So Now Who Do You Want?

He couldn't talk to Spagnuolo after beating Dallas because the G-women were still playing.

Like I said, the only wait on Fassel has been documented by many reporters who are saying that Snyder has heard about the backlash from fans, then told Fassel to hold for a while, knowing that there are no other HC openings left to worry about him taking.

Time to reason through this list and see who the next Redskins' head coach is.

Assumption #1: The Redskins already know who their Head Coach is.

Assumption #2: The Redskins' next HC already knows he has the job.

The reasoning for this, is that the coach has to have been a integral part of the naming of the staff. He had to be.

Why would the Redskins hand pick a coordinator, and then promote from within on the other coordinator? Why has Gregg Williams withdrawn his name? And finally, what are the Redskins waiting for?

First of all, I think we can eliminate Spagnuolo from the discussion. I mean, it's somewhat possible the Redskins could have a wink-nod deal in place for Spagnuolo, but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Rather, the wait until post-super bowl is the perfect smokescreen for the Redskins to act like the coaching search is still going on. Don't buy it. Snyder already has his guy. It's not Spagnuolo, and it sure as hell ain't Cowher.

That leaves Fassel, Meeks, and Schwartz. Meeks is the candidate that received the least amount of hype out of the three, but that doesn't mean he isn't the guy. However, I would gamble that he would be the least likely out of the three.

Assuming I read this one correctly, the only logical candidates are Fassel and Schwartz. One of them has the job lined up already, and the other likely doesn't know he doesn't have it yet.

There was a reason that Williams announced that he was out of the running over a week before the job will be given, and I believe it's a PR reason. The incoming coach will have far less animosity to deal with from the fans if they have time to digest the fact that Williams is going elsewhere. Look for Williams to sign somewhere as a coordinator before the Super Bowl.

That's why the Redskins are waiting on the announcement (and it's probably going to leak at some point prior to the SB, it's hard to keep the wraps on this type of info for long). It's either Fassel or Schwartz. The only evidence we have for one over the other is the internal promotion of a defensive coordinator, and the external courting of the offensive guy. That tells me that the hire is probably a guy who's got his rep on the defensive side of the ball. The final piece of evidence is that Fassel didn't get the job when Danny had the chance to hand it to him. The businessman that he is, he likely saw his window of opportunity to name Fassel HC close.

Official Prediction: Jim Schwartz is hired as Head Coach of the Washington Redskins on February 5th, 2008, two days after the super bowl.

Great post. I think you're points about the PR aspects of not naming a HC until Williams was gone and hopefully until he had a job makes a lot of sense. If that is how it works out, I'd be happy, though it would really put a crazy cloak-and-dagger ending on this thing.

Schwartz, first one interviewed, Fassel brought in to stir outrage, Fassel tossed aside as pawn, Williams let go gets another job, Schwartz enters as hero. It's a little bit too Oliver Stone isn't it?

I'd like Schwartz, I think it will be Fassel, but I have no clue what is actually going to happen.

Plus, why would the Titans want to speak to Gregg Williams? They don't have an opening at defensive coordinator.

Except, of course, unless they do.

Maybe, maybe. Add the below little snippet from JLC's latest blog. More than others ey ... hmmmmmm ...

Jim Fassel and New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo are believed to be the remaining candidates.
"I've heard a lot of names out there too," Zorn said. "I've heard some more than others. ...

I think without a doubt it's going to be Fassel. Remember, above all Snyder is a marketing and PR whiz.. Made his BILLIONS shaping the minds of the public.. Here's how this all points to Fassel..

Fassel was apparently set to get the job earlier this week as a package deal with Zorn and Rex Ryan.. The outcry bellowed from the fans and media alike about how GW was getting passed over for an outsider retread and what about continuity!?!?!?!?!?

Ryan's contract status bought Snyder time to re-asses and re-package Fassel by next week.. By the time he is named the following would have occured:
-Williams & team split amicably by "mutual" choice and allows him to land on his feet in Jax or Tenn.
-A highly regarded defensive assistant (Blache) gets promoted to DC as well as a majority of the defensive coaches remain on the staff ensuring 'continuity'
-Snyder gets his man in Zorn to replace Saunders who was going to be fired anyway
-(Prediction) This week, at least Bugel & Byner (most of the rest, but not Breaux & Burns) get extensions/guarantees for 2008 ensuring some 'continuity' on offense
-Spagnoulo is interviewed a few days after the Super Bowl primarily as a show
-Fassel is hired as head coach, the presser with all 3 coaches present trumpets a majority of the staff is returning ensuring 'continuity', Campbell and Zorn already have a personal relationship (from Senior Bowl or combine when JC was drafted) which will be emphasized..

Much of the venom we saw mid week won't be there because the person who had the strongest emotional appeal (GW) is happily elsewhere, people are excited about the offensive possibilities with Zorn (he'll preach an aggressive passing game predicated on a strong running attack) and 'continuity' will be acheived with most of the assistant coaches still in place. No overhaul, no starting from scratch, no rebuilding.. It's really simple if you think about it.

Nice post Pain. And if all that happened, how would you feel about it?

Nice post Pain. And if all that happened, how would you feel about it?

To be honest I'd be fine with it.. An experienced NFL coach, who coached in the division, 2 time coach of the year, took a team to the Super Bowl, has a career winning record, known for developing QB.. Bellichick was an idiot in Cleveland, Coughlin was a choke artist in Jacksonville.. Neither of them were as accomplished as Fassel (on paper) when they got their second opportunities and neither got a team as talented as the Redskins when they walked in the door.. I honestly think there's going to be a LOT of crow eaten around DC because I believe Fassel will be more successful than we've seen around here is a while.

When you think about it, this roster or coaching staff as currently situated is not a fit for a young first time head coach..

Ok, here's one I made up as a long long shot. Say Snyder and VC go to Arizona to the SB next week, then they can get permission from the Cardinals and interview Grimm while they're in Arizona. Yeah, right!!

To be honest I'd be fine with it.. An experienced NFL coach, who coached in the division, 2 time coach of the year, took a team to the Super Bowl, has a career winning record, known for developing QB.. Bellichick was an idiot in Cleveland, Coughlin was a choke artist in Jacksonville.. Neither of them were as accomplished as Fassel (on paper) when they got their second opportunities and neither got a team as talented as the Redskins when they walked in the door.. I honestly think there's going to be a LOT of crow eaten around DC because I believe Fassel will be more successful than we've seen around here is a while.

When you think about it, this roster or coaching staff as currently situated is not a fit for a young first time head coach..

All very good points, particularly the last part.

To be honest I'd be fine with it.. An experienced NFL coach, who coached in the division, 2 time coach of the year, took a team to the Super Bowl, has a career winning record, known for developing QB.. Bellichick was an idiot in Cleveland, Coughlin was a choke artist in Jacksonville.. Neither of them were as accomplished as Fassel (on paper) when they got their second opportunities and neither got a team as talented as the Redskins when they walked in the door.. I honestly think there's going to be a LOT of crow eaten around DC because I believe Fassel will be more successful than we've seen around here is a while.

When you think about it, this roster or coaching staff as currently situated is not a fit for a young first time head coach..

I heard today that Al Davis also likes Fassel, always has and might interested in him. So Danny has got competition.

fassell. would probably fit best with zorn, has been to a super bowl, knows the nfc east, head coaching experience...cowher just isnt likely for me, plus he likes a 3-4 while blache a 4-3. id rather have our coaching staff be on the same page as far as playing style