Defensive Line Coach Search
by MNeilson on Jan 19, 2011 7:00 AM EST
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PrintAs you all know, Todd Wash will likely be removed from his position. The Bucs recently offered Karl Dunbar of the Vikings the position. Reports came out yesterday that Dunbar will not accept the offer. The money was probably not enough to warrant a lateral move. It's impossible to come up with an exhaustive list of who the Buccaneers are targeting for this position, because they have been so tight-lipped on the process. What I will try to do is create a list of possible replacements.
Mike Waufle - Waufle is currently the defensive line coach of the Oakland Raiders. Before spending the last two seasons there, he was the defensive line coach of the New York Giants, including for the Super Bowl championship team. Waufle is the premier DLine coach in the NFL for a 4-3 defense. This season, the Oakland Raiders finished second in the league in sacks despite a defensive line of Matt Shaughnessy, Tommy Kelly, Lamarr Houston (Rookie), Richard Seymour and Desmond Bryant. Bryant backed up an banged up Seymour and saw plenty of snaps. Bryant and Shaughnessy were both 2nd year players. I can go back to his days in New York of turning players like Justin Tuck and gang into dominating defensive lines and sustaining Strahan's aged career. He accepted the position in Oakland because of his close ties with Tom Cable. With Tom Cable gone, there is more incentive for him to leave. The Bucs can not simply offer a lateral move to Waufle. They must offer him some leadership of the defense or the Associate Head Coach position, one left vacant by now departed Rich Bissacia. Doing this springboard Waufle's career in that it better prepares him for a DC position in the near future, and possibly in Tampa if Morris chooses to ever hand those reigns over. Waufle is a California guy, so the money will also have to be substantial for him to move. This would be a tremendous hire for Tampa IF they were able to lure him away.
Robert Nunn - Nunn is a former Buccaneer, coaching last season in Tampa. He moved to New York (a better job in every way). Nunn left on his own accord and thus Todd Wash was promoted. Luring Nunn back will be difficult only because he's been in this position for a year and is doing a tremendous job. Nunn is a solid coach. He led a Packers DLine that often stood out. It's not a Waufle hire, but one that is an upgrade over Wash, with familiarity in the system and with the players. Nunn will also need to be offered more money and more responsibility (similar to what I discussed with Waufle).
Giff Smith - Smith was incredibly successful as Georgia Tech's Defensive Line coach. He developed Derrick Morgan and Michael Johnson. On top of that he coached very productive defensive lines with poor recruiting. He was the Bills Defensive Line coach for a year, coaching the Bills to an average defense against the run and in forced fumbles. They were poor in sacks accumulated, but better than Tampa Bay with less to work with. Smith is young, energetic and would fit well in a Raheem Morris coaching staff. Get this guy in front of Morris, and I think Morris is a buyer. He's a southern guy (Georgia) and let's be honest; he's on a jacked up coaching staff with terrible talent and living in one of the most miserably cold cities in the country, Buffalo. He's got two kids and I'm sure it wouldn't be a difficult sell for his wife. Like Morris, Smith has previously coached DB's and has worked his way through the college ranks.
Brick Haley - Brick Haley is the current Defensive Line coach of the LSU Tigers. Before arriving in Baton Rouge, he was the Defensive Line coach for two years in Chicago (2007-2008) coaching Tommie Harris to his best overall season. Haley, on top of having an awesome name, has been defensive coordinator at Baylor, linebackers coach at Georgia Tech and has developed a solid resume. I imagine Haley would like to be back in the NFL and have an opportunity to coach some young guys. He has a good understanding of defense and is a little bit of a harder nose guy than some previously mentioned.
Jeff Weeks - Coaches often change positions in which they coach. Most do it successfully. It is also a career move to work their way to defensive coordinator. In looking at possible replacements I was not only looking for successful position coaches, but young coaches who have worked under very smart defensive personnel. Jeff Weeks is a defensive assistant for the New York Jets. Put your feelings for Rex Ryan aside for now, he is a phenomenal defensive coach. Weeks has been a friend of the Ryans for a long time, but has not had an opportunity to move up. This is a promotion for Weeks. He has worked closely with not only Rex Ryan but also Bob Sutton who is the current OLB/Senior Defensive Assistant who knows what he's doing. Mark Carrier is the current DL coach for the Jets, but is not likely to move to a similar position in a smaller market. Weeks has coached in the college and pro ranks and would likely jump at this opportunity.
The more information that comes available, we will let you know. For now, this is my coaching search in order of preference.
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Rory Segrest is another possibility
He coached the D-Line for the Eagles the past two seasons, but was fired along with the DC there.
How about...
Steve White! I have no idea how he would be as a coach but I love his blog about the DLine. He seems passionate about his former team.
I actually considered Steve White.
He does blog quite a bit and seems very intent on technique and assignments. He focuses more on the football aspect of things than Sapp does. Again, I don’t know his coaching aspirations though.
...the Seminole guy from the other site.
I know its just a pipe dream
and I have heard nothing that would indicate this happening, but if we could somehow get Sapp over here I think it would be an awesome move.
That being said, I agree with your assessment that Waufle is the best hire. Killer resume and I would think he would mesh well with the rest of the staff
by BJ the Bossman on Jan 19, 2011 10:04 AM EST reply actions
Sapp has an abrasive personality and I think he would be a terrible leader and teacher.
I’m curious as to why you think he would be a good coach. Every thing I have ever heard the man say literally makes me think the exact opposite.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Terrible leader?
I thought he was renowned for being the motor of the Bucs D when he was here.
Regardless, I don’t know if he’d be a good coach, he has basically no credentials for it. And he’s said several times that he won’t go into coaching because the hours are terrible.
Just because he is good at his job doesn't mean he leads others well.
I suppose he could lead well by example when he played, but how does that translate to coaching? Sapp makes way more money as an “analyst” on all those network shows, so it is a moot point anyway I"m sure.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Whenever people refer to Sapp at the Bucs they often refer to his leadership here
Leadership in the form of holding people accountable, keeping everyone playing hard – that sort of thing.
I agree that he won’t leave NFL Network, though.
Don't forget Showtime's Inside the NFL too
He is making some paper.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Hey Elway is front heading Broncos why not Sapp or Brooks?
…atleast they can say theyve played the game
by Titankillah on Jan 19, 2011 10:24 PM EST up reply actions
just because your a good player doesnt mean that you would be a good coach
as a matter of fact, good players arent usually good coaches because things come to them naturally and dont really have to correct that many mistakes as someone who perhaps wasnt as good and knows all the steps to correcting techniques and can explain better how to change doing something- thats what my baseball coach always told me, i guess he sucked as a player : )
by Carlitin1988 on Jan 20, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah that's true
You see the same in soccer. Lot of good players go into coaching, almost all of them fail because they can’t figure out a lot of things that were simple for them are hard for the players they’re actually working with.
The good coaches tend to be people that played for a bit but kind of sucked and never did much.
Yep...
Those folks had to rely on technique and strategy rather than raw talent to succeed. Not that stars don’t know anything about the game, far from it…but what may have been easy for them because of their raw talent probably isn’t easy for other players.
A star player turned coach can’t just tell someone, “Well, I did it this way,” and expect it that the technique is going to automatically work for that guy. Maybe if that guy had the star’s freakish reaction time coming off the snap or the proper combination of both power and finesse, it would work.
But if it doesn’t, the advice flops and the star doesn’t have much in the way of back-up plan advice to offer. Star players generally don’t have to resort to Plan B or C to succeed, because their Plan A is so dominant.
Find a guy that’s less talented, but smart, self-aware and a great communicator, and that’s a guy that relied on Plan B and C to keep him in the league for x years. He knows those lesser-known ins and outs that the star never had to bother with.
He can say, “This technique works with opposing player type A, this other technique was successful with opposing player type B.” He can give players options and insights that star players never really had to concern themselves with. He can find the chinks of the opponent’s armor better because he’s had to do that just to make it as far as he did.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
Aside from his knowledge of this defense
and particularly the under tackle position (which I could go on about for days), I dont see why you think he would be a poor coach? During his time hear, did you ever hear of a coach or player saying anything negative about him? I certainly did not. I read nothing but reports of Sapp being the first one there and the last to leave, an extremely hard worker, and an overall fantastic teammate. As for him having an “abrasive” personality, I can see where youre coming from, but I dont ever think that was the case when he was dealing with one of his own. Opposing players and coaches? Abrasive to say the least. And being a terrible teacher?? That is so off base its mind blowing. The man was the greatest to ever play the UT in a cover 2 and one of, if not the best DT of all time. Now if youre claiming he would be a poor communicator, I can see how that argument has substance.
