TK Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 http://www.athensnewspapers.com/cgi-bin/printme.pl Blank must act quickly with college coaches 'Due dilligence' begins Morris News Service FLOWERY BRANCH - If Arthur Blank plans to interview Nick Saban, the Atlanta Falcons' owner needs to act as soon as possible. Blank has yet to contact Saban, whose LSU Tigers will play for the national championship next month after winning their second Southeastern Conference title in the last three years, and it's unclear if the two could meet soon. The Falcons' decision to fire head coach Dan Reeves, a move announced Wednesday, should allow Blank to beat other NFL teams to interview such potential candidates. As many as 12 clubs could make similar changes by next month, but high-profile college coaches like Saban either will be hired away quickly if they don't sign new contracts with their schools. Falcons owner Arthur Blank must act quickly if he wants to interview college coaches for Atlanta's head coaching opening. Saban will be on every team's short list. Other names likely could include Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, Southern Cal's Pete Carroll and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz. "You don't want to be in a situation, I don't think, where you don't have time to do your research and be thoughtful and be organized and make a critical decision for the future of the franchise in the best possible way that you can," Blank said. "So that was more important." Blank has no immediate advantage in beating other NFL clubs to coaches currently working in the league because of tampering rules all owners agreed to. "I didn't want a jump on everybody else, but obviously there were limits as to what you can do during the season," Blank said. "That's the reason we didn't need forever to do our work, because you can do a lot of the work. Certain people, you're free to talk to now. Others you can't, but you can do a lot of reference, a lot of work behind the scenes, and that's critical." Blank will have Bobby Beathard, Ray Anderson and Ron Hill make contacts on his behalf as the Falcons begin their search. Beathard, a senior adviser to the owner since April 2002, worked previously as general manager in Washington and San Diego. Anderson, the chief administrative officer who negotiates player contracts, is a former agent who represented coaches Tony Dungy, Herman Edwards, Brian Billick, Marvin Lewis, Jack Del Rio and Dennis Green. Hill, Atlanta's vice president of football operations, is in charge of player personnel. Blank indicated Hall of Fame and former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who paid $9 million to buy 1.67 percent of the Falcons in March 2002, isn't interested in the job. Blank indicated that Wade Phillips, the Falcons' interim head coach, will be considered along with other candidates. The need to hire a general manager remains a top priority for Blank, but not to the extent that he will postpone his search for a new coach. Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, December 12, 2003. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Dude, I would thin one would work for Snyder in a heartbeat over Blank. Dan Reeves isn't genius, but he got to superbowls and made several playoff appearances. You fire him after one dismal year? I wouldn't work for him if I were Stoops, Saban or Cowher. Not that Cowher is really a candidate. Just speculating. Furthermore, the Falcons are doomed unless they get a guy that knows that the offensive coordinator is Vick. They just need someone on offense who can draw up blocking schemes and running plays.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Could'a, Would'a, Should'a Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 is it just me or does blank look like a relative of vincent price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyJ Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 So, if Phillips isn't retained as head coach, will it count against Blank in the same way that Snyder "fired" Robiskie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskin56 Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 I don't know if anyone has posted this, if it has been, my appologies, but...... Its been reported here in the Tampa area that Rich Mckee has asked the Bucs to be released from the remainder of his contract. The rumor is that he is headed for Atlanta; however, I would LOVE to see Mckay come to the Redskins. Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 McKay is headed to Atlanta. I can't believe he would have fired Reeves, or all ready planned on canning him at the end of the year without really having a guy in mind to replace him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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