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Tag: head coach

  • Ken Whisenhunt Hired As Coach Of Tennessee Titans

    On the hunt for head coaches, several teams have been interviewing with, and hiring new personnel to their team.

    Ken Whisenhunt was in high demand as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, and the Titans were the more aggressive team, being able to snag him before the Detroit Lions could get to him.

    The Detroit Lions have been on a serious hunt for their head coach ever since firing Jim Schwartz at the end of their less than stellar season.

    The Tennessee Titans hired Ken Whisenhunt while the Lions were in hot pursuit of him, in a smart move that prevented him from getting an interview with the Lions.

    The Titans have also struggled as of recently, and could use even more rebuilding than the Lions, who at least have a roster of strong players, but continue to be unable to win.

    After the brutal black Monday firings that saw a handful of coaches lose their jobs, a number of teams are already thinking about next season, and trying to get the best coach available.

    The Lions are still on the hunt for a new head coach, but Jim Caldwell seems to be the top candidate, and has even come with a strong recommendation from Tony Dungy, who Caldwell spent years coaching under, before becoming the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

    Ken Whisenhunt was becoming the top candidate for the Lions, but both sides were beginning to wonder if he was the right fit since Whisenhunt is used to working with a 3-4 defense, and many of the players on the Lions have been drafted to play in the 4-3 scheme.

    The Tennessee Titans announced the news on Monday, and those in Tennessee are excited over the news of their new coach. Tommy Smith, the CEO and president of the Tennessee Titans spoke highly of the new situation when saying “This is a big day for this franchise. Ken is a well-respected coach in this league and I am looking forward to seeing his vision become reality for this team.”

    Ken Whisenhunt finished his duties as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers when his team suffered a loss to the Denver Broncos, who have moved on to play the New England Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship.

    Whisenhunt has previous head coaching experience as the coach of the Arizona Cardinals, when he went 45-51, but led the team to their only Super Bowl.

    At the age of 51, Ken Whisenhunt will look to take another shot at being a head coach, and hope to improve the Tennessee Titans franchise. The Titans are likely to need some help in the NFL draft as well, as they do not currently have a franchise player on offense that they can turn to in order to be a leader.

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  • Gus Malzahn Could Coach The Cleveland Browns

    After a spectacular season that included an Iron Bowl win against Alabama and could end with a possible BCS National Championship, Auburn has seen a lot of media attention.

    Now Auburn is receiving even more attention, this time in the form of a possible job change for head coach Gus Malzahn.

    Malzahn is one of the names being mentioned as a possible head coach for the Cleveland Browns. Some sources even claim Malzahn is at the top of the Browns’ list.

    Along with Malzahn, Vanderbilt’s James Franklin and New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels are also names being discussed as the replacement for Rob Chudzinski, who earlier in the week was fired after the Browns finished with a season record of 4-12.

    One sports radio host doesn’t believe Malzahn would even take the job if offered.

    It is also rumored that the Browns will make former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz their defensive coordinator in 2014. Schwartz was fired this week after the Lions 7-9 record this season. Ray Horton, the Browns’ current defensive coordinator, has been given permission to explore other options by the team.

    While all this chatter of Malzahn being the possible next head coach of the Browns circulates, Malzahn himself is more concerned with the upcoming BCS game.

    On Tuesday Malzahn tweeted about the Auburn fans and the team’s trip to Pasadena.

    Malzahn discussed his “focused” team at Downtown Disney’s ESPN Zone. ‘‘This group has been extremely focused. They’ve worked hard. They’ve acted exactly the same way in practice. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re not going to be distracted,’’ said Malzahn.

