What's the deal with Fassel

[SMAC]

Every thread about coaching always indicates that the Cardinals will hire Fassel as head coach. I know he was an assistant here for one year but there are many assistants throughout the league who have spent time in Arizona or with the Cardinals when they were in St. Louis.

Where is all this "inside" information about Fassel coming to Arizona? Has he had a press conference or begun negotiating a contract with Bidwill? I know media sources have indicated this, but where are the facts?

 

[CardAvenger]

He's still got a job.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by SMAC
Every thread about coaching always indicates that the Cardinals will hire Fassel as head coach. I know he was an assistant here for one year but there are many assistants throughout the league who have spent time in Arizona or with the Cardinals when they were in St. Louis.

Where is all this "inside" information about Fassel coming to Arizona? Has he had a press conference or begun negotiating a contract with Bidwill? I know media sources have indicated this, but where are the facts?

Hey the guy stood at a press conference and said something like if you don't like it, fire me. If that's not a guy who knows he already has the coveted Cardinal HC position locked up, I don't know what is

IT's speculation his name will be mentioned with several jobs.

The key here is he not only worked here before, he left on good terms with Bidwill, and he's a good coach.

 

[AZCB34]

Fassel isn't coming here...yet. Whether or not the Cards should actually go after him is a debate for another day.

However, he is still employed and there are no guarantees he will even be fired after this year...although the signs are beginning to point at his certain unemployment. Second, there is NO WAY...none, zero, zip, zilch...that the Bidwills/Graves will not do their duty and interview (and seriously consider as well) a minority candidate. Third, there are liekly to be a bunch of open coaching positions and I don't think it is a slam dunk he will be here.

 

[kerouac9]

I don't think that Fassel is a dead-set lock to come here, but I think that he's the best possible candidate for the coaching job. I think that the Giants would be stupid to let him go, but if they do, he should be Graves' main man (or Mike Bidwill's, or whomever's). I think the he combines the greatest combination of experience, fire, creativity, organization, and accountability of all the coaching possiblities that have been raised on this board.

The main obstacles that I see to him coming here are (1) money, because he's making about three times or more what Mac is, and (2) competition. I've heard that Buffalo might also be interested in Fassel, and I'm sure that some other teams might also be interested, and that's a hell of a place to coach. I dunno. I just hope that we can get him, because I think you'd immediately see a more competitive, organized team, as well as three or four more wins in his first season.

 

[SeattleCard]

Re: Re: What's the deal with Fassel

Originally posted by Russ Smith
Hey the guy stood at a press conference and said something like if you don't like it, fire me. If that's not a guy who knows he already has the coveted Cardinal HC position locked up, I don't know what is

.

Now THAT is funny... !

 

[JeffGollin]

"Every thread" probably stemmed from one article

This is how rumors take on a life of their own.

At this time of year, various writers speculate on coaching changes and use conventional logic to outline what they think would be logical moves.

Fassell is better than 50-50 to be outta NYC. Coach Mac's job appears to be barely on life-support. Cards suck on offense. Fassell coached QB's and the Cardinal offense prior to taking the Giants HC job. Ergo - Fassell would be a logical choice to be the Cardinals' head coach.

It's arguable whether the writer had inside information or even spoke to anyone associated with the Cardinals. So what you most probably have is "educated speculation."

Meanwhile lazy writers throughout the US read the story, figure it makes sense and incorporate all or part of it into their own pieces.

What was orginally speculation repeats itself, repeats itself and repeats itself until it at best becomes a full-fledged rumor and at worst is considered a likelihood.

Which isn't to say it couldn't happen (The fact that the move in some ways makes sense makes Fassell a possibility). But for now, it appears to be speculation that took on a life all its own.

There are a lot of other options to consider.

 

[SMAC]

Good point Gollin. I think you have a good grasp of the situation. I think it would be foolish not to consider Denny Green, Lovie Smith, June Jones, Mike Singletary, and countless others. Yes, Fassel is a good choice, but there are many good choices, and I think it might be best to hire someone who has never coached for the Cardinals in any capacity. The Cardinals need to open the position open, look at several candidates, take their time, and pick someone with a vision and a plan of action.

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by SMAC
June Jones, Mike Singletary

Um... way to sneak these in there. Mike Singletary just got his first coaching gig as LBs coach for the Ravens (I think just as an assistant LBs coach, at that). I don't think he's ready for prime time, and wold be a disaster as an HC for this franchise.

June Jones? Are you kidding? We're trying to make this team better! He was a disaster when he was coaching in the NFL! Maybe and a tightly-reined-in OC, but NEVER as a HC again. Ever. Not on this team.

 

[MadCardDisease]

When it became obvious that Mac would not coach this team next year the first person I mentioned was Fassell. Yes he still has a job but I doubt he will keep it. It just makes to much sense. He left here on good terms and I'm sure Bidwill would love to have him back.

