First Impressions Of Dolphins' Head Coach Candidates | Page 5 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

First Impressions Of Dolphins' Head Coach Candidates

Mach2 said:
I think you are in denial, if you believe this will be done anybody's way, other than Grier's way.

Just accept it.
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Of course they'll have to be on the same accord to some extent. But keep in mind that grown men can work together to achieve a common goal, and that's consistently competing year in and year out. At this point it's about winning on the football field and Ross seems pretty persistent about making sure that's priority moving forward.
 
SkapePhin said:
So far, the Miami Dolphins have expressed interest in interviewing the following candidates:

  • Brian Flores (Linebacker Coach / Functioning DC for Patriots)
  • Kris Richard (Passing Game Defensive Coordinator for Cowboys)
  • Vic Fangio (DC for the Bears)
  • Mike Munchak (OL Coach for Steelers)
  • Eric Bienemy (OC for Chiefs)
  • Darren Rizzi (ST Coach for Dolphins)
Whenever there is a coaching search, the first thing I like to do is watch their media sessions and interviews and any practice footage they might have. While first impressions can sometimes be deceiving, I've found for the most part that first impressions are more accurate that the impression a fan begins to form once they've signed with the team and full-blown homerism takes root for the first year or so.

So I want to use this thread to post interview clips from the candidates the Dolphins are bringing in for interviews and my first impressions of the candidates based on the way they communicate with players/media, the way they command a room, the way they express confidence or lack thereof, the way they discuss strategy and concepts, etc.

Brian Flores





First Impressions:
  • Too timid to be a successful HC. Gives me a Todd Bowles vibe.
  • In the 3rd video at the 1:55 mark says that because of his less boisterous nature he didn't always view himself as a leader. That changed when Belichick told him 10 years ago that "if you work hard and put the team first you are a leader." While that may cut it to lead a unit, I don't think that cuts it to lead an entire team. He just seems to lack confidence to me, which is always a bad sign for a HC candidate
  • Does appear to have a strong work ethic, but IMO does not appear to have the command to lead an entire team. Seems like a career coordinator type to me.

Kris Richard





First Impressions:
  • Commanding presence. When he speaks, you listen. Very motivational, charismatic and natural speaker.
  • Runs a practice with passion, energy and attention to detail. Explains concepts and techniques concisely and in relatable ways to his players. Not a total log like the bubblegum wrapper picker-upper Philbin or the benchwarmer Gase.
  • Fosters a sense of love and respect with players (see clip where he talks about the Legion of Boom - L.O.B. = Love Our Brothers)

Vic Fangio





First Impressions:
  • Calm, steady demeanor. Almost grandfatherly. While that may provide a stabilizing presence after the grumpy guru Gase, will that take the team to the next level? I don't know
  • Seems like a good teacher, has a way of explaining concepts in ways players understand and apply.
  • Seems more like a career coordinator type to me, which is why he might have ever gotten an HC gig in all these years despite his performance as DC
  • My initial impression is that he might have some decent success, but nothing truly special there. Would not elevate team as a manager of men, and would need to rely on his DC expertise too much to win.

Mike Munchak





First Impressions:
  • Looks like a Football Coach straight out of central casting. If you asked me to draw a generic football coach, it would look like Mike Munchak
  • Has a calm, steady, confident demeanor.
  • Does appear to have that air of experience, especially in role as HC, that could be a stabilizing force for this team.
  • Doesn't make you really want to run through a wall, but there looks to be enough there to be a solid - not too exciting, but not too embarrassing - head coach.

Eric Bienemy






First Impressions:
  • Has a cool, comfortable kind of confident demeanor.
  • Still seems to carry himself like a Running Backs coach instead of OC. You can tell he doesn't run the offense, kind of like how Joe Philbin gave that same impression.
  • Might have the mindset and leadership skills to be a decent HC, but still looks to me like he needs some more experience and seasoning to really make the jump.

