Good, experienced coaches NOT in short supply

The Dolphins aren't just sitting around waiting for Jeff Fisher to say yes or no. They have interviews planned Friday and Saturday.

As the search has developed it has become obvious the Dolphins are reaching for the biggest-name, most experienced coaches first -- with a failed attempt at Jon Gruden and the current attempt at Fisher -- and then they're rummaging among the lesser-known assistants (Chicago's Dave Toub, who interviewed Wednesday and Green Bay's Joe Philbin who's interviewing by the weekend, according to the Milwaukee-Journal-Sentinel for example).

The question must be asked, however, are the Dolphins being comprehensive in their search of the best available coaching talent?

Or are they perhaps limiting themselves unnecessarily.

I've already told you the team is off the Brian Billick train -- adding themselves to the list of teams declining to hop on board with the former Baltimore coach.

But how about other higher-profile candidates?

How about Marty Schottenheimer? How about Mike Sherman? How about Jim Haslet?

How about expanding this search to include other men of character and experience? How about including guys that might just totally wow owner Stephen Ross, general manager Jeff Ireland and enigma-in-waiting Carl Peterson?

Schottenheimer, for example, would love a chance at coaching the Dolphins. And the Dolphins would be wise to speak to him. He's a winner. He's credible. He's respected. Don Shula once told me if he could have picked his successor, he would have picked Schottenheimer.

Schottenheimer is said to be eager, prepared and ready to go if the Dolphins were to call.

Yes, he's 68 years old. And I recognize the NFL is often a young man's league. But Marv Levy took his Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl when he was 65 years old. And again at 66 years old. And 67. And 68.

And then Levy won the AFC Coach of the Year award in 1995 ... at age 70.

"He's got a fire in his belly," someone close to Schottenheimer told me recently, adding that the former coach with a 200-126-1 (.613) career record is ready to return to work.

To prove it, Schottenheimer took on the task of coaching the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL in March of 2011. He won the UFL championship in October of 2011.

The point I'm making is this: The Dolphins don't need to promise Schottenheimer the job by calling him. But they should at least interview him because when he sits in a room with Ireland, Ross and Peterson, he would be the most accomplished football man in the room and could probably teach the trio something.

And what if he's so impressive and surprising that he becomes a viable fall-back choice in case Fisher doesn't take the job? The Dophins would have guarded against major disappointment. If, on the other hand, the team decides Schottenhiemer isn't it but still learns something about football while listening to him, they still benefit.

It's a win-win.

It's also curious why Sherman isn't getting more attention from Miami. He just interviewed with the Tampa Bay Bucs this morning. He is a quality, experienced candidate.

An offensive mind? Yes. Prepared? Yes. Meticulous? Allow me to share this story:

When I worked for ESPN between 2001 and 2003, I covered Sherman and his Packers for a while. I remember a Thanksgiving Day meeting between the Packers and Lions in which the Pack came to Detroit the afternoon before the game and met with me and my crew for interviews.

I sat down with Sherman and asked him difficult questions. He was prepared. He wasn't dismissive. But I asked one question that apparently took him by surprise. He answered but when the on-camera interview ended, he went back to the question which he was obviously still on his mind.

"Can I get another shot at giving you a better answer?" he asked.

You're offering a better answer?

Are you kidding me?

We fired the cameras back up and off went.

Sherman is an impressive guy. Like Marty Schottenheimer. Like Haslet.

Men worthy of Dolphins interviews.

Comments

[dolphan NY]

first

[Kris]

Peter....from the last blog.....great post.....way to finish it strong...

[greggoatee]

Marty Shot is better than any candidate the dolphins are likely to interview with the exception of fisher.

Mando is right. Interview him.

[Kris]

Armando....I heard Jim Haslett on my local sports radio.....

[FLPD]

If Schottenheimer is good enough for Don Shula he's good enough for me. What are these boobs thinking?

[Frank Caliendo]

Mando, Marty's last team went 14-2. And then nobody else even interviewed him.

