Now that Bill Belichick’s dynamic run toward football immortality and a 3rd straight Super Bowl is done, I think it’s appropriate to look at the effect he and his coaches have had on the game of football over the last 5 years. Not since Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren has a coach set forth more coaches out to the ranks of head man at the college and pro level than Belichick. It remains to be seen whether the Crennels and Manginis of the world end up equalling the accomplishments of a Shanahan or an Andy Reid, but it’s worth a look at how they have done in the early going of their head coaching careers. Here they are, one by one:
Romeo Crennel — Cleveland Browns — Crennel’s first season with the Browns had much to be desired, but remember what he took over. These aren’t exactly your Dog Pound days Browns barking out there. The Browns finished at 6-10 in Crennel’s first season, a slight improvement over the 4-12 2004 version. Crennel is now entering his second draft, which is when he can begin to put a full stamp on calling this team his.
Kirk Ferentz — Iowa Hawkeyes — Ferentz was one of Belichick’s first solo journeyman, having been sent out on his own seven years ago. Ferentz has compiled a 42-31 record at Iowa in that span, but is 31-7 in his last three seasons. Again, you have to give a coach time to build a program of his own. He has led the Hawkeyes to 2 shared Big Ten titles.
Al Groh — Virginia Cavaliers — Groh can’t truly be considered a Belichick protege. The two knew each other under Bill Parcells with the Giants and then Groh served for one season under Belichick as linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns back in 1992. He had his shot as a head coach in the NFL with the Jets and went 9-7 in one season, but left New York for the Virginia gig five seasons ago. At his alma mater, Groh is 30-21, including 18 wins in the ACC. He hasn’t taken the program to the national status he had hoped to yet, but wins like this season’s over Florida State will always help recruiting.
Pat Hill — Fresno State Bulldogs — As Belicheck’s offensive line and tight ends coach in Cleveland, Hill garnered the knowledge he would need to go on and be successful in his ninth season with this underrated and exciting college program. How underrated? Hill is 72-43 in nine seasons and has led the Bulldogs to 7 straight bowl games. He just signed an extension today after getting serious consideration for NFL jobs.
Eric Mangini — New York Jets — The ink is barely dry on this one. In fact, the pen is not even off the page. Eric Mangini was hired by the New York Jets this week to become the NFL’s youngest head man. In just one year as defensive coordinator of the Patriots (taking over for Crennel), Mangini led a defense devastated by injuries back to an AFC East Championship and a playoff win. He’ll have his work cut out for him with the Jets, with a massive need at the quarterback position. They can’t rely on Chad Pennington to stay healthy. It just doesn’t happen.
Nick Saban — Miami Dolphins — Saban left his defensive coordinator job with Belichick in Cleveland to head to Michigan State, then went south to great success at LSU before heading to Miami. In one year, Saban has made a difference to a franchise that had been spiraling downward. He’s a national championship coach who is perfect for a young NFL team on the come. After opening with a huge upset win over Denver, the Fins started 3-7, and then ran the table to finish 9-7, just a game back of Patriots and Belichick. It will fun watching these two battle over the coming years.
Charlie Weis — Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Weis was Belichick’s hammer during the three Super Bowl years out of the last four. As offensive coordinator, he turned Tom Brady into something that no one thought he could be, a Hall of Fame NFL quarterback. Hell, there weren’t many people who thought he could be an NFL QB period. Weis finished his first season at his alma mater by going 9-3 after getting beat by Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. He did bring the Irish back to the BCS, and solidified himself in Irish fan’s hearts by taking USC to the limit in South Bend in one of the all-time classic college games, as well as by granting the wish of a dying boy by letting him call an offensive play. Weis was awarded with a hugh contract extension that will keep him at Notre Dame until Brady is ready to come be HIS offensive coordinator. On second thought, Brady went to Michigan. Weis doesn’t want him.