Lane Kiffin anyone?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 1:07 AM MDT

We keep reading how he doesn't really get along with Al and the Faider front office, and how he would be fired if not for the money. He only has one year left on his contract (I think), and the chances of him staying in Oakland are slim.

So, is any one here interested in the guy?

He actually seems like a great coach. He also runs a Broncos type scheme. He installed the ZB scheme and ran it effectively last year. He uses a lot of mis-direction plays.

I want him as our next Offensive Coordinator. By that I mean a real coordinator who can bring something new and fresh to this team, and really help mix things up a bit. That's something we have missed since Kubiac left. Having recent experiance at the college level also means that he will be used to teaching football, which is good for a team with a lot of younger guys.

Personally I would go so far as to say we should let him become the next Head Coach once Shanny's corrent contract runs out in 2011 (Is that when his contract runs out?). I really don't think it is good to keep a head coach for 20 years. But that's just me.

We got one young coach from Oakland a few years back and worked out alright, why not try the other?

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Shanahan was not an unknown quantity...

We didn’t take Shanahan from the Raiders. We took him from the 49ers after he helped Steve Young win a Super Bowl.

in the meantime Let’s wait and see what happens with Shanahan before we jump to such rash decisions.

by JR_G on Jun 9, 2008 1:35 AM MDT 0 recs

I think you missed my point.

Forget the Head Coach talk. What do you think of Kiffin as a coordinator?

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 8:50 AM MDT up 0 recs

Shanny....

is our Head Coach until he retires. His job is his until he is done. The man won 2 rings for us, the only 2 rings the Broncos have. The man has my respect. Its his team.

by docescobar07 on Jun 9, 2008 1:54 AM MDT 0 recs

True.

I am not calling for Shanny’s head. But when will Shanny retire? I am thinking that he might take some time off if we win a super bowl in 2010 or 2011… That’s realistic.

And it would be nice to have a young fresh mind who has already been in the organization for a couple of years ready to take the job. Where is the harm?

If Shanny doesn’t retire, the dude will leave in a couple of years to become the headcoach somewhere else. And that is totaly fine with me; we would have had the services of a good talented coach for some time, and we would have had an insurance policy in case shanny retires.

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 8:49 AM MDT up 0 recs

The Raiders bring in a fresh new mind almost every year...

Look how that’s worked for them.

Kiffin hasn’t done anything.

Change for change alone is not a good reason for change.

The Broncos have actually brought in young new minds on the staff. Now they need stability.

by HBBeough on Jun 9, 2008 5:45 PM MDT up 0 recs

Do they really? Just look at the facts

Lets just look at the past few years.

Before Kiffin there was Shell—dude was old and out of date
Before Shell there was Norv Turner—Mr looser who hasn’t been fresh since the 90s
Before Norv there was Callahan—Just an in house stop gap, not so fresh
Jon Gruden is a good coach for a vetran team, and he did well in TB too

So we have to go back to 1998 to find a young fresh mind brought in by the Raiders.

Before Gruden there was Bugel, who wasn’t a young fresh mind, and is a good O-line coach.
Before that there was White, who was a college head coach in the 70s—not fresh.
We have Art Shell again
Then there was Shanahan, who has also done alright.

If you look at it, every 4th coach hired by the Raiders has been good.

And if you ask most guys around here, they will tell you that Kiffin is a decent coach, and that’s pretty good given the circumstances he has to deal with in Oakland.

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 11:41 PM MDT up 0 recs

I remember all those guys...

I wrote that referring to the new fact they have a new head coach annually in Oakland, not that any of those cats are spring chickens.

Beyond debating whether a coach is fresh or not, I just don’t see why anyone would covet Lane Kiffin. I lived in socal for his tenure at USC and can say I haven’t heard one positive thing about anything he ever did. Lane Kiffin’s claim to fame was driving the hot rod Norm Chow built. You want Norm Chow’s offense hire Norm Chow. The loss to Texas in the NCAA championship and the loss to UCLA the next year were widely considered due to his play calling. The development of the nation’s best college talent at USC tapered off considerably when he took over. Even big time fans of the Trojans scratched their heads when the Raiders hired him. No USC fan shed a tear when he left.

If someone can explain to me how this guy ever landed a NFL head coaching gig I’d love to hear it. But a crappy season last year in Oakland (with piles of young talent) doesn’t impress me and Norv Turner would have won the 2005 college national title by two touchdowns with that USC team.

Sorry Amirebram but Kiffin is better described as green than fresh and I hope he stays in Oakland for a long time.

by HBBeough on Jun 10, 2008 2:35 PM MDT up 0 recs

Not talking about him as a head coach...

