Why was BA never a head coach

[NashDishesDimes]

Pretty quiet in the league right now hence the topic. Does anyone else really wonder why BA was never a head coach?

He has all the coaching experience in the world, not to mention with one of the most respected franchises in Pittsburgh. He won Superbowls there. When he speaks, he immediately gets respect. At least from what I can see from media, interviews, he is much smarter and more well spoken than any coach that comes to mind.

I cant imagine he gave bad interviews in the past. Hes now regarded as a top NFL coach and players love him.

Thoughts?

 

[oaken1]

Pretty quiet in the league right now hence the topic. Does anyone else really wonder why BA was never a head coach?

He has all the coaching experience in the world, not to mention with one of the most respected franchises in Pittsburgh. He won Superbowls there. When he speaks, he immediately gets respect. At least from what I can see from media, interviews, he is much smarter and more well spoken than any coach that comes to mind.

I cant imagine he gave bad interviews in the past. Hes now regarded as a top NFL coach and players love him.

Thoughts?

he dislikes compromise and he swears too much... most employers frown upon swearing during an interview...Mike and Steve kinda liked it.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

he dislikes compromise and he swears too much... most employers frown upon swearing during an interview...Mike and Steve kinda liked it.

+1.

Arians is a straight shooter, genuine, confident and lacks tact.

These types of personalities are very intimidating, and can come off the wrong way, and the first impressions these people can give off will really put off a lot of people, and ESPECIALLY people that are "in charge".

But, long story short, it is his personality. Arians wasn't getting interviewed by his players, he was being interviewed by owners, and GM's.

Bill Bidwill would not have hired Arians, not in a million years. There is a reason the Bears hired Marc Trestman instead of Arians, and it was not because of coaching abilities or knowledge. Arians is going to do things HIS way, Trestman was going to do things the Bears way.

Just my two cents.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

he dislikes compromise and he swears too much... most employers frown upon swearing during an interview...Mike and Steve kinda liked it.

It is an interview for a football coach after all.

 

[PJ1]

It is an interview for a football coach after all.

Well Lombardi never cursed.

 

[82CardsGrad]

he dislikes compromise and he swears too much... most employers frown upon swearing during an interview...Mike and Steve kinda liked it.

This... He's not the type of guy who conforms to the standard interview process, where guys seek to tell the interviewer what they believe he/she wants to hear. BA doesn't seek to dazzle anyone with formulas and elaborate charts. He wouldn't necessarily come across as some type of groundbreaking new-age thinker. He's not a Harbaugh, or Chip Kelly, a Whiz or even a Tomlin.

The odd thing about BA though is that he's extremely creative and not at all afraid to try different approaches. It's been said about him time and time again that he is a living/walking paradox. Large parts old-school throwback (he did coach for Bear Bryant...), with large doses of weird scientist.
But most definitely he is a man who marches to the beat of his own drummer and is absolutely not a conformist!

 

[pinetopred]

It could have taken him that long to realize there are two sides of the ball that he would have to coach lol

 

[Mitch]

This... He's not the type of guy who conforms to the standard interview process, where guys seek to tell the interviewer what they believe he/she wants to hear. BA doesn't seek to dazzle anyone who formulas and elaborate charts. He wouldn't necessarily come across as some type of groundbreaking new-age thinker. He's not a Harbaugh, or Chip Kelly, a Whiz or even a Tomlin.

The odd thing about BA though is that he's extremely creative and not at all afraid to try different approaches. It's been said about him time and time again that he is a living/walking paradox. Large parts old-school throwback (he did coach on Bear Bryant...), with large doses of weird scientist.
But most definitely he is a man who marches to the beat of his own drummer and is absolutely not a conformist!

Excellent analysis of BA as coach and person. BA is not the ideal subordinate and to get hired as a HC one has to have a ringing endorsement from his bosses---and in Pittsburgh BA was loved by Big Ben and his offensive players, but the FO never really got comfortable with him. By nature the Rooneys tend to be conservative and they have always preferred a smashmouth run-oriented offense to go with an all-out attack minded defense.

When BA started favoring the spread and a fair number of 0 protections, the FO felt like that would shorten Big Ben's career---which is why they tried to get BA to retire.

What happened in Indy needed to happen for BA to get a legit shot as a HC. He showed that he could win as a HC and that players can rally around him in that role. It was the right place at the right time.

