Our next coach??

I can see Marty returning to the NFL, but really only in a front office role

no coach will have success here until Snyder backs off and Ceratto is gone....we need to realize that

I can see Marty returning to the NFL, but really only in a front office role

I'd love it if he came here with Cowher as GM. Gibbs as president. Marty as GM. Cowher as HC. Weiss as OC. I'm sure Snyder wouldn't mind dropping 20MM a year for that setup.

no coach will have success here until Snyder backs off and Ceratto is gone....we need to realize that

I think we all realize that. The only question is whether Snyder does or not. I guess we'll find out in 5 weeks. I've never been so excited for a season to be over before.

So are you officially a Shanahan advocate now?

Without a doubt. He'd be my first choice. Behind him, probably Mike Holmgren, Marty (though that won't happen). Second tier guys for me would be Fassel, Mariucci, Gruden, Dungy. On my "Hell No" list is Bill Cowher and Russ Grimm.

What about you?

Without a doubt. He'd be my first choice. Behind him, probably Mike Holmgren, Marty (though that won't happen). Second tier guys for me would be Fassel, Mariucci, Gruden, Dungy. On my "Hell No" list is Bill Cowher and Russ Grimm.

What about you?

What don't you like about Cowher? What has convinced you about Shanahan?

people really need to realize that your not going to make Snyder sell the team. This is a passion for him. He is like us, he is a whole hearted fan as well as the owner. So we need to focus on what type of situation will work with him in it. He is the one piece of the equation that will not change.

Without a doubt. He'd be my first choice. Behind him, probably Mike Holmgren, Marty (though that won't happen). Second tier guys for me would be Fassel, Mariucci, Gruden, Dungy. On my "Hell No" list is Bill Cowher and Russ Grimm.

What about you?

Honestly I'm undecided as far as who I would want, a few weeks ago I was in favor of Gruden, but it's looking like he'll be in the booth for another year at the least. Marty would be a strong choice but from all indications he's simply not interested in coming back. Ideally I would prefer to see a GM named first and go from there. But I doubt we'll see that happen.

I do think that Shanahan is a very strong possibility. If I was handicapping it I would say he's got to be the favorite.

Honestly I'm undecided as far as who I would want, a few weeks ago I was in favor of Gruden, but it's looking like he'll be in the booth for another year at the least. Marty would be a strong choice but from all indications he's simply not interested in coming back. Ideally I would prefer to see a GM named first and go from there. But I doubt we'll see that happen.

I do think that Shanahan is a very strong possibility. If I was handicapping it I would say he's got to be the favorite.
yes...Yes...YES TO THE HEAVENS!! HERE MY PLEA???? yes...GM first

Without a doubt. He'd be my first choice. Behind him, probably Mike Holmgren, Marty (though that won't happen). Second tier guys for me would be Fassel, Mariucci, Gruden, Dungy. On my "Hell No" list is Bill Cowher and Russ Grimm.

What about you?

As you noted, Mike Holmgren and Marty arent coaching ANYWHERE in 2009. The same applies to Gruden and Dungy. So, then, we're left with the following coaches, which you rank in this order: Shanahan, Fassel/Mariucci and Cowher/Grimm.

Lets take a look at these guys, shall we?

Name / Wins / Losses / Win % / Comments

Mike Shanahan / 146 / 98 / .598 / Won two superbowls in '97 and '98 with Elway. With the exception of the 2005 season, Shanahan hasn't won a playoff game in over a decade. In a "what have you done for me lately league," Shanahan hasn't done anything in recent history to justify giving him total control of our franchise.

Jim Fassel / 58 / 53 / .522 / Only 1 superbowl appearance (2007 season) when he lost to the Giants in Superbowl. That season aside, his team never won a playoff game. In seven years, his team average a record slightly above .500. He has a proven record of mediocrity in the NFL. Yes, his team just won the UFL title, but that whole league is a joke. There are only 4 teams, for goodness sakes.

Steve Mariucci / 72 / 67 / .518 / Has never appeard in the superbowl. The best one of his teams ever did was lose to the packers in '97 in the NFC championship game. Now, if you wanted to forgive his years in Detroit because he was working under Matt Millen, his record with the 49ers was pretty good (57 / 39 .594). However, when you consider who he'd be working for here, i think we'd be more likely to see Lion-esque performances from his teams.

Russ Grimm / 0 / 0 / 0 / He used to be a Hog. Thats it.

Bill Cowher / 149 / 90 / .623 / He has the best record of any head coach available. He also has the longest sample-size to look at - 15 years. In that time, his team made the playoffs 10 times. 9 of those times, his team had 1st round byes. 7 of those times, his team appeared in the AFC Championship game. What this means is that 50% of the time, his team was one of the top 4 in the NFL. He appeared in 2 superbowls and won the most recent. The man wakes up in the morning and pisses excellence.

So, what exactly is it about excellence that you don't like?