Who do you WANT as the Bills coach in 2015?

[mannc]

You seem to be missing the point, and its not a stupid argument either. Every single one of those people you mentioned were on the payroll of some college before entering the NFL. Then when they first took a job in the NFL it was as an assistant coach. But, none you mentioned made an immediate transition from head coach in college to head coach in the NFL, NOT ONE! Huge difference as each one of those people learned the ropes of the NFL over time, and didn't jump right to an NFL head coaching job.

 

The numerous people I previously mentioned all were great head coaches in college, and failed in the NFL at the head coach level. Allow me to reiterate. Nick Saban didn't- Steve Spurrier didn't-Lou Holtz didn't- Butch Davis didn't- Bobby Petrino didn't-Dennis Erickson didn't- Frank Kush didn't- Bud Wilkinson didn't- Dick MacPherson didn't- Rich Brooks didn't.

 

The Buffalo Bills just recently hired 2x head coaches in from college in Chan Gailey with his 5 years of being the head coach at Georgia Tech, and numerous years of experience in the NFL as an assistant and previous NFL head coach, and he FAILED! Doug Marrone a HC in college at Syracuse who has previous NFL experience as an NFL O lineman, O line coach, OC for the Saints, and he is in the process of FAILING!

 

 

Bottom line is people like Chip Kelly who come into the NFL and make that jump from college HC to NFL HC while having great success are rarer then hens teeth, and are almost non existent. Dallas Cowboys HC Jimmy Johnson is about the only one I can think of who made the jump direct from HC in college to HC in the NFL. I can recall him winning a national championship with the Miami Hurricanes, and with his time at OSU he had both Barry Sanders & Thurman Thomas on his rosters.

 

I would not have any problem hiring Malzahn or Briles as an assistant coach OC under Schwartz, Harbaugh, or Cowher. As a direct jump from College HC to NFL HC with no prior NFL experience I'd say 3-5 years...maybe.

it is easy to come up with a reason not to try something new and innovative. The problem is, you are looking backward instead of looking toward the future. Most of the examples you give are are from eons ago, relatively speaking. The game has changed enormously, and will change even more in the future. It is more like college football than it used to be. More importantly, the brightest, most innovative concepts are now coming out of college now. Chip Kelly may be rare, but I think he is the first of many and that his success will spur a trend toward hiring bright (sorry, St Doug) innovative college coaches in the NFL. For once, it would be nice to see the Bills be one step ahead instead of two steps behind the rest of the league. I hope they say no to Dungy, Cowher etc, not that any of those guys want to coach again anyway. Edited November 15, 2014 by mannc

[Agent 91]

I like Kelso (a lot) and think that he would make a great coach -just not a head coach. I can't think of anyone that's 1st coaching job (outside of high school) was an NFL head coach? It happens a lot in the NBA but you are managing 12 guys and a few assistants. In the NFL you have 80-100 guys and another dozen or so coaches. It is a huge transition. I could see him on the defensive staff but not as the head guy (maybe someday but not now IMO).

 

Totally on board. Didn't he have a brief stint at orchard park coaching defense?

[BarleyNY]

David Shaw, current HC of Stanford, is a true leader of men and an excellent football mind. I'm not sure he can be pried away from there as he is a perfect fit at Stanford, but Pegula should try. Next choice is Jim Harbaugh.

 

Why even include the likes of Cowher, Gruden and Dungy? It is highly doubtful that any of them is ever coaching in the NFL again. Maybe if the money was great and they were walking into a phenomenal situation they'd consider it, but that sure isn't the case in Buffalo.

Edited November 15, 2014 by BarleyNY

[mannc]

David Shaw, current HC of Stanford, is a true leader of men and an excellent football mind. I'm not sure he can be pried away from there as he is a perfect fit at Stanford, but Pegula should try.

I don't think we could do better than David Shaw. And for those who think it matters, I believe he has experience as an assistant in the NFL. He might never leave Stanford, though.

