Buzz: Jets Pursuing Internal and External Candidates?
According to multiple league sources, the Jets have already expressed interest in more than one potential replacement coach, with the top two names being Steve Spagnuolo and Bill Cowher … but protect your family jewels when you hear some of the others.
See the details after the jump.
Bag Spags – The Jets have sought permission to interview the Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo, the man of a thousand blitzes. Spagnuolo is just second year coordinator, but his stock has risen considerably by blitzing the Patriots into submission in the Superbowl last season and by two solid years of coaching for the Giants, along with a great pedigree prior to his Giants days in Philly.
Jay Glazer wrote on FoxSports.com today that his buddy Michael Strahan told him
former Giants defensive end and current FOX NFL Sunday analyst Michael Strahan went as far as saying he’d almost return to football - not for the money, but because he wanted more years playing under Spagnuolo.
Spags is a defensive ends dream, and the Jets have a lot of them, especially if they move back *again* to the 4-3. The Giants are putting a good face on the thing, noting that they won’t block Spags … well duh .. they can’t since it’s a promotion.
Coach Chin — As far as Cowher, word out of Cleveland is that he told Randy Lerner that he didn’t want to coach this year.
Lerner said … he met with Cowher on Saturday night and that Cowher said he would not return to coaching in 2009 and asked Lerner to take him off the Browns list of candidates.
Cowher told Lerner that he was comfortable with his lifestyle in North Carolina at this time.
It’s entirely possible that he’s serious, but reports like this make me wonder. It’s more likely Cowher doesn’t want to coach … in Cleveland. Cowher might be blowing smoke at Lerner if he knew and wanted the Jets job, but it also might be that Lerner is trying to save face on the situation while he looks for another head coach not named Cowher. If Cowher was backing out of one of the better opportunities and told Lerner that Saturday night, it’s not outside the realm of possibility the Jets had already been in contact with him to gauge his interest.
Rooney Rule Candidate? — Vikings DC Leslie Frazier will likely be interviewed by the Jets. Frazier was on the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX team and has coached with Andy Reid, Tony Dungy and was the Defensive Backs Coach for the Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears under Dungy. Frazier is an up and coming coach, and will likely get some head coaching interviews this year due to the league’s Rooney Rule.
You’re Kidding, Right? — Unless Mike Westhoff has been asked to be left alone, I don’t understand why any other coordinator for this team would have a shot at getting the big chair. It might have been to early to call B-Schott “fired” as league insiders at NFP has given us an even more interesting tidbit.
None of the Jets assistant coaches was fired along with Eric Mangini. As of now, they are not free to look for other jobs. I have a very strong hunch that current offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer might have a great chance to be the next head coach.
Shoot me in the face, please. Rumor has it* that Brian will tell Woody that he is going to show up for his interview at three o’clock, only to show up at six o’clock just to fake him out.
Father and Son — Marty Schottenheimer is also another name that has been batted around. But I think most of it is due to the fact that he’s been at a number of Jets games this year visiting his son, and he’s a big name without a job.
Callahan Breaks Pads — Asst Head Coach Bill Callahan will likely be a candidate for the job as well.
Toot Toot! All Aboard the Sex Boat! — Mike Tice, bastion of moding young men. Well known for his tight-laced days in Minnesota for implementing the ill-suited Randy Ratio, and the guy who’s players had a sex boat party on Lake Minnetonka might be on the list of coaches for New York. Yes seriously. As if B-Schott wasn’t bad enough. Tice is an area guy who’s name gets floated around, but if the Jets hire Mike Tice … I don’t know how much more you can go from disciplinarian to players coach you can get.
FYI, it looks like the owner of the Browns might be interested in Eric Mangini.
*Rumor does not in fact, have it.
