| When Daniel Snyder was able to lure Marty
Schottenheimer to Washington to be the next head coach of the Redskins, I was shocked and
impressed. Shocked that Snyder was able to reel in the big-time coach he so desperately
wanted. Impressed because I believe that Schottenheimer is a good coach who ought to be
able to get this high-priced team to play up to expectations. I also figured that he
would be able to assemble an outstanding coaching staff. Not long ago, Schottenheimer
hired Jimmy Raye to be his offensive coordinator.
A long list of outstanding defensive coordinator candidates also were considered for
the Redskins’ job. The likes of Vince Tobin, Greg Robinson, Gunther Cunningham, Ted
Cottrell and Wade Phillips were all available after losing their jobs. Any one of them
would have been a good fit for a coordinator job with the Redskins.
After all of the interviews were over, Schottenheimer narrowed his choices down to two
— Phillips, the former head coach of the Bills, and Kurt Schottenheimer, the former
defensive coordinator in Kansas City. Kurt Schottenheimer is also the younger brother of
Marty.
The Redskins’ head coach opted to hire his little brother to handle the defense.
As it turns out, Marty Schottenheimer is turning the Redskins into a real family affair,
as he also hired his son, Brian, to act as QB coach. How exactly will Brian address Marty?
As "Coach" or "Dad"? How will Brian address Kurt Schottenheimer? As
"Uncle Kurt" or just "Kurt"?
That may be insignificant. But it could become a problem if the team struggles. Having
to fire a family member is pretty tough stuff.
I’m not saying that the hiring of Kurt Schottenheimer was an unwise move. He could
do a great job. He should do a great job considering the amount of talent he will have to
work with.
But I am a little surprised that Phillips didn’t get the nod. If you simply look
at the statistics over the past two seasons, when Kurt Schottenheimer ran the Chiefs'
defense and the defensive-minded Phillips was head coach in Buffalo, the Bills clearly
fared better than the Chiefs defensively.
The Chiefs were ranked 14th in total defense in 1999 and 18th in
2000. The Bills were ranked first in total defense in 1999 and third in 2000. The Chiefs
were ranked 11th vs. the run in 1999 and 17th in 2000. The Bills
were ranked fourth vs. the run in 1999 and sixth in 2000. The Chiefs were ranked 16th
vs. the pass in 1999 and 20th in 2000. The Bills were ranked first vs. the pass
in 1999 and fourth in 2000.
The stats speak for themselves. The Bills clearly had the superior defense over the
past couple of years, and much of the credit deserves to go to the coaching staff.
So, next season, if the Redskins’ defense stumbles, remember, this team passed on
hiring Phillips. |
