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Browns need a proven winner as next head coach
- COMMENT: Who should coach the Browns?
Monday, January 05, 2009
Retiring Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest had this to say on an NFL Network show over the weekend:
"Whatever coach comes into that system is going to have to crack the whip and get them organized. There's a lot of talent on that team, you just have to put it all together."
It's the most scathing indictment yet of fired head coach Romeo Crennel (who should not, by the way, be invited back as defensive coordinator under any circumstances). And this from a guy who always seemed to have Crennel's back, someone handpicked by the coach to provide veteran leadership.
McGinest confirms what we suspected: Crennel would make a nice neighbor, but in finding the right buttons to push on an NFL team, he more resembled your dopey uncle.
The trick now for owner Randy Lerner is not to swing too far the other way. Yes, you want more discipline. No, you don't need to dig up Vince Lombardi.
Assuming Mike Shanahan isn't interested, the Browns should explore the possibility of Brian Billick, who has a career record of 80-64 and won a Super Bowl, you may remember, with Trent Dilfer playing quarterback.
Billick had a reputation for being a "player's coach" in Baltimore and that works against him, but I'm not sure that makes fired New York Jets coach and alleged frontrunner Eric Mangini, with a three-year record of 23-25, a better option.
It's worrisome, because Mangini hasn't won anything, and the Browns desperately need someone who has.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@coxohio.com.
Comments
By A Concerned Fan
January 7, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
I used to live in Cleveland and now live in the Boston area. The Browns are laughed at in these parts by all that have football knowledge. The problem is with the owner. Lerner needs to make a decision that he wants a winning team. Once he does that, he should not allow any obsticles to get in the way of hiring the BEST GM amd coach available. Cowher is the best coach out there and everyone has their price. Get Cowher!
By David
January 7, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
The Eagles need to let Andy Reid go and the he would be a good fit for the Browns next season since all his other coaches seem to be successful where they are going, and take his defensive coordinator with him, he needs a change from Philadelphia and if McNabb is unhappy bring him also and trade Anderson to Philly
By Jason
January 6, 2009 10:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Russ, I love Bernie as much as the next guy, but if you follow sportstalk radio at all, Bernie is the same guy that said Ken Dorsey is a great QB.
Not exactly the kind of judgment I would want running my draft.
Maybe President of Football Operations which he is more than qualified for, but not GM picking players.
By matthew Overacker
January 6, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this
I’ve read all the comments. I agree with most and disagree with a few. I would hate to throw away a year to get the coach we all want as browns fans. Who’s to say him or they would take an offer. I want a coach that comes in saying we are going to bring back browns football. A smash mouth deffence with a Kosar Slauter offence. A coach that believes the first mission is to win in our divission. That understands the fans love there teem and will fill the seats again. Well my heart says Mangini.
By Homer Simpson
January 6, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this
Brian Billick - Offensive coach that had terrible offenses his entire tenure in Baltimore. Last year Baltimore was the worst team in the NFL, even lost to Miami. This year without Billick, they make the playoffs. Proven winner, I think not. Sean McClelland - Worst, least knowledgable sports writer in America. Maybe ever.
By MEATHEAD
January 6, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
FORGET MANGINI OR SHOULD I SAY MANGINA, BRING ME A REAL PROVEN COACH THAT WILL WIP THIS TEAM INTO SHAPE. I AM A SEASON TICKET HOLDER IN DAWG POUND AND I CANNOT STAND TOO MANY MORE SEASONS LIKE THE ONE I JUST SAT THROUGH!!!!!!!!!
By Professor
January 6, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
Ironic that the current Browns keep turning to the original Browns - ah - Ravens - for leadership. Nevertheless a proven winner in Billick would be nice.
By professor
January 6, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
You are so right in that we never seem to go all out and get a proven winner. But Billick continues the amusing trend that the Browns keep turning to the Ravens for retreaded leadership that falls flat. Ironic that we turn to the once former Browns to improve the Browns. Not surprising I guess given that the Lerner family benefitted from the original move to Baltimore.
By Rick Husa
January 5, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this
If Bill Cowher indicated he might be ready to coach in 2010, why not “lock him in” and hire an interim coach for next season. I could live through another disasterous season if I thought there would truly be a “light at the end of the tunnel”. If Lerner , who appears to be as incompetent as Crennel in football matters, is enamored with Mangini….all is lost. What we need is a new owner.
