Age: 50
Place of Birth: Sharon, Pennsylvania
First Coached in the NFL in 2003
NFL Coaching Tree: Mike Holmgren, Ken Whisenhunt, John Harbaugh, Jim Caldwell
NFL Record: N/A (no head coaching experience)
Summary - Austin is a popular candidate around the league, and has been for a couple of seasons now. No, it's not just to satisfy the Rooney Rule, Austin has a legitimate shot at landing a job this off-season. He's helped coach two teams to the Super Bowl - Seattle in '06 and Arizona in '09 - in both instances as defensive backs coach (not an easy position to have success with as Titans fans have seen this season). More recently at Detroit, he has been able to put together competent units. In 2015/16 Detroit ranked around the middle of the league - depending on measurement - in defense, which may not sound impressive, but after the atrocious start to the season it is a pretty solid accomplishment to have turned that unit around to such a great extent. The question of Austin's candidacy lies not within his defensive competency, but with who he would choose to be his offensive coordinator should he land a top job.
Pros - High competency in defense, especially the defensive back position. Seems to have the demeanor of a Head Coach. Is a player's coach but is also well-respect by all accounts. Is a hot-candidate. Runs an effective 4-3 system with lots of nickel usage, something a section of Titans fans have been clamoring for. Has been consistent with every team he has been with. Has always fielded good units in areas that he coached. Will likely be able to work well in traditional GM/HC separation of responsibilities.
Cons - No previous head coaching experience. Questions over his contacts within the game and if he could hire a good enough offensive coordinator or a quality staff as a whole. A rookie coach at 50 years old, is it too late? Only just recently been a defensive coordinator at the NFL level, questions over whether it's too quick a transition to be hired as a head coach. Mariota is the most important asset to the Titans, does he have a plan for him and the offensive knowledge to find someone to cater to MM and help him reach his full potential?
Conclusion - Teryl Austin isn't a perfect candidate, but I'm interested as long as he can effectively answer some key questions; What are your plans for Marcus? Can you build a good enough staff, particularly at offensive coordinator? Can you handle the extra responsibilities of being an NFL Head Coach? If he can effectively answer those questions then he'd be a finalist for me. He's considered the 'hot' rookie HC candidate for a reason and there's no reason to believe that he is just a token Rooney Rule interview. We'll see Titans fans, but don't rule out Austin just yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment