Coaches on their first gig that are currently in the playoffs: John Harbaugh Jim Harbaugh Mike Tomlin Gary Kubiak Mike McCarthy Sean Payton Rex Ryan Mike Smith Jim Schwartz Coaches with prior HC experience that are currently in the playoffs: Bill Belichick Tim Coughlin John Fox
Rex Ryan is not young at all. Both Harbaugh's have had success but so did those coaches that got fired this year. Mike Tomlin, who was given the keys to a ****ing Bentley. Jim Schwartz? Really? he's on the verge of an epic collapse. last but not least GARY KUBIAK? you have got to be kidding me right?
One other notable example is one of the best D-coordinators in NFL history, Dick LeBeau, who had a 12-33 record as a head coach. Some coordinators realize sooner than later that they are good at one side of the ball and stick to that, and LeBeau is one of those. Wade should look at his own resume and realize that too.
I'm pretty sure LeBeau would take a head coach job, if offered. The problem is teams won't give him one, just like they won't give one to Wade now, either. The only difference is LeBeau doesn't have articles written about his head-coaching potential because John McClain isn't his team's primary beat writer.
While I'd never defend his previous choices, one thing I will say in Kubiak's defense: he has consistently identified and corrected the vast majority of problems with this team; especially, of course, offensively. So I have a hard time believing he hasn't learned his lesson here and that if they do have to hire a new DC, that'll he'll revert back to what was obviously not working previously.
What about Buddy Ryan in Arizona? That went well... Again, I don't think Wade Phillips as HC is going to galvanize season ticket holders for any NFL team next year.
Just FYI, Wade Phillips has a better regular season winning percentage (.582) than Jeff Fisher (.542) or Jon Gruden (.539). Those guys have been to Super Bowls and had postseason success. But Wade Phillips has had a pretty decent head coaching career; much better than LaBeau's, for example.
I would think that someone would have at least given a phone call to LeBeau after those Super Bowl years. But just like your previous post said, perception is reality and the perception of Wade as a HC is generally not good. His playoff failures are the main things sticking out in his resume. Also, it seems "he lost control of the team" seems to crop up in his firings as a HC.
No, I know - I don't think he's a viable candidate and that's in large part because of what a collosal failure his final year in Dallas was. Having said that, interested teams are going to do their homework and see that he's better than what is likely the perception.
But don't forget - then they have to sell it to their (most likely angry) fans. Hell, it was hard enough to sell him to us as a DC last year.
Here's a hypothetical: What if Wade is the HC of the Texans and Kubiak is just the offensive coordinator? Other personnel/players are the same for simplicity sake.What would be our record? The same? Less wins, more wins?
Kind of selfish for Texans fans to wish Wade doesn't get a HC job. I mean, he should do what is best for him. Texans fans should be happy for it. It is like a boss not promoting his best employee because he is too good to lose. Just a *****ty think to do to someone Rocket River
Before this year . . . alot of folx thought Kubiak was not HC material but only OC material Now he has a good DC . . .all of a sudden he is a good HC. Hypothetically . . if Wade gets a OC that is as good as he is a DC he will be HC material .. . all of a sudden Rocket River
I think it would be exactly the same. Kubiak would have complete control of the offense, Phillips would have complete control of the defense. Just like it is now.
He *should* do what's best for him. Arguably, that would mean staying right here. He's clearly elite at one job and ho-hum at the other. Any HC job he'd go to would likely have far less talent and playoff potential than here. So, for Wade's best chance to a) be elite, b) win and win big, he should stay right here. Additionally, there may be at least *some* lower level of stress as DC rather than HC. So yeah, I want Wade to stay here. So sue me. :grin:
Would Wade control the special teams the same way also? How about the challenges? There are some decisions and situations that solely rest on the HC during the game.
More specifically, the decision to kick the FG or punt in certain situations, or to make an onside kick. Those kind of decisions on how to use the special teams rests on the HC.
The hypothetical question is if Wade is the HC, would the team be better, worse, or the same. So the hypothetical is more about Wade, not Gary. But to answer your question, Gary has made good decisions with specials teams this year, but that ironically coincides with having a defense he can rely on.