 

[az jam]

Bad luck and timing. Was really not successful as a college head coach at Temple. He then was a position coach for many years and finally become an OC with the Steelers when Cards hired Whiz. Then he was fired as OC (retired ) because he was too pass happy with and close to Rothelisberger. Finally the Colts hired him as OC under Pagano. BA took over as interim HC when Pagano was going through cancer treatment. He was named NFL Coach of the year. Cards took a chance on him being a 60 year with no real HC experience.

Vikings have since done the same with Mike Zimmer, another older top assistant that was never given a chance as a HC. Always passed over just like BA. Vikes won NFC North last year and look solid again. I think the Cards started something here by hiring BA.

 

[Reign Blood]

Teams are treading the younger breed for HC's. Arians proved you're never too old to win.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Teams are treading the younger breed for HC's. Arians proved you're never too old to win.

While I 100% agree with your statement.

My question to those teams would be.....how is that working out for them ?

 

[Jetstream Green]

There is only 32 positions in the NFL for a head coach and that question can be asked of anyone vying for the job. As with everything in the world, it is about networking and kissing ass now and hardly ever about quality and if you believe otherwise you live in a fantasy world in my opinion... you not only have to be good, you have to get lucky if you are someone like Arians who does not play the social games and I am happy we have him

 

[chickenhead]

This... He's not the type of guy who conforms to the standard interview process, where guys seek to tell the interviewer what they believe he/she wants to hear.

I wonder if he did try to do that before, just not successfully, and eventually just decided to be himself - or got too old to care.

 

[Harry]

It's a process of elimination. First throw out all the teams who have owners who want to control the coach, like Jerry Jones. Then throw out the teams that want to play conservatively, like the previously mentioned Steelers. There's another group that's afraid BA is a loose cannon. In point of fact he is. They were afraid he'd be a public relations nightmare. There was also a small concern that he might put together a staff of cronies whose performance would leave something to be desired.

BA is a good example of desperate times calling for desperate measures in Indiana. That's why he really got the chance. Then frankly the Cards had less to risk than most teams and the general assessment of how BA handled himself in Indy likely made the Cards the most aggressive team seeking his services.

In the end BA is a handful, but well worth the trouble. More importantly the players want to win for him. He's a perfect fit for Keim who likes to grab plug & play guys to fill holes. BA has the ability to motivate those vets as he's been discarded himself and he knows how to not over expose them. BA has also been quick to give rookies a chance to make major contributions. The same could be said with his coaching staff. Plus his willingness to give young coaches a chance has surprised many. BA & the organization are having fun. It's been a long time since the Cards were annual contenders. Enjoy it and thank BASK; that's truly a meaningful acronym.

 

[Mitch]

It's a process of elimination. First throw out all the teams who have owners who want to control the coach, like Jerry Jones. Then throw out the teams that want to play conservatively, like the previously mentioned Steelers. There's another group that's afraid BA is a loose cannon. In point of fact he is. They were afraid he'd be a public relations nightmare. There was also a small concern that he might put together a staff of cronies whose performance would leave something to be desired.

BA is a good example of desperate times calling for desperate measures in Indiana. That's why he really got the chance. Then frankly the Cards had less to risk than most teams and the general assessment of how BA handled himself in Indy likely made the Cards the most aggressive team seeking his services.

In the end BA is a handful, but well worth the trouble. More importantly the players want to win for him. He's a perfect fit for Keim who likes to grab plug & play guys to fill holes. BA has the ability to motivate those vets as he's been discarded himself and he knows how to not over expose them. BA has also been quick to give rookies a chance to make major contributions. The same could be said with his coaching staff. Plus his willingness to give young coaches a chance has surprised many. BA & the organization are having fun. It's been a long time since the Cards were annual contenders. Enjoy it and thank BASK; that's truly a meaningful acronym.

Perfectly said, Harry!

 

[CardLogic]

+1.

Arians is a straight shooter, genuine, confident and lacks tact.

These types of personalities are very intimidating, and can come off the wrong way, and the first impressions these people can give off will really put off a lot of people, and ESPECIALLY people that are "in charge".

But, long story short, it is his personality. Arians wasn't getting interviewed by his players, he was being interviewed by owners, and GM's.