[BarleyNY]

I don't think we could do better than David Shaw. And for those who think it matters, I believe he has experience as an assistant in the NFL. He might never leave Stanford, though.

I wouldn't if I was him.

[Thunderstealer]

Problem is, why would any of those guys want to come here?

You're talking about the old Bills.

[Kirby Jackson]

I don't think we could do better than David Shaw. And for those who think it matters, I believe he has experience as an assistant in the NFL. He might never leave Stanford, though.

I thought about including him on the poll (he does have NFL experience in Baltimore). Shaw has been one of my favorites over the last few years but I am struggling getting past the red zone performance vs. USC. They had 9 trips in the red zone and came out with 10 points. It was a combination of poor play calling, execution, mistakes and just overall awful. Maybe I am holding it against him too much but it was that moment that my opinion changed. I should have included him on the poll though.

[mannc]

I thought about including him on the poll (he does have NFL experience in Baltimore). Shaw has been one of my favorites over the last few years but I am struggling getting past the red zone performance vs. USC. They had 9 trips in the red zone and came out with 10 points. It was a combination of poor play calling, execution, mistakes and just overall awful. Maybe I am holding it against him too much but it was that moment that my opinion changed. I should have included him on the poll though.

There is no question that Stanford has had a down year. IMO, the talent level is down significantly and Hogan's limitations are being exposed. I did not see the USC game, but I have heard it was awful. I'm not sure how much of it can be blamed on Shaw, but he is certainly not free of blame. FWIW, my only reservation about Shaw is that he seems to be from the old school, punt on 4th down no matter what school, which I am sick and tired of.

[Kirby Jackson]

There is no question that Stanford has had a down year. IMO, the talent level is down significantly and Hogan's limitations are being exposed. I did not see the USC game, but I have heard it was awful. I'm not sure how much of it can be blamed on Shaw, but he is certainly not free of blame. FWIW, my only reservation about Shaw is that he seems to be from the old school, punt on 4th down no matter what school, which I am sick and tired of.

That was my other reason too . One of my interview questions would be a game situation where the Bills have 4th & 1 on the 39 yard line and are up 7. What would you do? If he says punt I would thank him for his time

[Big Blitz]

Marrone and Whaley need to be back next season. They have to own this and make it work.

 

Why?

 

With no first round pick you will not get the best possible candidates jumping up and down with excitement to coach Orton and EJ on a team with NO first round pick.

 

Is that how you want to start your career? The search will be like Cleveland's. You could argue that ended up well for them but they also had a good foundation and the leagues best oline. The QB was always the issue.

 

 

IMO there are 2 options. You make Marrone fire Morris and Hackett and hire an NFL OC.

 

Or number 2. Hire Schwartz. Make Pepper Johnson (is he the secret to the improved run D and Dareus monster season?) make him the DC..which is what he's looking for anyway.

[SectionC3]

I agree with all of this. Personally I think that Cowher would be a disaster. It would be Shanahan bad. He's smart enough to see that it is a different game and stay in the studio.

 

Harbaugh would be a good choice. He's crazy but can coach. I'd be cool with him if he gets his personality under control.

 

Who would come here to scheme the dreadful offense for a radio color commentator that has never coached? They couldn't even talk Nate Hackett into staying under that scenario.

 

I want nutty. I've had enough after 15 years of this. Harbaugh may be a lunatic, but he's a winner. My hang up with him isn't the kelly thing, it's schwartz. I'd be reluctant to mess with the d. Personally I think we need someone to rock the boat. We've been on autopilot with an absent boss for too long. Time to change the atmosphere there.

[ny33]

I'd probably hire Trestman if the Bears let him go.

 

I'd probably hire Trestman if the Bears let him go.

[BuffaloFan68]

I'm fine with keeping Marrone but he has GOT to get a better OC!