Do you know why?

Why is it somme guys win and still get shoved to the back of the line never to be heard from again?

[Just Passing By.]

Armando, How many Super Bowls has Marty been to in his 60 years of coaching?, He might win a ton of regular season games but come play-off time he dissappears quicker then snow in Miami.Just saying.

[sweaterweather]

Schotty would be great as long as he doesn't bring his son who sucks.

I also like Haslet.

[Nick B]

What was the question you asked him?

[FZB]

Looks like Armando has the hot's for Sherman

[Spiderman]

Armando didnt mike sherman get fired from a college job?

[Vazman]

In Schottenheimer's long career, how many times did he reach the Super Bowl? If the goal is to have a team that does very well during the regular season and then dies quickly in the playoffs, then he's your man. If you actually want to get to the Super Bowl and win it, he's not.

[Mitch]

Raid the social security office for more old coaches !!! Man this is pathetic.

Mike Sherman ? The guy that got fired from Houston as their OC and his recent college job ? Seriously ?

As for Peterson, you couldn't hold his jock, acting like he doesn't know football shows you are a joke.

[jordan]

Sherman just had a .500 record at a talented Texas A&M team thats not good enough for me and shouldn't be for Miami sorry. I agree with Marty though he could be an option I hear Joe Philbin is being interviewed i've heard nothing but good things about him.....

[Just Passing By.]

Id Rather have Sherman then Marty any day, And why hasnt anyone talked about Tony Dungee yet?,Sure he's a little creepy looking(Like the uncle who you wouldnt let your kids spend the night with) But He can coach.

[rcr1959]

Someone needs to call Ross and tell him to stop grovoling for Fisher and move on. Fisher left looking for 'greener grass'. Close the door on that fool. There's more apples on that tree! Still, Billick is my choice. But keep it moving!

[jordan]

Justpassingby

Dungy has pretty much said hes retired from coaching

[Spiderman]

Some of you guys are idiots. I would love a coach who can just get us to the playoffs, when was the last time we made the playoff? Dont you think if were a peranial playoff teams we have the potential to win the superbowl dummies?

Get Marty down here ASAP!

[Jay]

Mando, I've always liked Marty Schottenheimer but never liked his post season record 5-13. Also has been out of the NFL for 4 or 5 years.

[Pete G]

Armando,

I agree with everything except I'm not so sure Billick is not in the mix. Remember the original press release concerning coaches; "We will release information on the coaches we interview provided they and we agree".

I also heard an interview with Billick & Rose today and I'm not totally sold he hasn't been seriously talked too by the Dolphins.

It certainly wouldn't be beyond this regime to be ultra-secretive...

[Just Passing By.]

Jordan, That's to bad.

[Slam]

Armando im sorry to inform you but you are an idiot. Mike Sherman has sucked his WHOLE career! He just got fired from texas a&m. Marty has a son old enough to be considered a head coach. Talking about marv levy 15 years ago is like talking about technology 15 years ago...alot has changed...welcome to the 21st century. If you wanna throw names out why not hire you as gm and kelly from the sentinel as coach...Dork!

[Michael]

Anyone wanting Fisher should be aware that Marvin Demoff is his agent, and Kevin Demoff is his son. Guess who the GM for the Rams is, if you guessed Kevin Demoff you're right. Do the Ram have an advantage.......maybe.

[Yesterday's Gone]

ARMANDO,

SHOTTENHEIMER,THE FATHER, ARE YOU NUTS?

HE MAY HAVE BEEN A GOOD CHOICE 13YRS AGO(WHEN SHULA WAS FORCED OUT). BUT, NOW, IT ALMOST ASSURES WE'LL BE ANOTHER HC SEARCH 2-3YRS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN HE'S 70+ YRS OLD.

HELL, I RATHER BRING BACK AN 80+ YR OLD SHULA. THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE, EXEPT SHULA WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO DIE BEFORE HE QUITS.