Rex Ryan????
http://www.bringcowhertony.com
end of discussion
God not Schott. Even the Editor might want Mangini back with that choice.
if brian schottenheimer is the head coach. the jets just lost a fan to the Detroit Lions. Jim Fassel anyone???
i d love too see a run at jon gruden.
wonder if TB keeps him.
if b schotty is hired to be the hc i will not watch football ever again in my life
anyone else hear tom brady could be out 2009?
brady is wuss, does that surprise you?
Cowher=head coach
R. Ryan or R. crennell=defensive coordinator
Brian Billick =offensive coordintor
B callaghan = o line coach
M. westhoff = special teams
This is the staff that if woody is serious should put together anything less is not acceptable
Bassett, that line about Schotty’s interview was hilarious.
junior - that’s not bad - not bad at all…
i dont want anything to do with tice or either shcottenheimer…
westoff should be given a look as the new hc of the nyj, with callahan as o corodinator
Woody and Tannenbaum will hire the coach. The coach will hire his own staff.
Why does anyone think if Cowher is hired as coach, he’d bring aboard Crennel and/or Billick as his coordinators? Has he worked with them before? Do they know what he likes to do? Cowher or anyone is going to bring in guys he’s familiar with and who know what he likes to run on both sides of the ball.
i can’t see how hiring someone greener than mangini is the answer. maybe we can have schotty coach the first offensive drive of every game and then hand the headset and red hanky over to someone who knows how to coach the other 56 minutes of a game.
We have Tenn, Atl and Carolina at home next year and Indy, Houston, Oak and NO on the road. Smells like 7-9 to me.
JUNIOR that would be the dream team right there if woody is a jet fan first like he said he was than spend a a 140 million on the dream team and as a 30 year jet fan bret ratliff is thee nfls next brady …………………
There is no way woody isn’t going for the big name he has this new stadium being built and he wants the psl money badly s he has to know who he is getting already i dont think he wants an unproven head coach to have in an empty stadium..
or he would have kept mangini and fired both coordinators
what are the jets going to look to do in the draft? no matter who they get to coach we dont have a #1 wideout or any talent/depth on defense (i know i know besides for revis and harris)
By The Way lets hope the saints re-sign j. Vilma so we can take there first round pick please!!
I read on nfl.com that if the saints re-sign vilma they were supposed to give the jets there second round pick but then they gave that pick up for jeremy Shockey which under nfl rules means they would have to give the jets the first rounder.
Does anyone know if he had a year that was worth it for them to re-sign him????
that wud be amazing
but i think it goes to the giants not the jets
are you sure?
wow. that would be a tough sched. but then everyone in the afc east would get something similar.
please no marty ball. people forget how unbelievably conservative in game this guy was. i can already hear the booing for the draw play on 3rd & 5.
have a feeling cohwer won’t work out. money, authority, lcoation… whatever. would have to guess spagnola is a fit, he’d have the inside track unless another coordinator really shines in the interview.
can spagnola run a 3-4? is that what the eagles use to run? because otherwise there are 2 really slow de’s with 3 terribly undersized de’s, not enough of a rotation at dt and super big and slow lb’s. as is the roster wouldn’t transition well at all, especially considering primary needs at wr and def. backfield.
i think that our 4-3 would be ok…gholston and ellis at the ends jenkins and someone else in as the tackle (hayneswroth please god). harris pace and thmoas (yeh ur right tht is a slow line backing core)
junior im not sure if thats true but i think i did hear that on the radio
forget the vilma thing. he can become a fa & the saints can resign at no cost. its only if they resigned him prior to not risk fa, and that hasn’t happened yet and won’t. the saints arent that dumb.
they will get the the saints 3 and the saints get the jets 4, jets give up their 3 to gb and get a 4 from washington. so a pick in the 1st at 18 or 19, a 2nd, and move up a few slots in rounds 3 or 4.
no way to handicap the draft without seeing who will come out early.
Adam Schefter
Saints won’t extend Vilma, to detriment of NY teams
Had New Orleans resigned linebacker Jonathan Vilma to a long-term contract extension this season, or even shortly thereafter, two New York teams would have benefited.
