Grading the NFC Coaches

Last issue, we examined the AFC coaches in the NFL, grading each one. Knowing the defining traits of football coaches is essential in sports handicapping, because, eventually, the teams begin to reflect their coaches. Smart coaches develop smart teams that minimize mistakes. Emotional coaches develop emotional teams that have lots of ups and downs. Disciplined coaches develop disciplined players and teams. Teams whose coaches are shaky or overbearing begin reflecting those characteristics. In short, if you "know" the coaches, you know a lot about the teams. And that knowledge can help you find an edge here and there in the usually up-and-down world of the NFL. Here goes.

George Seifert, Carolina – B+: He won five rings all told in San Francisco, two as the head coach. He ranks among the all-time leaders in winning percentage. He's having some difficulty proving himself without that premium 49er talent; he's now rebuilding in Carolina, and things could be "fina." He's knowledgeable, but curiously eccentric.

Dennis Green, Minnesota – B+: He's unfairly maligned at times; therefore, he's still underrated after nine seasons in Minneapolis. He had prior successful stints leading Northwestern and Stanford when it was more difficult to do so. Yes, he's had some disappointments in the postseason, but he's almost always made "more" with "less." He took the chance on Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper, groomed them, and now has two dominators.

Tony Dungy, Tampa Bay – B+: He's a former Green assistant. He's calm, poised, and respected, but won't earn an "A" until he develops a playoff-caliber offense. Lack of offensive production has worn down his pet defensive unit, and has tested team chemistry.

Andy Reid, Philadelphia – B+: He's a two-year surprise. He's smarter than his roly-poly appearance might lead one to believe. He might have beaten the Giants in the playoffs last year if RB Duce Staley had been healthy. He turned Donovan McNabb into an NFL QB in one-plus season despite the lack of a skillful supporting cast for him.

Marty Schottenheimer, Washington – B: He's sound fundamentally, and loves his platitudes and catch phrases. But, by and by, his players have heard all of them. He lacks the "magic" of upper-echelon coaches, and has too many outdated methods and approaches.

Jim Fassel, New York Giants – B: He was outcoached badly in the Super Bowl in terms of preparation, strategy, and adjustments. He probably still doesn't recognize that he failed on those dimensions. But, he got there with a less-than-outstanding team – and there's something to be said for that, and for the way that he finally challenged his players.

Jim Haslett, New Orleans – B (and rising): He's a former solid linebacker (mostly with Buffalo), assistant coach, and defensive coordinator (mostly with Pittsburgh). He was extremely impressive in his head coaching debut, winning the NFC West over the Super Bowl champion Rams on tiebreakers, despite losing his starting QB (Jeff Blake), top WR (Joe Horn), and star RB (Ricky Williams) along the way. Not many have accomplished a similar feat.

Steve Mariucci, San Francisco – B: He got the "plum" 49er job too early, and it turned into a "prune" when Steve Young went down. He's now 37-31 in four years. He's a college-style motivator who's now learning how to win with Jeff Garcia at QB. He stresses offense over defense. In many ways, he's the opposite of Schottenheimer.

Mike Martz, St. Louis – B: He's smart, and a proven offensive whiz. But, he rubbed many in the organization the wrong way immediately while succeeding Dick Vermeil, and he couldn't arrest the decline of his defense. Some players "quit" on him; he needs a little Dale Carnegie in his approach.

Dan Reeves, Atlanta – B: He's solid in virtually every fundamental aspect of the game (as demonstrated by his Super Bowl appearances), but he's downgraded a bit because some of his organizational decisions have diminished the on-field product. He's so "dry" in personality that many of his players have difficulty identifying with him. He's personally fazed by his Super Bowl losses.

Mike Sherman, Green Bay – C+: He was a surprise hire by Packer GM Ron Wolf after Mike Holmgren left for more power in Seattle. He could have used a break-in period, and admits that he made mistakes last year in his first shot as a head coach. But, he was improving rapidly by the end of the season (6-2 straight up, and 7-1 vs. the spread in the last eight games) as he grew more comfortable handling the reins.

Dick Jauron, Chicago – C+: He's still an enigma. Jauron is either stupid (probably not, as he played at Yale) or exceedingly willing to build for the future at the likely cost of the present. His team (15-9-1 as an underdog) has usually fought hard for him, even though many players have objected to his insistence on playing the youthful and unpopular Cade McNown at QB.

Dave Campo, Dallas – C-: He's a longtime and popular defensive assistant who finally got his chance after the Cowboys declined due to age, injuries, and salary-cap hits under the questionable leadership of Jerry Jones and coaching of Barry Switzer and Chan Gailey. Campo's biggest plus? He came cheap in his first head coaching job. That lack of head-man experience showed, and often. He admits to having shortcomings when it comes to offense, and now he has lost future Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman.

Dave McGinnis, Arizona – C- (but still only at midterms): He replaced the often-overwhelmed Vince Tobin after seven games last year and failed to impress. The Cards were 1-8, with that one victory coming by one point over disappointing Washington, thanks to a 103-yard fumble return and a 71-yard kickoff return – not exactly a well-scripted, well-orchestrated blowout. This is his first head coaching job after 27 years of coaching, virtually all on defense. Players contend that they "like" him, but didn't play like they did.

Marty Mornhinweg, Detroit – Incomplete: This will be his first year as a head coach. He was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco the last four years after two seasons as an assistant under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. He's a former prolific QB at Montana, and is well-schooled in the West Coast offense. He has an upside, but is it as an NFL head coach?

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