...what don’t you like about him as an off coord?

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Jun 10, 2008 2:59 PM MDT up 0 recs

Nothing wrong with

bringing in someone with fresh ideas (as a coordinator) if he passes muster with Shanny and Pat…. but to suggest, at this point, that he should/could replace Shannahan is just too much.

Let’s give Shanny some time- after shaking things up this off season- before we start calling for a replacement. I don’t think people give him credit for the amazing things he’s done with limited talent in past years since the SB team was dismanteled.

by BornOrange on Jun 9, 2008 2:16 AM MDT 0 recs

Amir isn't calling for Shanny's head

He is just stating a pesonal preference for new blood on any team, in any circumstance where someone is around as long as Shanahan has been. It has nothing to do with winning or losing, or at least, that is how I read it.

Of course, I know that Amirebram is an engineer, so it is easy for me to imagine him replacing a part before it has a critical failure, not because the part isn’t working but because you don’t want it to fail later…or something like that. :)

There is merit to the idea that fresh ideas are needed to consistently stay ahead of the curve, but that is another discussion.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by styg50 on Jun 9, 2008 4:37 AM MDT up 0 recs

Basically Yes.

You know, I regret adding the last part. I was thinking that having the guy in house for 3 or 4 years as a coordinator would let us decide if he is a good replacement come 2011 or 2012—hopefully after Shanny has taken us to the promise land once/twice again.

Shanny might decide that he has had enough if we win the big one in 2011—think Cowher.

Any ways, why don’t we just focus on the Coordinator thing? That was my real point.

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 8:42 AM MDT up 0 recs

Could he...

... elevate himself to GM instead of retiring? I know i won’t be much of an elevation as he pactically already is GM, but you know what i mean.

Sorry fofr sidetracking your post – but i got curious.

And i would love Kiffin to (head)Coach in Denver.

Remember: New England won 18 last year; Oakland's won 19 in a half-decade
/The great Dane - formerly known as Claaaaas!

by Claus Vestergaard on Jun 9, 2008 8:57 AM MDT up 0 recs

I doubt it.

Kiffin has already had to deal with a GM/God type in Al. He isn’t going to get himself into another one.

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 9:39 AM MDT up 0 recs

I actually like Kiffin

I was upset that he chose to coach in oakland. It is his ability, and his alone, that makes me worry about what we might be facing when we play the faders next year.

But I don’t think he would accept an offensive coordinator position if he was out after this year. On the other hand, if Davis fired him, or put the blame on him, I could see him taking an o-coordinator position with Denver in order to build his reputation back up, but more importantly to have a “revenge-tour” where he can stomp Al twice a year for a year or two. :)

And we know that Shanny has a soft spot for him. Before the first game last year, Kiffin met Shanny at midfield and greeted him, and asked if Shanny had any advice for him:

Yeah, don’t be seen talking to me. I’m serious.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by styg50 on Jun 9, 2008 4:46 AM MDT 0 recs

Just taking the guy would burn Al Davis

And that is worth something

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 8:51 AM MDT up 0 recs

loved it and what happened

he talked to shanny and the rumors of his “resignation” flew out of control. Kiff is a solid guy and a good teacher of football dynamics. I would love to have him running the offense, his departure was one of the resons USC struggled last year a bit. He is a very talented guy however I see Dennison and Bates working out well and doing their thing here in Denver for a while. While Kiffin could really shore up an offense i think we are set unless bowlen of Shanny decide to bring him in out of a revenge motive. Also I had no idea that Shanny actually had a contract! I figured Bowlen just was funneling money to the man until he wanted to leave!

Until Terrell Davis makes it into the Hall of Fame, I refuse to acknowledge the existence of such a place other than the Ring of Fame at Mile High!

Davis to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Jun 9, 2008 8:53 AM MDT up 0 recs

I can think of nothing better...

than two of Evil Al’s former head coaches being on the Broncos and beating the snot out of the faders.

I’m sure the fader nation would come up with some kind of conspiracy theory and use it as one more pathetic reason for their suckiness.

"It's all over Fat Man"

- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

by DesertBroncoFan on Jun 9, 2008 12:17 PM MDT 0 recs

If Slowik doesn't work out...

...then bring in Kiffen for OC. If Shanahan moves on, maybe Kiffen would work out. But not until then.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Jun 9, 2008 1:10 PM MDT 0 recs

Huh?

If Slowik doesn’t work out what does that have to do with the OC?

I know you know this team inside and out HT, I’m not sure what you mean here.

