Interest shown in Cards coaches
Grimm, Haley could be in demand
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 31, 2007 06:56 PM
Just because the Cardinals finished out of the playoffs with an 8-8 record doesn't mean people outside the organization aren't interested in their coaching staff.
A day after the team finished with just its third non-losing season in its 20-year Arizona history, rumors were rampant that at least three of first-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt's assistants could be in line for high-profile jobs elsewhere.
Speculation included assistant head coach/offensive line Russ Grimm, Whisenhunt's most trusted aide, being wooed by his former longtime team, Washington, as a possible replacement for Joe Gibbs if the Redskins coach steps aside after the playoffs.
Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Todd Haley was being seen as a potential head coaching candidate for the Miami Dolphins, now that one of his former gurus in Dallas, Bill Parcells, is running the show there.
Parcells cleaned house in the Dolphins' front office Monday, and Haley might may very well be invited to join the staff. Same goes for running backs coach Maurice Carthon, who played and coached for Parcells.
"I don't really have any expectations," Haley said. "I think it's something that could go down, but I'm trying not to get caught up in that. I love being here, I love Phoenix and the foundation we have laid.
"It's good that I know Coach Parcells, that he knows me, and that we've worked well together . . . but we'll just see what happens."
Whisenhunt said if any of his coaches were to be extended offers or if teams were to call the Cardinals and ask for interview permission, it probably wouldn't happen until today.
As for Grimm being offered a head coaching job somewhere, Whisenhunt said, "You never know. I hope so. I think, certainly, he deserves it. But in this thing, you never know."
Offensive lineman Elton Brown said he would hate to lose Grimm or Haley, who helped the Cardinals finish with the second-most points (404) in franchise history.
"At the end of the day, it's about taking care of you and your family and you understand that," he said. "If a head coaching job comes along, and they don't come along often, you've got to do what's best for yourself. If that happens, hopefully, we'll get somebody to pick up. If it doesn't, we're still headed in the right direction."
Both coaches deserve head coaching opportunities, according to quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, who said of Haley, "He's going to be a very good head coach whenever he does get the chance, just because of his passion, enthusiasm, and the way he motivates guys, which is a lot like Joe Gibbs has over the years."
Grimm, Haley could be in demand
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 31, 2007 06:56 PM
Just because the Cardinals finished out of the playoffs with an 8-8 record doesn't mean people outside the organization aren't interested in their coaching staff.
A day after the team finished with just its third non-losing season in its 20-year Arizona history, rumors were rampant that at least three of first-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt's assistants could be in line for high-profile jobs elsewhere.
Speculation included assistant head coach/offensive line Russ Grimm, Whisenhunt's most trusted aide, being wooed by his former longtime team, Washington, as a possible replacement for Joe Gibbs if the Redskins coach steps aside after the playoffs.
Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Todd Haley was being seen as a potential head coaching candidate for the Miami Dolphins, now that one of his former gurus in Dallas, Bill Parcells, is running the show there.
Parcells cleaned house in the Dolphins' front office Monday, and Haley might may very well be invited to join the staff. Same goes for running backs coach Maurice Carthon, who played and coached for Parcells.
"I don't really have any expectations," Haley said. "I think it's something that could go down, but I'm trying not to get caught up in that. I love being here, I love Phoenix and the foundation we have laid.
"It's good that I know Coach Parcells, that he knows me, and that we've worked well together . . . but we'll just see what happens."
Whisenhunt said if any of his coaches were to be extended offers or if teams were to call the Cardinals and ask for interview permission, it probably wouldn't happen until today.
As for Grimm being offered a head coaching job somewhere, Whisenhunt said, "You never know. I hope so. I think, certainly, he deserves it. But in this thing, you never know."
Offensive lineman Elton Brown said he would hate to lose Grimm or Haley, who helped the Cardinals finish with the second-most points (404) in franchise history.
"At the end of the day, it's about taking care of you and your family and you understand that," he said. "If a head coaching job comes along, and they don't come along often, you've got to do what's best for yourself. If that happens, hopefully, we'll get somebody to pick up. If it doesn't, we're still headed in the right direction."
Both coaches deserve head coaching opportunities, according to quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, who said of Haley, "He's going to be a very good head coach whenever he does get the chance, just because of his passion, enthusiasm, and the way he motivates guys, which is a lot like Joe Gibbs has over the years."
thx for the life lesson lobo!