First, the conditional fourth-round pick the Saints traded to the Jets for Vilma would have become a second-round pick.
And if that Vilma trade with the Jets had involved a second-round pick, then the Saints would have been forced to compensate the New York Giants with a first-round pick for tight end Jeremy Shockey.
But New Orleans can exhale. The Saints did not resign Vilma, and will not attempt to do so until he becomes a free agent, thus the value the Jets and Giants receive now can be determined.
The conditional fourth-round pick the Saints traded to the Jets for Vilma will become a third-round pick in 2009. The Jets used the Saints fourth-round pick in 2008, but they will have to return a fourth-round pick to New Orleans this April.
And while the Jets get the Saints third-round pick, the Giants will get New Orleans’ second-round pick for Shockey.
So the Saints now are scheduled to have their first-round pick, and two fourth-round picks, with no second- or third-round picks.
LOL ok if they hire Brian Schottenheimer as the head coach even Matt Millen would be scratching that head. Come on, Mike Tannenbaum isn’t that stupid. Let’s just stop the dog and pony show and announce Bill Cowher as the new head coach so we can all move on and watch the playoffs.
me-
Home run. Great site.
With next years sched and Mangini et al we have been 4-12 to 6-10 at best. I’m sure that was part of this.
And to everyone-STOP even thinking about Shotty in any way. Feltman had a great post about CP in the “system” and the numbers were a lot like this year.
This staff had the worst concept of offense and defense I have ever seen. We have capable players being used improperly -over and over again.
i want spagnola
if we get Spags, wat would our D look like, we would need an all D draft and off season too
odds to be next coach
cowher 4-1
marty schottenheimer-9-1
mike holmgren 18-1
steve mariucci 20-1
brian schotty 100-1
Dear god if schott becomes HC, I seriously don’t know what I would think anymore……its mind numbing….I no joke can not even think of something slightly creative and funny about a situation like that…..my head is about to explode like that guy in scanners
I keep reading all the posts and I really hope everyone remembers how flat and tight this team was all the time. But for a game or two and one drive here or there the staff turned Favre into Chad. No schemes, no play calling, no spunk, no fight. Last year the same.
And for the Koolade crowd we are NOT thisssss close. AND it is NOT still early!
At this point, I’m ready to welcome back Coslett
I will be extremely disheartened if either Schottenheimer gets the job. In fact, I won’t even think about buying tickets for ‘09 if that happens.
My wild, unfounded speculations:
I would guess that Woody and Mike T. already know one way or the other about Favre for next year.
If they know that Favre intends to play and the feeling is mutual, I think they already have an understanding with a big name vet coach who feels he can win with Favre and Favre has agreed in principle to work with this coach. (Parcells, Cowher, Holmgren, Mariuci…)
I think the only way they are beginning a genuine, open search is if they already know Favre is over and done. Otherwise it would narrow the field of coaches who would be willing to take on the challenge of the fading star, and I don’t imagine Favre could get it up to build a relationship with a brand new coach and learn yet another system at this point.
I think it’s entirely possible that the Woody and Mike T. “We want Brett back,” comments were staged to allow Favre a graceful exit, particularly after how hard they pursued him and made him “feel wanted,” earlier this year.
I would lean toward the second scenario, if only because it’s hard to imagine Favre wanting to go through another huge imbroglio in the national press, this time about getting a coach fired, and having to live up to the even greater scrutiny that would entail.
I would love it if Spags was hired. The only problem is that we screwed ourselves by investing so much time and money into the 3-4. You can’t just scrap it now, because a lot of players would become useless (Like Vilma and Dewayne Robertson were when we swithced to the 3-4). As for Schotty, he shouldn’t even be coaching offense let alone head coaching. Mangini’s worse mistake was letting that clown call the plays.
hey dolphan guess the phins have nothing huuuge going on this week that your on this website dolphins will lose against the ravens and if lightning strikes and they win guaranteed half the team leaves on a stretcher from that defense
that the ravens have
we will know after the game if you think chad is the man when he leaves after the first quarter with a separated shoulder!!!