By BIG DAN
January 5, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
NO ROOKIE HEAD COACHES, NO UNPROVEN PLAYOFF WINNING COACHE, NO BLOCK HEADED, UNABLE TO HANDLE THE MEDIA AND PLAYERS TYPE COACHES. NO COACHES WHO DO NOT KNOW WHICH PLAYERS ARE THE BEST PLAYERS ON THE TEAM. PLEASE RANDY NO GUTLESS COACHES, WE NEED A COACH WHO CAN OUTCOACH THE OTHER COACHES ON A CONSISTANT basis. One who will ensure the defense gets league leader team sacks, tackles very well in every area of the field. A coach who will get a high powered, game breaking running game swagger
By BIG DAN
January 5, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this
Randy lerner will you please stop tripping and get the best darned coach practically! MIKE SHANAHAN , hes won more Superbowls than Cowher, hes beat the steelers on several occassions something your team must do , needs to do to restore pride in this team and in our Fans and Division! He is a great teacher of talent, his teams usually are in the top 3 in rushing even with no so heralded running backs. He is smart,knows the rules, makes proper game adjustments. Handles media well, is a fighter!
By paul
January 5, 2009 8:25 PM | Link to this
aside from possibly quinn and joe thomas wheres the talent on this team? This is also the leagues least physical team on both sides of the ball. Hire mangini, he will instill discipline and toughness, something this team has not had in forever.
By Russ Moilov
January 5, 2009 6:35 PM | Link to this
I know Im dreaming!!!! Bernie Kosar General Manager and Marty Schottenheimer(Head Coach) finally not as a brides maid but the Bride at the Next Super Bowl. Marty got a raw deal in San Diego and built great teams !!The Browns have talent and need Marty!!! Maybe now hes got it right. Let the Man finally retire as a Winner !!!!!!!! Especially in Cleveland wipe out that stupid drive and close down Elways Car dealership in California.Why didnt he open it in Denver? Could you image it in Cleveland ?
By rick craft
January 5, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
get just anyone to coach, you know, like before? sign cowher now, get him on the hook. hell, we can pay him while he,s on t.v. and then we can get an early start in 2010, and can someone slap the sh#t outta’17 what a dipsh#t
By Steve
January 5, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
I see on these posts that a lot of folks are ready to throw next season away in hopes of getting one of the top three coaches for 2010 and beyond, I see no logic in that. I would much rather get the best coach available now and go from there. Think of it like this, having Cowher, Dungy, and Holgrem hanging over the new coaches head will be motivation enough to get him to turn this team around now. There’s a lot of good, young talent on this team, lets not waste anymore time in their developement
By Paul
January 5, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
With Cowher, Shanahan, and Holmgren available next year, go in house to fill GM with Mcreight and Tucker at HC for one year. What’s the rush? Ten years are already screwed up,it’s worth the wait for one year to get it right.
By bigmike34
January 5, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this
Schottenheimer and Shanahan are the two gold standards if you want a winner…Further they are exactly what this team needs…Dicipline, Great Coaches and teachers, Know all ends of the game. Know who they will want for Coordinations and assistant Coaches…
Lerner should hire one of these two men make him VP of football operations and Head Coach…Let him Hire the GM and build the orginization…
We tried POTENTUAL in HC and GM time to get a proven Vet. A winner. Both of these men fit
By David
January 5, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
I think Mangini’s the best candidate…The Jets made a big mistake in letting him go. He’s got a great football mind, and there’s a reason why they call him Mangenius. Look at the Browns’ roster compared to the Jets’ roster…In my opinion the Browns have more talent, top to bottom, yet Mangini has been able to have the Jets in contention 2 of his 3 years. He’ll give the Browns the leadership and coaching mind they need. Belichick and Dungy didn’t win the big one in their first gig, either.
By Gary
January 5, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Sean, Sean , Sean, is Bilick your brother-in-law or something that you keep bringing up his name. We don’t need that conceited man in there. I was watching STO on tv the other night with Donovan, Dieken, and Grossi from the plain dealer and to a man they said Bilick would be a poor choice. He would be too much like Romeo and wouldn’t crack the whip enough. They said he ran a country club at his last stop. Sounds like that invites trouble. Edwards would be worse yet.
By Bruce
January 5, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
Brian Billick? You’ve got to be kidding! The Browns can do better than a so-called offensive minded super-genius that NEVER fielded a decent offense in Baltimore.
By tom
January 5, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this
Marty Shottenheimer…..he wins he have to get into the play offs before you can get to the Super Bowl. marty will gwet this team in the play offs
By Carl
January 5, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this
Billick sounds better, but I would still prefer the proven winner. It looks like next year will be the year to get a coach with Cowher being available and maybe Dungy.