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A Preview of the "Finalists"

According to numerous sources (namely here and here) the finalists for the Head Coaching position are Jim Fassel and Gregg Williams.  There is a nice post over at Riggo's Rag about the news of Fassel being the now infamous "mystery candidate" (by the way, good stuff over there... if you don't read it, you should) so I'll try to stay away from anything of that type.  What follows is meant only as a quick over view of each coach, sort of a how-ya-do post if you will:

First up, the Mystery Man himself:

Jim Fassel


Looking good in leather. (Image from here.)

For starters, there's always Wikipedia but you never get the really good stuff there.  Between Wiki and Pro Football Reference we find that he was a career 58-53-1 head coach in his 7 season in New York.  We know he went to the Super Bowl once, losing to Baltimore in 2000.  We know he won the NFC East twice and came in second once.  He has a 2-3 playoff record.  Other than the Super Bowl year, his teams either missed the playoffs or were bounced in the first game they played.  Most recently, he was the OC in Baltimore.

Prior to being the head coach for the Giants, he is credited with tutoring young QBs such as John Elway and Phil Simms.  In 1991, he was the Giants's QB coach and in 1992, he was the offensive coordinator before moving on as OC/Assistant Head Coach in Denver for 1993-1994.  The, he moved on to Oakland as QB coach (1995) before findind his way to Arizona to be the QB coach and OC (1996).

In Fassel's only other head coaching credit, he was head coach for the University of Utah from 1985-1989, going 25-33 in that span.  He never finished higher than 3rd in the WAC.  His coaching career began as an assistant for Utah State University and Stanford (when Elway was there) after a short playing career in the NFL (drafted by the Bears) and WFL.

He played QB in college at (apparently) both USC and Cal State University, Long Beach.

And, for only $20,000-$30,000, he's available to speak at birthday parties and bar mitzvahs.

And now, the Incumbant:

Gregg Williams


What football game?  There's a football game? (Image from here.)

Again, I go to the Wiki and Pre Football Reference.  But before I go into all of this, I would be remiss if I didn't point you to Ben's post over at the Squiggly Letter between Q and S.  He did an excellent and extensive job covering Williams's past NFL experience.  Go there, read up, get knowledge.

Anyway, GW was 17-31 in 3 years (2001-2003) as Head Coach in Buffalo.  He never went to the playoffs.  His best year was 2002, when his team was 8-8.  

According to the Wiki, he broke into football with the University of Houston under former Redskins Head Coach Jack Pardee before becoming the Oilers Special Teams Coordinator (following Pardee to the NFL) in 1990.  

He moved on to LB Coach in 1994 under the notorious Buddy Ryan, where he remained until he was promoted to DC of the newly renamed Tennessee Titans in 1997.  He stayed until Buffalo came calling and, in an interesting twist to the recent head coaching search, was replaced as Titans's DC by the recently interviewed Jim Schwartz.  

He apparently played QB at Northeast Missouri State before going on to get his Master's in education from Central Missouri State University (now Central Missouri University).  He also was the head coach at Belton (MO) High School from 1984-1987.

The rest is, as they say, history.

The Comparison

I'll let you make the decision.  And to help, I present... a table!  (Huge hat tip to Redskinette who brought the semblance of HTML professionalism to this site.)

I know the table was unnecessary... but I wanted to give it a go.  And for the record... I'm not sure I like either one as Head Coach.  Of the two, I'll take GW.  But I agree with Ben over at Curly R and Riggo's Rag in endorsing an interview (at least) with Russ Grimm.

Anyway, let me know what you think of the candidates.  Like 'em?  Hate 'em?  Got a new one (a better one) in mind?

  Gregg Williams Jim Fassel
Regular Season Record 17-31 (3 Years) 58-53-1 (7 Years)
Playoff Record 0-0 2-3
Divison Titles 0 2
Conference Titles 0 1
Background/Specialty Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks

0 recs  |  Comment 6 comments

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I'd have to say
numbers dont mean much here. Let Williams be the HC. With him knowing the personnel and him building off of this season it is the best chance. We have many guys in their prime, bunch of good draft picks from the last few years. O line may only have a few years left together as a group but still can get it done.

If they blow this thing up i swear i will call it what it is. A god damn three ring circus. Fassel has been known to be very conservative with his play calling and after this season it was clear to see that it may have cost us a few games. Dont do it Danny. Stick with Gregg, not to mention he earned it. My opinion is to stick with Saunders also. Now that we've gotten a good look a his offense, Campbell can see what he needs to do.

Something tells me this may be it. Back to the days of 1 and 2 year head coaches, the coach who is the hot candidate. The revolving door once again may be upon us.

by Sincethebeginning on Jan 22, 2008 9:37 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Guess I'll Just Make Sure I'm Drunk Next Season
Why...why must every single playoff year be followed by drastic overhaul. 1999, now let's buy the Super Bowl

2005, now let's get a brand new offense

2007, let's tear down this entire foundation and start all over again.

I really, really, really hope that Gregg Williams does have that 1 million dollar clause in his contract, because Snyder needs to start to feel the pain now, Because unless Fassel turns into the next Gibbs - the fans will not accept him from day one.

by CptChaosSidekick on Jan 23, 2008 7:16 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I don't know how
credible it is, but the emerging word is that Jim Fassel is now the front runner. Saw John Clayton on ESPN talking about it as though Gregg Williams had his chance to impress Dan Snyder and, this many weeks later, simply failed to do so.

Again, I don't know if that's true, that's just what I heard from the talking heads.

by Skin Patrol on Jan 23, 2008 9:12 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Gregg was Gibbs' guy
not necessarily Snyder's guy, we know Snyder holds fast to impressions and keeps grudges a long time.  An impression of Dan's is that Al Saunders' offense was never a good fit for this team.

Add to this reports that Joe Gibbs is still in the building but not participating in the evaluation process and it is starting to look like that whole quote continuity unquote thing is just pissing in the sand.

Prediction:  Saunders is out regardless of who is head coach, like him or not so much for continuity on offense.

And unless it's Gregg as head coach the defensive coaches are out as well, Gregg will get snapped up quickly.

=====Curly R: The Redskins Blog=====

by thatguyben on Jan 23, 2008 10:15 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

If Snyder wanted Gregg...
he would have hired him by now.

4 interviews?  Nobody needs 4 interviews with a guy who has been around for 3+ years to determine if he is a good fit.

Seems Dan's just wasting time until he finds his "wow" candidate.  I just hope it isn't Fassel.

by TexSkins on Jan 23, 2008 11:11 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I think
based on the chart, you have to go with Fassel.  Anyways, they should wait until after the SB and interview an assistant or two...we could also interview Billick and Rex Ryan.

by JustinU804 on Jan 23, 2008 3:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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