Lesson Learned: Clark is Right to Land HC First

[Hoover]

I think it’s very wise of Clark Hunt to put a priority the selection of the next head coach and not the general manager. Hunt put a priority on selecting the GM in 2009 and he landed his man, but by the time Pioli was in place all of the top coaching candidates were gone forcing the Chiefs to reach on Todd Haley. When you miss out on the top head coaching talent, it impacts the quality of the entire coaching staff.

The Chiefs have talent, but without the right coach to focus that talent and lead the team, one doesn’t get the most out of the investment in a high profile GM. While many here believe the presence of Pioli deters high profile free agents, I would say the lack of a legitimate coach with substantial control is what drives them to other teams instead of the chiefs. Would you rather play for a coach who makes the decisions for the team, or a coach who get’s vetoed by an all-powerful GM?

I think teams like the Chargers who are going to focus on the GM search before looking at head coach replacements run the risk of missing out on the best coaches. A GM first strategy also adds an unneeded variable to the coach selection. Say we went out and grabbed a Ross or a dude from GB or SF. I’d be happy, but who are they going to get for a HC? Likely a coordinator they have ties to, which means a repeat of the Haley fiasco.

I love the fact that Clark is going to get his coach and then sort out the GM stuff. I’ve become a big advocate of Reid and Heckert. Herkert has a long time scouting background and Reid is a QB friendly, franchise type coach we have not had since Marty.

Clark is on the right track. Now get it done Mr. Hunt.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadMagic

So maybe some truth to... "all the good choices were gone"?

Or just more evidence that Pioli never had a ****ing clue about what he was doing.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by ChiefMojo

I think what we found out from the very start is that Pioli has a very limited base of coaches he can choose from. The whole Patriot system is based off of working with those that know the system and you can trust (prefer past working relationships).

Dimittrof was from that same mold but spread his wings and did it his own way... it has worked. Pioli can't see once inch from his face when it comes to stuff that isn't New England.

BIG YEP

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Looking back on the bullshit spewed from 1 Arrowhead Drive, why would anyone believe anything that was reported by the Chiefs?

Regardless of the reason, it never should've taken as long as it did to shitcan Herm.

[BullJunkandIron]

They might of just been using the wrong temp agency.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Regardless of the reason, it never should've taken as long as it did to shitcan Herm.

Just like it should not take this long to shit can Fat Scott (it has been close to 48 hours since the season ended... that is already too long).

There is no benefit to keeping Fat Scott around, even temporarily until the HC is hired.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Hugh Janus

Just like it should not take this long to shit can Fat Scott (it has been close to 48 hours since the season ended... that is already too long).

There is no benefit to keeping Fat Scott around, even temporarily until the HC is hired.

Agreed. Clark obviously has a hangup with firing people.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by ChiefMojo

I think what we found out from the very start is that Pioli has a very limited base of coaches he can choose from. The whole Patriot system is based off of working with those that know the system and you can trust (prefer past working relationships).

Dimittrof was from that same mold but spread his wings and did it his own way... it has worked. Pioli can't see once inch from his face when it comes to stuff that isn't New England.

Here's the thing - by doing things this way, Clark is also limiting the candidate pool.

Not to hijack, but this conversation between DeezNutz and I fits perfect in this thread. Long, but worth the read, IMO. Would love some more input on it.

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

If it goes down this way, Clark is doing it the only way anyone wants to see it done.

Sweep Pioli under the rug never to be heard from again.

Just perfect.

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

There's really no other logical conclusion that one can draw in my view. You can't prohibit the highest-ranking employee to address the media one day and then ever go back to "normal." Once the line is crossed, one can never go back.

This is similar to the Cassel situation. Once he was benched, he was done; once Pioli was silenced, he was essentially fired.

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

My only concern is that he's painting himself into a corner.

By not firing Pioli outright, he creates three possible problems:


1.) Clark is forced to limit his HC search to guys who are capable of having control of personnel decisions.

This is a pretty small list to begin with, and you're already hearing rumblings from guys like Gruden, Cowher and Billick that they aren't interested in coming back. That pretty much leaves Andy Reid and Chip Kelly, who other teams are already fighting over, while we're wasting time with Dirk Koetter and a Rooney Rule candidate.


2.) Hiring a HC and not finding a quality GM.

For sake of conversation, lets say Clark hires Dirk Koetter. Who is the new GM? Guys like Ross, Gamble and Dorsey will either be long gone, or aren't going to be interested in a position in which they have no control over who the HC is. GM's expect to be able to hire a HC.


3.) **** me, but when Reid goes to Arizona or San Diego, and Kelly goes to Cleveland, and there's nothing left that satisfies the first option, and option two comes to fruition and Clark can't find a GM - what happens then?

We all know what happens then.



I know everyone is excited about Clark stepping out on a limb, and I am as well - but he could have stepped out on a thicker limb. I'm not seeing how throwing all your eggs in a Bill Cowher type basket is what is best for the organization.

