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Shopping for a coach?
By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published November 25, 2007
For teams thinking about making a change in 2008 - and there should be at least a few - it's never too soon to start shopping for a new coach. Coming off a 2006 season in which Chicago's Lovie Smith and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy became the first African-Americans to coach in the Super Bowl, and given the 2007 success of Steelers rookie coach Mike Tomlin, teams should have no trouble meeting the league requirement of interviewing at least one minority candidate. There are several talented assistants worthy of consideration.
Five ready for the job
Mike Singletary, 49ers assistant head coach/defense
A Hall of Fame linebacker with the Bears from 1981-92, Singletary, 49, is in his third season with the 49ers after two with the Ravens, where he helped Ray Lewis become the 2003 defensive player of the year. He is a tremendous teacher and leader, commands respect and oozes integrity. Last year, Singletary interviewed for head coaching jobs in Detroit and Dallas. Last week, he withdrew from consideration for the top job at Baylor, his alma mater.
Ron Meeks, Colts defensive coordinator
In his sixth season running the Colts defense, Meeks flies under the radar because coach Tony Dungy comes from the defensive side of the ball. But the list of former Dungy assistants who are now successful NFL head coaches is hard to ignore. Meeks, 53, has 16 seasons of NFL experience. On the sideline, the TV cameras are focused on Dungy, but Meeks is the guy making the defensive calls.
Jim Caldwell, Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks
Again, anyone who likes the coaching model established by Tony Dungy will want to consider one of his assistants. Caldwell, 52, has spent the past six seasons working with quarterbackPeyton Manning and one of the league's most prolific offenses, the past three as assistant head coach. He was a successful college head coach at Wake Forest from 1993-2000 and has been in the NFL for seven seasons, including Tampa Bay in 2001.
Greg Blache, Commanders defensive coordinator
Blache, 58, is the coordinator behind the coordinator in Washington, with Gregg Williams holding the title of assistant head coach/defense on Joe Gibbs' staff. Blache joined the Commanders in 2004 after five seasons as the Bears' coordinator. In 2001, his Chicago defense allowed a league-best 12.7 points per game. Blache has 20 years of NFL experience. He interviewed for the 49ers head coaching job in 2002. He was a finalist at Notre Dame when Charlie Weis was hired in 2004.
Leslie Frazier, Vikings defensive coordinator
Frazier, 48, is in his first season as a coordinator in Minnesota after two as an assistant in Indianapolis. Could the Vikings lose consecutive first-year coordinators to head coaching jobs? Mike Tomlin went to the Steelers after one year, and Frazier, who has an impressive resume, could leave as well. This is his 15th season coaching in the NFL. He has won two Super Bowls, as a starting cornerback for the 1985 Bears and an assistant last season with the Colts.
Three to keep an eye on
Todd Bowles, Cowboys secondary
Had coach Bill Parcells stayed in Dallas, Bowles, 44, likely would have been his defensive coordinator. Owner Jerry Jones interviewed Bowles for the top job last year but hired Wade Phillips, who promptly retained Bowles. A former defensive back, Bowles made 65 career starts and won a Super Bowl with the Commanders, so he can relate to today's NFL player.
George Stewart, Vikings receivers coach
Stewart, 48, has been an assistant to some of the most respected coaches in football, including Lou Holtz, Chuck Noll, Sam Wyche, George Seiffert and Dan Reeves. During 19 years as an NFL assistant, he has worked with Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Steve Young, Rod Woodson and Michael Vick. He has tremendous people skills.
Raheem Morris, Bucs defensive backs
Back in the NFL after one season as Kansas State's defensive coordinator, Morris was an assistant to Mike Tomlin when he was the Bucs' secondary coach. At 31 he is young but has tremendous energy and the respect of players. He makes hum-drum meetings fun, communicates well and got his feet wet calling plays at Kansas State.
