by tugboathunter » December 15, 2016, 10:57 am
The Cincinnati Bengals have had similar problems in recent years. Their head coach, Marvin Lewis, has had the job since 2003, and has only been moderately successful (113-94-3, but 0-7 in the playoffs). However, after drafting QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green, the team had two very successful offensive coordinators: Jay Gruden and Hue Jackson. They also had an excellent defensive coordinator: Mike Zimmer. Due to the Bengals' success, all three of these coaches were hired as head coaches (Gruden in Washington, Jackson in Cleveland, and Zimmer in Minnesota). But the Bengals have been stuck with Marvin Lewis running the show the entire time, when Gruden or Zimmer should have been promoted to head coach instead. Last season, the Bengals were arguably the most talented team in the AFC, yet they failed to advance in the playoffs after a 12-4 regular season. With Zimmer as the coach, I think they would have.
Caldwell strikes me as similar to Lewis: not a bad coach, but not a great coach. Somebody who will win just enough to keep the job (although unlike Lewis, he has taken a team to the Super Bowl). The Lions have to not make the mistake that the Bengals have, and promote Cooter or Austin to head coach before another team does (assuming they think either one is better for the job than Caldwell). Cooter will certainly be a hot name soon.
The Cincinnati Bengals have had similar problems in recent years. Their head coach, Marvin Lewis, has had the job since 2003, and has only been moderately successful (113-94-3, but 0-7 in the playoffs). However, after drafting QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green, the team had two very successful offensive coordinators: Jay Gruden and Hue Jackson. They also had an excellent defensive coordinator: Mike Zimmer. Due to the Bengals' success, all three of these coaches were hired as head coaches (Gruden in Washington, Jackson in Cleveland, and Zimmer in Minnesota). But the Bengals have been stuck with Marvin Lewis running the show the entire time, when Gruden or Zimmer should have been promoted to head coach instead. Last season, the Bengals were arguably the most talented team in the AFC, yet they failed to advance in the playoffs after a 12-4 regular season. With Zimmer as the coach, I think they would have.
Caldwell strikes me as similar to Lewis: not a bad coach, but not a great coach. Somebody who will win just enough to keep the job (although unlike Lewis, he has taken a team to the Super Bowl). The Lions have to not make the mistake that the Bengals have, and promote Cooter or Austin to head coach before another team does (assuming they think either one is better for the job than Caldwell). Cooter will certainly be a hot name soon.