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Head Coach Candidates

Mollywhopper said:
And no coach has ever lied ever about their potential next season whereabouts in a press conference in the middle of an ongoing season.. good grief..

Also I don't have any strong advocation at all about Dabo coming here, I'm against it versus the other potential candidates in fact. But c'mon, bud..
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He's under contract with Clemson thru 2028 @ ~$9.3m per.

Take into account that's nearly twice what OB earned here and then there's how much it would cost to buy him out of that contractual obligation.

Add that all up and they'd probably have to invest $15m-$18m per year into him for this grand experiment.


It aint happening.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
I want Greg Roman.
Texans need Greg Roman.

I want a guy who is responsible for the entire offense. I like Bieniemy and would not be upset with that hire, but Reid is what makes that engine go imo.

Roman has done well with mobile qbs. Kaep,Tyrod and now Jackson. And I think Deshaun’s Skillset is closer to those guys than it is to Mahomes. Mahomeshas good mobility, but that dude is a football thrower. He is a distributor of the rock like a pg picking defenses apart. He just has a better arm and sees the field differently.

Not to make this a Watson thread, but I think he needs to have more designed plays that take advantage of his running ability. There’s easy yards to be picked up that have been left on the field simply due to over complicating things.

I think Roman matches well with Watson, and based on his background and reading about him he seems extremely flexible. Willing to take chances and try things based on his personnel. I also like that he’s Been in and around multiple organizations so he probably has a good idea of what to avoid and what to incorporate.
Plus he seems like the kind of upbeat personality this team will need next year.

So yeah, he’s the guy I’m hoping for.
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Isn't he the QB coach when David Carr was here? :hides:
 
Corrosion said:
He's under contract with Clemson thru 2028 @ ~$9.3m per.

Take into account that's nearly twice what OB earned here and then there's how much it would cost to buy him out of that contractual obligation.

Add that all up and they'd probably have to invest $15m-$18m per year into him for this grand experiment.


It aint happening.
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I don't particularly want to see him here.
 
I want the best candidate for the job.

I don't want to be pigeonholed into looking for an offensive coordinator that can help Watson. I don't want to be focused into looking at a defensive coordinator to help the defense.

I want the guy who looks to be ready to be a HC. A guy who has been in the NFL for 8 to 10 years. A guy who has installed an offense, or a defense. A guy who has developed players. A guy who coached a disciplined squad.

The last questions I want to ask is, "Can DeShaun run your offense." or "Do we have the personnel to run your defense."

"Can you coach?"

"Can you teach?"

"Can you win?"
 
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76Texan said:
Isn't he the QB coach when David Carr was here? :hides:
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Yep.
He had never coached QBs before capers promoted him there. so keep in mind that was his first time working with QB’s. That said, Carr got better under Roman’s tutelage despite the OL situation and all the sacks he was taking.

But all that said, almost every coach is going to have some duds on their resume. Most aren’t flawless and I actually like a coach that has experienced some failure.

I wouldnt put it past OB to take a break and learn from his experiences here and become a better coach. I think Kubiak was a better coach in Denver than he was here.

But anywho, I found this article about Roman and his time here as qb coach:

By 2004, Roman was in his seventh season working for Capers – the first four in Carolina – and had been given countless titles: defensive quality control coach, offensive quality control coach, offensive assistant, assistant offensive line coach and tight ends coach.

Capers felt Roman, then 31, had received a comprehensive education. So although Roman had never worked with quarterbacks, his mastery of other offensive positions and ability to recognize a defense’s weakness had him tutoring Carr.

In two seasons with Roman as his quarterbacks coach, Carr had 30 touchdowns, 25 interceptions and an 80.5 passer rating. In his three other seasons as Houston’s starter, Carr had 29 touchdowns, 40 interceptions and a 71.7 rating.

“I think some people might see it as being an unusual move,” Capers said. “But when you sit in the meeting room and you know that you’ve got a guy in there that understands not only the run game, but the protections and has also been involved in the pass game because he’s coached the tight ends … I just felt at the time that Greg was the most qualified guy to move to the quarterback position.”
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Redirect Notice

www.google.com
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Yep.
He had never coached QBs before capers promoted him there. so keep in mind that was his first time working with QB’s. That said, Carr got better under Roman’s tutelage despite the OL situation and all the sacks he was taking.