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

I think it's option 1, and I don't believe there's much debate about this. Furthermore, I believe that Hunt is very confident about what the outcome will be in KC or he wouldn't make this type of move.

I don't believe for a moment that a true "search" in underway. Clark has been working on this change for some time, and he knows the endgame.

If he doesn't, if he made this bold announcement without near certain knowledge of who the next coach will be, Clark is one recklessly stupid individual.

I don't believe that Hunt is the riverboat gambler type, but we'll see.

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

So let's make a list:

It pretty much has to be either Cowher, Billick or Gruden - unless I'm forgetting someone.

If Clark knows the endgame, as you say, that eliminates guys like Andy Reid and Chip Kelly - they wouldn't be interviewing elsewhere.

And if Clark knows the endgame, why the charade? Why not hire the guy and get to work on the most important draft in the franchise's history?

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

There's been chatter about all of the above, but nothing has happened yet.

If a coach isn't in place by the end of next week, it's probably worth ratcheting up the concern level a few notches because Hunt might be in over his head.

Based on his words, he seems to be shooting for one of the big names that you list initially. I can't fathom that he's taking a wild shot, either, since men like Hunt are often conservative by nature.

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I agree his words seem to indicate a Cowher-type hire.

So why wait?

And what happens when he can't talk Cowher, Billick or Gruden out of retirement?

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

If it's one of these three, Hunt knows the answer right now. If he doesn't, he's dumb as ****.

At this point, lawyers would be drawing up papers; it's long past time to make a sale.

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Who else could it be?

As you said, Clark would be foolish to take this approach and not know the end result.

That leaves guys like Kelly and Reid out - they aren't going to waste other organizations' time by interviewing if they already have some semblance of an agreement with Clark.

It just scares the shit out of me, because common sense says he's putting all his eggs in the Bill Cowher basket - and is going to be ****ed if he's turned down.

[dallaschiefsfan]

This is the right approach because the way we were doing it before was ass-backwards. Pioli kept talking like the HC needed to be the face of the franchise, yet Pioli retained all the power and decision-making. What kind of HC are you going to field that has no authority but has to shoulder all the responsibility each week? It makes no sense from a leadership/management perspective.

He with most responsibility needs the most authority. If the HC is the face of the franchise and the key leader, he should be paid as such and be given the kind of authority that's equal to standing in front of the cameras/microphones every week.

[Ace Gunner]

Here's a thought; Pioli is protected by buttbuddy Hunt and they hire another Pioli crony HC, grab a QB to compete with Matty C and they all ride into 2013 together.

[OnTheWarpath15]

No input on Post #22?

Parker, Hootie, SNR...

Anyone?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

No input on Post #22?

Parker, Hootie, SNR...

Anyone?

I don't know man. I just can't work up enough angst to actually care. After the last couple of days, I am not even anti-Cowher anymore.

Hell, he could hire MARTY and I would probably be fine with it.

My fandom has finally jumped the shark.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

Here's a thought; Pioli is protected by buttbuddy Hunt and they hire another Pioli crony HC, grab a QB to compete with Matty C and they all ride into 2013 together.

Here's a thought; you're reeruned.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I don't know man. I just can't work up enough angst to actually care. After the last couple of days, I am not even anti-Cowher anymore.

Hell, he could hire MARTY and I would probably be fine with it.

My fandom has finally jumped the shark.

Ouch.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

After the last couple of days, I am not even anti-Cowher anymore.

Of course not; you understand how silly it is to be OK with Billick and not Cowher.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Hugh Janus

Just like it should not take this long to shit can Fat Scott (it has been close to 48 hours since the season ended... that is already too long).

There is no benefit to keeping Fat Scott around, even temporarily until the HC is hired.

Sometimes I stay up late worrying about the mentally handicapped.

Clark's strategy in this situation smacks of brilliance. Whether he came up with the idea or merely listened to advice from someone else, it's an extraordinarily smart move, Mr. Hugh Janus.

I've posted this basic idea before, but since nobody ever reads my posts, there's no reason not to repeat it here; Clark is engaging a great strategy.

Let's assume (and probably very correctly) that Dr. Evil has a generous early termination compensation clause in his deal. Let's also assume (equally correctly) that he won't want to just up and quit because he's an incompetent moron. Given those two factoiders, Clark says, "Okay, screw you and your GM position. I'll just hire a coach who can handle your personnel responsibilities and make all the other football decisions. Somebody else can take over the janitorial concerns. You sit by the door and keep your mouth shut or you're fired for cause." Meanwhile, Clark's attorneys try to work out some sort of mutually-agreeable compromise and, failing that, decide whether or not Clark has the liberty to fire him outright based on some other rationale ... such as being a total idiot.

As I said, it's brilliant. A classic case of making chicken salad out of a dodo.

FAX