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...pop up in discussion of impending head coaching vacancies in the NFL. So, I did some research...
My best guess for a landing spot, if it were to happen, is:
Indianapolis
When Haley came to Pittsburgh, the mandate was to design an offense to protect Ben Roethlisberger. This is largely been successful, as the sack totals have decreased over the last six seasons. The Colts have a franchise QB who needs protection. If Luck can’t come back, the Colts have locked in a top 5 draft pick to choose another highly rated QB prospect. The Colts will look to protect their investment.
Also, the Colts’ GM, Chris Ballard, spent more than a decade in the Chicago Bears organization, three of them were years when Todd Haley was the wide receivers coach in Chicago, so there is probably some familiarity there.
When Chuck Pagano gets the axe, I think Haley could step right in. And, to top it off, I think he could very well hire Dick LeBeau as his defensive coordinator. I don’t think the Titans are making the playoffs. If they can’t beat the Jaguars, I think that their coaching staff will be let go. Indianapolis is only a 2 hour drive from LeBeau’s family in the Cincinnati area.
Who then would replace Haley? I think that Tomlin will (finally) promote Fichtner. It may convince Ben to stay a little longer and will preserve the continuity that Tomlin seems to love.
To replace Fichtner, Tomlin hires Jim Caldwell, who will probably be fired in Detroit. Caldwell was the QB coach and OC in Baltimore when they won the Super Bowl a few years ago.
Then, Tomlin will have to deal with the retirement of WR coach Richard Mann, and possibly John Mitchell as well. For Mann, I think Tomlin hires Clyde Christensen, who also worked with him in Tampa. Christensen is probably on his way out as OC in Miami (now that Mike McCoy is available).
If Coach Mitch finally decides to retire, I think Tomlin calls Karl Dunbar, currently the defensive line coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Dunbar was also the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings when Tomlin was the defensive coordinator. Their defensive line had the “Williams Wall” and finished at the top of the NFL in rush defense.
I might be biased, but I think that coaches always love to work with players who are considered among the best at their respective positions (Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Cameron Heyward).
I probably think about this stuff too much...
My best guess for a landing spot, if it were to happen, is:
Indianapolis
When Haley came to Pittsburgh, the mandate was to design an offense to protect Ben Roethlisberger. This is largely been successful, as the sack totals have decreased over the last six seasons. The Colts have a franchise QB who needs protection. If Luck can’t come back, the Colts have locked in a top 5 draft pick to choose another highly rated QB prospect. The Colts will look to protect their investment.
Also, the Colts’ GM, Chris Ballard, spent more than a decade in the Chicago Bears organization, three of them were years when Todd Haley was the wide receivers coach in Chicago, so there is probably some familiarity there.
When Chuck Pagano gets the axe, I think Haley could step right in. And, to top it off, I think he could very well hire Dick LeBeau as his defensive coordinator. I don’t think the Titans are making the playoffs. If they can’t beat the Jaguars, I think that their coaching staff will be let go. Indianapolis is only a 2 hour drive from LeBeau’s family in the Cincinnati area.
Who then would replace Haley? I think that Tomlin will (finally) promote Fichtner. It may convince Ben to stay a little longer and will preserve the continuity that Tomlin seems to love.
To replace Fichtner, Tomlin hires Jim Caldwell, who will probably be fired in Detroit. Caldwell was the QB coach and OC in Baltimore when they won the Super Bowl a few years ago.
Then, Tomlin will have to deal with the retirement of WR coach Richard Mann, and possibly John Mitchell as well. For Mann, I think Tomlin hires Clyde Christensen, who also worked with him in Tampa. Christensen is probably on his way out as OC in Miami (now that Mike McCoy is available).
If Coach Mitch finally decides to retire, I think Tomlin calls Karl Dunbar, currently the defensive line coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Dunbar was also the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings when Tomlin was the defensive coordinator. Their defensive line had the “Williams Wall” and finished at the top of the NFL in rush defense.
I might be biased, but I think that coaches always love to work with players who are considered among the best at their respective positions (Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Cameron Heyward).
I probably think about this stuff too much...
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