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Quick hitter on firings and I'll bet I know who the replacements are

L

LZ

Waterboy
I just knocked out a quick hit blog entry on my thoughts on the firings and who I think will replace the coaches.

I was surprised by John Hoke's firing but I'm fairly certain I know who his replacement will be. Once you read the entry, you'll probably agree.

Richard Smith got whacked because Gary Kubiak wanted things to get better. Truth be told, I think Smith had to go. The fact that Frank Bush is already on the staff made it an easier decision in all likelihood.

As for Jethro, I was surprised he was let go too, but since he coaches a position with a ton of money invested in it, it isn't entirely surprising to see him gone. The Texans may have someone already in mind for his position as well.

Here is my blog entry. They just put it up.
 
Thanks LZ.

Bio on David Gibbs - link

David Gibbs enters his third campaign as the Chiefs defensive backs coach in 2008. He owns six seasons of experience coaching in the AFC West after enjoying a four-year stint with Denver (2001-04). He joined Kansas City after serving as the defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Auburn in 2005.
Under Gibbs’ leadership a year ago, the Chiefs ranked fifth in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 188.9 yards per game. Kansas City permitted 17 TD passes in 2007, a mark that tied for fourth in the NFL and was the club’s lowest total since ‘98. Gibbs was instrumental in the development of second-year safeties Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard, who both became full-time starters in 2007.

In his first season with the Chiefs, Gibbs led a Chiefs secondary that allowed only 208.4 passing yards per game in 2006. Kansas City also limited opponents to only 45 completions of 20+ yards as the Chiefs relinquished just one 300-yard passer.

Under his direction in 2005, the Auburn defense permitted 15.5 points per game to rank sixth in the NCAA. His squad also led the SEC with 39.0 sacks. The Tigers tied for second in the NCAA by allowing only eight touchdown passes on the season and 199.0 passing yards per game.

Prior to joining Auburn, Gibbs spent four seasons coaching the defensive backfield for the Broncos in his first NFL coaching stop. In his second season overseeing the enitre Denver secondary in 2003, the Broncos ranked fourth in the league in total defense, limiting opponents to 277.1 yards per game. Gibbs implemented a pair of first-year starters that season as Denver finished sixth in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 176.8 yards per game.

Gibbs spent 10 years at the collegiate level before entering the NFL ranks, including four seasons as the defensive coordinator/secondary coach at the University of Minnesota. In ‘97 he became the youngest defensive coordinator in NCAA Division I-A when the Gophers hired him to lead their defense. He oversaw a dramatic turnaround of a defensive unit that ranked last in the Big Ten prior to his arrival, but improved to fourth in total defense by ‘99. Minnesota led the Big Ten in pass defense (179.4) and ranked second in pass defense efficiency (98.3) and scoring defense (16.3), each figure ranking eighth in the nation that season.
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Sounds reasonable with Gibbs and Bush. I hope you are right about Marinelli, although I think he's more likely to be a DC somewhere instead of just coaching a line, hope I am wrong.
 
Hardcore Texan said:
Sounds reasonable with Gibbs and Bush. I hope you are right about Marinelli, although I think he's more likely to be a DC somewhere instead of just coaching a line, hope I am wrong.
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Marinelli has some re-inventing of himself to do. Here he could work with some of the best coordinators of his day on both sides of the ball with a fairly talented bunch of players at key positions. He could come here, work on his core competence, post some significant/tangible results and get back on the HC radar within two years.
 
Kaiser Toro said:
Marinelli has some re-inventing of himself to do. Here he could work with some of the best coordinators of his day on both sides of the ball with a fairly talented bunch of players at key positions. He could come here, work on his core competence, post some significant/tangible results and get back on the HC radar within two years.
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He is a classic example of the peter principle.
 
1. Will this affect Alex Gibbs' status with the Texans? The Broncos cleaned house, but they have GOT to bring in personnel to provide some offensive continuity. You just don't install a new offensive system when your offense is as elite as Denver's is.

2. Will this affect Kyle Shanahan? Could he and/or Gibbs be headed for Denver? Again - they're going to want to bring in a staff that can coach the same kind of offense they had in 2008.
 
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Here's my viewpoint on the firings.

I have to say that I am completely meh on Frank Bush being the DC. What is the argument that would say that he would be anything better than what we have had?