[Last modified November 24, 2007, 18:28:33]
By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published November 25, 2007
For teams thinking about making a change in 2008 - and there should be at least a few - it's never too soon to start shopping for a new coach. Coming off a 2006 season in which Chicago's Lovie Smith and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy became the first African-Americans to coach in the Super Bowl, and given the 2007 success of Steelers rookie coach Mike Tomlin, teams should have no trouble meeting the league requirement of interviewing at least one minority candidate. There are several talented assistants worthy of consideration.
Five ready for the job
Mike Singletary, 49ers assistant head coach/defense
A Hall of Fame linebacker with the Bears from 1981-92, Singletary, 49, is in his third season with the 49ers after two with the Ravens, where he helped Ray Lewis become the 2003 defensive player of the year. He is a tremendous teacher and leader, commands respect and oozes integrity. Last year, Singletary interviewed for head coaching jobs in Detroit and Dallas. Last week, he withdrew from consideration for the top job at Baylor, his alma mater.
Ron Meeks, Colts defensive coordinator
In his sixth season running the Colts defense, Meeks flies under the radar because coach Tony Dungy comes from the defensive side of the ball. But the list of former Dungy assistants who are now successful NFL head coaches is hard to ignore. Meeks, 53, has 16 seasons of NFL experience. On the sideline, the TV cameras are focused on Dungy, but Meeks is the guy making the defensive calls.
Jim Caldwell, Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks
Again, anyone who likes the coaching model established by Tony Dungy will want to consider one of his assistants. Caldwell, 52, has spent the past six seasons working with quarterbackPeyton Manning and one of the league's most prolific offenses, the past three as assistant head coach. He was a successful college head coach at Wake Forest from 1993-2000 and has been in the NFL for seven seasons, including Tampa Bay in 2001.
Greg Blache, Commanders defensive coordinator
Blache, 58, is the coordinator behind the coordinator in Washington, with Gregg Williams holding the title of assistant head coach/defense on Joe Gibbs' staff. Blache joined the Commanders in 2004 after five seasons as the Bears' coordinator. In 2001, his Chicago defense allowed a league-best 12.7 points per game. Blache has 20 years of NFL experience. He interviewed for the 49ers head coaching job in 2002. He was a finalist at Notre Dame when Charlie Weis was hired in 2004.
Leslie Frazier, Vikings defensive coordinator
Frazier, 48, is in his first season as a coordinator in Minnesota after two as an assistant in Indianapolis. Could the Vikings lose consecutive first-year coordinators to head coaching jobs? Mike Tomlin went to the Steelers after one year, and Frazier, who has an impressive resume, could leave as well. This is his 15th season coaching in the NFL. He has won two Super Bowls, as a starting cornerback for the 1985 Bears and an assistant last season with the Colts.
Three to keep an eye on
Todd Bowles, Cowboys secondary
Had coach Bill Parcells stayed in Dallas, Bowles, 44, likely would have been his defensive coordinator. Owner Jerry Jones interviewed Bowles for the top job last year but hired Wade Phillips, who promptly retained Bowles. A former defensive back, Bowles made 65 career starts and won a Super Bowl with the Commanders, so he can relate to today's NFL player.
George Stewart, Vikings receivers coach
Stewart, 48, has been an assistant to some of the most respected coaches in football, including Lou Holtz, Chuck Noll, Sam Wyche, George Seiffert and Dan Reeves. During 19 years as an NFL assistant, he has worked with Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Steve Young, Rod Woodson and Michael Vick. He has tremendous people skills.
Raheem Morris, Bucs defensive backs
Back in the NFL after one season as Kansas State's defensive coordinator, Morris was an assistant to Mike Tomlin when he was the Bucs' secondary coach. At 31 he is young but has tremendous energy and the respect of players. He makes hum-drum meetings fun, communicates well and got his feet wet calling plays at Kansas State.
[Last modified November 24, 2007, 18:28:33]