Chiefs Why isn't this Defensive Coordinator a candidate for head coach? - Page 2

kcbubb · 02-03-2009, 10:18 AM

Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinator

I know he is old (71), but it seems like one of the best defensive coordinators in the history of the game would be mentioned as a possible head coach for a team with one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

Here's a little bit of info on LeBeau:

Charles Richard “Dick” LeBeau (born September 9, 1937 in London, Ohio) is a former football player and is currently the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator. He spent 14 years in the NFL as a player and is in his 36th as a coach. Considered an “innovator” and “defensive football genius”, LeBeau created the ‘zone blitz’ when he was defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1980s.

Contents

* 1 Playing career
* 2 Coaching career
* 3 Personal life
* 4 References
* 5 External Links

Playing career

LeBeau attended Ohio State University, playing for famed coach Woody Hayes, and was on the 1957 national championship team, playing at cornerback and halfback. Also in 1957, playing both sides of the ball, he scored two touchdowns as Ohio State came back to beat Michigan 31-14.

He was initially drafted in the fifth round in 1959 by the Cleveland Browns but was cut from their team, and was signed as a rookie free agent by the Detroit Lions. He spent his entire 14 year NFL career with them as a defensive back, teamed during the early part of that run with Dick "Night Train" Lane and Yale Lary, and later with Lem Barney. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1965 through 1967. He was a leading interceptor, with 62 career interceptions for 762 return yards and 3 touchdowns, and holds the NFL record for consecutive game appearances for a cornerback with 171. He also recovered 9 fumbles, returning them for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Coaching career

“ Dick LeBeau is arguably the best ever to coach defense. … He has done it on such a consistent basis over a long period of time.”

—Ron Jaworski, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback.

After retirement as a player, LeBeau became an NFL coach. The following teams hired him as an assistant:

* Philadelphia Eagles (1973-1975)
* Green Bay Packers (1976-1979)
* Cincinnati Bengals (1980-1991), (1997-2002) - Won 1981 and 1988 AFC Championships and 3 AFC Central Division Championships (1981, 1988, and 1990)
* Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-1996), (2004-present) - Won 4 AFC Central Division Championships (1992 and 1994-96), 3 AFC North Division Championships (2004, 2007, and 2008), 3 AFC Championships (1995, 2005, and 2008),Super Bowl XL, and Super Bowl XLIII.
* Buffalo Bills (2003)

Also, LeBeau was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals for three seasons, from 2000 through 2002.
“It was a thought process kind of born out of necessity. It was basically an outcropping of the run-and-shoot [offense] that was becoming pretty prevalent in the league back then. We were in the same division as Houston, and they were tremendous at it with Moon and Co. Then the West Coast offense was spreading throughout the league. Those were all quick-rhythm, get-the-ball-out-of-your-hands-and-cut-up-the-defense types of passing games. We were just looking for ways to get pressure without exposing our defensive backs to have to cover the whole field all of the time.”

—Dick LeBeau, on the origin of the ‘zone blitz’.

As an assistant coach he is credited with inventing the "Fire Zone" or "zone blitz" defense, which employs unpredictable pass rushes and pass coverage from various players.His defenses typically employ 3-4 sets, with any of the 4 linebackers and frequently a defensive back among the pass rushers, while defensive linemen may drop back into short pass coverage zones to compensate for the pass rush coming from other positions. The design is intended to confuse the opposition's quarterback and frustrate its blocking schemes, as the offense may be unsure on each play of which defenders will rush the passer and which will drop into coverage. While often described as a "blitzing" scheme (implying more than the typical number of four pass rushers used by most defenses), the call on any particular "zone blitz" play may involve only three or four pass rushers but from unpredictable positions and angles. Although widely considered a defensive innovator, his stint as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals was unsuccessful.

LeBeau is beloved among his players, many of whom refer to him as "Coach Dad." The Steelers players have given him many gifts, including a Rolex watch.

