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Over the last few years, NFL-watchers have been mighty fond of noting how some head coaches have staffs that produce guys who move on to top sideline jobs themselves. For instance, the solid Mike Holmgren staffs in Green Bay and Seattle eventually begat Steve Mariucci and Andy Reid and Mike Sherman. The staffs of Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells were fertile breeding grounds for future head coaches. We mention this because, over the next two or three seasons, there are going to be a number of NFL head coaches gleaned from Bill Belichick staffs.
A pair of college coaches who will soon be in the league, Nick Saban of LSU and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, were assistants on Belichick's staff in Cleveland. And his current coordinators, Charlie Weis (offense) and Romeo Crennel (defense), may be on short-lists for NFL openings after this season. Maybe it's because he doesn't cozy up to the media as much as some of his colleagues do, but Belichick never seems to get the credit due him, although he has emerged the past few years as the consummate head coach. But when his coaching family tree sprouts a few more limbs, perhaps the skeptics will better understand how good Belichick is, and how he has surrounded himself with very capable people.
On the belief, by many, that Nick Saban is itching to bolt Baton Rouge and return to the pro ranks: Perhaps more than any of the other college coaches mentioned as potential NFL candidates for 2003, Saban will have more options, with at least three teams that we know already considering him as they draw up shorts lists. But finances are always a factor and, while Saban has virtually no buyout entanglements, it is going to take a hefty package to land his services. The Chicago Bears and New York Giants are often cited as franchises that could be interested in Saban as their next head coach. But check out the financial history of head coaches in both those precincts, as we have, and you wonder if either of those fairly conservative teams will pay the $3 million or more annually it might take to get Saban onboard.
The suspicion around the league is that neither team is ready to raise the ante significantly over what they are paying their current coaches, Jim Fassel in New York (about $2.7 million-$2.8 million), and Chicago's Dick Jauron (roughly $2.2 million). The one owner for whom money probably won't be an issue is Arthur Blank of Atlanta. But some people close to Saban note that the LSU coach has looked at the club's history and wondered why no coach has ever been able to win with the Falcons.
A pair of college coaches who will soon be in the league, Nick Saban of LSU and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, were assistants on Belichick's staff in Cleveland. And his current coordinators, Charlie Weis (offense) and Romeo Crennel (defense), may be on short-lists for NFL openings after this season. Maybe it's because he doesn't cozy up to the media as much as some of his colleagues do, but Belichick never seems to get the credit due him, although he has emerged the past few years as the consummate head coach. But when his coaching family tree sprouts a few more limbs, perhaps the skeptics will better understand how good Belichick is, and how he has surrounded himself with very capable people.
On the belief, by many, that Nick Saban is itching to bolt Baton Rouge and return to the pro ranks: Perhaps more than any of the other college coaches mentioned as potential NFL candidates for 2003, Saban will have more options, with at least three teams that we know already considering him as they draw up shorts lists. But finances are always a factor and, while Saban has virtually no buyout entanglements, it is going to take a hefty package to land his services. The Chicago Bears and New York Giants are often cited as franchises that could be interested in Saban as their next head coach. But check out the financial history of head coaches in both those precincts, as we have, and you wonder if either of those fairly conservative teams will pay the $3 million or more annually it might take to get Saban onboard.
The suspicion around the league is that neither team is ready to raise the ante significantly over what they are paying their current coaches, Jim Fassel in New York (about $2.7 million-$2.8 million), and Chicago's Dick Jauron (roughly $2.2 million). The one owner for whom money probably won't be an issue is Arthur Blank of Atlanta. But some people close to Saban note that the LSU coach has looked at the club's history and wondered why no coach has ever been able to win with the Falcons.
Dozer you must be stopped.
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