I will first say that I am strongly in the camp of McDermott has to go. But I do wonder if there is a candidate out there that immediately puts us in a better situation.
We do seem to forget that McDermott was a great coordinator before becoming a HC. There’s a lot of great coordinators that have major flaws as a HC.
McDermott struggles with clock management, situational awareness, and game management. I won’t bother going through the plethora of examples. But I do want to emphasize that this is not a new thing. He’s struggled with these mightily since he became HC, but there was hope and promise he would grow out of them. He hasn’t and the stakes are much higher.
Despite all of that, the flaws I’ve named are common flaws of coordinators turned head coaches who struggle. I’m not a fan of rolling the dice in Josh’s prime for a coordinator who may have the exact same scabs.
So where does that leave us?
I’m personally in favor of pushing for Jim Harbaugh and pushing hard. He has been good everywhere he’s gone. He is offensive minded with defensive emphasis. He has great game management. Not to mention the players love him.
Also, with a guy like Jim, you would have a guy come in, gut the whole thing, and immediately have the coaching staff replaced with his coordinators that he was worked with over the years, know his style, and can get to work. Almost a seamless transition.
With coordinators turned head coaches, often times they don’t have these connections. And if they do, they will be bringing in assistants or assistants to the assistants to be coordinators because they don’t have the same pull.
But Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan is a big if in itself. And even if it does happen, he will be the hottest candidate on the market.
So if that doesn’t happen, what am I in favor of? As much as I hate to say it, sticking with McDermott. Bolstering the staff and keeping continuity.
The thought of being the same makes me want to puke, but there’s not a candidate who makes us better immediately. I don’t want to blow it up for a coin flip of a coordinator. I either want established or continuity.
Thoughts?
The issue isn’t coordinator vs head coaching experience: it’s offensive vs defensive philosophy. Offensive head coaches have had a recent undeniable period of success in the NFL. Look at the standings now: of the 8 division leaders, 7 are coached by former offensive coordinators or coaches. Given that the game is regulated and officiated in a way that’s easier for offenses, why are the Bills leaning into a coach that thinks and manages the game from a defensive mindset? McDermott’s inability to coach in a way that acknowledges that reality is what’s setting this team up to have to win in spite of their coach.