Potential head coaches for the Dallas Cowboys

by Dave Halprin on Jan 22, 2007 5:23 PM CST in News Comment 23 comments

I've compiled this list of potential coaches for the Dallas Cowboys that were mentioned by the media. Obviously some are more realistic than others, but since we're speculating, let's speculate. Below is my quick take on each, and they are listed in order of my preference, even if not realistic.

Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh Steelers ex-head coach: The perfect solution if it could be done. Super Bowl winning coach that has run the 3-4 defense for years. But, Pittsburgh would want compensation and Cowher probably wants to rest for at least a year. So it's unlikely.

Charlie Weis, Notre Dame head coach: Tuna, Jr. The team could feel some real continuity in this move. But Weis doesn't want to leave ND and has a big buyout clause. A lot to overcome

Wade Phillips, San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator: The safe pick, ran a very impressive 3-4 defense in San Diego this year and has head coach experience in the NFL. He actually has a winning record as a head coach. He could take over the defense, and leave the current offensive regime in place.

Norv Turner, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator: Love Norv's work as a coordinator, not so much as a head coach. Maybe coming back to Big D would be lucky for him, but it's no guarantee.

Pete Carroll, Southern California head coach: Love Pete's work as the USC head coach, was luke-warm about his stint with the Patriots in the NFL.

Ron Rivera, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator: One problem, he doesn't run the 3-4. Could mean a change in philosophy, possibly setting the team back.

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma head coach: Good college coach, no idea if he's a good NFL coach.

Tony Sparano, Dallas Cowboys offensive line coach: If we do this, Jerry wants a cheap coach that he can control.

Houston Nutt, Arkansas head coach: If his school wasn't Arkansas, we're not having this conversation.

Feel free to add names below. If I get a chance, I'll update the post with new names.

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PFT

says JJ could go after Belichick.

by Longhorn on Jan 22, 2007 5:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

JJ?

Any chance on Jimmy Johnson?

Weisenhut or Grimm?

by King Man on Jan 22, 2007 5:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'd agree with 2 of those realistically

Wade Phillips - Jerry already likes him, he's a Son of a Bum (Texan legend), very successful with the 3-4 defense. Would be the early favorite.

Norv Turner - Jerry loves him, had the biggest success of his career in Dallas. Would be a great coach to continue the development of Romo. We would definitely get the most out of the offense. I'd rank him second only because he's stated he wants to stay in SF until his kids finish school.

The others are long shots or no shots.

by APerfectStar on Jan 22, 2007 6:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Grizz, lets add Zimmer to the list--

I've assumed the defense's collapse in December was more from Parcells' heavy thumb than Zimmer's lack of coaching ability. There's a lot of upside in hiring Zimmer: he knows the personnel; he could retain current coaches who merit retention; and he WWWJ (works well with Jerry). In hiring Zimmer, it would be necessary to pick up a Jedi DC..that is, "one who is strong in the 3-4." Given our personnel, a move back to the 4-3 would stunt us for a couple of years: there's no turning back. The Falcons would have to let him go if we offered him the job. He's a damn good coach.

I wonder also what it would take, compensation wise, to get Fisher from the Titans. Say, a first this year and a third next year, and I'm all in. More than that is too much, though.

by jsdoty on Jan 22, 2007 6:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Singletary?

Burt-D

by Burt D on Jan 22, 2007 6:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The more I think about Singletary...

the more I like that idea. The guy is a winner, he's schooled in 3-4 and 4-3, he very intelligent, he's from Houston. Interesting. I'd hope they interview him at least.

by APerfectStar on Jan 23, 2007 2:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of Singletary buzz

Any idea what his coaching experience is since retiring from football?

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 7:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Other Candidates

Joe Alvezano - Jerry would get to torment us.

Zimmer - if it works you have a fiery coach and if not get Cowher next year.

Mack Brown - obvious texas connection (kidding)

by 325424 on Jan 22, 2007 7:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The 3-4

Frankly, who cares if the new coach is a 3-4 guy or not? If you're looking at a new coach who you hope will lead that franchise for the next 5-7+ years at least, who cares if he runs the same scheme as the last guy? This is an important, long term decision.

I get that it would probably mean the shuffling of personnel and probably some growing pains for the defensive unit, but isn't it more important to get the best possible guy out there and let him do whatever he thinks he needs to do to guide the team to a superbowl?

If, for instance, the best guy is Ron Rivera and he dismantles the 3-4 and builds a defense like the one in Chicago, even if it takes a year or two is that a bad thing? I know it's hard to willingly take a step back, which isn't even guaranteed, but if that's what has to be done to get to the next level then so what?