Blog post: A Texan fan's plea for an experienced defensive coordinator

Here's Bush's background:

BUSH’S COACHING LEDGER
2007-08: Senior Defensive Assistant, Houston Texans
2006: Asst. Head Coach/Linebackers, Arizona Cardinals
2004-05: Linebackers, Arizona Cardinals
2001-03: Special Teams, Denver Broncos
2000: Secondary/Nickel Package, Denver Broncos
1995-99: Linebackers, Denver Broncos
1992-94: Linebackers, Houston Oilers
1987-92: Scout, Houston Oilers
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Yawn.

There is no salary cap on coaches salaries. Give us a choice that gives us some hope.
 
I am not enthusiastic about Bush. Kubiak's original thoughts on who to lead the defense, the initial Carr debacle and Kubiak's in game management show me that his gut ain't a good place to find answers.

Staffs are being let go, left and right. I am sure he had a list of folks to interview immediatley and hopefully that list got incrementally bigger with the recent rash of transactions. Take it slow, get the right input and make an informed decision.
 
DiehardChris said:
1. Will this affect Alex Gibbs' status with the Texans? The Broncos cleaned house, but they have GOT to bring in personnel to provide some offensive continuity. You just don't install a new offensive system when your offense is as elite as Denver's is.

2. Will this affect Kyle Shanahan? Could he and/or Gibbs be headed for Denver? Again - they're going to want to bring in a staff that can coach the same kind of offense they had in 2008.
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If anything, I can see the addition of David Gibbs as a sign that Alex will be back another year (if it happened). I don't think Shanny's firing will have any impact on anything.
 
LZ said:
If anything, I can see the addition of David Gibbs as a sign that Alex will be back another year (if it happened). I don't think Shanny's firing will have any impact on anything.
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Well, thank the gods for that. I hope you're right.

(I'm a worrier)
 
Kaiser Toro said:
I am not enthusiastic about Bush. Kubiak's original thoughts on who to lead the defense, the initial Carr debacle and Kubiak's in game management show me that his gut ain't a good place to find answers.

Staffs are being let go, left and right. I am sure he had a list of folks to interview immediatley and hopefully that list got incrementally bigger with the recent rash of transactions. Take it slow, get the right input and make an informed decision.
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In this business "who you know" is critical in many hirings. That isn't to say that those coaches aren't competent, it's just that head coaches like to have guys around them they know and trust and if Kubiak has shown anything it is that he likes to have a familiarity with players/coaches.
 
LZ,

The Broncos can't POSSIBLY change their offensive scheme, right? I mean, they HAVE to bring in guys who will run a scheme as close to 2008 as possible, right? I mean, they have an ELITE offense! No way they can abandon that! I'm shocked. Shocked.
 
LZ said:
In this business "who you know" is critical in many hirings. That isn't to say that those coaches aren't competent, it's just that head coaches like to have guys around them they know and trust and if Kubiak has shown anything it is that he likes to have a familiarity with players/coaches.
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I am familar with the annual carousel from my days as a collegiate basketball coach.

I am all for familiarity, and its benefits. However, Kubiak's familiarity with how to correct this defense has been missing and in my opinion it starts with the familiarity of his staff.
 
LZ said:
In this business "who you know" is critical in many hirings. That isn't to say that those coaches aren't competent, it's just that head coaches like to have guys around them they know and trust and if Kubiak has shown anything it is that he likes to have a familiarity with players/coaches.
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That would be more reassuring if Denver defenses were among the best in the league.
 
Texans_Chick said:
Really, unless it is an offensive guy from Denver, it isn't someone who I am particularly enthusiastic about.
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Don't get me wrong, it's not that I really want Bush as DC, it's just that it seems a likely choice to me given the circumstances. I'm hoping the Texans shop around for a while before naming anyone.
 
Thorn said:
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I really want Bush as DC, it's just that it seems a likely choice to me given the circumstances. I'm hoping the Texans shop around for a while before naming anyone.
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Not to speak for TC, but yeah a plan B is always nice. I just hope that there is a plan A, A1, A2, A3 , etc... :specnatz:
 
LZ says Nolan is a 3-4 guy, but I could have sworn I read something that said he was both a 3-4 and/or a 4-3...that Nolan has done both, or has been involved with both before?

I wouldn't mind seeing BOTH styles. Doesn't Pittsburgh go 3-4 and 4-3 to give different looks and disguise/confuse things in the heat of a game?

Bush being retained, but not yet "named" DC is (to me, and others) an indication that Bush is Plan B if we don't get A, or A-1, or A-2, etc., as Kaiser pointed out.

I wonder Bush had influence and/or direction of the defense in the games where our defense looked radically better than usual?
 
I'd put my money on Bush being the DC. It just sounds like something the Texans would do, although it will be interesting to see how Bush will fill the now vacant positional coach slots. I don't think he's going to try to run the defense with just him, Holland, and a broken down Ray Rhodes.
 