[Beerball]

What about Sean Payton or even "Red Jesus" if Dallas misses the playoffs?

[Kirby Jackson]

What about Sean Payton or even "Red Jesus" if Dallas misses the playoffs?

Payton won't be available. They may erect a statute of him outside of the Superdome. He is bulletproof here.

 

Garrett would be an interesting OC IMO. I can't believe that I am saying that but it's possible. He has runs good offenses for a while. If Marrone stayed I would be happy with Garrett and Schwartz as the coordinators.

[Beerball]

Payton won't be available. They may erect a statute of him outside of the Superdome. He is bulletproof here.

 

Garrett would be an interesting OC IMO. I can't believe that I am saying that but it's possible. He has runs good offenses for a while. If Marrone stayed I would be happy with Garrett and Schwartz as the coordinators.

so, you'll put 103 year old Tom Coghlin in my play but you poo poo Payton & RJ? I think that this poll is fixed. You're Walt Coleman, aren't you?

[Kirby Jackson]

so, you'll put 103 year old Tom Coghlin in my play but you poo poo Payton & RJ? I think that this poll is fixed. You're Walt Coleman, aren't you?

Ha ha, I don't think that Coughlin or Harbaugh are realistic but they will be available. Coughlin will "retire" I think and Harbaugh will be at Michigan. Garrett may very well be available but Payton is untouchable. Belicheck is as likely to become available as Sean Payton.

[GunnerBill]

I have, to this point, been willing to give Marrone the benefit of the doubt. I am very keen we keep Schwartz as DC and thought Marrone might be encouraged to move Hackett on and bring in a proper OC and I could live with that. However, after the shambles offensively of the last 7 quarters of football when our season has been on the line I can't defend him. At some point surely he has to step in and remove Hackett? It should have happened yesterday for me if not before.

 

However, I look at that list of possible candidates and wow it is not very inspiring is it?

 

Harbaugh? Not unless John is available.....

Cowher, Gruden or Dungy? Not unless it is 2005.....

Rex? Really? As the answer to the horrific offense.....?

Coughlin? Have the Giants looked a well coached team to you the past 2 years?

Reich? Nice thought but no thanks.

McDaniels? He was involved in the drafting of Tebow in the 1st round... enough said...

 

Which basically leaves me 2 college guys and their innovative offenses (really? is setting up in an obvious pass formation and then running the ball that innovative? That's how Gailey got a big year out of Spiller) who could be massive hits or massive misses but feel a bit like a swing for the fences... or an NFC West coordinator.... or Jim Schwartz (who whilst I think he is an excellent DC I am less sure of his HC credentials). Of the choices there I think Todd Bowles is probably the best football coach. Hence that is where my vote went.... but if we take Malzahn or Briles as a swing for the fences (probably slight preference for Briles) I'd be ok with that.

 

I'd also be with Pat Shurmur who isn't on the list but has been mentioned. I think he was in a bad spot in Cleveland where there a lot of people sticking their noses in and wanting to have a say. He has always run pretty decent offenses that are Quarterback friendly and I'd like to see what he could achieve with EJ. I think Shurmur will definitely get looks from teams this off-season. Hue Jackson who some people here favoured back inn 2012 when Marrone was hired is another possible.

 

My list of preference would probably be:

 

1. Bowles

2. Briles / Mazahn

3. Schurmur

4. Schwartz

5. Jackson

[TSOL]

As far fetched as it is, im throwing in a vote for Coughlin. Id love to see him coach the Bills against Belichick twice a year in division match-ups.

[Prickly Pete]

I have a feeling that, if Marrone is fired, Schwartz will get the head coaching job, if only for the sake of some continuity. And if he isn't promoted, he will leave.

 

As far fetched as it is, im throwing in a vote for Coughlin. Id love to see him coach the Bills against Belichick twice a year in division match-ups.

 

great. Like I said, my vote is Vince Lombardi.

Edited November 15, 2014 by HoF Watkins