 

[RedStorm]

The job should be open and given to the best possible candidate.

However, I ask all of you...

If the best candidate is between a White coach and a Black coach, which one do you take and why. This is not racist but just wondering if all things were equal in this scenario, who would you pick.

 

[Sandan]

Best coach

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by RedStorm
However, I ask all of you...

If the best candidate is between a White coach and a Black coach, which one do you take and why. This is not racist but just wondering if all things were equal in this scenario, who would you pick.

That is really a dumb question. It would never happen as no two people are totally a like.

 

[SMAC]

ESPN article written by Pro Football Weekly:

Dave McGinnis, Arizona Cardinals
It probably won't matter that the Cardinals' victories this season have all come against teams with better records, or that they've proven to be very respectable at home. Their poor play on the road this season -- lowlighted by a horrendous Week 11 effort in Cleveland that continues to stick in the front office's craw -- figures to be McGinnis' undoing in the Valley of the Sun. Three straight losing seasons have taken their toll on a coach who is certainly well-liked by his players, but not nearly enough to offset their naggingly inconsistent performances. Unless the Cardinals run the table the remainder of the season -- and their tough closing schedule suggests otherwise -- McGinnis, whose contract runs through the 2004 season, is likely to be job-hunting by January. What isn't so likely, however, is a full-scale housecleaning, as most of his assistant coaches are expected to stick around until their current contracts expire.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by kerouac9
Um... way to sneak these in there. Mike Singletary just got his first coaching gig as LBs coach for the Ravens (I think just as an assistant LBs coach, at that). I don't think he's ready for prime time, and wold be a disaster as an HC for this franchise.

June Jones? Are you kidding? We're trying to make this team better! He was a disaster when he was coaching in the NFL! Maybe and a tightly-reined-in OC, but NEVER as a HC again. Ever. Not on this team.

Singletary...

He is the only LB coach for the Ravens and supposedly Ray Lewis himself is way impressed with the guy...and he has gotten seemingly excellent reviews from the other LBs in BAL.

Bears fans are starting a gentle push for him as HC in CHI...you know, bringing home one of the favored sons of Bears football. However the push isn't real strong for that since most wonder if he is really ready to be a HC (yet). There is a very strong feeling that he would make a very very good DC first and then when the time is right become a HC.

K9, while I think it is a bit premature for Singletary to be a HC, I think you overstate it too much suggesting it would be a "disaster". I think he would be better than Mac both in the motivation dept and in the schemeing dpet.

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by AZCB34
K9, while I think it is a bit premature for Singletary to be a HC, I think you overstate it too much suggesting it would be a "disaster". I think he would be better than Mac both in the motivation dept and in the schemeing dpet.

I agree that Singletary would make a great candidate for a head coaching job in two or three seasons, we're looking at a regime change right now, and we've just gone through several years of having a highly-touted assistant with no head coaching experience being in over his head. Singletary probably doesn't do a whole lot of the game-planning, and I understand that the Ravens already had a pretty good linebacking corps in place before he got there. I'm certain that he's a great motivator, but I'm not sure if he'd be far superior to Mac in the scheming area quite yet (but it would be hard to imagine him being much worse). I just think that Singletary, for the Cards, right now, would be a disasterous move. As Cheese says all the time, the decision the Bidwills and Graves make in the next three months is going to affect this team for the next decade.

I do wonder if Singletary's ascendence might buy Jauron another couple years if he fires Shoop. It'll be an interesting sub-plot over the next few years.

 

[SMAC]

I agree I think Singletary was a stud as a player and could be a stud of a head coach. Corporations paid him big bucks as a leadership speaker. I've heard he has had rave reviews as the LB coach for the Ravens. He is an unique guy whose learning curve might be shorter than some other coaches. He is on the fast track to become a head coach in this league. Maybe just maybe the Cardinals should look at someone who knows the game, is a leader, motivator, and tough guy deluxe. That man might just be Mike Singletary.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by kerouac9
As Cheese says all the time, the decision the Bidwills and Graves make in the next three months is going to affect this team for the next decade.

I do wonder if Singletary's ascendence might buy Jauron another couple years if he fires Shoop. It'll be an interesting sub-plot over the next few years.

I have definitely adopted the stance that the coaching change will effect the Cards for a decade...question is will it be for the good or bad. This is the huge decision for Graves.

Jauron is gone...unless a miracle happens and they make the playoffs (which inexplicably they are in the hunt for). I simply don't see that happening but again, they hold their own destiny in their hands. Angelo wanted Jauron gone in 2001 but was trumped by the 13-3 mirage record.

Singletary will be a HC in this league sometime fairly soon, and I do agree that it is probably too soon. I would prefer either a coordinator of worse case a QB coach if not a previous experienced HC.