[ALoco]

KENN, ARMANDO ONLY SOURCE IN NFL JUST RETIRED, THAT WHY AFTER HIS REDIO SHOW HE WATCH ESPN, HE SHOULD WATCH NFL NETWORK BUT HE 15 YEAR BEHIND TIMES
(BUFFET OF TECHNOLOGY)

[Steve G]

Hey Armando!
We finally agree!! He's been my number one choice from the onset!!!
Didn't know he was available...
The Chargers were idiots to fire him! If these guys don't take a
very seriousclose look at him they're idiots as well.
The dudes a winner..

[Chris]

Let's get Philbin now. He can then bring his offense and Matt FLynn with him. We keep Mike Nolan and the Defense together and we will make the playoffs

[Slam]

A good college coach that no one talks about is Mike Gundy from OK State. Offensive minded and turned that program into competitors for the past few years. Sign him and draft his qb in the second round...See Mando now that makes sense!

[Yesterday's Gone]

ARMANDO,

MARTY BALL, REALLY? HAVE YOU SEEN HOW MUCH GRAY IS BEHIND MARTY'S BALLS LATELY?

[Slam]

O yea and Gundy...hes a man! He's forty!

[ALoco]

WHY YG/DB/FB/ST ALWAYS BRING NASTY POST?
PLEASE FLIPPER KEEP IT CLEAN
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)

[Craig M]

I'm fine with either one of these guys getting an interview. Great....bring 'em on. Fisher says no, they are pretty good fall backs.

[Mark in Toronto]

If you guys didn't like Sparano for being too conservative then you'll want to roast Schott's chestnuts. he's given away more playoff games to inferior opponents than anyone in the history of the NFL. Look at some of the greatest upsets in teh AFC polayoffs in the last 20 years. Then look at the losing coach. More than once you will see marty Schottenheimer. He and Norv Turner are both playoff jinxes!!

[todd neal]

I am confused about any and all excitement concerning Jeff Fisher. His overall record of acheivment is basically the same as Sparanos, and he won a total of ZERO super bowls with the most talented players in the history of the oilers/titans. To hire him would be another mistake by this owner. Of course keeping Ireland is the biggest mistake.

[Mark in Toronto]

Mike Gundy ... haha ... I'm 40 and I'm a man, haha, great soundbite.

Heck of an up and coming coach though. now that would be a star signing.

[Yesterday's Gone]

CHRIS,

DOES THE GREEN BAY STARTING OFFENSE AND RODGERS COME WITH PHILBIN? IF SO, WE'LL TAKE HIM.

HAVE NOTICED OUR QB AND WR'S ARE A LIGHT YEAR'S DIFFERENCE THAN GREEN BAY'S? cAN YOU COMPARE JEFF IRELAND TO TED THOMPSON?

THAT OFFENSIVE PERSONNEL PHILBIN GETS TO PLAY WITH IS A RESULT OF TED THOMPSON, NOT PHILBIN HIMSELF. THIS IS THE NFL, NOT A PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON SEQUEL.

[Jeff Suckland]

"On October 21, 2011, the Virginia Destroyers defeated the two-time defending UFL Champion Las Vegas Locos 17-3 in the 2011 UFL Championship Game in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. It is Coach Schottenheimer's first ever championship as a coach."

Dude still coaching I guess. Should take a look at his coaching tree also. Marty might not be a bad idea.

[Michael]

Does anyone know anything about Phibin. He was the Packer's Oline coach until 2007, sound familiar. He was then promoted to OC, but doesn't call plays, and the offense is Mike McCarthy's. In TS one year as Dallas' OC he his play calling ability was taken away from him midway through the season. Deja Vu all over again.

[MJM76]

All this guy(Armandummy) writes is negative articles...just because your a beat writer,that doesn't mean you know or have any clue what the phins should or shouldn't do. You or so full of yourself its disgusting.

[Slam]

Jeff you are aware the UFL had like 3 or 4 teams right?