But all that said, almost every coach is going to have some duds on their resume. Most aren’t flawless and I actually like a coach that has experienced some failure.

I wouldnt put it past OB to take a break and learn from his experiences here and become a better coach. I think Kubiak was a better coach in Denver than he was here.

But anywho, I found this article about Roman and his time here as qb coach:



Redirect Notice

www.google.com
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Good take and good read.

Anyhow, even knowing the QBs he had worked with, it's still interesting that under Roman, the team always ranks near the bottom in passing attempts (between 29th and closer to 32n)
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/RomaGr0.htm

Also, all of the teams he worked for have/had a solid to great defense (mostly great).
His offense performs pretty much in line with how the D fares.
And he always inherits a solid to great group to work with.

Unless we can also get a great DC to go along with him, I don't know how it will work out.
Maybe he can get the run game going, and with Watson - presumably a better passer than the other QBs, he can elevate the pass game also.

But overall, I don't see anything that screams out "genius"; not to take away any credit from him.
 
76Texan said:
But overall, I don't see anything that screams out "genius"; not to take away any credit from him.
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Genius is a tough standard to live up to. I’m just looking for a solid coach with a good history of making things better and has shown ability to adapt to personnel....(since personnel is going to be constantly changing)

Right now, based on things I’ve read and seen I like Roman. Especially matched with Watson. Doesn’t mean I don’t like or wouldnt be happy with a number of other candidates. We don’t actually get to make the choice anyways so whoever it is I’ll be optimistic regardless since we got rid of a guy who Im pretty sure it was just going to keep going down with.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Genius is a tough standard to live up to. I’m just looking for a solid coach with a good history of making things better and has shown ability to adapt to personnel....(since personnel is going to be constantly changing)

Right now, based on things I’ve read and seen I like Roman. Especially matched with Watson. Doesn’t mean I don’t like or wouldnt be happy with a number of other candidates. We don’t actually get to make the choice anyways so whoever it is I’ll be optimistic regardless since we got rid of a guy who Im pretty sure it was just going to keep going down with.
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I can understand that.

But I'm in the thinking of finding the gem.
I really like the idea of Kellen Moore and pair him with a veteran GM.
Retain RC as a mentor/Special Assistant to the HC and see how it goes.

Moore's ability to run the show with Dak Prescott is undeniable, and you can't get him in here as an OC since it's just a lateral move.
RC can help him grow as a HC.

Watch some Cowboys game and see if that offense isn't playing to Watson's strength.
 
Who the head coach or organization hires as position coaches are just as important as oc and dc. How long did it take Kubiak to shore up the oline? By year 3, they were top 10 with 1 late 1st rd pick. They found a pro bowl TE in the 5th rd, a near pro bowl rt in the 3rd. Traded a 5th for a center who became a probowl player and 2 cheap cast-offs. In today's nfl, you have to develop players who are low rd picks. I forgot about the undrafted all pro rb. Saying that, the head coach can be from any side of the ball to. As a head coach and dealing with the owner and media obligations, you better have a strong group of position coaches for your scheme.
 
thunderkyss said:
I want the best candidate for the job.

I don't want to be pigeonholed into looking for an offensive coordinator that can help Watson. I don't want to be focused into looking at a defensive coordinator to help the defense.

I want the guy who looks to be ready to be a HC. A guy who has been in the NFL for 8 to 10 years. A guy who has installed an offense, or a defense. A guy who has developed players. A guy who coached a disciplined squad.

The last questions I want to ask is, "Can DeShaun run your offense." or "Do we have the personnel to run your defense."

"Can you coach?"

"Can you teach?"

"Can you win?"
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I'll make you the GM if you can find such a guy.
 
I'm surprised no one has entertained Urban Meyer, I know he is retired (due to medical issues around an arachnoid cyst). He is still young and is/was considered a very good coach.
 
What about Matt Eberflus? He’s done a terrific job with the Colts, and hiring him would weaken the Colts (Bonus!) Bring in a strong OC and we might be in good shape
 
otisbean said:
What about Matt Eberflus? He’s done a terrific job with the Colts, and hiring him would weaken the Colts (Bonus!) Bring in a strong OC and we might be in good shape
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He inherited a good roster that were continuing to be built upon by Chris Ballard since 2017, a year earlier.
When Ballard first came in, the offense already had several key pieces (Luck, Brissett, TY Hilton, Moncrief, Doyle, Castonzo, Kelly, Mewhort), so he was able to concentrate more on the defensive side.
2017 - Top 3 picks were defense
2018 - 3 defenders in first 2 rounds.
2019 - 3 defenders in first 3 rounds, plus a host of late rounders
2020 - 1 more guy (Blackmon, who I think is going to be a good safety)

Ballard's drafting and FA acquisition has been really good, the Colts roster is considered the best in the AFC South by pretty much all the respectable sport figures.

Before the DC stint, he was a LB coach for the Cowboys for 9 years.
When a position coach is not promoted for that long, it doesn't really show out, IMHO.
 
If Cal is committed to hiring a GM before HC, doesn't that mean all the good potential HCs will be snapped up before Easterby has decided which potential GM to hire?

I'd hate to miss out on Bieniemy for Head Coach because Easterby wasted too much time pontificating between Joel Osteen and Ed Young for GM.
 
FireBOB said:
If Cal is committed to hiring a GM before HC, doesn't that mean all the good potential HCs will be snapped up before Easterby has decided which potential GM to hire?

I'd hate to miss out on Bieniemy for Head Coach because Easterby wasted too much time pontificating between Joel Osteen and Ed Young for GM.
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Jack Easterby is only the interim GM. He will go back to being the VP of football ops once the season is over.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Genius is a tough standard to live up to. I’m just looking for a solid coach with a good history of making things better and has shown ability to adapt to personnel....(since personnel is going to be constantly changing)

Right now, based on things I’ve read and seen I like Roman. Especially matched with Watson. Doesn’t mean I don’t like or wouldnt be happy with a number of other candidates. We don’t actually get to make the choice anyways so whoever it is I’ll be optimistic regardless since we got rid of a guy who Im pretty sure it was just going to keep going down with.
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Don’t get me wrong as a Ravens fan I like Roman but I can’t help but think that he has something in Baltimore that he wouldn’t have here and that’s a future HoF HC in John Harbaugh to guide and ultimately make the final call on scheme. From all accounts it was Harbaugh that said they were going to completely reinvent the wheel to make the system fit Lamar Jackson.

I think Roman deserves a shot at being a HC but seeing as we just came off having a HC that is a former OC and disciple of a future HoF coach I’m not sure I want us to be the one that gives him that shot.
 
maverick512000 said:
Don’t get me wrong as a Ravens fan I like Roman but I can’t help but think that he has something in Baltimore that he wouldn’t have here and that’s a future HoF HC in John Harbaugh to guide and ultimately make the final call on scheme. From all accounts it was Harbaugh that said they were going to completely reinvent the wheel to make the system fit Lamar Jackson.

I think Roman deserves a shot at being a HC but seeing as we just came off having a HC that is a former OC and disciple of a future HoF coach I’m not sure I want us to be the one that gives him that shot.
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Why the hell not?! Just kidding. I’m just hoping whatever search firm Cal is using doesn’t just come up with Josh McDaniels for HC and Caserio for GM. The Patriots aren’t good at drafting. They have some good scouts though, but I doubt NE’s entire staff would follow them here. I’m more excited for the team now than I have been these past five years, and I’m hopeful.
 
maverick512000 said:
Don’t get me wrong as a Ravens fan I like Roman but I can’t help but think that he has something in Baltimore that he wouldn’t have here and that’s a future HoF HC in John Harbaugh to guide and ultimately make the final call on scheme. From all accounts it was Harbaugh that said they were going to completely reinvent the wheel to make the system fit Lamar Jackson.

I think Roman deserves a shot at being a HC but seeing as we just came off having a HC that is a former OC and disciple of a future HoF coach I’m not sure I want us to be the one that gives him that shot.
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How many HCs weren’t an assistant coach, or OC or DC for another SB winning head coach? Or HOF coach? That is how they get the job right?

It is just so hard to win in the NFL there will always be more that don’t work out vs those that do.

The one thing that Roman has in Harbaugh is that he too is an Andy Reid disciple. One thing that Andy Reid does is set people up for success by teaching them everything he knows. Hopefully Harbaugh has done the same with Roman.
 
TexansBull said:
How many HCs weren’t an assistant coach, or OC or DC for another SB winning head coach? Or HOF coach? That is how they get the job right?

It is just so hard to win in the NFL there will always be more that don’t work out vs those that do.

The one thing that Roman has in Harbaugh is that he too is an Andy Reid disciple. One thing that Andy Reid does is set people up for success by teaching them everything he knows. Hopefully Harbaugh has done the same with Roman.
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I get that only the Browns make someone a HC that wasn't at least an OC or DC first and hiring a current OC or DC isn't the issue, I'm completely fine with that I'm just not sure Roman is the guy at this point. You look at his record and it really is only good when he is with Harbaugh. Roman was OC under Rex Ryan, a guy that pretty much forgets the offense side even exists, so you know he had a lot of pull in how the offense was done and they fired him after only one year. Again don't get me wrong he has done great things with Jackson but Jackson is in many ways Cam Newton 2.0. Not as big and has a better arm but still a run first type QB. Watson can run but he is not built to take the hits Jackson does and, more importantly, the Texans are not built to handle that kind of play scheme. Could Roman adjust, maybe he could but after the last 6 years are you willing to take that chance that Roman can have more success without Harbaugh than O'Brien did without Belechick?
 
maverick512000 said:
I get that only the Browns make someone a HC that wasn't at least an OC or DC first and hiring a current OC or DC isn't the issue, I'm completely fine with that I'm just not sure Roman is the guy at this point. You look at his record and it really is only good when he is with Harbaugh. Roman was OC under Rex Ryan, a guy that pretty much forgets the offense side even exists, so you know he had a lot of pull in how the offense was done and they fired him after only one year. Again don't get me wrong he has done great things with Jackson but Jackson is in many ways Cam Newton 2.0. Not as big and has a better arm but still a run first type QB. Watson can run but he is not built to take the hits Jackson does and, more importantly, the Texans are not built to handle that kind of play scheme. Could Roman adjust, maybe he could but after the last 6 years are you willing to take that chance that Roman can have more success without Harbaugh than O'Brien did without Belechick?
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I am leaning towards Roman because he had success with San Fran with Kaepernick, and in Buffalo with Tyrod. He was made the scapegoat in Buffalo because Rex Ryan is going to Rex Ryan.

That’s the only thing that separates him from Bieniemy. Roman has had success with three mobile QBs adapting to each one.

These are just “homer” observations and tell me if I am wrong.

The issue with all coaches is it’s just a roll of the dice and you need to have some luck on your side. Especially when you don’t have draft picks...
 
I wouldn't necessarily mind a retread, but if we're going for an offensive mind then I say Joe Brady.

Learner under Joe Moorhead for 2 years, Sean Payton for 2 years, blew the doors off everyone at LSU, and has already improved Carolina from a bottom tier offense to a top half offense and that's with McCaffrey out (the centerpiece of the roster).

Now that proves nothing as far as running a franchise, but he's clearly a bright and innovative mind. Give me him over a guy like Bieniemy, who is essentially Andy Reid's clipboard holder.
 
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WolverineFan said:
I wouldn't necessarily mind a retread, but if we're going for an offensive mind then I say Joe Brady.

Learner under Joe Moorhead for 2 years, Sean Payton for 2 years, blew the doors off everyone at LSU, and has already improved Carolina from a bottom tier offense to a top half offense and that's with McCaffrey out (the centerpiece of the roster).

Now that proves nothing as far as running a franchise, but he's clearly a bright and innovative mind. Give me him over a guy like Bieniemy, who is essentially Andy Reid's clipboard holder.
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Great to see you (and your avatar :D) back
 
If you're living in a world of reality you have to ask, what up and coming self respecting coach would want to take the Houston Texans job working for Easterby?
 