    This isn’t the first time Malzahn has been with Auburn during bowl season, in 2010 he was the team’s offensive coordinator. That experience has helped him plan for Monday night’s game. Malzahn said, ‘‘Any time you play in the national championship game, there’s a lot that goes with it. First of all, there’s a long layoff, so strategically you’ve got to plan your practices and everything that goes with that. Then once you get here, it’s not a normal bowl week. There’s a lot of extra stuff that goes with it. So that past experience has got to help us. ‘‘

    The Auburn Tigers will take on the Florida State Seminoles on January 6 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

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  • Lovie Smith Interviewed For Texans Coach Position

    The Texans have started their interviewing process to try to find a new head coach to replace Gary Kubiak. It was reported that the former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith was the first candidate to be interviewed for the position, earlier this week.

    Smith, 55, left the Bears after being fired when the Bears finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs in 2012. Smith served nine years with the Bears, and was 81-63, including 3-3 in the playoffs. He coached the defensive backs at Tampa Bay from 1996 to 2000, and was the defensive coordinator at St. Louis from 2001 to 2003.

    Although Smith is a prime candidate, the Texans have several other possibilities that they will be looking into including their current interim head coach, Wade Phillips, the Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, and the Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

    It was previously reported that Jon Gruden was the number one candidate for the position, however Gruden remains firm in saying that he will be staying with ESPN until at least 2014. “I’m just trying to do my job,” Gruden said. “I’m not going to address every little rumor or supposed conversation that takes place, according to these so-called sources. There are a lot of good coaches out there available to coach these teams. I’m just hoping ESPN likes the job I’m doing. That’s my focus.”

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  • John Gruden Will Not Coach for the Texans in 2014

    Let the rumors begin. The Houston Texans fired head coach Gary Kubiak on Friday morning after an embarrassing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night, on national television, in front of the whole country. The Texans loss brings them a game below the Jaguars to 2-11, the worst record in the NFL.

    It’s especially difficult considering the Texans were thought of as front-runners to win the AFC South this season. Texans CEO, Bob McNair, had this to say about firing Kubiak. “We felt that a change was needed at the head coach position and Gary Kubiak is no longer the head coach. To have this string of losses that we sustained is just totally unacceptable and it’s not what this organization is about, We’re about winning and accountability. Even though we normally would wait until the end of the year to evaluate our coaching staff and our players, under these extreme circumstances, we decided it was in the best interest of the organization to go ahead and start that evaluation process now.”

    Former Dallas Cowboy head coach Wade Phillips will serve as the interim coach while the Texans figure out their next move. Of course, rumors are already beginning to swirl. One very sexy name that has come up is former Super Bowl Champion head coach and current ESPN Monday Night Football Color Commentator, John Gruden.

    But Gruden says not so fast. “I’m just trying to do my job. I’m not going to address every little rumor or supposed conversation that takes place, according to these so-called sources. There are a lot of good coaches out there available to coach these teams. I’m just hoping ESPN likes the job I’m doing. That’s my focus.”

    It looks like Gruden will stay up in the booth for the remainder of this year and the 2014 football season. The Texans will need to fill their vacancy sooner than that. Also in the conversation is Tony Dungy and Bill Cower, names that always seem to come up when there is a head coach vacancy.

    Gruden, also affectionately known as “Chuckie,” for the mean faces he was known to make along the sidelines, had a 95-81 record as head coach for both the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His Super Bowl victory with the Bucs was their only championship in team history.

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  • Don James, Huskies Football Coach Dies at 80, Memorial Scheduled for Sunday

    Sunday was a somber day for die-hard Washington Huskies fans. Legendary Huskies football coach, Don James, died of pancreatic cancer. According to GoHuskies.com, James passed in the comfort of his own home. He was 80 years of age. The Ohio native lived and breathed football with an fulfilling athletic career that lasted nearly 50 years. James played 2 years of professional football as a quarterback and defensive back. However, his football glory came from his long-standing coaching career.

