The Way Too Late Analysis of the Coaching Candidates of the Los Angeles Rams
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My apologies for being late and wondering if and/or when the site will shut down for a temporary fix. My Christmas wish is they don't. I love posting for sure.
Anyway, I've been out for a week, with work and battling a cold the last few days and was in zero condition of sitting on and typing up anything. So for anybody who actually loves reading this, my apologies again. If you hate what I post, then sorry to break your hearts.
I will post (if possible) a topic on the Rams and how they are about to replace Cleveland as the NFL's joke down the road, but for today, let's discuss the candidates' names that have been brought and I am really bringing up the ones that have been said via media and whatnot so I definitely have NOT heard anything about Nick Saban's name leaving T-Town for Tinseltown. And let's face it, if it hasn't happened now, it will never happen.
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CANDIDATE #1: JIM HARBAUGH, MICHIGAN HEAD COACH: Here's the name that has been said on more than a few occasions. Harbaugh, depending on who you talk to, is either a "California Man" (wen to Palo Alto HS) or a "Michigan Man" (was a U of M graduate and was born in Toledo, which is right across the border from Michigan) so that's up for debate. Anyway, Harbaugh has rumored before he took the Wolverines job that he wanted to coach in the NFL after a successful stint with the 49ers from 2011-14. But given the attitude and landscape of what Harbaugh has done at Michigan, I find it VERY hard pressed to see him even leave for an NFL team. Harbaugh in his short time back at Michigan will get the treatment Alabama gives Saban and constantly make him the highest paid coach in college, and that means it will have to be a massive paycheck to get him to leave Ann Arbor. With that said, the Rams are less than an ideal situation. Because let's face it, they're a mess and it goes beyond what the team is on the field. Also, Harbaugh has told his players at Michigan not to believe the "lies" that are happening. So I believe him in this case. Call me naive. CHANCES OF BEING THE NEXT LA RAMS COACH: 1/10. Harbaugh has a better shot at going back to San Francisco at this point (and no, I am not saying he will return there either).
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
CANDIDATE #2: PETE CARROLL, SEAHAWKS HEAD COACH: Could Pete Carroll return to Los Angeles to coach again, but for the NFL? That is a hot rumor, but again, like Harbaugh, I don't believe it. His goes as somewhat of how he left Los Angeles as USC got nabbed for the violations and probation in their run in 2004-2005 centering around Reggie Bush. Many fans in LA who are USC guys have a very bitter taste in their mouth to this day. Add in the fact that Seattle can give him whatever he wants for a contract extension if he wants it and you can forget getting him out of the Northwest. CHANCES OF BEING THE NEXT LA RAMS COACH: 1/10
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
CANDIDATE #3: JON GRUDEN, ESPN ANALYST, FORMER BUCCANEERS & RAIDERS HEAD COACH: Could Chucky be the man in Los Angeles? The guy's rep as being an offensive-minded guru when he was with the Raiders and Buccaneers are great and how he really analyzes quarterbacks on ESPN is at the very least impressive (once you get over the fact he pretty much has his head up most, if not all QB's rear ends). Gruden would leave the booth for the sidelines if the right job takes place. And some say this might be it, given they have a rookie quarterback in Jared Goff that DESPERATELY needs somebody to take him under his wing. And adding in the fact that Gruden probably would like to help run a team, meaning he would be the GM as well, probably makes this all the sweeter for Gruden to go from ESPN to the Rams. That said, once these coaches get into the booth or behind the desk, they tend to stay behind the desk. Hence why Bill Cowher has remained at CBS, Jimmy Johnson stopped after his Miami days, and Brian Billick has not gotten a job outside of Baltimore. Gruden might think twice. CHANCES OF BEING THE NEXT LA RAMS COACH: 5/10
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
CANDIDATE #4: JOSH MCDANIELS, PATRIOTS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: McDaniels reminds me of the NFL's version of Lane Kiffin: a guy who was a coordinator of a powerhouse offense to a championship contending team, then gets hired to run things in another town, bomb out, and then head back to being an assistant coach. McDaniels tenure in Denver was a disaster, from personnel decisions (quarreling with Jay Cutler, drafting Tim Tebow, etc.) to cheating scandals, etc. and in his second year he was gone. He went back to New England and got his old job back as the coordinator and has been one of the top guys in the game in that aspect. There is no question McDaniels would run an offense like a genius and he probably has learned from his mistakes with the Broncos. But the issue resides is how he has been passed over pretty much for two seasons now for head coaches in places such as Atlanta, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, etc. Now it probably depends on the experience that he had in his lone season after Denver where McDaniels was the Rams head coach that might decide if he could go to Tinseltown or he is waiting in line to be the heir apparent to Belicheck in New England whenever he steps down. In my eyes, he will step down when Brady does and that might be a while. CHANCES OF BEING THE NEXT LA RAMS COACH: 7/10
CANDIDATE #5: KYLE SHANAHAN, FALCONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: This one is kind of the under-the-radar candidate. It has been talked about that Shanahan's name will be brought up after this season given how he has really gotten the Falcons offense kicking again (never really gone, just had those issues of punching it in the last few years for touchdowns). Of course, he has that coaching pedigree with daddy Mike being a Super Bowl coach with Denver. However, Shanahan has never been a head coach and I don't think it is a pick that the Rams would go for because it wouldn't be "sexy" enough. Add on the fact he is like his dad in the sense that if he doesn't like you, he will throw you under the bus the first chance he gets or if the team struggles, he will point fingers at others with issues (did it last year in Atlanta too). It could be a power struggle with him and the Rams would have to take caution. CHANCES OF BEING THE NEXT LA RAMS COACH: 3/10
Overall, I think McDaniels is probably the Rams next coach. If he learns what he did in Denver and corrects those mistakes, he could be a valuable asset. But there is a possibility of a coach out there that hasn't been mentioned and could be the Rams next head coach. But I think it ultimately comes back to the franchise. Yes, LA is a great town and ideal in most aspects, but the Rams franchise is not in a good standing. So whoever does become the next Rams coach will have to know what they're undertaking. Will McDaniels (or somebody else) be up to the task? Time will tell.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
