The Best Coach Nobody Knows

[ddaryl]

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=storytitle colSpan=3>
looks like April is starting to get some overdue press.... Which could mean he'll be getting offers soon now...

Great article from http://nyj.scout.com/a.z?s=65&p=2&c=828664




</TD></TR><TR><TD class=primaryimage vAlign=top>



</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>



<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Tom Marino has worked with some of the best coaches on the game over his career in professional football. Parcells, Belichick, Ditka and Mora all considered some of the most talented individuals to have ever walked the sidelines, but in Buffalo Bills special teams coach Bobby April truly believes he has found their professional equal.



</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>
He has been a highly successful coach for seventeen years at the professional level for the Falcons, Saints, Steelers, Rams and Bills, spent thirteen years as a valued assistant at the collegiate level for Southern Mississippi, Tulane (http://tulane.scout.com/), Arizona (http://arizona.scout.com/) U and USC (http://usc.scout.com/) and two seasons as a prep coach, but for some reason beyond my comprehension, Buffalo Bills (http://buf.scout.com/) assistant head coach and special team coach extraordinaire Bobby April, has never been given serious consideration for a head coaching position at either the professional and collegiate level.
I was briefly introduced to Bobby for the first time some fifteen years ago while waiting by for an elevator during practice week at the Senior Bowl, but had long before that decided that I didn’t like this intense, animated enthusiastic coach with our division rival Atlanta Falcons (http://atl.scout.com/). The Saints and Falcons had some classic battles during that period of time, but it always seemed in the Falcons victories that Bobby’s special team units proved to be the difference.
It wasn’t till 1996 when Bobby joined the Saints staff that I came to realize the first impressions are not always accurate. During his four years with the Saints and three years with the Rams, I came to know Bobby as possibly the most intelligent, organized, innovative, loyal, competitive and hard working individuals I have ever met in my thirty-four years in professional football.
I noticed in his first season with the Saints that during our spring scouting meetings that Bobby was not only in attendance during the kickers, punters and return specialists meeting, but I an the rest of the scouts observed him sitting inconspicuously in the back of the meeting room, taking notes on the seemingly endless parade of prospects and suspects. At times I would observe Bobby working on special team projects, but during our breaks I was amazed with his note taking and the excellent questions he posed to the scouting staff.
Although Bobby is widely recognized by most of his fellow coaches within the NFL as the top special teams coach in professional football, you wouldn’t know it by his easy going nature and friendly demeanor. He’s got a great sense of humor, communicates extremely well, but when the whistle blows, the proud father of five is all business.
I’ve observed him in meetings, interacting with his fellow coaches, in practice sessions and most importantly with the game on the line and I have never seen him waiver, not for a single second.
As much as I tried, I’m probably never going to completely understand why a experienced proven professional like Bobby April has never been given the opportunity to compete as a head coach in the ultimate of all football leagues, but I hope for his sake and the good of the game that his time is soon to come



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Probably next year after we fire Jauron !!!!


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[shelby]

Great find, thanks. i don't want anyone to hire April away from us, we need him.

[ddaryl]

Great find, thanks. i don't want anyone to hire April away from us, we need him.

Yes !!! April is the lone bright spot in coaches and if anythng he'll probably get the HC job next season after Jauron screws it up

[The King]

I think the ST thing turns people off to him.

[justasportsfan]

Might be another type of coordinator who might be in over his head as a HC like Dick, Mularkey and GW.

[ddaryl]

I think the ST thing turns people off to him.

I agree that most do not consider Special Teams Coaching a direct path to HC postions...

but there is no denying the success this guy haves on a consistent basis, even with a team and inconsistent as the Bills have been this past decade

[madness]

Great find, thanks. i don't want anyone to hire April away from us, we need him.

Especially to take over if Jauron flops out of the gate!

[shelby]

Does anyone doubt Dick will have another limp season?


{sorry. that was bad.}

[madness]

I agree that most do not consider Special Teams Coaching a direct path to HC postions...

but there is no denying the success this guy haves on a consistent basis, even with a team and inconsistent as the Bills have been this past decade

He does have the skills I desire in a HC. He understands the game, relates well with his players and gets the most out of them (not Dick on getting the most out of them part), holds players accountable and out in the open(no Dick here), is very well prepared come game day, makes great adjustments on the fly (definitely not Dick) and...

coaches with emotion! (absolutely, positively not a Dick in sight).

