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http://www.warpathconfidential.com/?p=2432
One name not under consideration
By John Pappas
Warpath Confidential Editor
The Washington Redskins are in the midst of a horrible season. Possibly the worst seen around here in a generation. At 3-8, facing increasing injuries, and with a pretty tough remaining schedule, the question is not really whether the Redskins will win many more games. A better question is; will Washington win any more games.
It is the kind of season that will prompt a change in coaches following the season. Especially with this owner. The word on the street is head coach Jim Zorn has almost no chance of retaining his job. It is also possible that vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato may be dismissed, or have his role reduced.
This probable reality has pundits and fans conjecturing on who the likely coaching replacement will be, and if he will be granted team president status. Names such as Cowher, Gruden, Holmgren, and Shanahan have been bandied about. But reports say that Bill Cower won’t work here, Jon Gruden has signed an extension at ESPN, Mike Holmgren was publically critical of the manner in which Zorn was treated in having play calling taken away, and Mike Shanahan is already being courted by Buffalo, who got a head start on their search by firing head coach Dick Jauron in November.
And if Shanahan goes to Buffalo, what then?
Conventional wisdom says owner Dan Snyder wants someone with pedigree, who is a proven commodity. It is thought Snyder wants a coach who has already made a name for himself in the league.
There is one such former head coach who will likely be available this offseason. One who told friends in January that he would like to roam the sidelines again. One who committed to his team for only the current season. One with the juice to bring instant prestige to Washington.
Bill Parcells.
As a head coach Parcells has earned two Super Bowl rings, three conference championships, and eight division titles. He has appeared in the Super Bowl three times, and has taken two different teams there. He has had winning records in 13 of his 19 season as a head coach. Parcells has produced winning seasons at least half the time at every team he has coached. His coaching descendents are guys like Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, and Sean Payton.
And in the Redskins' heyday of the 1980s, Parcells bested Washington head coach Joe Gibbs 11 of 17 times in head-to-head matchups.
Best of all, Parcells knows personnel. He was instrumental in building the talent on teams such as Dallas and Miami. Many believe Dallas enjoyed their 13-3 season record in 2007 because of the team Parcells helped build. And the Dolphins went 11-5 and won the AFC East after Parcells took over as team president.
In Miami, he made a deal to bring in Chad Pennington at quarterback, and hired Tony Sporano as head coach; moves that paid off as Miami won their first division title since 2000, and made their first playoff appearance since 2001.
Parcells has proven he knows how to coach, and how to build a team. Two skills Washington is in dire need of.
But in order for Parcells to come here, he will probably want full control of the football operation. And this is something Snyder is reported to be reluctant to give up. Snyder tried this once before with Marty Schottenheimer, but let him go when Schottenheimer was unwilling to give up partial control of the operation his second year, despite finishing strong his first and only season. Joe Gibbs was given team president status, but it worked only because he gave Snyder a full seat at the table.
Reports say that Cowher will not come as he too wants absolute control, ala Schottenheimer. At the same time however, the current command structure of Cerrato in charge of operations with Snyder having significant input is not only failing, it may inhibit some coaches from coming here.
This leaves Snyder in a bind. On the one hand, things are so bad his fan base is leaving. On the other, giving up full control is anathema to him. But not doing so may prove to be an impediment to getting a marquee name to coach.
In Parcells, Snyder could have proven coach whose name alone would bring respectability back to Washington. His football and personnel knowledge could be instrumental in returning the team to success.
But to get him, Snyder would have to remove himself from the table. And this is not likely to happen.
Note: Site is down for maintenance. Entire article posted.
One name not under consideration
By John Pappas
Warpath Confidential Editor
The Washington Redskins are in the midst of a horrible season. Possibly the worst seen around here in a generation. At 3-8, facing increasing injuries, and with a pretty tough remaining schedule, the question is not really whether the Redskins will win many more games. A better question is; will Washington win any more games.
It is the kind of season that will prompt a change in coaches following the season. Especially with this owner. The word on the street is head coach Jim Zorn has almost no chance of retaining his job. It is also possible that vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato may be dismissed, or have his role reduced.
This probable reality has pundits and fans conjecturing on who the likely coaching replacement will be, and if he will be granted team president status. Names such as Cowher, Gruden, Holmgren, and Shanahan have been bandied about. But reports say that Bill Cower won’t work here, Jon Gruden has signed an extension at ESPN, Mike Holmgren was publically critical of the manner in which Zorn was treated in having play calling taken away, and Mike Shanahan is already being courted by Buffalo, who got a head start on their search by firing head coach Dick Jauron in November.
And if Shanahan goes to Buffalo, what then?
Conventional wisdom says owner Dan Snyder wants someone with pedigree, who is a proven commodity. It is thought Snyder wants a coach who has already made a name for himself in the league.
There is one such former head coach who will likely be available this offseason. One who told friends in January that he would like to roam the sidelines again. One who committed to his team for only the current season. One with the juice to bring instant prestige to Washington.
Bill Parcells.
As a head coach Parcells has earned two Super Bowl rings, three conference championships, and eight division titles. He has appeared in the Super Bowl three times, and has taken two different teams there. He has had winning records in 13 of his 19 season as a head coach. Parcells has produced winning seasons at least half the time at every team he has coached. His coaching descendents are guys like Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, and Sean Payton.
And in the Redskins' heyday of the 1980s, Parcells bested Washington head coach Joe Gibbs 11 of 17 times in head-to-head matchups.
Best of all, Parcells knows personnel. He was instrumental in building the talent on teams such as Dallas and Miami. Many believe Dallas enjoyed their 13-3 season record in 2007 because of the team Parcells helped build. And the Dolphins went 11-5 and won the AFC East after Parcells took over as team president.
In Miami, he made a deal to bring in Chad Pennington at quarterback, and hired Tony Sporano as head coach; moves that paid off as Miami won their first division title since 2000, and made their first playoff appearance since 2001.
Parcells has proven he knows how to coach, and how to build a team. Two skills Washington is in dire need of.
But in order for Parcells to come here, he will probably want full control of the football operation. And this is something Snyder is reported to be reluctant to give up. Snyder tried this once before with Marty Schottenheimer, but let him go when Schottenheimer was unwilling to give up partial control of the operation his second year, despite finishing strong his first and only season. Joe Gibbs was given team president status, but it worked only because he gave Snyder a full seat at the table.
Reports say that Cowher will not come as he too wants absolute control, ala Schottenheimer. At the same time however, the current command structure of Cerrato in charge of operations with Snyder having significant input is not only failing, it may inhibit some coaches from coming here.
This leaves Snyder in a bind. On the one hand, things are so bad his fan base is leaving. On the other, giving up full control is anathema to him. But not doing so may prove to be an impediment to getting a marquee name to coach.
In Parcells, Snyder could have proven coach whose name alone would bring respectability back to Washington. His football and personnel knowledge could be instrumental in returning the team to success.
But to get him, Snyder would have to remove himself from the table. And this is not likely to happen.
Note: Site is down for maintenance. Entire article posted.
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