Top Coaches the Washington Redskins Can Replace Mike Shanahan With
By Erik Lambert
Dec 1, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan stands on the sidelines against the New York Giants in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
There is nothing the NFL media and fans love more than a good scandal. It spices up the season and brings about ideas for the future to ponder on. With word that Mike Shanahan is trying to get fired from the Washington Redskins, who might be the man to replace him?
Robert Griffin III benching was not just about health preservation
Word out of the Redskins camp just keeps getting more and more crazy. First it was a decision by Shanahan to shut down starting quarterback Robert Griffin III for the season due to the team being 3-10 and him taking a lot of hits. Then the story began to shift to the idea that the veteran coach actually pulled the move in an effort to get fired. This after another report hinting that Shanahan almost quit in 2012. So it’s safe to say the man’s job is shaky at best, so if owner Daniel Snyder must eye a replacement who are some names he should consider.
Greg Roman – OC – San Francisco 49ers
Often the best thing to do for finding good coaches is to mine the staffs of winning teams. It’s a tried and true method that has paid dividends quite often over the years. One such franchise that appears loaded with head coaching candidates is the San Francisco 49ers. Their offensive coordinator Greg Roman is considered one of the hotter names throughout the league given his creative formations and play calling. What will really interest the Redskins is the success Roman has had with quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Of all the young players at that position in the NFL, Kaepernick is the closest type of player to RGIII. He’s big, extremely athletic and displays an excellent arm. Roman went to a Super Bowl with Kaepernick. He should be able to get similar results in Washington provided he’s learned from the success of Jim Harbaugh.
Darrell Bevell – OC – Seattle Seahawks
Ironically another offensive coordinator in the NFC West seems well suited to coach in Washington. The Seattle Seahawks also have a young, mobile quarterback in Russell Wilson who has found great success thanks to the developmental ability of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. While not as unorthodox as Roman, Bevell is a highly successful play caller who has turned Wilson from a third round draft pick into a contender for the league MVP. He has learned under a highly successful head coach in Pete Carroll and has been in the league since 2000. The experience is there. All he needs is an opportunity.
Art Briles – HC – Baylor
If Robert Griffin III and his regression are the source of the problems, then perhaps the Washington Redskins might want to consider going straight to the source that made him a star in the first place. Art Briles has been a head coach in college since 2003 and built one of the most successful offensive schemes at the University of Baylor. RGIII was his most successful project, winning the Heisman trophy and the Alamo Bowl in 2011. Briles has his best team to date this season, ranking 6th in the AP and going for a Fiesta Bowl. A win would garner national attention, bringing to light his ability to mold and develop quarterbacks. Perhaps a reunion with Griffin could land the 58-year old his first job in the pros.
Mike Shanahan clearly has lost his grip on the Washington Redskins season. It seems like only a matter of time before he’s out. In that case the team must choose their next man carefully if they want to get the most out of their prized quarterback.