Bill Bidwill would not have hired Arians, not in a million years. There is a reason the Bears hired Marc Trestman instead of Arians, and it was not because of coaching abilities or knowledge. Arians is going to do things HIS way, Trestman was going to do things the Bears way.

Just my two cents.

Pretty much covers everything I was thinking!

 

[Darkside]

+1.

Arians is a straight shooter, genuine, confident and lacks tact.

These types of personalities are very intimidating, and can come off the wrong way, and the first impressions these people can give off will really put off a lot of people, and ESPECIALLY people that are "in charge".

But, long story short, it is his personality. Arians wasn't getting interviewed by his players, he was being interviewed by owners, and GM's.

Bill Bidwill would not have hired Arians, not in a million years. There is a reason the Bears hired Marc Trestman instead of Arians, and it was not because of coaching abilities or knowledge. Arians is going to do things HIS way, Trestman was going to do things the Bears way.

Just my two cents.

The simple answer is that BA is kind of a dick. I doubt that's in dispute. He's also old. When you combine those two things, it's like a get off my lawn type of interview. BA isn't as great as we think. It's ridiculous how in love we are of him and Keim. They make mistakes, all the time. Winning masks it.

BA is a total ass, let's not pretend otherwise. So is Keim.

Ya'll act like if you had a beer with these dudes you'd be best friends. LOL. They don't care about you or your happiness or disappointment. Not even. You think about them a hell of a lot more than they think of you, the fans. That's a fact.

 

[Jetstream Green]

The simple answer is that BA is kind of a dick. I doubt that's in dispute. He's also old. When you combine those two things, it's like a get off my lawn type of interview. BA isn't as great as we think. It's ridiculous how in love we are of him and Keim. They make mistakes, all the time. Winning masks it.

BA is a total ass, let's not pretend otherwise. So is Keim.

Ya'll act like if you had a beer with these dudes you'd be best friends. LOL. They don't care about you or your happiness or disappointment. Not even. You think about them a hell of a lot more than they think of you, the fans. That's a fact.

Their mistakes are hardly even in question if one looks at the record and what the rest of the league thinks of our roster, and being an ass and being truthful are two totally different things and you know that by putting 'kind of a ****' because your know that is not the case either. Seriously, that whole 'winning masks it' sentiment is about one of the most ridiculous things I have heard on this forum since I have joined and the players speak highly of him and those include guys who are not Cardinals. I played high school football and ran college track and from hearing BA from pressers to the draft, you damn right I would want to play for that guy

 

[Reign Blood]

Their mistakes are hardly even in question if one looks at the record and what the rest of the league thinks of our roster, and being an ass and being truthful are two totally different things and you know that by putting 'kind of a ****' because your know that is not the case either. Seriously, that whole 'winning masks it' sentiment is about one of the most ridiculous things I have heard on this forum since I have joined and the players speak highly of him and those include guys who are not Cardinals. I played high school football and ran college track and from hearing BA from pressers to the draft, you damn right I would want to play for that guy

Totally agree. BA and Kiem have given themselves a reputation of doing things the way they envision. Take free agency for example. It's sign or go. In the draft...it's putting the players they scouted and brought in for visits fitting where we need players. Who else would make Harlan Miller look like a solid pick?

 

[Mitch]

The simple answer is that BA is kind of a dick. I doubt that's in dispute. He's also old. When you combine those two things, it's like a get off my lawn type of interview. BA isn't as great as we think. It's ridiculous how in love we are of him and Keim. They make mistakes, all the time. Winning masks it.

BA is a total ass, let's not pretend otherwise. So is Keim.

Ya'll act like if you had a beer with these dudes you'd be best friends. LOL. They don't care about you or your happiness or disappointment. Not even. You think about them a hell of a lot more than they think of you, the fans. That's a fact.

Wow. Seriously?

The trio of MB---SK---BA have made being a Cardinals' fan exciting beyond my wildest dreams. I won't speak for anyone but myself---but I sense that so many of us are still pinching ourselves to see such spirited and unprecedented dedication and leadership of our beloved and previously much-maligned franchise.

 

[cardpa]

The simple answer is that BA is kind of a dick. I doubt that's in dispute. He's also old. When you combine those two things, it's like a get off my lawn type of interview. BA isn't as great as we think. It's ridiculous how in love we are of him and Keim. They make mistakes, all the time. Winning masks it.