Plus, that Dallas defense is probably why they didn't move past the first round and lost the division this year. Maybe it does need a new philosophy. Maybe another year of refinement isn't what it needs. If Jones thinks a guy like Rivera is right for the job, then he has to be trusted to run whatever scheme he pleases.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 22, 2007 7:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

excellent point

and that is likely the correct approach.

but it is tough to reformat the defense twice in 4 years.

by 325424 on Jan 22, 2007 7:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Except we will have to get rid of young talented

players we have spent so much time developing.

10+ years is way too long for a cowboys fan to be in a superbowl drought, no time to go through another rebuilding process.

Burt-D

by Burt D on Jan 22, 2007 7:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Compelling points, JB

I agree that we should not be too dogmatic in bringing in a strict 3-4 coach. But I think that we should continue to run the 3-4, no matter who we bring in. The new coach will have to adapt.

When you say, "maybe [the defense] does need a new philosophy," you should consider that this was only our second year of running the 3-4. Its still a work in progress. And you don't want to change philosophies every two years, since it disrupts personnel, coaching, and scouting. These are factors that should be weighed when deciding who "the best possible guy" is.

I think that the Cowboys are shopping for a coach who can be seamlessly integrated into a philosophy that is already in place, rather than a coach who, like Parcells, will try to remake the franchise in his image. If the man for that is Rivera, lets get him. But it would be really expensive (in terms of time) to go back to the 4-3.

by jsdoty on Jan 22, 2007 8:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rivera type guy v Parcells

Parcells wanted to remake the team in his image because that's what he thought he needed to do to win a superbowl. The problem was that he didn't really stick around for the whole plan to come together.

With a guy like Rivera, a young guy in his first head coaching gig, you have to assume he will stick around to see his plan out. Whether it works or not... well you need to trust that you made the right hire.

I'm not saying the idea of hiring a guy that shares philosophies with Parcells and could continue his plan is a bad idea by any means. It certainly makes sense. However, if I'm hiring a new coach it's not the #1 priority. The #1 priority has to be to get the best, smartest, most motivated, and hungriest coach out there. If he happens to subscribe to Bil Parcell's defensive philosophy, great. If it comes down to 2 guys that would be great and one is a 3-4 guy, that's a fine reason to pick one over the other.

So if the guy is Wade Phillips, is he the best, smartest, most motivated, and hungriest coach out there?

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 23, 2007 9:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Looking at his girth, he looks pretty hungry to me

Ha, Ha, Ha... LOL... ROTFL!!!

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" - Ric Flair

by kcbrett5 on Jan 23, 2007 9:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Hollywood, why are looking at his Girth?

Manlaw - Never look at another man's Girth.

by Doomsday on Jan 23, 2007 12:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's Freakin' Hilarious. More LOL!!!!!!

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" - Ric Flair

by kcbrett5 on Jan 23, 2007 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention

this is the HC we're talking about. Pair him with a good 3-4 DC and life is good...

by dunkman on Jan 22, 2007 8:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Adam Schefler from NFL Network

reported that Wade Phillips would likely be brought in to be HC and essentially run the defense, while Jones would also hire Jason Garrett as the OC and work with Romo in his continued development and Garrett would then be groomed as the HC after Phillips retires.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jan 23, 2007 7:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Is Garrett

considered to have that much potential?

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 8:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Any step backward

would probably be a bad thing as far as selling luxury suites and sponsorships for a new stadium. Though I guess if Arizona can do it, Jerry certainly can. I'd sure hate to be trying to sell stuff for a 5-11 (or worse) team.

Fear is just frozen adrenaline.

by abileneblues on Jan 23, 2007 8:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I highly doubt that

They're still the Cowboys, they're still one of the oldest and most prestigious franchises in football. WHen you are talking about a 30 year deal, which is what naming rights will be, your record the year before is absolutely meaningless.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 23, 2007 9:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DFW.com suggests Lovie Smith

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/16524896.htm

Some possible candidates include former Cowboys assistant and 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Southern California coach Pete Carroll and possibly Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith.

by Doomsday on Jan 23, 2007 9:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jason Garrett would be

a terrific OC for us. I remember Troy Aikman's comments about Jason at his (Troy's) retirement. He said Jason could be anything he wants to be including president of the US.

Garrett's response: "One too many shots to the head for old Troy."

Never forget the '94 Thanksgiving game against the Packers.

Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.

by OskieOskie on Jan 23, 2007 9:23 AM CST reply actions 0 recs