 

[JeffGollin]

Singletary will be a HC in this league sometime fairly soon, and I do agree that it is probably too soon.
I agree. And from our standpoint, we've just been through an era where top-to-bottom coaching and discipline has been lacking.

The last thing we need right now is to hire a head coach who - while inspirational and "been there done that" - will need a few years of on the job training.

We need someone in charge who "knows" what needs to be done and isn't merely "hoping" that what he wants to do might possibly work.

 

[RedStorm]

Originally posted by MadCardDisease
That is really a dumb question. It would never happen as no two people are totally a like.

It is not a dumb question if you work for an organization that believes that diversity is a strength.

If you had the choice, who would you choose?

 

[Skkorpion]

Jauron is gone? If he is, the inmates will be ruling the asylum. IMO, he is coaching a team with less talent than any team in football and he has them playing hard and winning at the tail end of a lost season.

The coach isn't always the problem and in this case, he isn't. That 13 win season 2 years ago was a coaching miracle pulled off by Jauron.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
Jauron is gone? If he is, the inmates will be ruling the asylum. IMO, he is coaching a team with less talent than any team in football and he has them playing hard and winning at the tail end of a lost season.

The coach isn't always the problem and in this case, he isn't. That 13 win season 2 years ago was a coaching miracle pulled off by Jauron.

Skkorp, I think when the Bears were 1-5 the decision was essentially made (Jauron is gone)...but all of a sudden things seem to be happening for the better. I mean they are still in the playoff hunt for pete's sake.

There were ALOT of indications when Angelo took over the team he wanted to dump Jauron and get his own guys in there but the fan base was deluded into thinking 13-3 was legitimate and would have gone berserk if Jauron had been replaced. So Angelo, grudgingly I believe, gave Jauron an extension.

The media in Chicago has been easing up on Jauron and have even gone so far as to suggest he can keep his job if he bails on his coordinators...Shoop and Blache. I am against that type of move (there and here) since I would still view Jauron as a lame duck and what kind of quality OC or DC is he going to be able to bring in if he was forced by front office to fire some of his guys and was on the coaching hot seat all season...and man that seat was roasting early on.

My impression is, kind of like here in AZ, the players like Jauron and the coaching staff but are just not there talent-wise. It seems more of a McCaskey/Angelo issue of getting rid of the guy and his coaches.

Hence, alot of the talk is of Jauron staying (most Bears fans are against it but resigning themselves to the possibility) and that is where they are starting to quietly clamor for Singletary as DC (give him another year or two as assistant first IMO). The clamor will grow louder if Jauron keeps winning since the Bears hold their destiny directly in their hands.

I have never really felt Jauron was a bad coach. Shoop (OC) on the other hand is at bets average and most of this year has stunk it up. The players definitely haven't quit on the season though and that is a positive for Jauron keeping his job.

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
Jauron is gone? If he is, the inmates will be ruling the asylum. IMO, he is coaching a team with less talent than any team in football and he has them playing hard and winning at the tail end of a lost season.

The coach isn't always the problem and in this case, he isn't. That 13 win season 2 years ago was a coaching miracle pulled off by Jauron.

I agree, but the rumor mill has been for the past two years that Angelo is itching to hire "HIS" coach to run the team, and that might be Nick Saban at LSU (apparently they're good friends).

It's also rumored that if the Bears finish strong, Jauron might be able to survive as long as he fires some assistants. I think that Shoop is toast. His system has failed to excite anyone in Chicago, and that's the death knell for an O-Coordinator (as Rich Olsen).

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by kerouac9
I agree, but the rumor mill has been for the past two years that Angelo is itching to hire "HIS" coach to run the team, and that might be Nick Saban at LSU (apparently they're good friends).

It's also rumored that if the Bears finish strong, Jauron might be able to survive as long as he fires some assistants. I think that Shoop is toast. His system has failed to excite anyone in Chicago, and that's the death knell for an O-Coordinator (as Rich Olsen).

Angelo was down in Baton Rouge to "visit" his good buddy Saban in October...so naturally the rumor mill is running rampant that Saban is already lined up and the announcement is waiting until after LSU goes Bowling.

The problem with Shoop's O is it is actually Crowton's O and now teams have come to expect everything (take a look at what happened to BYU this year under Crowton). And like a typical coaching egomaniac, Shoop hasn't made big adjustments...and he didn;t adjust hardly at all when he was handed a mobile QB. He thought he was still schemeing for Jim Miller and Chris Chandler, both of whom's 40s can be timed with a sundial and their mobility measured in millimeters.

If the Bears make the playoffs, Angelo may again find it hard PR-wise to fire Jauron. In fact, there is alot of speculation that Jauron (and his coaches) AND Angelo may be booted after this season.

 

[Skkorpion]

Hey cubbie, thanks for the detailed explanation.