Spagnuolo or Fassel?

[MTK]

Alright one last coaching poll. I'm calling this a 2 man race now. The way Snyder talked about Meeks yesterday I think he's out. Mooch has been rumored to be out, and then back in, so I'm saying he's probably not a top candidate right now. I think it's down to Fassel or Spags... who's your choice?

[MTK]

I just want to say I'm ok with either guy. But with the way the Giants finished up Spags is definitely the hot candidate right now.

If I had to bet, I'd put my money on Spagnuolo. I remember reading a few weeks ago that he's a great interview and would knock the socks off Snyder if he got the chance to sit down with him.

But at the same time I can totally see Fassel getting it... would Snyder leave Fassel out in the cold yet again?

[Hog1]

I to am ok with either candidate. I lean towards Spags, even though he is unproven as a HC. He's got that................Charles Manson look in his eyes! You GOTTA' respect that

[JoeRedskin]

What the hell. Lets go with the flavor of the month. Maybe we catch lightning in a bottle and Spags is the next big thing and our coach for the next decade.

Just for the record: I am okay with Fassel too.

[KLHJ2]

Neither, I want Mooch.

[Coff]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

What the hell. Lets go with the flavor of the month. Maybe we catch lightning in a bottle and Spags is the next big thing and our coach for the next decade.

Just for the record: I am okay with Fassel too.

I'm on the same page with you Joe. The possibility of bottling lighting makes Spags the more attractive coach. Ultimately the goal is to win a Super Bowl, and with our FO's questionable personnel tactics, a great coach might be the only hope we have. Fassell would be decent, and possibly even a better coach than Spags, but I think we've seen enough from Fassel to know that he is not an elite coach in this league; a good coach? Yes. A proven coach? Yes. But an elite coach? No. We need to try for an elite coach, and if it doesn't work out with Spagnuolo, we'll just have to try again with someone else.

[Monkeydad]

We have a good OC now, I'm unsure about the DC, so let's hire a defensive-minded HC.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Buster

We have a good OC now, I'm unsure about the DC, so let's hire a defensive-minded HC.

Are you sure you don't have that backwards?

Blache has been a DC before in this league while Zorn is a first time OC. But you doubt Blache?

[SmootSmack]

Spagnuolo has the potential to be a great coach, he also has the potential to be a total failure. I can think of far worse choices than him, but I can also think of one person who is probably a better fit for this team...Jim Fassel.

The way the team has been structured with Blache and Zorn leading the defense and offense, respectively, it just strikes me as making more sense to have a veteran head coach with offensive experience overseeing everything in a CEO type role with more emphasis on assisting Zorn (but then I think of what the Cowboys did with Garrett, and maybe Zorn doesn't need a helping hand.)

Still, I see what a "retread" like Tom Coughlin did this year, which was essentially just stay out of the way of his top coordinators and just intercede when needed and I don't see why Fassel can't do the same.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Are you sure you don't have that backwards?

Blache has been a DC before in this league while Zorn is a first time OC. But you doubt Blache?

I don't know a lot about him, but Zorn did a good job with Hasselbeck.

Maybe we can finally beat the Hawks in the playoffs.

[Monkeydad]

I am not completely opposed to Fassel like a lot of you are, he HAS been to a Super Bowl.

[SC Skins Fan]

Spagnuolo (just call me a bandwagon waffler) and let's hope he can be our Jeff Fischer (coach for the long-term, sustained success even when presented with less than ideal conditions). I was thinking about this a bit and my initial reflex (after the OMG the Giants just whooped the Pats let's get that guy) was that Spagnuolo represented a typical Snyder hire; flashy pick, big splash type deal. But actually either leading candidate would seem a departure from Marty, Steve, and Joe. Neither really has the resume of any of those guys, probably wouldn't need to back the Brinks truck up for them (maybe for Spagnuolo much more so than Fassell). Plus it would just be a coup to take Spagnuolo away from the Giants after their big triumph. Like either more than Mariucchi, though I am in the decided minority there, Spagnuolo would certainly be more exciting (though I keep reminding myself that offseason excitement has yet to translate into on-field performance for this team).

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Buster

I am not completely opposed to Fassel like a lot of you are, he HAS been to a Super Bowl.

I actually get the sense that the tone has softened considerably towards Fassell on this site. Even though he is getting less votes, you'll note that almost everyone prefaces their comments with "but I'd be ok with either" and, of course, SmootSmack makes a strong case for Fassell. Cooler heads have prevailed, it seems, and though I am sure some vitriol remains, I think most every thoughtful Redskins fan (so that is excluding the yahoos you see interviewed on the street by local news - I'm assuming here since I can't actually watch local D.C. stations) will be ok with either choice. If it was Snyder's intention (or at least part of it) to allow things to cool down before hiring Fassell then he seems to have succeeded and my hats off to him for that.

Rationally, Fassell is probably the smarter choice (basically his staff in place, prior coaching experience, not the 'sexy' pick). Emotionally Spagnuolo clearly has the edge. Let's see how this thing plays out in the long run. Arguments to be made on either side I think.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Spagnuolo has the potential to be a great coach, he also has the potential to be a total failure. I can think of far worse choices than him, but I can also think of one person who is probably a better fit for this team...Jim Fassel.

The way the team has been structured with Blache and Zorn leading the defense and offense, respectively, it just strikes me as making more sense to have a veteran head coach with offensive experience overseeing everything in a CEO type role with more emphasis on assisting Zorn (but then I think of what the Cowboys did with Garrett, and maybe Zorn doesn't need a helping hand.)

Still, I see what a "retread" like Tom Coughlin did this year, which was essentially just stay out of the way of his top coordinators and just intercede when needed and I don't see why Fassel can't do the same.

Tough to argue against this & that may in fact be what DS is going through; he's hired the coordinators & put the structure in place for Fassel, assuming that the report about a deal being in place 2 weeks ago is true.

Yet on the other hand he may really want to hire the fresher choice in Spags even if it means risking some friction between the staff, most notably w/Spags & Blache.

Regardless, it's still good that DS is interviewing Spags, a former iggles & g men coach. Can't blame him for taking the time to pick his brain for info.

[gibbsisgod]

I want Spags! No questions asked. I think Snyder wants to get a coach that is gonna be here for many years to come. That is why its taking so long. We don't need another coach that isn't a long term answer.

Question: Does anybody really believe Fassel is the longterm answer or is he a stopgap coach until the "sexy' hire becomes available? If you want Fassel, are you prepared to be looking for a coach again in a coupe of years? Spaggs might not be the longterm answer either but I would think the odds of him sticking around would be alot better.
I don't know if Spags is the longterm answer, but I think Snyder does.