Carroll is a major piece in the coaching puzzle

Sporting News, The, Nov 25, 1996 by Bob Glauber

You know those giant-sized jigsaw puzzles, the ones with about a zillion pieces that seem to take months to put together? Well, that's what next year's coaching picture looks like in the NFL. Plenty of openings, plenty of candidates and months of trying to figure it all out.

Allow me to sort out the confusion.

The `A' list

Pete Carroll. Jets owner Leon Hess made a huge mistake when he fired Carroll after only one season (1994). Carroll's ingenious schemes and player-friendly personality would have eventually turned around the Jets: instead, he's now the hottest coaching prospect going. The Rams will be interested, and so will the Vikings--if they make a move with Dennis Green. Remember, Carroll was a highly respected assistant in Minnesota before joining the Jets as defensive coordinator in 1990.

There's one more scenario to keep in mind for Carroll, in his second season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator. If the 49ers stumble in the playoffs, it's not out of the question that George Seifert could be asked to step down and Carroll given the top job. If you ask me, that would be an absolutely idiotic thing to do, because Seifert is one of the top five coaches in the league.

Jim Mora. Remember John Madden's "10-years-and-out" theory on coaches, the one that says a guy will stick around for 10 years--unless he's fired first--then burn out and find he just can't take it anymore? Well, Mora attempted to stretch that theory and failed. He was eight games into his 11th season when he imploded after a loss to the Panthers and finally stepped down. I'm convinced Mora needs at least a year off before he even thinks about going back, but that won't stop the Falcons from looking to him as a possible replacement for June Jones.

And don't forget the Chiefs, where coach Marty Schottenheimer and general manager Carl Peterson aren't exactly bosom buddies. Mora and Peterson teamed up in Philadelphia on the former USFL champion Stars before Mora joined the Saints in '86.

Nick Saban. You can argue that the impending move to Baltimore ultimately doomed the '95 Browns. But consider the loss of Saban, their highly respected defensive coordinator, who went to Michigan State. Saban's loss, coupled with the illness of Rick Venturi, who replaced Saban, was as big a factor in the team's demise as the move. So don't be surprised to see Saban surface in the NFL next year. He already has been mentioned as a possible candidate in St. Louis.

Jim Fassel. The Giants will be in need of a head coach next year if Dan Reeves can't come to terms with his lack of input in personnel matters. What better choice than Fassel, the Cardinals' offensive coordinator, who has worked wonders with a unit Buddy Ryan nearly destroyed. Fassel would be the perfect coach for struggling quarterback Dave Brown, who grew close to Fassel when he was a Giants' offensive assistant in 1992.

Joe Bugel. How this man goes to work every day I'll never know. After all, his last two NFL stints have been with two of the NFL's worst owners--Bill Bidwill of the Cardinals and Al Davis of the Raiders. Davis likely will appoint Bugel to replace Mike White, but if I'm Bugel, I get the hell out of Oakland after the season's over.

Bugel is an excellent offensive tactician who understands the NFL's passing game better than most. Under the right owner, he would be an excellent head coach. If Bugel doesn't stay in Oakland, look for Davis to ap point special teams coach Rusty Tillman should White be yanked.

Rick Neuheisel. The Colorado head coach is one of the up-and-coming young minds in the game and is destined to be a top-level NFL coach. And soon. Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman would love to have Neuheisel, who was Aikman's quarterbacks coach at UCLA. Colorado has become a tremendous feeder program for the NFL. Neuheisel is a big reason.

Lou Holtz. The Notre Dame coach is expected to announce his resignation, effective after the season, raising speculation he 11 wind up in the NFL Holtz had an ill-fated stint with the Jets in 1976; he hated it so much he quit with one game left in the season after the Jets were 3-10.

But he is telling friends he'd like to get back in the NFL. The Vikings and Falcons may be interested in accommodating that wish. If anyone does take a shot at Holtz, I have only one piece of advice: buyer beware. Some guys are meant to be only college coaches, and Holtz is one of them.

Gary Barnett. Northwestern once was the butt of jokes, but Barnett's team these days is mentioned in connection with bowl-game opportunities, not epic losing streaks. His straightforward, no-nonsense approach would work just fine in the NFL. But don't be surprised if Barnett doesn't make it that far. He could wind up at Notre Dame before the NFL gets a chance at hiring him.

Terry Bowden. The Auburn coach says he is not interested in coming to the NFL even though there could be interest in New Orleans. But isn't that what they all say--until the money's on the table? Bowden's high energy style and aggressive tactical approach would suit him well at the NFL level.