    In 1956, James took his first coaching job in Kansas, GA. He went on to coach at Southwest Miami High School in Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Colorado, and Kent State, before taking on his most notable coaching position as the head coach of the University of Washington Huskies.
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    James, who was commonly referred to as the “The Dawgfather” on campus, built a stellar career that led to his induction in the College Hall of Fame. James transformed the University of Washington football team into a championship-winning powerhouse. He arrived on campus in the fall of 1975, and his tenure lasted for a total of 17 years. Throughout his 17-year tenure, James led the team to six conference titles. In 1997, James was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He retired with an overall head coaching record of 178-76-3.
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    Coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Rolltide shared his reaction to the loss and issued a statement of condolence, paying his respects to James. Saban learned under the tutelage of James’ coaching, so he definitely had a lot to say in reference to the famed coach.
    “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach James’ family. He was a special man and meant the world to me. There aren’t enough words to describe not only the great coach he was, but how much he cared for people and the positive impact he made in the lives of everyone he came in contact with.

    Coach James was my mentor and probably did more than anybody to influence me in this profession. Like I’ve said before, I didn’t plan on going into coaching. He saw something in me and asked me to stay on at Kent State as a graduate assistant after my playing career was over. I really enjoyed it, got hired full time and went on from there.

    From an organizational standpoint, our program today is run much like he ran his program. He was very organized, efficient, and did an outstanding job of defining expectations for players, coaches and everyone in the organization.

    He was always personal and inspirational to players and people around him. He wanted you to reach your full potential as a football player, but more importantly, he wanted you to do well in school and become the best person you could be so you would be successful in life. He was the same way when it came to assistant coaches or anyone who worked for him, you were a better person because of the time you spent with Coach James.”

    James will be honored during a special memorial service by the Huskies prior to the 8:00pm kickoff on Saturday. According to the Seattle Times, a public vigil in James’ honor is also scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm at the Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington. However, further information regarding the specific details of the memorial have yet to be released.

    The official Twitter page for the Huskies Athletics’ department will be posting frequent updates with further information regarding James’ memorial and funeral arrangements.

     

    Image via Twitter | University of Washington Athletics

  • Nick Saban Responds to Texas Longhorn Rumors

    Anyone who’s ever heard of Nick Saban can sum up his career in one word – victorious. It’s no secret that the Alabama Rolltide head coach is not immune to defeat. He likes to win, and prides himself on it. The ‘no-days-off, no-nonsense’ drill sergeant believes in the constitution of hard work and busting your butt on the gridiron to put points on the board, leaving no margin of error. Saban also has an impressive record of 161-55 to prove his sentiments are effective, which is why there is chatter about the Texas Longhorns wanting the winning coach to come and work his magic in the ‘lone star’ state. However, Saban has denied the rumors. But, here’s how it all got started:

    With current Longhorns coach, Mack Brown, in hot water due to poor performance this season, university officials seem to be taking underlying strides to rectify the situation before the team suffers a full losing season. It has been rumored that a representative from the university contacted Saban’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, with an in quiry on the state of Saban’s permanence with the Rolltide. The Texas regent also asked if Saban would be interested in relocating. However, the surprising factor is that this all started in January, just days after Saban won the national championship.

    The Washington Post reported that Coach Saban has indeed addressed the media buzz that seems to be circulating rapidly around the sports world. There is a claim that Saban has been contacted with a job offer to coach the University of Texas Longhorns football team. Saban took to his “Hey Coach” radio show in Tuscaloosa, AL to address the situation.

    “Nothing went on that I know of. I don’t know about any of this stuff. I haven’t talked to anybody about that particular situation. They have a coach there.” He went on to say, “Quite frankly, I’m just too damn old to start all over somewhere else, to be honest with you.” In a nutshell, Nick Saban already has a strong football program that took years to solidify. He’s currently reaping the benefits of his invested efforts, and he’s not interested in spending more years rebuilding a losing team.

