No Chance Capers Stays If He's Not HC?

[NJPHIN34]

I see a lot of scenarios suggesting this head coach, this OC, and keeping Capers as DC. Do you people really believe that after interviewing for the HC position and getting passed up for another candidate, if that were to happen, that Capers would return to coach the D? And why would we even think that a new HC wouldn't bring in his own guys?

The fact is that when new regimes come in they hardly retain any of the previous coaching staffs, especially at the higher levels (OC/DC). There is a weird dynamic that almost seems to spell disaster. A new guy is going to come in with a new philosophy, system and way of life basically. What's going to happen if the players decide that they like the old way better than the new way? They will become resistant to change and the locker room could divide between old regime vs. new regime. No smart coach would ever put himself in such a position and keeping old coaches of such a high level would be doing such.

Yes our D was very good this year, but let's not be naiive and not think that it could have been a number of other things than just Capers; which could include our personnel (most notably JT the monster) or I hate to say it, possibly Saban's coaching.

I'm not trying to say anything about Capers, but to me it seems HIGHLY unlikely that he stays around if a new head coach is hired.

 

[dolphinfn3454]

I was kinda thinking the same thing but never said it. I dont think he'll stick around unless he's HC.

 

[jdang307]

I was thinking the exact same thing. He is gone if he isn't HC but then again, if he has no other job offers, he kind of stays. But I'm sure a lot of teams will be interested since D was one of our bright spots.

 

[dolfan87]

Well, there are certain coaches that are retained even after a regime change. Also, a bunch of the coaches around the league know and respect one another, and Capers might have a previous relationship with whomever we eventually sign.

Having said that, Capers is under contract, and I believe that as a DC he would have to be hired by another team at a higher position in order for him to leave.

IF we bring in an offensive minded HC, they may very well want to leave the defense to Capers, and concentrate on the offensive side of the ball.

87

 

[motioncityhifi]

I see him staying depending on the coach because I dont think there really is anywhere he can go that isnt a lateral move or step down from defensive coordinator. He only has one more year left on his contract and I think he honors it because if the defense has another great year, it could mean another head coaching opportunity.

 

[zonk4ever]

bruised egos aside, capers track record as HC is abysmal. Defensive Coordinator is his niche. He could leave but Huizenga pays really well and unless some other regime comes in and kicks him out what are his options.

 

[Da_Franchise]

Unless we bring in an offensive minded coach, who wants to install his own offensive system. But feels comfortable with Capers' defense, and would like Capers to take control of the defense. Martz? Cameron? Chow?

 

[TractorTraylor]

The thing is, that Capers hasnt been mentioned in any of the other HC jobs. Every other situation would still most likely leave him at DC and if that is the case, Capers should like the situation he has going here in Miami making some nice $$$

 

[TexanPhinatic]

Exactly, unless hes hired as another coach somewhere else what is his motivation to leave? We pay coordinators alot of money, and with the rules barring lateral moves, I think he has a good shot at coming back next year. Unless hes offered a college team or another NFL job he stays, DC is better job than nothing.

 

[NJPHIN34]

Even if a new guy comes in and runs the offense, I hardly see them keeping Capers to run the D. I think there is just to much that can go wrong when you have "someone else's guy" still around. On the flip side, Capers has only been here a year and it seems like a lot of assistants are glad Saban is gone so maybe he's one of them; maybe he never was a Saban Soldier persay. If that's the case MAYBE a new HC retains him.

 

[ASUFinFan]

I agree, but what makes this situation tricky is the fact that he is under contract for another year. And this could turn out to be a good thing, because then our defense can keep continuity as a whole going into next season.

 

[Da_Franchise]

Capers is an assistant head coach here, and can't go elsewhere unless offered a head coaching job. Not to mention Capers was not a Saban guy at all. The way I see it any head coach coming in here won't particularly be in FULL control. The HC job will almost be shared with the AHC (Capers). Where Capers runs the defense, and the HC and his OC run the offense. And of course we'd have a GM in control of personal decisions. I think WH wants to split up roles as much as possible, to allow everyone to focus on their priorities, so nothing get's left undone (See Saban).