There you have it, I just heard Woody and Tanenbaum endorse Favre for next year.
I guess I’ll be a Miami fan for a few years, cause the management of this team is just plain terrible. Loosers, they don’t have it in them to win appearantly, the desire just isn’t there.
This has that “Major League” (the movie) feel to it.
This team won’t win until it gets sold, but don’t hold your breath.
Curtis……Curtis? Anyone seen Martin?
Great job, by Tannenbaum and Woody, to get rid of Mangini quickly. A tribute to the beautiful job that Mangini did with this talented team. I guess they were looking at this blog because, no one had a good word for Mangini.
I don’t want a coordinator or a rookie coach. We need a guy like Cowher or Gruden. We need someone who can walk right in and has the respect of the players. We need a head coach who knows how to handle the important calls, as they happen in a game. Not someone who is learning on the job. If you don’t know when to punt or to go for it on fourth down - you need not apply. We are a team that is built to win now. We should have done it this season. Our schedule was a piece of cake but, our coaching staff was lost.
Favre is done, turn him over.
According to Reiss’s Pieces, there may be some genuine interest by Scott Pioli in being the Brown’s GM.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/report_scott_pi.html
If that is the case, the availability of Mangini to be his head coach in Cleveland could well make the position even more interesting to him.
Assuming he lets bygones be bygones.
I would bet anything that the next coach will be
- Over 50
- Skinny
- A current or former defensive specialist
- “Fiery” in demeanor
The next coach will NOT be
- Under 40
- Chubby/fat
- Connected to the Patriots coaching tree
- “Cool” in demeanor
In other words, we’ll probably see, for the most part, the anti-Mangini. I have a terrible feeling Woody’s gonna look for the opposite of his former coach rather than the best candidate. Personally, I’d like a former player like Singletary that players would really respond too. No Herms though… Think there’s a chance they’ll look at college coaches/coordinators? Kind of hope not… recently those have turned out terribly. Kiffin, Saban, Petrino… yikes.
bringbacktestaverde16 -
I disagree that switching back to the 4-3 would screw over players on our roster. What players would become useless? Jenkins wore down from being a 3-4 Nose and would probably fare better as a 4-3 DT provided we could get someone decent to play next to him (C.J. Mosley has his moments). We also could stop trying to make Pace, BT and Gholston into OLBs when they’re clearly better as ends. Pace especially is a stud pass rusher, but a mediocrity as a coverage OLB. I’m confident that Harris could play MLB. If we got another LB, the 4-3 would be very feasible, maybe even preferable to the 3-4.
steve marriuchi anyone??
the only way this post could have been MORE depressing would be if Marriuchi was on the list too.
Ugh….I’m undecided if Schotty or Tice is the worst option - but surely whichever is will be our next head coach.
subwayfare, I do not think there is an imbroglio big enough for Favre’s liking. I’m sorry, but he’s a self-dramatizer addict. So, supposing they get together and Favre figures out which coach he would like to play for, and Tannenbarum and Woody have the option to go with it or not. Not so bad, because they have enough self-confidence to say “No.” The problem is that we are all in some way still living this dream of the Hall of Fame Quarterback, so you back to yet another roll of the dice, and you live with what you get and no other way. You can’t just mould your star players into the winning combination, not in this case.
In my opinion there are only 2 choices:
1-Cowher
2-Spags
Go hard after Cowher and if that doesn’t work out than put everything into Spags. I’ll be disappointed if we get anybody else.