Darren Rizzi




  • Carries himself with confidence and is comfortable in front of a crowd. Seems to really be able to relate to his players
  • I could see him gaining the respect of most players on the team and having them fight hard, but would be limited in capacity to elevate the performance of the entire team in terms of strategy and vision. Reminds me of Sparano in a way. Would need very strong coordinators to be successful.
  • On a side note that has nothing to do with his fit to be his head coach, but I simply can't stop seeing it, he has Shrek ears. Whoa.
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Great Post! Thank you! From what I see, I think it’s between Richard’s and Fangio. I would be happy with either. I Really liked Richard’s in the clips, but that doesn’t always translate into a great HC. Fangio seems more of a sure bet but....I really liked Richard’s style during the practice and loved the interviews. Rizzi if the other two don’t get it...love that guys passion.
 
judging HC candidates via Youtube is like choosing your wife from a Match.com profile

this touches on the Rooney rule, which was intended to get real people in a real interview situation.

too timid? Tony Dungy is as meek as **** but he balled at the highest level, and had a few pretty, pretty good teams if memory serves
 
This is going to be a difficult hire as this job is not currently an attractive one. Those wanting a Mike McCarthy, Ariens, the Harbaughs or even a Josh McDaniels, are unlikely to see that happen as I can see them wanting a better option where a QB is or might be in place, salary cap is in good shape, and the team is likely to win quickly.

This job in all likelihood has none of those. Whomever takes this job will want it for the challenge and/or a first opportunity. Off this, I like Fangio or Richard and could live with Rizzi or Munchak.

I think I might lean Richard simply for the energy and communication he seems to bring. He may relate and motivate younger players which I assume is our direction in the near future. Not that I can't see that with Fangio as CK mentions he has generated respect around the league wherever he has been, I just see Richard as a bit more relatable to a very young team.
 
Hopefully this is not the full list of interviewees and more come out through the process, because that list is very meh in my view.
 
just love the way Richard coaches. he is in the stuff with his guys. love it. I want a leader, not someone who thinks they know more than everyone else. Kris is an excellent teacher, and that is what this team needs.
 
SkapePhin said:
And by the way, I made this thread to share clips so other posters could also share their first impressions. I'm certainly not professing to be some guru who can instantly tell you who will definitively be successful as HC and who will not. I might have a psych degree, which is why I like to analyze things in this way, but it doesn't make me a ****ing soothsayer. Just providing my initial impressions of the candidates and how their personalities and personas could play as HC. That's all.

I knew Joe Philbin was a stump the second I saw his doe-eyed face, and was only reinforced with his performance on Hard Knocks, but many wanted to believe he was the next Shula for 4 wasted years... I recall doing a similar thing for Gase, and I thought his cold demeanor wouldn't play as HC, but he actually won me over a bit after seeing his introductory PC and early work. I guess my first impression ended up panning out in the end.

I'm not pretending to be some genius who can for sure pick the winners and losers here, but it is possible for people to discern how successful certain personality types will be in certain roles. Why do you think businesses make a point to interview people in person in the first place? If it was solely based on results of prior work, there would be no need to interview them at all. HR people would just hire based solely on resume. But instead they place a heavy emphasis on interviews and culture fit, and utilize a bevy of psychological profiles and personality type tools to determine which candidates would work best in certain roles.

Some people are simply not cut out to be in high leadership positions. It's just the way it is.
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I'm curious - and genuinely so and not trying to derail the thread so feel free to PM me a response if you prefer - what did you see in Tannehill based on your first impressions about his ability to lead an offense and team?
 
PJack said:
This is going to be a difficult hire as this job is not currently an attractive one. Those wanting a Mike McCarthy, Ariens, the Harbaughs or even a Josh McDaniels, are unlikely to see that happen as I can see them wanting a better option where a QB is or might be in place, salary cap is in good shape, and the team is likely to win quickly.

This job in all likelihood has none of those. Whomever takes this job will want it for the challenge and/or a first opportunity. Off this, I like Fangio or Richard and could live with Rizzi or Munchak.

I think I might lean Richard simply for the energy and communication he seems to bring. He may relate and motivate younger players which I assume is our direction in the near future. Not that I can't see that with Fangio as CK mentions he has generated respect around the league wherever he has been, I just see Richard as a bit more relatable to a very young team.
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I'm really stunned that there are those who want McCarthy as head coach.
 
Geordie said:
Hopefully this is not the full list of interviewees and more come out through the process, because that list is very meh in my view.
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Who would you prefer that wouldn't be "meh" to you, out of curiosity?
 
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