[ddaryl]

Does anyone doubt Dick will have another limp season?


{sorry. that was bad.}


everyone loves a good joke at the expense of Dick.. so in all honesty that was good. I give it 2 heads up

[ddaryl]

He does have the skills I desire in a HC. He understands the game, relates well with his players and gets the most out of them (not Dick on getting the most out of them part), holds players accountable and out in the open(no Dick here), is very well prepared come game day, makes great adjustments on the fly (definitely not Dick) and...

coaches with emotion! (absolutely, positively not a Dick in sight).


maybe mid season will see the switch to April..... but he does have the intangibles... Unfortunately the 10 years of bungling head coaches in buffalo have left Bills fans with no taste for another inexperienced HC

however I'm sure many Bills fans would suck it up one more time for April

[bigbub2352]

I think Vic Carucci said it best if DJ stumbles early this next year he will be the interim HC so lets hope for a slow start...

[ddaryl]

I think Vic Carucci said it best if DJ stumbles early this next year he will be the interim HC so lets hope for a slow start...

I won't wish for a slow start... but April over Dick any day

[Night Train]

I think the ST thing turns people off to him.

Marv was a ST's coach.

[ddaryl]

Marv was a ST's coach.

did he make the immediate jump to HC from ST coach ?

[Night Train]

did he make the immediate jump to HC from ST coach ?

Marv's career

Coe College - 1953-54 ST's
New Mexico - 1955-1957 ST's
New Mexico - 1958-59 Head Coach
Cal - 1960-63 Head Coach
William & Mary - 1964-68 Head Coach
Philly Eagles - 1969 ST's
L.A. Rams - 1970 ST's
Wash. Redskins - 1971-72 ST's
Montreal CFL - 1973-77 Head Coach
K.C. Chiefs - 1978-83 Head Coach
Chicago USFL - 1984 - Head Coach
Bills - 1986-97 Head Coach

[HHURRICANE]

I hope he gets hired away so we can stop drafting undersized "high motor guys" to play LB, TE, and WR.

Give me Parrish, McGee, McKelvin, Lindell, and Moorman and I can make special teams look good also.

[justasportsfan]

the bills haven't had good success giving guys a shot at positions they've never held before. GW and MUlarkey. Then there's Clemens and now Turk. Although Fairchilds had experience as an OC we know what happened there as well.

I'm all for making April the HC should we replace Dick at the middle of next season.

[ddaryl]

Marv's career

Coe College - 1953-54 ST's
New Mexico - 1955-1957 ST's
New Mexico - 1958-59 Head Coach
Cal - 1960-63 Head Coach
William & Mary - 1964-68 Head Coach
Philly Eagles - 1969 ST's
L.A. Rams - 1970 ST's
Wash. Redskins - 1971-72 ST's
Montreal CFL - 1973-77 Head Coach
K.C. Chiefs - 1978-83 Head Coach
Chicago USFL - 1984 - Head Coach
Bills - 1986-97 Head Coach


SO he did make the jump.. but it was in college and then again from the NFL to CFL and then USFL before he came back to the NFL

I think Aprils situation would be unique for him to go from NFL ST to NFL HC...

[ddaryl]

I hope he gets hired away so we can stop drafting undersized "high motor guys" to play LB, TE, and WR.

Give me Parrish, McGee, McKelvin, Lindell, and Moorman and I can make special teams look good also.


do you really beleive this ??? All teams do need to pay attention to ST's... and us not getting better non-ST's players has little to do with April IMO. He may get some say, but lets place our drafting woes on those that probably have the majority of the decision making process.

[justasportsfan]

do you really beleive this ??? .
he does .

[madness]

SO he did make the jump.. but it was in college and then again from the NFL to CFL and then USFL before he came back to the NFL

I think Aprils situation would be unique for him to go from NFL ST to NFL HC...

Not really. John Harbaugh just did it. He had split duties though between ST and DB coach for the Ravens.