Would Schott be the worst head coach candidate possible? You might think so, based on how badly he was criticized this year, but everyone acknowledges he created some good plays, but really just had a problem with his playcalling (much like Paul Hackett, who is still considered a potential future NFL headcoach in some circles - he was considered for the Oakland job - despite the awful playcalling job he did for Herm). So, if his organization and creativity are good, maybe he was tailor made for the head coaching role. Or maybe they need someone to hold the fort for a year until Holmgren returns in 2010 for Brett’s final season. Or maybe they will hire coordinators with more autonomy and just need a George W. Bush style frontman to take all the flak, without playing too much of an active role. Or maybe management is incompetent. Just looking for reasons.
Joe B:
Don’t be too sure. If the Jets get Spags and run an identical system, Jenkins doesn’t have a role. Their tackles are smaller and more athletic. Any switch to a 4-3 system means the Jets will need to acquire at least two starting linebackers, although he was able to use converted 4-3 DEs (of which we have four or five) in an OLB role, I don’t think they would get away with two of these and Harris, because that would be a really slow linebacking corps.
Still, it would be better than a standard 4-3 system where they would need to acquire three linebackers and would be severely limiting Harris’ effectiveness.
Dear Woody,
Please steer away from hiring anyone from the Schottenheimer family for HC and while your at, please fire your OC and DC immediately. Thank You
If the Jets hire Mike Tice I am finally quitting as a Jets fan.
Mike F, I’ve been clamoring for Jim Fassel for weeks now. That’d be a great move.
Dont want Cowher - obviously the Steelers have been fine in the post Cowher era - maybe it want him, but it was more the organization and the franchise that has created winning teams year after year. I would like spags - the only problem there being that the Jets have spent a ton of money and draft picks to find guys who fit the 3-4, now we have the personell and we are going to switch back to the 4-3? We have seen what happens what you try to fit square pegs in round holes. Needless to say I dont want to watch this team re-build (again). Can we bring back the Tuna?
Bent -
Jenkins played the 4-3 for Carolina and was plenty effective. Also, you don’t think Barton could play the outside? Like I said, I think we’d need another linebacker, but switching to the 4-3 would hardly require the dramatic roster shakeup that the move to the 3-4 necessitated.
I don ‘t see there being a problem with switching to a 4-3 defense.
Ellis, Jenkins, Pouha,Coleman as D linemen
Pace, Harris, Thomas as LB’s.
It is much easier to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3, rather than the other way around. The obvious problem is finding the NT. I would like to see a competent proven head coach. Someone with a decent track record of developing a QB would be great. Holmgren? Mariucci? Not really in love with Mariucci. Whoever we get needs to have a personality, and be tough and somewhat emotional on the sideline. Tom Coughlin would probably be the perfect candidate in my mind. Is there someone out there similar to him? Maybe right now the best I could come up with is Billick. I would accept him. And he’s an offensive guy so he could hire a DC to run a 3-4. I think Westhoff could be a very interesting dark horse candidate. Hope we keep him and Callahan.
OK, one player at a time:
Jenkins: Yes, he is very effective in a 4-3, but in Spags 4-3 you have to be smaller and more mobile, which is the opposite of what KJ is becoming as he gets older.
Barton: Yes, he’s a better 4-3 OLB than 3-4 ILB, but he’s a free agent, so I’m assuming he’ll leave.
Coleman: Not a 4-3 DE, too slow. Maybe a 4-3 DT though.
Pace, Harris, Thomas: Would be the slowest 4-3 LB corps in NFL history - and you thought we had problems covering RBs and slot WRs (and TEs) last year?
Not to mention that in a 4-3, Pace and Thomas have always been horrible.
Switching back to a 4-3 would require a pretty big overhaul, although in Spags’ scheme (which is more of a hybrid, so easier to transition to than Herm’s Tampa 2) could provide good opportunities for guys like Trusnik, Murrell and Cummings. If Favre comes back, they aren’t going to be able to spend a lot to fill these needs.
The best thing for us right now is if Favre was to retire. Just move on. It was a failed experiment and we just gotta cut our loses and turn the page. I would love to see a Brett Ratlif Kellen Clemens Competition in camp.