Who's Got Next?
Gary Cope, SkinsGridiron.com, January 6, 2004

ASHBURN - Steve Spurrier's exit as the head coach of the Washington Redskins is less than two weeks old, yet his two-year tenure seems to be a distant memory...or so you would think by talking to diehard Skins fans. Spurrier joins the ranks of Norv Turner, Richie Petitbon and Marty Schottenheimer--respected coaches who failed miserably in the nation's capitol.

There are seven NFL teams without a head football coach. Most of them are waiting for the playoffs to end so they can talk to current assistant coaches, like the Redskins have done with Seattle defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes. The Seahawks lost in the first round of the playoffs, freeing up the Skins to formally ask Seattle for permission to speak with Rhodes, who spent the 2000 season as Washington's defensive coordinator.

Redskins' owner Dan Snyder has also interview former Giants head coach Jim Fassell and former Vikings head coach Dennis Green. Of those three, two are black coaches, more than satisfying the NFL's minority interview mandate. However, unlike the 49ers and Lions, the Skins are actually interested in hiring these two candidates as opposed to fulfilling an obligation.

You may remember the Green refused to interview for the Detroit job last season because everyone in the league knew the Steve Mariucci was Matt Millen's guy from the beginning. Green refused to play a part in the Lions little circus and it ended up costing the Detroit organization some serious bank.

Now, I like Rhodes, he's a great defensive coordinator and while he was here in Washington, his defense ranked 4th in the league. His defense in Seattle, made up of a very young group, was among the best in the league this season, particularly the secondary. He hasn't had a great deal of success, however, as a head coach. His overall record is 38-44-1. He burned a bridge once, in my opinion, when he turned down Danny-boy's offer to take over the Skins when Norv Turner was fired in 2000. Terry Robiski stepped in as the interim, but when Marty was hired, the entire staff was overhauled.

While I like Ray Rhodes, and I think he got a raw deal after getting fired following an 8-8 season in Green Bay, I don't think he's the right coach for this job. He's a great defensive coordinator, but even when he's given a great quarterback, he still can't get an offense to produce when the chips are down.

I like Denny Green and I would love to see this guy back in the NFL. He led the Vikings to some phenomenal seasons and is a very likeable guy. He's been out of the league for a few years now, so I'm sure when he comes back, and he'll be back next season, he'll have renewed sense of enthusiasm about the game. He's had a chance to sit in the broadcast booth and watch the game from a different perspective. I think he could to a lot for the Skins and while I didn't think he'd make a good fit with Snyder at first, I'm beginning to think his diplomacy could make it work.

Next on my list is Fassell. He's an outstanding coach that just caught a bad break in the Big Apple. He had a good run with the Giants, but it was time to move on. There are only so many "playoff guarantees" you can make (namely one) and like Green, Fassell will likely be back in the league next year, possibly with Washington or Arizona. He's a character and would definitely bring some intensity to a very lax Redskins locker room. If he doesn't get the job, expect him to wait a year before getting back in the game.

So, while I'd like to see Denny Green patrolling the sidelines at Fed Ex field, I have a feeling Fassell is the leading candidate because Green looks like he's headed to 'Zona. Fassell is familiar with the NFC East and he'd love nothing more than to face the Giants twice a year and stick it to them.

As for Spurrier? Look for visor-boy to sit out a year and perfect his golf game. Next year, don't be surprised if he's donning a Carolina blue visor in the ACC and redefining Chapel Hill as a football school. I also wouldn't rule out a return to his home state of Tennessee and the Volunteers, but, that's a long shot. They like Fulmer down there.