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Lombardi speculates on coaching hires

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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An Athletic article by former NFL GM Mike Lombardi about what coaches might fit the best with what teams.

From the GM's eye
 

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After Panthers owner David Tepper fired Ron Rivera on Tuesday, he answered questions about what the professional profile of his next potential head coach might look like. “In the modern NFL, I think there is a preference for offensive coordinators,” Tepper said. “I think there are reasons for that. That does not mean that if you find somebody fantastic on the defensive side, I won’t consider it if he has old-school discipline and modern and innovative processes. The question is if you can have a defensive guy that has that, too. He may think the offensive coaches have that more, and then it’s how that gets implemented. The NFL has made rules to lean to the offense. That’s why you’re having more people go that way.”

What I love about Tepper’s response is the amount of thought he has given this subject matter. He did not buy the Panthers and then immediately search for candidates who might be the best fit for his team. Instead, after buying the Panthers, Tepper studied the NFL and examined the traits needed in a head coach, which will allow him to properly formulate his list. Tepper based his criteria on what will make his team victorious in the long term, using data to support his conclusions. Tepper won’t be calling media types for names or high-profile agents for their client list. Whoever becomes the next head coach of the Panthers will come off a list generated from his data analysis, combined with a tough-minded team builder. And this is the perfect way to pick a coach.

 

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Becoming a head coach in the NFL is much like American politics. Securing the position requires winning the primaries and then the general election. Merit often plays no role — in fact, having a cup of coffee with Rams coach Sean McVay at times can prove more valuable than a career filled with wins. The reality of today’s NFL is that “electability” is the only criterion. Selectability went out the window long ago. The question owners ask now is: Can this coach make the fans and media happy? Most owners are not deep thinkers like Tepper; they don’t know what they want or, more importantly, what their organization needs. Wanting and needing are two different things. Take the New York Giants as an example: They want a coach to fill their organizational structure … but they need to revamp their organization. Regardless of whom they fire or hire, they won’t win unless they fix their fundamental problems first. Tepper, on the other hand, already has handled his underlying issues; now, he begins the search for who can fill those roles.

Not all coaches are “fits” for all spots. That’s why the annual “hot list” of coaches that outlets write about each winter isn’t an accurate look at reality, because each team should have different criteria; each team should have different wants and needs. The idea that one coach is “hot” and will interview at all the openings is not plausible. Instead, what I will do below is divide potential top coaching candidates into different categories based on their strengths — from the culture builders to the defensive minds — and the needs they might be able to fill.

 

Here are Lombardi's takes on some of the names that have been connected to the Panthers so far...

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Mike McCarthy, former coach of the Packers: So much can change with a coach when he has time off. After being fired by the Packers last winter, McCarthy had a season away from the sidelines this year, and as a result, he had time to expand his offensive strategy and work on his overall leadership skills. If McCarthy used this time wisely, working on game management and overall team building, then he’ll be able to create new ways to succeed the second time around. It’s easy to say that McCarthy never had to do much coaching because he had Aaron Rodgers, but in reality, winning 135 games, including a Super Bowl in 2010, is impressive regardless of who is under center. McCarthy is tough and would bring instant credibility and accountability to an organization. It would be a natural for McCarthy to work with John Dorsey in Cleveland, as the both of them shared success while in Green Bay.

 

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Matt Rhule, Baylor: Rhule has flirted with two NFL teams over the past two offseasons: the Colts and the Jets. Ultimately, he decided to return to Baylor both times. After a remarkable 2019 season in Waco (only his third year in charge there), he’ll be playing for the Big 12 championship. And with a great Baylor contract, he can certainly be picky when it comes to his NFL choices. He’s not desperate to walk into a bad situation (pay attention, New York Giants!) and can dictate the terms for what he will need to continue his successful ways. Rhule needs to value the specific owner, not the team’s talent base, because owners matter when you’re trying to rebuild the culture: owners who want change will not listen to the complainers within who resist new styles.

 

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Josh McDaniels, OC, Patriots: One thing is clear from the number of teams McDaniels has turned down: He won’t take just any job. He is not going to walk into a bad organizational situation with a sitting general manager who controls the players, who does not value character or high levels of intelligence. McDaniels might be on everyone’s list, but he is not perfect for everyone. When David Tepper was describing his ideal coach, he described McDaniels perfectly without ever mentioning his name. When McDaniels commits to his next head coaching position, he will need a stable owner who values a player who loves the name on the front of the jersey more than the name on the back. McDaniels, who spurned the Colts in February 2018, briefly flirted with the Giants two years ago but had concerns about their outdated organizational methods. Will his view on the Giants change if New York removes head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman? Only time will tell.

 

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Greg Roman, OC, Ravens: Roman has come a long way from being fired by Rex Ryan of the Bills early in the 2016 season. Roman has created new, innovative ideas with the dynamic Ravens offense, particularly with their run game. Yes, Lamar Jackson is a generational athlete, but Roman has done a fantastic job of matching the plays to the player. Can he handle an entire organization? Or will he struggle like Ryan thought he did in Buffalo? Roman will need a good infrastructure, as well as an organization that might not want to be traditional in how it moves the football. If the Falcons make a move, Roman might be the perfect coach to help them find a young quarterback to pair with Matt Ryan, adding a unique element to their attack — much like the rival Saints do with Taysom Hill and Drew Brees.

 

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Kevin Stefanski, OC, Vikings: Stefanski fits the Tepper profile as well. He has an offensive mind, and he’s smart, tough and innovative. Stefanski has done a great job running the offense in his first season as the official play caller in Minnesota. Last year, when he took over for John DeFilippo, there was no foundation of a run game to build upon. This year, with Gary Kubiak’s help, Stefanski looks like the real deal. He’ll appeal to any team looking for a smart, tough minded coach. Stefanski learned the Bill Parcells Way through his head coach Mike Zimmer, and he has to be one of the coaches on Tepper’s list in Carolina.

 

 And one more who's no longer Panthers related but will likely be coaching elsewhere...

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Ron Rivera, former coach of the Panthers: Rivera won 76 games as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers during his nine-season tenure. The bulk of those wins occurred during three seasons: 2013, 2015, and 2017. Rivera is a man’s man, and he was widely respected by players and coaches around the Panthers organization. He is a former player who speaks from authority and would be perfect for any young team that needs adult supervision (like Cleveland).

 

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

McCarthy seems like the antithesis of what Tepper talks about wanting in a HC.

I'm not absolutely certain yet that McCarthy's a real candidate.

He's one of those guys who gets his name automatically connected every time a job is open (kind of like Cowher and Gruden used to be) but you're correct that he doesn't really seem to fit the description that Tepper gave for what he'd want.

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DubE_4MR Newbie

DubE_4MR

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If you are big on Cam Newton staying in Carolina, then Matt Rhule should be high on your list. Power run offense, RPO concepts, spreads the ball around, really an offense that plays to his strengths. I think the probably of Cam staying would be the highest with Matt Rhule.

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Go DJ that's my DJ Newbie

Go DJ that's my DJ

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45 minutes ago, DubE_4MR said:

If you are big on Cam Newton staying in Carolina, then Matt Rhule should be high on your list. Power run offense, RPO concepts, spreads the ball around, really an offense that plays to his strengths. I think the probably of Cam staying would be the highest with Matt Rhule.

I saw a Matt Rhule led team blow a 28-3 lead a couple weeks ago. HARD PASS

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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1 hour ago, DubE_4MR said:

If you are big on Cam Newton staying in Carolina, then Matt Rhule should be high on your list. Power run offense, RPO concepts, spreads the ball around, really an offense that plays to his strengths. I think the probably of Cam staying would be the highest with Matt Rhule.

I don't wanna make a coaching decision based on something that might or might not happen, regardless of who we hire.

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