LeBeau was named "Coordinator of the year" by the Sporting News for the 2008 season.

RustShack · 02-03-2009, 11:04 AM

Great OC's/DC's don't always equal good HC's.

kcbubb · 02-03-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Great OC's/DC's don't always equal good HC's.

very true... but I just find it interesting that I haven't heard of him being mentioned. He's obviously qualified. He may be too old. But he may consider the Chiefs young roster as an opportunity.

**ShortRoundChief** · 02-03-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Please never start another thread, you have never had anything good to say.

Weren't you the guy who started a thread about trading dorsey?

Brock · 02-03-2009, 11:16 AM

Buddy Ryan is available.

blueballs · 02-03-2009, 11:23 AM

don't let 'em get you down
if you think they're taking turns now
-have you ever seen a grown man naked

kc rush · 02-03-2009, 11:26 AM

I say pull this guy out of the college ranks. He has a successful track record there. Plus, he knows how to work with Larry Johnson.

RustShack · 02-03-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Weren't you the guy who started a thread about trading dorsey?

Negative.

RustShack · 02-03-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcbubb

very true... but I just find it interesting that I haven't heard of him being mentioned. He's obviously qualified. He may be too old. But he may consider the Chiefs young roster as an opportunity.

If your that old and still a DC there is a reason. I'm not saying we need a 30 year old coach, but we need someone a lot younger than him.

**ShortRoundChief** · 02-03-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc rush

I say pull this guy out of the college ranks. He has a successful track record there. Plus, he knows how to work with Larry Johnson.

You better get off Joe Pa. In that pic he's flipping you off because you're making fun of him.

**Rausch** · 02-03-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

If your that old and still a DC there is a reason. I'm not saying we need a 30 year old coach, but we need someone a lot younger than him.

I seem to remember a few years ago him saying he didn't want to leave Pit again. Seemed to have a Gun-like loyalty there.

**DaneMcCloud** · 02-03-2009, 12:29 PM

He's 71 years old.

Not exactly your ideal candidate.

Furthermore, this has been a topic in the past, with the same result.

beach tribe · 02-03-2009, 12:38 PM

He could be a HC if he wanted to, but why should he want to. That's a lot of work for a guy his age.

FloridaMan88 · 02-03-2009, 12:45 PM

He was the head coach for the Bengals a few years back and it was a disaster

Crush · 02-03-2009, 12:46 PM

If you refuse to learn history, then you are doomed to repeat it.

Source: http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/pl...sf/ID/04080040

02-03-2009, 10:18 AM
kcbubb Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $4966719	Why isn't this Defensive Coordinator a candidate for head coach? Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinator I know he is old (71), but it seems like one of the best defensive coordinators in the history of the game would be mentioned as a possible head coach for a team with one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Here's a little bit of info on LeBeau: Charles Richard “Dick” LeBeau (born September 9, 1937 in London, Ohio) is a former football player and is currently the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator. He spent 14 years in the NFL as a player and is in his 36th as a coach. Considered an “innovator” and “defensive football genius”, LeBeau created the ‘zone blitz’ when he was defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1980s. Contents * 1 Playing career * 2 Coaching career * 3 Personal life * 4 References * 5 External Links Playing career LeBeau attended Ohio State University, playing for famed coach Woody Hayes, and was on the 1957 national championship team, playing at cornerback and halfback. Also in 1957, playing both sides of the ball, he scored two touchdowns as Ohio State came back to beat Michigan 31-14. He was initially drafted in the fifth round in 1959 by the Cleveland Browns but was cut from their team, and was signed as a rookie free agent by the Detroit Lions. He spent his entire 14 year NFL career with them as a defensive back, teamed during the early part of that run with Dick "Night Train" Lane and Yale Lary, and later with Lem Barney. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1965 through 1967. He was a leading interceptor, with 62 career interceptions for 762 return yards and 3 touchdowns, and holds the NFL record for consecutive game appearances for a cornerback with 171. He also recovered 9 fumbles, returning them for 53 yards and a touchdown. Coaching career “ Dick LeBeau is arguably the best ever to coach defense. … He has done it on such a consistent basis over a long period of time.” —Ron Jaworski, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback. After retirement as a player, LeBeau became an NFL coach. The following teams hired him as an assistant: * Philadelphia Eagles (1973-1975) * Green Bay Packers (1976-1979) * Cincinnati Bengals (1980-1991), (1997-2002) - Won 1981 and 1988 AFC Championships and 3 AFC Central Division Championships (1981, 1988, and 1990) * Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-1996), (2004-present) - Won 4 AFC Central Division Championships (1992 and 1994-96), 3 AFC North Division Championships (2004, 2007, and 2008), 3 AFC Championships (1995, 2005, and 2008),Super Bowl XL, and Super Bowl XLIII. * Buffalo Bills (2003) Also, LeBeau was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals for three seasons, from 2000 through 2002. “It was a thought process kind of born out of necessity. It was basically an outcropping of the run-and-shoot [offense] that was becoming pretty prevalent in the league back then. We were in the same division as Houston, and they were tremendous at it with Moon and Co. Then the West Coast offense was spreading throughout the league. Those were all quick-rhythm, get-the-ball-out-of-your-hands-and-cut-up-the-defense types of passing games. We were just looking for ways to get pressure without exposing our defensive backs to have to cover the whole field all of the time.” —Dick LeBeau, on the origin of the ‘zone blitz’. As an assistant coach he is credited with inventing the "Fire Zone" or "zone blitz" defense, which employs unpredictable pass rushes and pass coverage from various players.His defenses typically employ 3-4 sets, with any of the 4 linebackers and frequently a defensive back among the pass rushers, while defensive linemen may drop back into short pass coverage zones to compensate for the pass rush coming from other positions. The design is intended to confuse the opposition's quarterback and frustrate its blocking schemes, as the offense may be unsure on each play of which defenders will rush the passer and which will drop into coverage. While often described as a "blitzing" scheme (implying more than the typical number of four pass rushers used by most defenses), the call on any particular "zone blitz" play may involve only three or four pass rushers but from unpredictable positions and angles. Although widely considered a defensive innovator, his stint as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals was unsuccessful. LeBeau is beloved among his players, many of whom refer to him as "Coach Dad." The Steelers players have given him many gifts, including a Rolex watch. LeBeau was named "Coordinator of the year" by the Sporting News for the 2008 season.
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02-03-2009, 11:04 AM	#16
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $3036954	Great OC's/DC's don't always equal good HC's. __________________
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02-03-2009, 11:16 AM	#19
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Buddy Ryan is available.
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02-03-2009, 11:23 AM	#20
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	don't let 'em get you down if you think they're taking turns now -have you ever seen a grown man naked
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02-03-2009, 11:26 AM	#21
kc rush Blah Blah Blah Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: In front of the computer. Casino cash: $1989559	I say pull this guy out of the college ranks. He has a successful track record there. Plus, he knows how to work with Larry Johnson.
Posts: 12,593

02-03-2009, 12:29 PM	#26
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	He's 71 years old. Not exactly your ideal candidate. Furthermore, this has been a topic in the past, with the same result.
Posts: 88,960

02-03-2009, 12:38 PM	#27
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $3878036	He could be a HC if he wanted to, but why should he want to. That's a lot of work for a guy his age.
Posts: 21,429

02-03-2009, 12:45 PM	#28
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $-787094	He was the head coach for the Bengals a few years back and it was a disaster
Posts: 50,330

02-03-2009, 12:46 PM	#29
Crush Amateur Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $2227091	If you refuse to learn history, then you are doomed to repeat it. Source: http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/pl...sf/ID/04080040 Attached Thumbnails
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