Content available exclusively for subscribers
There was an interesting story about the Jets’ search – let’s take a closer look at this report, and give our take on what was written.
“The consultants leading the search with Johnson – Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf – were both very high on Marrone, but Johnson was not equally enthused about Marrone,” wrote Brian Costello in the New York Post.
If this is true, it has to very troubling for Jets fans.
I don’t want to be disrespectful, but whose opinion of a head coaching candidate are you going to respect more, Casserly and Wolf, who have about 70 years of football experience between the two of them, or Johnson, a businessman?
Look, I’m not trying to “dis” Woody, but just keeping it real.
Like I’ve said before, the problem with a lot of owners in coach interviews is they get caught up in the “cult of personality.”
Marrone is a good coach, but he’s not “Mr, Personality.”
Johnson was blown away by Rex Ryan six years ago, and he is “Mr. Personality.”
Marrone holds players more accountable than Ryan, and his teams are more disciplined.
This should not be a personality contest.
Let’s move on to another snippet from this story.
“The Jets interviewed Texans scouting director Mike Maccagnan for a second time on Friday for their general manager opening, according to sources,” wrote Costello. “He is the only GM candidate to have been asked for a second interview and is viewed as the favorite to land the job, perhaps as soon as this weekend.”
I agree. I’m hearing great things about the guy. The Jets need a GM with an extensive scouting background and a great eye for talent, and this is his reputation.
It looks like it is Maccagan’s job to lose.
“Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has emerged as the favorite to land the head coaching job, according to league sources,” wrote Costello. “But the Jets must wait until after the Seahawks season ends before offering him the job. That could be Feb. 2 if the Seahawks make a return trip to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks face the Panthers on Saturday in the divisional round.”
This I don’t get, and I will tell you why.
No question Quinn is a very good head coaching candidate.
But like I’ve said before, Maccagnan has no history with him. He has a history with Marrone and Gary Kubiak.
If Maccagnan gets the job, the Jets need to interview Kubiak. Maccagnan spent seven years finding players for Kubiak in Houston.
It’s essential that the next Jets next GM/head coach combo are in lockstep. The last two years, that wasn’t the case.
They can’t force Quinn on Maccagnan.
Now if Maccagnan gets a chance to interview Quinn, perhaps during the bye-week of the Super Bowl, if Seattle gets the far, and they hit it off, that is great. Hire Quinn.
But like I said, the Jets’ personnel is better suited for a 3-4, and their defense could be a mess next year playing Seattle’s system.
The bottom line is this. If the Jets hire Maccagnan, he must then be at the forefront of the head coaching search.
And if he is, to me, Kubiak and Marrone, are still major players here.
January 9, 2015
Premium will return by 9:30 pm