I, for one, *don't* want Rod Marinelli as our D-Line coach. He has that 0-16 stink on him. Talented or not, if we take him on, we will pay. <shudder>
 
Texans_Chick said:
I have to say that I am completely meh on Frank Bush being the DC. What is the argument that would say that he would be anything better than what we have had?
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I tend to agree - try to obtain excellence instead of just promoting from within. However if he has a pulse he has to be better than what we have had...
 
DiehardChris said:
LZ,

The Broncos can't POSSIBLY change their offensive scheme, right? I mean, they HAVE to bring in guys who will run a scheme as close to 2008 as possible, right? I mean, they have an ELITE offense! No way they can abandon that! I'm shocked. Shocked.
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Why couldn't they change that scheme? They started to depart a little bit from the pure zone stuff this year with Cutler at the helm. I don't think they are married to the ZBS.
 
GP said:
LZ says Nolan is a 3-4 guy, but I could have sworn I read something that said he was both a 3-4 and/or a 4-3...that Nolan has done both, or has been involved with both before?

I wouldn't mind seeing BOTH styles. Doesn't Pittsburgh go 3-4 and 4-3 to give different looks and disguise/confuse things in the heat of a game?

Bush being retained, but not yet "named" DC is (to me, and others) an indication that Bush is Plan B if we don't get A, or A-1, or A-2, etc., as Kaiser pointed out.

I wonder Bush had influence and/or direction of the defense in the games where our defense looked radically better than usual?
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Nolan tried to turn SF into a 3-4 defense but never really got the defensive front right. The Steelers run a 3-4 with variations based upon additional DBs and occasionally an extra LB and one less d-linemen. The Texans aren't even remotely close to having the right LBs for a 3-4 in my opinion. The d-line would actually be a pretty good fit, however.
 
LZ said:
Nolan tried to turn SF into a 3-4 defense but never really got the defensive front right. The Steelers run a 3-4 with variations based upon additional DBs and occasionally an extra LB and one less d-linemen. The Texans aren't even remotely close to having the right LBs for a 3-4 in my opinion. The d-line would actually be a pretty good fit, however.
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Hmmm...we have some speed with DeMeco, Adibi, and possibly Diles if his rehab goes well. They could cover WRs and/or rush the passer. Is your opinion on our LBs not being a fit due to their smallish size, getting pushed over on the run by a beefy o-line?

Regardless, I don't see Mike Nolan desiring to come to Houston. Which I think is coupled with our perception of McNair whom we think is too tight with the wallet when it comes to grabbing really good, well-known coaches.

Frank Bush is looking more and more like he'll be the new DC. Do you think Bush was calling the defense when we went on the 4-game winning streak? Those four games, and the Chicago game, were in stark contrast to the Oakland game. Our defense in the Oak game was very Richard Smith: Lots of bend-but-don't-break mentality the whole way.
 
Texans_Chick said:
Here's my viewpoint on the firings.

I have to say that I am completely meh on Frank Bush being the DC. What is the argument that would say that he would be anything better than what we have had?

Blog post: A Texan fan's plea for an experienced defensive coordinator

Here's Bush's background:



Yawn.

There is no salary cap on coaches salaries. Give us a choice that gives us some hope.
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That has been my point forever. Why not spend the extra nickle and get the best guy available? Is Bush actually the best guy available? or just the guy most likely to agree to come to Houston?

Another caveat: One thing is for sure, the longer the successor isn't rolled out in a press conference the greater chance that it is someone NOT named Bush as DC. I think if it was Bush, we would have known immediately. Methinks there may be a search/courting process going on behind the scenes.

Just a crazy day today in the NFL. Fisher is now the longest tenured coach in the league.
 
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Second Honeymoon said:
That has been my point forever. Why not spend the extra nickle and get the best guy available? Is Bush actually the best guy available? or just the guy most likely to agree to come to Houston?

Just a crazy day today in the NFL. Fisher is now the longest tenured coach in the league.
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Fisher was already the longest active tenured NFL coach.
 
LZ said:
Why couldn't they change that scheme? They started to depart a little bit from the pure zone stuff this year with Cutler at the helm. I don't think they are married to the ZBS.
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I just can't imagine a team changing much after the numbers they put up on 2008.

Do you think this is the type of situation that would coax Cowher out of retirement? Clearly he could "buy the groceries AND cook the meals" in Denver... and Bolen isn't a cheap owner... great city... great fans... sounds like a good fit.
 
