"We interviewed three really good people. One has gone on to be a head coach in college and the NFL"

[vacuum_cleaner]

That's an excerpt from Tom's nice interview with Ferentz last week. He was talking about who he initially interviewed for the D coordinator position that eventually went to Norm. The board's a little dead now...any guesses as to who this mystery man is?

Can't imagine there are too many ppl who've been a head coach in both NFL and college, but I'm stumped.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Ditka

 

[wneff]

I didn't hear the interview, but you've got me thinking. Lovie Smith? Would have thought it would have been mentioned since he has been at Illinois.

1980 Big Sandy (TX) High School(DC)
1981–1982 Cascia Hall Prep (ADB/WR)
1983–1986 Tulsa (LB)
1987 Wisconsin (LB)
1988–1991 Arizona State (LB)
1992 Kentucky (LB)
1993–1994 Tennessee (DB)
1995 Ohio State (DB)
1996–2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LB)
2001–2003 St. Louis Rams (DC)
2004–2012 Chicago Bears
2014–2015 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016–present Illinois

 

[Hawkdome]

Snerd snorklewaud

 

[wneff]

Possibly Dave Wannstedt, but I doubt it.

• Pittsburgh (1975–1978) (GA)
• Oklahoma State (1979–1982) (DL)
• USC (1983–1985) (DL)
• Miami (FL) (1986–1988) (DC)
• Dallas Cowboys (1989–1992) (DC)
• Chicago Bears (1993–1998) (HC)
• Miami Dolphins (1999–2000) (AHC)
• Miami Dolphins (2000–2004) (HC)
• Pittsburgh (2005–2010) (HC)
• Buffalo Bills (2011–2012) (AHC/LB)
• Buffalo Bills (2012–2013) (DC)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013) (ST)

 

[Johnsoda123]

Jim Harbaugh

 

[Hawkdome]

Harbaugh

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

John Harbaugh is a possibility. Jim was still playing for the Chargers when Kirk was putting together his staff. Another name I heard was Marvin Lewis, who was DC at the Ravens with Kirk.

 

[staygoldponyboy]

3 huh . . . 2 more than we interviewed for the 2017 OC position

 

[vacuum_cleaner]

John Harbaugh and Marvin Lewis never coached in college. Jim Harbaugh was a good guess but he was playing in the nfl until 2001.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Another interesting name is the guy that was muddling along at Michigan State as Head Coach in 1998, defensive guy that knows Kirk well, went on to coach the Miami Dolphins, and win a few games as a college head coach as well.

 

[vacuum_cleaner]

found a list online...honestly, I bet it was Pete Carroll. He'd just been fired from New England in 99, didn't get hired at USC until 2001.

No way Saban would've left the head coach gig at MSU to be the d coordinator at iowa.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Kirk's first season was 1999, Carroll's last season at New England, so one year of overlap, not him.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Bill O'Brien would be a possibility.

 

[TouchdownMyPants]

3 huh . . . 2 more than we interviewed for the 2017 OC position

You should never be allowed to watch the OSU ‘17 game or feel joy in your life.

 

[Hawkdome]

Lane kiffin

 

[wneff]

Al Groh is another strong possibility. He was LB coach for the Jets in '98. He worked with Belichick and the Browns for a year, but before KF was there. He was head coach for one season with the Jets (he was hired after Belichick was head coach for 24 hours) and then was head coach at Virginia for several years. His background was almost exclusively defense, unlike many of the other candidates suggested here.

Herm Edwards is another possibility with age and background, but I like Groh as the answer.

 

[Shermski77]

Switzer

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

 

[vacuum_cleaner]

Groh or Lovie are the best guesses so far...I'd probably say it's Groh.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Groh or Lovie are the best guesses so far...I'd probably say it's Groh.

Since none of the other guesses even fit the criteria, I agree these are the best guesses.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Since none of the other guesses even fit the criteria, I agree these are the best guesses.

Bill O’Brien was coach at Penn State and now with the Texans. He was a Running Backs coach at GA Tech in 1998. He offered Brian Fetentz a job on his staff in Houston. He also went on the work for Belichek.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Bill O’Brien was coach at Penn State and now with the Texans. He was a Running Backs coach at GA Tech in 1998. He offered Brian Fetentz a job on his staff in Houston. He also went on the work for Belichek.

So, KF interviewed a RB coach for DC? Don't think so ....

 

[pulpfiction1]

When I read this the first name that popped in my head was Greg Schiano. He ended up taking the U d coordinator job around this time. Then went on to Rutgers then to Tampa Bay.

 

[hawkster03]

I'd trust any one of these players from the past when it's 4th and inches.

 

[Metroplexgold]

When I read this the first name that popped in my head was Greg Schiano. He ended up taking the U d coordinator job around this time. Then went on to Rutgers then to Tampa Bay.

I bet you are correct. Schiano has deep ties to the recruiting area that KF has targeted over the years.

 

[wneff]

When I read this the first name that popped in my head was Greg Schiano. He ended up taking the U d coordinator job around this time. Then went on to Rutgers then to Tampa Bay.

Maybe. He was fired from the Bears at the end of '98 and then was the Canes DC in '99. So, he needed a job at the right time and became a college DC.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Schiano

 

[anon_8rcdnbko1jbe0]

3 huh . . . 2 more than we interviewed for the 2017 OC position

Got a mouse in your pocket?

 

[Herkmeister]

Lane kiffin

He's be a better fit at Nebraska.

 

[HemiHawk]

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

I'll say it was Luther Van Dam. In hindsight it seemed to work out pretty well for all.