Personally, I just think if Sapp had time with Mccoy and Price he would turn them both into incredibly productive players and would transfer his passion for the game and work ethic. I can understand if you disagree with the fact that I think he would make a good coach, but dont say its because he would be a poor teacher or has a personality unfit for the job.
by BJ the Bossman on Jan 19, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
And just for the record
I realize this argument is pretty much completely pointless because Sapp isnt going into coaching. I personally just think it would work out quite well.
by BJ the Bossman on Jan 19, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Sapp's abrasive personality and horror stories of yelling at fans for requesting autographs were largely covered up by his success on the field.
I don’t think he has the patience or communication skills to be a good coach. I could very well be wrong, but he is at the bottom of my wish list for a new D-line coach.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Skilled people often don't make good teachers
How many top-flight players have turned into top-flight coaches? I can’t think of many (Mike Ditka and Dick LeBeau are the beginning and end of that list), though part of that is that they often don’t go into coaching. You see the same thing in college, where great and knowledgeable researchers often don’t make very good teachers.
That’s not to say that Sapp can’t do it, only way to find out is if he ever tries. But I’d rather grab someone who’s poured his life into coaching and worked up the ladder, than someone who was a good player.
I agree completely
Teaching is a skill. Think back to how many terrible teachers you had growing up, then think of the ones you would label as being great or even good. In my experience the latter list is far, far shorter than the former.
Having knowledge doesn’t mean you can teach said knowledge.
If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
I don't think Sapp gets into coaching.
I’ve never heard him say he’d be interested, nor do I think it would be a great fit. Sapp had a great motor, but I question how well he would fit in with a coaching staff and taking a backseat role. He likes to be heard too much to be a DL coach, I think. I don’t really like that option.
...the Seminole guy from the other site.
I wouldn't be surprised if Raheem and Dominik come up with an energetic, relatively unknown candidate there
Like they did with Alex Van Pelt (QBs), or Eric Yarber (WRs), or Jimmy Lake(DBs) – all of whom did a terrific job this year.
I obviously would love Waufle.
His credentials are second to none. Though, I think you are right about a young, unheralded, energetic guy. That’s why I think Smith would do an excellent job.
...the Seminole guy from the other site.
Haha..
It’s not a Wafule hire, but one that is an upgrade over Wash, with familiarity in the system and with the players
Is that pun intended?
Jay's favorite line: "Dog, in due time"
Now he look at me, like "Damn, dog, you where I am"
A hip hop legend.
I think I died in an accident, cause this must be heaven.
Or rather play on words?
Jay's favorite line: "Dog, in due time"
Now he look at me, like "Damn, dog, you where I am"
A hip hop legend.
I think I died in an accident, cause this must be heaven.
Not intentionally
Honestly, I’m not even sure what you are referring to. I don’t see it.
...the Seminole guy from the other site.
Wafule= Awful?
Jay's favorite line: "Dog, in due time"
Now he look at me, like "Damn, dog, you where I am"
A hip hop legend.
I think I died in an accident, cause this must be heaven.
SO many errors in this.
I apologize for those of you that get bothered by that sort of stuff.
...the Seminole guy from the other site.
Waufle and a lateral move.
You make a good point in that it would be very unlikely for him to make a second lateral move in as many years, especially if part of his motivation to head to Oakland was to be closer to home. You would basically need to give him a position as the Assistant Coach in charge of the Defense, including some coordinator responsibilities (coming up with assignments and play calling in certain in game situations) and the pay that goes along with that. Coincidently as Raheem continues to mature more as a Head Coach, I think this is a position that needs to be addressed on the team.
Who needs normal sleep patterns?
by AcadianTraverse on Jan 19, 2011 10:58 PM EST reply actions
It might of been part of his motivatin
but he’s also close with Tom Cable. With a ‘new’ coach, it would be an opportunity to get out from under the reign of Al Davis.
...the Seminole guy from the other site.
If you got holes in your D-line, consider one who knows the tricks
Donald Igwebuike is the right man for this job!
Beware!!
by Creamsicle Power on Jan 20, 2011 11:18 PM EST reply actions
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