Who is Joe Philbin?

[andyahs]

Who is Joe Philbin? Former Iowa players Brian Ferentz, Matt Bowen explain what makes the new Miami Dolphins coach tick

by Ben Volin

While we cover the Super Bowl here in Indianapolis and watch the Peyton Manning drama unfold – Manning’s camp says he’s been cleared medically, and Colts owner Jim Irsay says he has not been – we return to our regularly scheduled Dolphins coverage and a look at new head coach Joe Philbin.

We’ve heard plenty from Philbin, Jeff Ireland and Steve Ross about the new coach, but one perspective has been missing – that of Philbin’s former players.
Fortunately we’ve come across two of his former players in the last two weeks – Patriots tight ends coach Brian Ferentz, son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, and former Redskins safety Matt Bowen, now an analyst with NationalFootballPost and the Chicago Tribune, among others.

Both men played for Philbin at the University of Iowa, when Philbin was an offensive line coach – Bowen for one season (1999), and Ferentz for two. We asked both men to describe Philbin’s personality, coaching style and what it’s like to play for him, and here they are, in their own words:


Brian Ferentz

“Coach Philbin is a knowledgeable guy, highly intelligent, and really I think the greatest compliment you can give any coach is he’s a great teacher. He really was an excellent teacher of the game. He’s one of the guys I’d say inspired me to get into this profession. Unfortunately I only got to play for him for two years, then he moved on to Green Bay, obviously worked his way up the ladder. He’s paid his dues.”

Were you excited to hear that he got the Dolphins job?

“First foremost I was just really excited for him and his family. Such a terrible time that they’ve had to go through this month, an awful thing, so I was very happy for him, because it’s an exciting thing to become an NFL head coach. I know that was his goal.”

“And secondly, I don’t know how excited I was for the Miami Dolphins, but in my opinion, whatever it counts for, it was a very good hire. He’s a knowledgeable guy, he’s obviously worked with some very successful offenses but he has a great knowledge of the game, period. So I’m sure he has a vision for what he wants to do in all three phases of the game. One thing about coach Philbin is I think he’ll get that accomplished, which obviously we’re (the Patriots) probably not that excited about.”

Is he still considered part of the Iowa family even though he left nine years ago?

“Coach is very well respected. He spoke at the clinic a couple years ago. They do love him in Iowa City. He was one of the original architects of this program, and so his legacy is kinda what you’re seeing today born out today in the success they’ve had.”


Matt Bowen

“He’s a great coach, meticulous, I think he’s very well prepared. Coach Ferentz wouldn’t hire someone to coach the offensive line if they weren’t perfect, because the offensive line, that’s his game, and at Iowa that’s a tradition.”

“I thought he was great. Very approachable, even for me as a defensive player, easy to talk to. He’s not going to be your buddy, now. He’s still your coach. But I liked that about him. I don’t want to say he’s a player’s coach, but he was a player’s coach in a good way, in that he was very open-minded. The guys could talk to him, but he was still very demanding at the same time. He wants to get the most out of his guys, but he’s not going to beat you to death or embarrass you.”

Could you tell that he was head coaching material?

“You can look at guys and tell. He was too well-prepared, too organized not to be able to move up the ladder. And he moved up quickly, going from Iowa to Green Bay, what he did there. All you have to do is look what he did with that offense.”

“At Iowa you have to develop players. The offensive line, he worked with those guys, they come in as tight ends. (Robert) Gallery and (Eric) Steinbach were tight ends. That’s something we’ve always done at Iowa, and he was part of that culture. You take a player as a freshman, and by the time they leave they’re pro ready.”

 

[Bumpus]

“I thought he was great. Very approachable, even for me as a defensive player, easy to talk to. He’s not going to be your buddy, now. He’s still your coach. But I liked that about him. I don’t want to say he’s a player’s coach, but he was a player’s coach in a good way, in that he was very open-minded. The guys could talk to him, but he was still very demanding at the same time. He wants to get the most out of his guys, but he’s not going to beat you to death or embarrass you.”
-Matt Bowen

I especially liked this part. :up:

 

[andyahs]

I have not seen or read anything that says Joe Philbin is not prepared to be a Head Coach in the NFL nor read anybody who does not like the man. Very rare in today's media.

 

[Vaark]

This guy is a teacher, highly intelligent, focused with a plan, articulate and builds enduring relationships based on respect as compared to being a buddy... what a breath of fresh air! Thanks Andy!

It's incredible how consistent the positive take is on him no matter from whomever and at whatever part of his past in which they interacted with him.

 

[datruth55]

Since week 8 or 9 of the season Philbin was a guy I targeted as a replacement for Sparano. He was my top choice, not that it matters. Just from what he had done in Geen Bay and everywhere else he's gone, success seems to follow him...but I really had no idea just how good of a man he was, how much of an impact he had left on former players and overall how impressive he was. So far it's looking like a really good hire...no fan fare, no hoopla, no media buzz just a solid, solid hire.

It's nice not to have ESPN bad mouthing the Dolphins...even if it's just for a little while. I was tired of the Parcells, Sparano and Ross media train. It's very quiet now...just football.

 

[phinatic1399]

he is the next Bill Walsh

 

[SCLSU Mud Dogs]

He's our head coach :thumbsup: