles let go of Chip Kelly after a disastrous season. I agree with others in saying that I'd expect Steve Wilks to be promoted to defensive coordinator.  I'm sure Ron knows McDermott is going to get his chance and has had this planned for years.

On offense, I'd be surprised if Shula goes.  He'll definitely be a candidate and get some interviews, but to me he's not "sure-fire gone" like McDermott.  Shula has already been a head coach at the college level and it wasn't what most would call "successful".  He seems to do better out of the spotlight, but if the chance comes knocking, he would probably take it.  A Miami-Shula match might be too tempting PR for the Dolphins to pass up, especially if he comes with an undefeated Superbowl ring after this season.

It'll be interesting to see but I think at the very least we're losing McDermott, but who knows.  Maybe the culture in Carolina is just so great that they want to stick around and continue to beat up teams with this great team they've built.  Winning sure does beat starting over...but these guys will want their chance at the top gig.  Time will tell.

[Mr. Scot]

I think everybody knows Steve Wilks will get the DC job if McDermott leaves. That is unless he follows McDermott to his new destination (unlikely).

Replacing Shula? My first choice would be Bengals QB Coach Ken Zampese. 

[Mr. Scot]

I get the feeling that Mike Shula might wind up being a better head coach than a lot of people think.

Worth remembering that coordinating and head coaching are different skill sets. That's a big reason why some fantastic coordinators fail as head coaches.

[Montsta]

1 hour ago, Servant of Cthululelei said:

Predecessors?

So you're saying he would select Chudzinski and Meeks?

Sorry, successors. 

Its been a long day at work. 

[MrPickles]

3 hours ago, nctarheel0619 said:

 

UCLA head coach Jim Mora
Has the NFL experience as a head coach with the Falcons and Seahawks, with varying degrees of success, and he would be a popular selection on the West Coast, where fans know what he has done at UCLA

 

What has Mora done? This guy might be the most over-hyped coach ever. I hope some NFL team is dumb enough to hire that knuckle dragger.

[rodeo]

2 hours ago, electro's horse said:

Shula to Miami, takes Ken Dorsey with him to be his OC and run his offense, Panthers promote Ricky Proehl

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOK it

Both options have never called a play in their lives at any level.