Oakland Raiders Next Head Coach Must Be About Derek Carr
By Erik Lambert
Sep 28, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws the ball during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
Dennis Allen is out as the Oakland Raiders head coach. The process must now begin to find a new one, and it must focus on ensuring the success of Derek Carr.
Tony Sporano Expected To Take Over
It really can’t be considered a surprise at this point that Allen is out. He has won a total of eight games in over two seasons and hasn’t won a game since November of last year. Whatever he was trying to do wasn’t working and it was time for a change. The bye week gives the Raiders a chance to enact the move and word out of headquarters is that offensive line coach Tony Sporano is the favorite to replace Allen. Sporano has head coaching experience from his day in Miami and makes the most sense to run the show at least for the rest of the season. Beyond that it’s pure guesswork.
However reasonable assumptions must be that unless Sporano brings about a huge turnaround over the final 12 games, he is not the future head coach of this team. So what direction should the Oakland Raiders go? There are many arguments with merit, but based on past history it’s clear the time has come for the team to sort out their situation at quarterback. That means finding a head coach who can get the most out of Derek Carr. Here are some early possibilities.
Darrell Bevell – OC – Seattle Seahawks
This guy has been on short lists for head coaching jobs for the past couple years. Unfortunately the success of the Seattle Seahawks has actually hampered him. Darrell Bevell is a young but experienced offensive mind with a creative side who has a knack for elevating quarterbacks as he’s done masterfully with Russell Wilson.
Adam Gase – OC – Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning doesn’t typically give a huge credit to his coaches aside from the usual shoutouts but he has been raving about the job offensive coordinator Adam Gase has done. His work ethic has matched even Manning, who lauds the young coach for his ability to call a variety of different plays and finding ways to attack defenses. A lot of guys don’t get Peyton gushing, which is why Gase is a hot name at the moment.
Ben McAdoo – OC – New York Giants
Another one that is rising fast is offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. After a slow start to the 2014 season, his effect on the New York Giants offense is becoming more and more apparent. Their Thursday Night dissection of the Washington Redskins was only the latest example as Eli Manning accounted for four touchdowns. McAdoo is a tireless worker who knows exactly how to attack defenses and isn’t afraid to be demanding of his players, which is why the Giants hired him. He would be very good for the Oakland Raiders.
Kevin Sumlin – HC – Texas A&M
If there is any college head coach on the fast track to the NFL it has to be Kevin Sumlin. Like Chip Kelly, his offenses have dazzled the college football world but unlike Kelly that success has centered around the quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill and Johnny Manziel. Sumlin is an offensive wizard and his added experience in the head job at Texas A&M actually may have him better prepared to take over the head job in the pros.