Well, the coaching carousel took an unexpected boost last night. We all thought it had rolled to a stop, but Tennessee gave it one last shove, unexpectedly. We all thought that Bud Adams and the Titans had made their choice, saying they would trade or release Vince Young, and stay with Jeff Fisher as their Head Coach. Well, someone changed their mind apparently. The Titans announced last night that they and Jeff Fisher are parting ways. As always there is a lot of speculation about why and what's going to happen next. I did particularly like Mike and Mike's take on the situation. This is actually in Fisher's best interest entering the final year of his current contract. He is more than likely facing a "rebuilding" year and the Titans aren't likely to have a good season next year, making it hard to renegociate a new contract. Fisher made the comment that he needed rest. That and with all the other coaching vacancies filled at the moment it's not likely that he will end up coaching next season. It's kinda funny though that everyone is putting him on tv already. He very well may end up on tv, but it's only been a few hours! Let's give the man time and let him make up his own mind. Next season he will be right up there with Cowher, Gruden, and Billick who will be able to pick their own job. I will get to that later. The question of the moment is, Where do the Titans go from here? It's being speculated that they will hire within, and that may be the smart thing to do. It's not really an appealing job with the prospect of rebuilding, possible work stoppage, etc. But the Titans and owner Bud Adams have something that's very hard to find these days. Patience, trust, and understanding. Fisher was the longest tenured coach to this point. He has been the only head coach Tennessee has had. Bud Adams hired him when they were still the Houston Oilers. I remember them moving from Houston to Nashville, spending one season in Memphis while their stadium was being built because the city of Houston let them out of their lease a year early. That is something that is unheard of this day in age. It's all about "what have you done for me lately?" Their are very few organizations that are this way. Andy Reid becomes the league's most tenured coach now at 12 years. Belichick was hired by the Patriots a year later, making his tenure 11 years. The Steelers deserve to be mentioned in this category. Since 1969 they have only had 3 head coaches. Had Bill Cowher not resigned, he would still be the coach there. These organizations understand that their are growing pains and that things happen. Look at what happened in Nashville this season. Vince Young quit on his team, again, and that team fell apart. Young is a cancer. He may be the most talented QB in the league but his attitude and work ethic make him one of the worst. They had a very successful year 2 years ago with Kerry Collins at the helm. They finished 13-3 and won the AFC South, a division usually won by the Colts. Vince Young takes over and look what happens. All of it came to a head this season, and when it did, most teams would have fired their head coach then and their. Ask Wade Phillips. Young is a younger version of Michael Vick. Ask Dan Reeves and Jim Mora Jr. Both coaches were casualties of Vick. Owners usually side with their rich, overpaid, overrated quaterbacks. The Titans sided with Fisher and let him finish the season, and even decided to get rid of their cancer.
I have a suggestion for the Titans. The future doesn't look very bright. In fact looks downright gloomy. It doesn't have to be. You already have a few weapons in place, so why not go after a few more?? You have 2 major voids to fill, head coach and quarterback. I have a suggestion for both. I will start with the QB position. The Eagles appear likely to fall on the sword named Michael Vick. And Andy Reid will be the next casualty of Vick. Kevin Kolb has said that if they resign Vick, he wants to be traded. Realisticly in the situation you are in, your best case scenario is to hold on to Kerry Collins for another year, and this may be the best rout to take, but why not get a young talented QB who could be the future of the team? He has far more years in him than Kerry Collins and would be a good stable presence in the locker room and a good leader for a team that desparetly needs it. Next is the head coaching vacancy. Again the best move might be to promote within. But you have several other opportunities to pursue and no competition. So, why not go after Bill Cowher or John Gruden? What's the worst that could happen? They would say no, then plan B, promote within. Here's another idea. Marty Schottenheimer is no longer under contract with the San Diego Chargers. He has a history of turning teams around. In 20 1/2 seasons as a head coach he only had 2 losing seasons. That's a pretty impressive stat alone. He's a regular in the playoffs. I know, he's getting old. So he's not a permanent fix. But, who do you think he would hire to run his offense?? His son Brian will be a head coach in the NFL someday, and someday soon. So, give Marty a 2 or 3 year contract, enough time to turn things around then turn the reigns over to Brian. Everyone is talking about the doom of the Titans. Why not make the future a bright one instead of a gloomy one?? Sounds like a good idea to me!! As a personal fan of Marty, i'd love to see him on the sidelines again.
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