BA is a total ass, let's not pretend otherwise. So is Keim.

Ya'll act like if you had a beer with these dudes you'd be best friends. LOL. They don't care about you or your happiness or disappointment. Not even. You think about them a hell of a lot more than they think of you, the fans. That's a fact.

Darkside is probably right about this, they really don't give a rats ass about us in reality. Yes they do the photo ops with the fans and shake the hands and yuck it up with the fans because they want you to do one thing by doing this, they want you to open up your wallet wide so they can reach in there and take as much as they could. It's part of their job to get the fans to like them and love them because getting the fans invested, especially emotionally, is the best way to get them to spend money on everything and anything Cardinal.

Don't get me wrong, I have been a fan of this team for 49 years and yes I have spent money on Cardinal merchandise, however that said I can honestly say it has been in probably $300-400 total. I have had gifts which have far exceeded this amount which I am very grateful to receive.

As the old saying goes, "Follow the money".

 

[Reign Blood]

Darkside is probably right about this, they really don't give a rats ass about us in reality. Yes they do the photo ops with the fans and shake the hands and yuck it up with the fans because they want you to do one thing by doing this, they want you to open up your wallet wide so they can reach in there and take as much as they could. It's part of their job to get the fans to like them and love them because getting the fans invested, especially emotionally, is the best way to get them to spend money on everything and anything Cardinal.

Don't get me wrong, I have been a fan of this team for 49 years and yes I have spent money on Cardinal merchandise, however that said I can honestly say it has been in probably $300-400 total. I have had gifts which have far exceeded this amount which I am very grateful to receive.

As the old saying goes, "Follow the money".

What else are they supposed to do? Take us all out to lunch? Come to our Christmas party?

It's laughable someone would make an obvisious attemp to bring us down. If you sell you have to put on a smile, but however it doesnt mean you don't stand behind your product and you still keep your word.

Name me a team in the nfl that doesn't want fans in the stands.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Ya'll act like if you had a beer with these dudes you'd be best friends. LOL.

I agree with your point, except this.

A vast majority of fans know this is a business, and I have never, not once see anyone on this board saying anything to the effect that would make this comment valid.

I see a bunch of football fans who talk about the head coach of their team, like all people who talk about useless sports topics talk about the head coach of their team.

There is a fantasy element to all sports. We just choose to believe. It is like the WWE just a little bit less.

I have no qualms about it. I very much enjoy getting emotionally invested in the Cardinals, even knowing that it is part fantasy, and it is pure "I want your money business".

 

[AzStevenCal]

I agree with your point, except this.

A vast majority of fans know this is a business, and I have never, not once see anyone on this board saying anything to the effect that would make this comment valid.

I see a bunch of football fans who talk about the head coach of their team, like all people who talk about useless sports topics talk about the head coach of their team.

There is a fantasy element to all sports. We just choose to believe. It is like the WWE just a little bit less.

I have no qualms about it. I very much enjoy getting emotionally invested in the Cardinals, even knowing that it is part fantasy, and it is pure "I want your money business".

 

[Mitch]

Immediately after the loss to Carolina, BA was lamenting how tough this blowout must have been for the Red Sea.

BA and SK give the most fan-friendly press conferences we have ever had in Arizona. They offer meat and potatoes and an inside view of their thinking process. To hear Steve Keim describe his draft picks and trade acquisitions is a work of art. All the while, they could be close-vested, tight-lipped and haughty the way Bill Belichick is.

In my opinion those press conference are their attempt to reach out to the fans---to connect with us on a higher, more intimate level. They offer info that most coaches don't even consider sharing.

BA is a loose cannon and at times it makes me cringe---BUT---here is a guy with a heart the size of the Grand Canyon. The way he handled the Chuck Pagano situation by keeping the right on in his office---the way his former players like Big Ben call or text all the time---the way that he hired the first female intern coach---he and his wife's charity for battered women---ask all the current players who say over and over that BA treats them with honesty, which is what they want. The way he was practically crying when Honey Badger went down again. The way he texts the Red Sea before every game.

If any of you for one mili-second thinks that BA could care less about you or me---I hope you will look more closely into his heart. BA has his warts, as we all do, but he is first and foremost a people person...a humanitarian...and a prodigious force for the good---it's a big part of what makes him so engaging and genuine.