I think that we'll be the most attractive opening for an offensive minded head coaching prospect because of Watson. There's plenty to not like here because of lack of draft capital and cap space, but we have a franchise qb and an OLine that is talented but hasn't lived up to their potential because of poor coaching. A solid coach should be able to move in and get instant production out of this offense. As far as Easterby, I'm with everyone else wanting the slate wiped free. But if he's still around with a new GM/coach, I don't know that it's the end of the world. It depends on his role. If he's a camp counselor, who cares if he's around? I don't see how he ruins a solid coach/GM combo. But sure, get rid of him too. I just don't know if he's worth all of the worry I've seen around here.
 
thunderkyss said:
Why? They won't be working for Easterby any more than Jamey Rootes(sp).
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They're on different ends of the structure though. Rootes running the business end and Easterby for now running football operations. And it remains to be seen just how much power they want their new HC to have versus their new GM versus their head of football ops - also depending on whether or not Easterby is even in that same role heading into 2021.
 
Texian said:
Easterby is in charge of football operations, Rootes is in charge of the business side operations.
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Doesn't matter. He won't be working for Easterby anymore than O'Brien was working for Easterby


Edit: I may be completely wrong about that.
 
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New coach to Watson:

1*LHpKqNkjS0PFU36TjoUhmw.jpeg
 
KoolAid Sipper said:
I'm surprised no one has entertained Urban Meyer, I know he is retired (due to medical issues around an arachnoid cyst). He is still young and is/was considered a very good coach.
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Based on his last couple of stops, didn't the pressure, hours and stress lead to anxiety, depression and other issues? Wouldn't the pressure, hours and stress of being an NFL HC be twice as bad as being a college HC?
 
Earl34 said:
Based on his last couple of stops, didn't the pressure, hours and stress lead to anxiety, depression and other issues? Wouldn't the pressure, hours and stress of being an NFL HC be twice as bad as being a college HC?
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There's certainly that. And that's a pretty big 'that'. But I gotta admit, I wouldn't be mad to see how he'd do meshing DW into his version of the spread but tweaked for the NFL. It's gotta at least make you wanna peak at it, a little.
 
Two names that are long shots -

Joe Brady - OC with Carolina Panthers

Pete Carmichael - OC with NO Saints

Brady probably needs to grow a bit in the NFL. He is someone to watch. May be the next Kyle Shanahan, or the next Adam Gase. Time will tell.
 
One thing that concerns me about these guys we're talking about , you have to wonder how wide a net they can cast to bring in quality OC/DC , position coaches and other assistants.

That would be second on my priority list behind "How are you going to get the most out of Watson."
 
Corrosion said:
One thing that concerns me about these guys we're talking about , you have to wonder how wide a net they can cast to bring in quality OC/DC , position coaches and other assistants.

That would be second on my priority list behind "How are you going to get the most out of Watson."
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That's an excellent point. I was reading an SI article recently about what it's like to interview to be an NFL HC, and a portion of the article made almost exactly that point - that asking about a coaching staff is paramount..
The longest block of time in most interviews is spent going over the candidate’s prospective staff. Coaching positions are in flux at this time of year, and you’re not always able to get the assistant you want, so candidates have to present a depth chart—three or four deep—of their top choices at every position from the coordinators to the position coaches. Be prepared to defend your choices if the team doesn’t like them. One owner, for example, vetoed a candidate’s third choice for a coordinator during their first interview.
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link
 
Earl34 said:
Based on his last couple of stops, didn't the pressure, hours and stress lead to anxiety, depression and other issues? Wouldn't the pressure, hours and stress of being an NFL HC be twice as bad as being a college HC?
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I don't know about twice as much pressure in college vs NFL (boosters vs owners, etc.), but in all walks of life you have to manage stress. Maybe he has learned to handle it better since he has stepped away for a couple of years now.
 
Corrosion said:
He's under contract with Clemson thru 2028 @ ~$9.3m per.

Take into account that's nearly twice what OB earned here and then there's how much it would cost to buy him out of that contractual obligation.

Add that all up and they'd probably have to invest $15m-$18m per year into him for this grand experiment.


It aint happening.
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according to a May 17, 2019
article by ESPN, Swinney has a standard four million-dollar buy out through 2020 decreasing from 21 through 22 to three million dollars and then only two million sometime thereafter.
 
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