[Yesterday's Gone]

ALOCO,

SORRY BUDDY, JUST THINK WE SHOULDNT EXPAND OUR HC SEARCH TO THE NATIONAL GERIATRIC NETWORK.

WHAT'S NEXT, HIRING A MEDIUM TO WAKE UP VINCE LOMBARDI?

[tony in Miami]

Well people another passanger to go in the chopper: Joe Philbin will be in Miami next

[odinseye]

I don't believe in jinxes.

I do believe that when the pressure is on, some tend to hesitate. When pressure is applied, they tend to go for careful and conservative.

Shottenheimer would lend instant credibility and stability. I'm just not convinced he has enough left in the tank.

Matter of fact, I'm not convinced he's EVER had enough in the tank...................

[Jeff Suckland]

Marty only had 2 losing seasons in 22 years as an NFL head coach.

PS Slam...the point was he was still coaching and not sitting on a couch somewhere like Gruden or Cowher. So yeah...slam right back at ya.

[JS in LA]

One obvious problem with Schottenheimer. Even if he's not too old to coach this year, or maybe next, how long will it be before we're looking for a head coach again? 3 YEARS? 2? I like Marty just fine, but he's a retired coach waiting to take a last swing and retire again.
I'd say No to that and get a real successor. The Marty train sailed. Should've hired him years ago. Too late now.

[Slam]

Lets hire Al Pacino because he played the coach of the miami sharks in any given sunday. Atleast he took them to the playoffs Armando.

[Craig M]

Michael,

I KEEP hearing this about Demoff. His DAd is NOT the GM. The GM Bill Devaney just got fired a couple of days ago. Demoff is in fact the COO. I'm not sure it will be mich of a factor in this whole thing.

[Delray Ray]

If Marty was still 55, I'd have no problem. There are better options out there if Fisher says no but he's the top dog for very sound reasons.

[Timmy]

If they get Marty and within 5 years he passes
away from old age, will they bury him in the endzone ? Then whenever someone scores a TD, likely the opponent, they can kneel on his grave.

[Yesterday's Gone]

TWO THINGS I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE FROM GREEN BAY:

1. AARON RODGERS
2. GM TED THOMPSON

#1(AARON RODGERS) IS THE GUY THAT MAKES IT CLICK. #2(TED THOMPSON) IS THE GUY WHO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.

[IrelandSucks]

This team needs a change of direction and philosophy. I am all for hiring Philbin and getting a strong GM (fire Ireland). We need to start doing things differently!

[bryan in ohio]

fisher is the only choice in miami let's be honest!

[Yesterday's Gone]

IT WOULD BE HILARIOUS IF MARTY SHOTTENHEIMER QUALIES AS ROSS' "NEXT YOUNG SHULA". I GUESS AT ONLY 68YRS OLD HE IS STILL MUCH YOUNGER THAN "THE DON".

NOW DO YOU GUYS SEE HOW RIDICULOUS THIS "MARTY SHOTTENHEIMER" TALK IS? LOL

[Slam]

Jeff who said anything about Gruden or Cowher...pay attention thats why you're in suckland now!

[Craig M]

Landry Jones returning to Oklahoma, Mark. Looks like ANOTHER kick in the nuts! Weedon looking better by the day....

[Michael]

I worded my post badly Craig, Kevin is COO and EVP of Football Operations. He is interviewing candidate, and acting as defacto GM. And he's Marvin's son.

[Pappy Slaphappy]

YOU CHILRENS GO OUT AND GET ME SOME NIGHT TRAIN AND A PAPER SACK!

[Craig M]

Michael,

Better. I still don't think it's going to be a major factor. More important will be where Fisher has the best chance to win.

[1966finfan]

Marty Schottenhiemer is the best option out there.Better than Cowher,way better than Gruden or Fisher.His age should not be a problem,we dont need him to play linebacker for us we need him to coach.

[BoulderFinFan]

I think they should interview all of them. Why not?
The only thing Carl Peterson knows marty very well and there is a reason marty was fired from KC. Maybe that's the reason.