[Typ0]

do you really beleive this ??? All teams do need to pay attention to ST's... and us not getting better non-ST's players has little to do with April IMO. He may get some say, but lets place our drafting woes on those that probably have the majority of the decision making process.

I think the ST have hurt the depth of the team. Maybe it's just that April makes his case better than anyone else not sure what the source is.

[Typ0]

I won't wish for a slow start... but April over Dick any day

I don't know why anyone that liked BA to have a chance at HC would want him to be interim. That whole situation is a recipe for disaster and does not position him well for success. If you want BA to have a chance to succeed replacing DJ midseason is not it.

[ddaryl]

I agree mid season change is usually not good, but with the Jauron factor I would care... and I wouldn't expect April to just be an interm, if he is hired mid-season Ralph would stick with him for a few years...

I don't think it is special teams that has hurt this team at all.. just poor drafting/scouting/decision making. If the Bills formula was to pick guys who could play special teams well then that has to be group mentality thinking. We all know April doesn't any of those decisions... He may have input but it should be the FO / Scouts / and HC who finalize any decision... So they should know who or what we need outside of ST players, and they are the ones who need to take the blame for surcumbing to the "ST ability" thought process...

[patmoran2006]

I think he would've been the pick if Jauron got fired, and I think WHEN Jauron gets fired (I dont think he finishes 2009) I think APril will be our next HC.

[Typ0]

I agree mid season change is usually not good, but with the Jauron factor I would care... and I wouldn't expect April to just be an interm, if he is hired mid-season Ralph would stick with him for a few years...

I don't think it is special teams that has hurt this team at all.. just poor drafting/scouting/decision making. If the Bills formula was to pick guys who could play special teams well then that has to be group mentality thinking. We all know April doesn't any of those decisions... He may have input but it should be the FO / Scouts / and HC who finalize any decision... So they should know who or what we need outside of ST players, and they are the ones who need to take the blame for surcumbing to the "ST ability" thought process...

I don't think they picked people based on special teams ability but I do think people ended up making positions weak because of special teams ability. A good example is Coy Wire. The guy had no business being on the field at SS but they rationalized his being on the team for ST and had a need at SS so that's where he played. It cost us some games too. We would have been better served with depth at SS and letting ST fall off IMO. It's almost like ST have been a third of our piority even though they are only on the field 5% of the time the game is being played.

I also don't think DJ or anyone else will be fired midseason based on performance. If he rightfully starts to get in RW face for being a tool them maybe. But I don't see anything like that happening and DJ will be here all next season even if we dont' win a game.

[jamze132]

I think Dickface gets the axe by midseason, considering our schedule, and April takes over and finishes strong.

[yordad]

I think the ST thing turns people off to him.Good!! LEAVE HIM ALONE NFL!

PROPERTY OF BUFFALO

[Mr. Pink]

Don't you think if April had established a name league wide and was well respected he'd get feelers and interviews from other clubs by now?

Not just head coaching gigs either.

The fact he hasn't should tell you something.

[yordad]

The fact he hasn't should tell you something.What? He isn't sexy?

[Mr. Pink]

What?

He's not the great coach everyone around here wants to anoint him as.

Perceived terrible coaches, by Bills fans, like Mike Mularkey, Gregg Williams, Wade Phillips get job after job after job.

April doesn't even get interviews.

[yordad]

He's not the great coach everyone around here wants to anoint him as.

Perceived terrible coaches, by Bills fans, like Mike Mularkey, Gregg Williams, Wade Phillips get job after job after job.

April doesn't even get interviews.That is some screwy logic, IMO.

[BillsWin]

I wouldn't mind a bobby April experiment. seeing as he's my favorite Bill coach currently, and we have been mediocre so long, even if he sucks, whats a few more years?

[Mitchell55]

The only problem is our luck has been so bad with coaches that we can sign Parcells and when hes giving his interview about becomming coach he would end up having a heart attack.

