From Weaselpuppy’s “Getting a jump on 2021 - Patricia replacement predictions” thread from way back in January.
I said:
49ers D-coordinator and Dearborn Michigan native Robert Saleh. He’s only 40, so it would qualify as one of those young up-and-comer types that the copycat NFL considers the way to go these days.
But if we’re going to do the ping-pong back and forth thing, having picked a defensive coach in Patricia, the next one should be an offensive innovator.
What if I told you the team that was second in total offense behind the Ravens this season wasn’t the Chiefs or the Saints, it was the … Buffalo Bills? With balance, too – the Bills’ finished third in passing offense and fourth in rushing offense. Now name three players on the Bills offense. Exactly.
Their O.C. is Brian Daboll. He’s only 44, but he’s been around the coaching ranks. He was actually an OC to Eric Mangini in Cleveland back in 2009 and 2010 – and those offenses stunk. Then he was OC for Tony Sparano for one year in Miami. Then he went on to the Chiefs, again for one year, under Romeo Crennel. Daboll was then the Patriots for a few years as an offensive assistant and TE coach, and won a Super Bowl while there. Then he became OC for Nick Saban at Alabama, and won a National Championship there. But he left after that to return to the NFL with the Bills.
I just find that diverse experience and impressive results in Buffalo, rather intriguing.
I’ve literally never heard him mentioned as a head coaching candidate, anywhere, so remember me as the one who got his rumor mill started!
A. Funny that Saleh has now become trendy.
B. I stand by both of these as probably my top 2 choices among NFL coordinators, anyway, 10 months later.
C. Watching Daboll call a brilliant game tonight on MNF brought this post back to mind. Great guy to mentor up a new, rookie QB, too. See: Josh Allen.