 

[TexanPhinatic]

Capers is an assistant head coach here, and can't go elsewhere unless offered a head coaching job. Not to mention Capers was not a Saban guy at all. The way I see it any head coach coming in here won't particularly be in FULL control. The HC job will almost be shared with the AHC (Capers). Where Capers runs the defense, and the HC and his OC run the offense. And of course we'd have a GM in control of personal decisions. I think WH wants to split up roles as much as possible, to allow everyone to focus on their priorities, so nothing get's left undone (See Saban).

It seems our front runners are all O guys as well, Pete Carroll, Cam Cameron, Ken Wisenhunt all seem to be out ahead of guys like Mike Tomlin and Ron Rivera. If we do get such an offensive coach, I could see Capers staying and running the D. His options are to stay, do nothing for a year or so, or hope a college team offers him their HC spot. He ran a very successful unit, I dont see to many coaches from the other side of the ball eager to get rid of a guy who ran a top 5.

 

[Kyndig]

I see a lot of scenarios suggesting this head coach, this OC, and keeping Capers as DC. Do you people really believe that after interviewing for the HC position and getting passed up for another candidate, if that were to happen, that Capers would return to coach the D? And why would we even think that a new HC wouldn't bring in his own guys?

The fact is that when new regimes come in they hardly retain any of the previous coaching staffs, especially at the higher levels (OC/DC). There is a weird dynamic that almost seems to spell disaster. A new guy is going to come in with a new philosophy, system and way of life basically. What's going to happen if the players decide that they like the old way better than the new way? They will become resistant to change and the locker room could divide between old regime vs. new regime. No smart coach would ever put himself in such a position and keeping old coaches of such a high level would be doing such.

Yes our D was very good this year, but let's not be naiive and not think that it could have been a number of other things than just Capers; which could include our personnel (most notably JT the monster) or I hate to say it, possibly Saban's coaching.

I'm not trying to say anything about Capers, but to me it seems HIGHLY unlikely that he stays around if a new head coach is hired.

I don't think he has any other HC opportunities in the league. I'd say it depends upon his feelings and vice versa of the new HC if he is not it. There is a reasonable chance with his salary which is quite high that he stays especially if we get an offensive oriented HC who would probably be happy to keep continuity on a defense that was ranked 4th overall in the league. But, it all depends upon who they bring in, but I don't neccessarily think he's gonna leave just because he doesn't get the job.

 

[rocket4]

I see a lot of scenarios suggesting this head coach, this OC, and keeping Capers as DC. Do you people really believe that after interviewing for the HC position and getting passed up for another candidate, if that were to happen, that Capers would return to coach the D? And why would we even think that a new HC wouldn't bring in his own guys?

The fact is that when new regimes come in they hardly retain any of the previous coaching staffs, especially at the higher levels (OC/DC). There is a weird dynamic that almost seems to spell disaster. A new guy is going to come in with a new philosophy, system and way of life basically. What's going to happen if the players decide that they like the old way better than the new way? They will become resistant to change and the locker room could divide between old regime vs. new regime. No smart coach would ever put himself in such a position and keeping old coaches of such a high level would be doing such.

Yes our D was very good this year, but let's not be naiive and not think that it could have been a number of other things than just Capers; which could include our personnel (most notably JT the monster) or I hate to say it, possibly Saban's coaching.

I'm not trying to say anything about Capers, but to me it seems HIGHLY unlikely that he stays around if a new head coach is hired.

It is, of course, a distinct possibility that Capers would choose to move on if he doesn't get the top gig. But the quotes in the newspaper don't make him sound like it's a make or break type situation for him,

"I think that anybody in this business, when opportunities present themselves, you certainly want to look at them, but those decisions are for other people to make," said Capers, who guided the Panthers to the 1996 NFC Championship Game in their second season. (Sun-Sentinel, Jan 4 2007).

That's a big contrast to the quote from Mularkey, for example. Maybe Capers is just low-key or talks in Saban-esque language all the time. But this is all we have to go on for now.

With respect to other coaches coming in with their own systems/staff, that's why I'm hoping for guys like Bates and Tomlin. Both have shown tremendous flexibility in the past with their systems. And Bates would probably not be overly concerned with a locker room divide since the veteran leadership (Taylor, Thomas, McMike) will embrace him.