Jeremy Bates is getting groomed for the OC and maybe the next HC. Substitute him or Dennison?

I don’t know about that but Kiffin doesn’t do anything for me. If it wasn’t for Norm Chow no one would have even heard of this guy. It was more than a reach for Davis to hire him. When most NFL teams are afraid to hire successful college HCs bringing in a college coordinator to be an NFL HC is a stretch. I would have to see him have any success on his own before even bringing him in as a receivers coach.

by HBBeough on Jun 9, 2008 6:44 PM MDT up 0 recs

I think HT about summed it up.

Kiffin is as good a coach as Kubiac, and we would be wise to have someone on hand, just in case Shanny quits.

I really agree with TSG who said that near the end of Plummer’s time Shanny seemed like he was tired of football, and having Cutler has put some life back into him. But I am not sure if he will stay on for more than 3 years. Just a gut feeling

Anyhow, more talent cant do us any harm.

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 9, 2008 11:44 PM MDT up 0 recs

If Slowik (current offensive coordinator) doesn't work out...

...I think Kiffen would make a good offensive coordinator (in terms of fitting our system). There is always the danger that a new OC can go in a new direction, and I like the fact that Kiffen is comfortable with WCO and ZB systems. Just an opinion.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Jun 10, 2008 3:12 AM MDT up 0 recs

Isn't Bob Slowik the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach?

DenverBroncos.com lists Rick Dennison as the OC.

Anyway, while Kiffin was at SC the local radio and print media here in LA never seemed to have anything good to say about him. Even Norm Chow took a shot at him and Pete Carroll didn’t trust him with the play calling. Who knows what Al Davis was thinking when he brought him in but it looks like he’s seen enough already also.

by HBBeough on Jun 10, 2008 11:19 AM MDT up 0 recs

Arghhh

Correct. I’ve been writing so much about the defense (and working on Slowik’s possible systems) that I’m seeing Slowik EVERYWHERE! lol (Another weak excuse: Bates’ father was last year’s defense coordinator. Another weak, but inexcusable offer.) : )

So substitute Dennison for Slowik in that comment.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Jun 10, 2008 1:31 PM MDT up 0 recs

actually its Bates

Isn’t the Jim Bates (the young son of last year’s DC) our new OC? I thought Shanny was going to go with him.

I believe he was the QB coach last year.

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Jun 10, 2008 1:33 PM MDT up 0 recs

I'm doing this blind...

I’m not looking it up, but I believe that Bates (the son) is our receivers position coach.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Jun 10, 2008 1:48 PM MDT up 0 recs

I think I remember hearing he was the Quarterbacks and Receivers coach and Dennison runs the O

Until Terrell Davis makes it into the Hall of Fame, I refuse to acknowledge the existence of such a place other than the Ring of Fame at Mile High!

Davis to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Jun 10, 2008 2:27 PM MDT up 0 recs

I figured your mind was on the D.

I knew you knew what you were saying.

No loss of respect here HT.

It is curious that Dennison is the OC when he played linebacker though.

by HBBeough on Jun 10, 2008 1:48 PM MDT up 0 recs

I was offered an offensive coordinator job once...

...for a rival school. The pay was quite a bit more than I was making at the time at my program. I never played offense, and never coached it. I suppose I could have done it, but my heart wouldn’t be into it as much. Same with head coaching (had a few offers there, but was a little too nervouse to take the plunge. It’s always schools that have bad records that come after coordinators with solid records). My heart has always been in coaching defense, not head or offense. I was also comfortable working with coaches that I knew and respected, and we had a very competitive program year in and out. It can be hard to let go of that, as well as friends you make in the community and the local media.

I was asked if I might be interested in a small college coordinator job, and while I was flattered to be asked, the program wasn’t very good and I wasn’t sure if I could build up a good program. When I took the HS coordinator job I had, the program was already solid and all I had to do was maintain it.

It may sound a little cowardly on my part, but once I’m in a good place I sure as heck am a little nervous about giving it all up.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Jun 10, 2008 1:59 PM MDT up 0 recs

I hear you, HT.

Having made that mistake (not in football) once or twice myself, I learned the grass only appears greener on the other side, and once you’re in Hell, it can be tough to get out without getting burned.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Jun 10, 2008 4:13 PM MDT up 0 recs

Nice Call!

I’ve been talking about Kiffin since SC as a great coordinator and eventual heir to Shanny. He has what it takes.

You have to hope Kiffin has a 5-11 season or something and gets run out of Oakland. That way Denver can get him on the cheap as a coordinator or QB coach.

by super7 on Jun 9, 2008 1:59 PM MDT 0 recs