[Jeff1220]

What's his experience anyway? Does he have any at any level that isn't STs? I know he coached STs for the Rams, and had done some sort of coaching in NO, but no specifics.
Strangely, under "Coaching Experience," BB.com only lists his recent accomplishments as Bills ST coach:


Special teams’ players established a number of career records under April’s watch in 2007; PR Roscoe Parrish set the team single season punt return yardage record with 440 yards and set a team record and led the NFL with a 16.3 punt return average; K Rian Lindell set a team record with 18 consecutive made field goals; the punt coverage unit led the NFL allowing 5.3 yards per opposing punt return; rookie John Wendling became the first rookie to lead the team in special teams tackles since Antoine Winfield in 1999; P Brian Moorman holds the longest active streak in the NFL with 21 games with a punt inside the 20; April was named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team in 2007; Lindell was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in week 13 following his game-winning field goal against Washington … April led the special teams unit to another standout season in 2006; team finished second in the NFL with a 39.2 net punting average, fifth in punt return average at 10.8 and sixth in kickoff return average at 23.9; Moorman earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl bid, Lindell set a team record with a 92 percent field goal percentage (23 of 25); Moorman, Parrish and Coy Wire each won AFC special teams player of the week honors during the season. … The unit posted another standout season in 2005 as the unit led the NFL in four categories – kickoff return average, average drive start, gross punting average and net punting average; also led the AFC in opposing kickoff return average; unit finished in first place in the annual Dallas Morning News special teams rankings; the Bills are the first team to ever finish first in the rankings in consecutive years; April was also named to the 2005 USA Today All-Joe Team; Moorman and LS Mike Schneck each earned their first Pro Bowl bids; Moorman’s 45.66 average was a club record; Lindell’s 29 field goals ranked second-best in the AFC and kick returner Terrence McGee led the NFL with a 31.0 return average. …Special teams returned to prominence in 2004 finishing with the No. 1 special teams unit in the NFL according to the Dallas Morning News special teams rankings; was voted Special Teams’ Coach of the Year by his peers and was also SI.com Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback Special Teams Coach of the Year as well as being named to the USA Today All-Joe Team; the group scored five touchdowns on kickoff and punt returns, tying an NFL record; the unit also added a sixth TD on a blocked punt… Pro Bowl KR Terrence McGee set a franchise record with three KOR touchdowns in ’04.

PERSONAL: April was a four-year letterman as a linebacker at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, Louisiana from 1972-75…a native of New Orleans, Bobby and his wife, Charlene, have one son, Bobby, and four daughters, Julie, Jamie Lee, Angela, and Jaclyn…he and his family reside in Orchard Park.

[Historian]

Meh.

I'm unconvinced.

Seems to me that for every big ST play we make, we botch one equally as big.

I like his enthusiasm, but I have serious doubts as to his ability to run a program.

[HHURRICANE]

1) First off I don't think Jauron is going to implode like so many of you think.

2) Bobby April is not the answer. If you want to blame a game on coaching he earned the Dallas game last year single handedly.

3) April has the bebefit of star players on special teams. Just curious if he would be a HC canidate without McGee, Parrish, and Moorman? What if those three players were two DEs and a LB? Would Fewel be an HC canidate?

[Typ0]

3) April has the bebefit of star players on special teams. Just curious if he would be a HC canidate without McGee, Parrish, and Moorman? What if those three players were two DEs and a LB? Would Fewel be an HC canidate?


that's where you are wrong and why BA is a HC candidate. Moorman, for example, would be a horrible punter without the coaching he has. I remember being in the stadium the day he had his first punt in the NFL. I was in the upper deck and the ball sailed WAY above our heads and headed 73 yards downfield...and I can remember thinking WOW...THAT DANNY SMITH IS A GENIUS HE TOOK THIS MEDIOCRE PUNTER AND TURNED HIM INTO THE BEST PUNTER IN THE LEAGUE. For years now & despite several coaching changes Moorman has remained one of the better punters in the league because those coaches were all miracle workers. It just goes to prove that great coaching gets the job done.

[Typ0]

Meh.

I'm unconvinced.

Seems to me that for every big ST play we make, we botch one equally as big.

I like his enthusiasm, but I have serious doubts as to his ability to run a program.


it's all that fire that will make him successful. The uncontrollable anger and the yelling and screaming. That is what professionals who make millions are going to respond to.