    However, here’s the kicker: While Saban has stated his indifference and disinterest toward the alleged offer, that’s pretty much the same perception he portrayed before taking on the Rolltide. Saban is currently the highest-paid employee for the state of Alabama, salaried at $5.6 million a year. So, it leaves some football enthusiasts to wonder did Saban have a change of heart because of the challenge in building a winning football program, or was it the incentive furnished to get the job done? If it was the latter, a bidding war could arise if the Longhorns really want the top collegiate football coach on their sidelines. With Texas leading the nation in football revenue, they definitely have the monetary stimulus and allurement to offer an attractive deal. Football season’s just starting and the logistics are already sparking up. We’ll just have to watch it all play out.

  • Bill Parcells Honored with Hall of Fame Ring

    Yesterday’s New York Giants game in East Rutherford wasn’t just ‘any given Sunday’ for former NFL coach, Bill Parcells. It was a day of commemoration. The former Giants’ head coach received his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring in an honorary ceremony during halftime at the Giants-Broncos’ game. Parcells took the field along with five other Giants’ legends to stand before a sold-out crowd of onlookers basking in their success.

    According to NJ.com, Parcells simply described the auspicious occasion as, “special.” He was honored on his own stomping ground in a stadium where so many of his memorable football moments where forged. “At my age, I have a little more sensitivity and appreciation for the history of the game,” admitted Parcells. He reminisced about his tenure with the Giants stating that the best thing about working for the team was the ability to work in ‘his own backyard with the team he grew up rooting for.’

    As a dominant figure in some of the most compelling victories in Giants’ history, Parcells’ legendary stature comes from years of hard work and persistence. In 1979, he made his NFL debut with the Giants’ in the capacity of defensive coordinator. The New York native was ‘excited’ about starting his professional football career. “This is where it started for me in terms of opportunity. Someone took a chance on me as an assistant coach. So I’ll always be grateful to the Giants because of that.” Gradually working his way up the coaching totem pole, Parcels became the Giants’ head coach from 1983 to 1990. Throughout his 7-season tenure with the Giants, Parcells clenched two Super Bowl championships. (Super Bowls XXI and XXV.)

    Parcells, now 72, held a head coaching position in the NFL for 22 consecutive seasons. In addition to coaching the Giants’, Parcells was also head coach for the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and the Dallas Cowboys during the 22-year span. Parcells overall coach record was 172 – 130 during the regular seasons, and 11 – 8 in the postseasons.

     

    Image via New York Daily News

  • Bill Belichick Extends Contract Again with the Patriots

    Although the amount of Bill Belichick’s salary has always been obscure, one profound detail in his contract is crystal clear– it’s expiration date.  According to New England Sports News, it has been announced by NFL officials that Belichick isn’t going anywhere ‘anytime soon.’

    There has been a lot of speculation in regards to the details of the legendary coach’s contract and the New England Patriots football club where Belichick is concerned.

    Belichick, who is also the Patriots’ general manager, may have predominant control over nearly all of the team’s football transactions. But, the extent of his authority isn’t what grants him credence with any advantages in locking down yet another contract renewal. Belichick’s financial discretion, and winning track record are evident that his main focus is victory. Over the years, his actions have definitely spoke louder than his words.

    Bill Belichick has been the head coach of the New England Patriots since 2000. His initial contract was set to end in 2007, but was renewed for another six seasons. Although the 2000 season, wasn’t a success, it served as the syllabus the team needed for development, which paid off tremendously. Over the past 13 years, Belichick has managed to produce the most laudable coaching statistics in franchise history with an impressive 153-57 record over 13 seasons collectively. He has also impelled the Patriots franchise to five Super Bowl appearances, clenching the first Patriots’ victory in franchise history in 2001. Out of the team’s five Super Bowl appearances, the Patriots have walked away with three victories. With Belichick’s peerless record, it is definitely not a surprise that the New England franchise has come to an amicable agreement to renew the head coach’s contract yet again.

    NFL Network official Ian Rapoport also quoted an inside source stating that Belichick may be “coaching for quite some time.” The NFL Network has stated that the franchise is pleased, and the fans appear to be just as contended with the news.

     

     

     

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