We need an explosive defense..on that wreaks havoc in the backfield...this will shore up our secondary because Peyton needs to be roughed up and if our defense can routinely get to him..then no qb is safe. We need a Jim Johnson/ Pittsburgh style defense(what is that guys name I am blanking right now)

Anyways teams fear Mario but the rest of the defense not so much , we need to put him in a position to be a superstar and raise the rest. whoever can do that should have the job.
 
DiehardChris said:
I just can't imagine a team changing much after the numbers they put up on 2008.

Do you think this is the type of situation that would coax Cowher out of retirement? Clearly he could "buy the groceries AND cook the meals" in Denver... and Bolen isn't a cheap owner... great city... great fans... sounds like a good fit.
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Cowher wouldn't talk to the Browns, but is reportedly set to talk to the Jets. THAT surprised me: I figured he would jump at the Browns job, with the rabid fan base, his roots there, etc.

Why would anybody want to coach the Jets? Has to be the most unforgiving job out there...other than the Giants.
 
spurstexanstros said:
We need an explosive defense..on that wreaks havoc in the backfield...this will shore up our secondary because Peyton needs to be roughed up and if our defense can routinely get to him..then no qb is safe. We need a Jim Johnson/ Pittsburgh style defense(what is that guys name I am blanking right now)

Anyways teams fear Mario but the rest of the defense not so much , we need to put him in a position to be a superstar and raise the rest. whoever can do that should have the job.
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I agree, but until we get a good bookend DE on the other side of Mario, that isn't happening.
 
spurstexanstros said:
We need an explosive defense..on that wreaks havoc in the backfield...this will shore up our secondary because Peyton needs to be roughed up and if our defense can routinely get to him..then no qb is safe. We need a Jim Johnson/ Pittsburgh style defense(what is that guys name I am blanking right now)

Anyways teams fear Mario but the rest of the defense not so much , we need to put him in a position to be a superstar and raise the rest. whoever can do that should have the job.
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Dick LaBeau. He may get another chance at HC once the Steelers season ends though. He was just given the lifetime achievement award by the Steelers so maybe he may want to venture out again and challenge himself. His age is getting up there but I think he might get a call or two. So he didn't turn the Bengals franchise around. Should that be a Scarlet letter in regards to him being a head coach again?
 
Second Honeymoon said:
Dick LaBeau. He may get another chance at HC once the Steelers season ends though. He was just given the lifetime achievement award by the Steelers so maybe he may want to venture out again and challenge himself. His age is getting up there but I think he might get a call or two. So he didn't turn the Bengals franchise around. Should that be a Scarlet letter in regards to him being a head coach again?
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I think if Dick LaBeau wanted to be a head coach, he'd be one. I think he loves what he does. LZ has ties to the Steeler organization - he could probably shed a little light.
 
DiehardChris said:
I think if Dick LaBeau wanted to be a head coach, he'd be one. I think he loves what he does. LZ has ties to the Steeler organization - he could probably shed a little light.
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He does love what he does and is probably very happy in Pittsburgh but he may want a new challenge since he was knighted by the Steelers. I just feel if he was open to it, he would be on at least one team's short list...and there are some nice jobs out there this offseason. Denver comes to mind. That is a good job with a pretty good owner and in a poor division. Someone could have a lot of success in Denver.
 
GP said:
Hmmm...we have some speed with DeMeco, Adibi, and possibly Diles if his rehab goes well. They could cover WRs and/or rush the passer. Is your opinion on our LBs not being a fit due to their smallish size, getting pushed over on the run by a beefy o-line?
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3-4 OLB's have to take on offensive tackles and have to cover backs in space...our guys could cover in space but would get eaten up vs the run since there are only 3 linemen covering 5 offensive linemen....gotta have more size to be a credible 3-4 olb.
 
LZ said:
Nolan is a 3-4 advocate so that knocks him out.
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Is he incapable of coaching a 4-3? I am wondering this because several of the "3-4 guys" out there have some experience with a 4-3 and/or a hybrid of both. I don't think they're going to knock a guy who is like that off their list. I just don't know if Nolan has that flexibility to him.
 
Hervoyel said:
Is he incapable of coaching a 4-3? I am wondering this because several of the "3-4 guys" out there have some experience with a 4-3 and/or a hybrid of both. I don't think they're going to knock a guy who is like that off their list. I just don't know if Nolan has that flexibility to him.
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his defenses in san fran were just awful...as were his pressers. I'd pass.
 
Ray Lewis is appearing to be one of those rare players that gets coaches hired. I am purely bloviating from a pre-revisionist viewpoint, via the present.
 
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