Dolphin coach search: Looking like Cameron

  [Updated Friday afternoon, 1-19. The Herald is now reporting the Dolphins have decided they want Cameron, but that the coach has not yet said yes and will speak with his family before deciding. ESPN.com reports the job has formally been offered.] 

  All indications are that Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will be named the Dolphins' new head coach later today, chosen over other finalists Jim Mora, Chan Gailey, Mike Shula and Dom Capers.

     Club brass interviewed Cameron for a marathon 10 1/2 hours yesterday, and I doubt you interview anybody for that long unless you are sold on him.

     Our quick take on the five finalists, alphabetically, including their two most recent jobs:

     CAMERON, 45, Chargers offensive coordinator since 2002; head coach Indiana University 1997-2001 -- Upside: Offensive whiz who has  worked wonders in San Diego (although having LaDainian didn't hurt). Downside: Never been a pro head coach, and not a successful one (18-37) in college.

     CAPERS, 56, Dolphins special assistant to head coach since last season; Texans head coach 2001-05 -- Upside: Wealth of experience including nine years as NFL head coach with Panthers and Texans. Downside: Is promoting from within and hiring a defense-oriented coach the answer?

     GAILEY, 55, Georgia Tech head coach since 2002; Dolphins offensive coordinator 2000-01 -- Upside: Has NFL head-coach experience (Cowboys 1998-99) and coming off best season (9-4, Gator Bowl) with Tech. Downside: Might feel like Dolphins recycled someone safe, familiar.       

     MORA, 45, Falcons head coach past three years; 49ers defensive coordinator 1999-2003 -- Upside: Bright, ascending coach who reached NFC Championship Game in 2004. Downside: Fired by Falcons after saying on a radio show he'd jump at chance to coach his alma mater Washington.

     SHULA, 41, Alabama head coach past four seasons; Dolphins quarterbacks coach 2000-02 -- Upside: The Shula Name. Return to glory? Has been an NFL coordinator (Bucs offense). Downside: The Shula name. Nepotism? Fired by Crimson Tide for diminishing returns.

     We'll start a separate blog post when the new coach is named. Meantime, it's still a final five but now apparently with a clear frontrunner. Comments welcome.

Comments

[Flipper72]

With the way our defense played this year, I see no reason why Capers should not be given a fair shot at the Head Coaching position. He has plenty of NFL and Head Coaching experience.

Who would we get as a Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator? We need to keep Hudson Houck and hire Mike Shula as a QB coach maybe Offensive Coordinator.

I think that Capers might work out well as the Head Coach of the Dolphins. Why Not?
I think he is just as good as any of the candidates that they are currently considering. If he does not get the Head Coaching job, make sure we seal the deal by keeping him as Defensive Coordinator.

[casey]

Uh...sorry, i don't buy it. Why would one event have anything to do with the other? When the Redskins hired Gregg Williams and paid him all that money, it wasn't cuz he was to be head coach, or even next in line. Simply, Capers is very skillied, and qualified as a coordinator. I'm pretty convinced they will marry him with an offensive mind...Gailey or Schottenhiemer. Personally, you give coaches 2 shots in this league to prove their worth, if that. Capers had that, in Carolina and Houston...sorry, time to go with a fresh face, fresh mind. I'd be stoked with with a Schottenhiemer/Capers/Mueller posse running the show.

[casey]

Uh...sorry, i don't buy it. Why would one event have anything to do with the other? When the Redskins hired Gregg Williams and paid him all that money, it wasn't cuz he was to be head coach, or even next in line. Simply, Capers is very skillied, and qualified as a coordinator. I'm pretty convinced they will marry him with an offensive mind...Gailey or Schottenhiemer. Personally, you give coaches 2 shots in this league to prove their worth, if that. Capers had that, in Carolina and Houston...sorry, time to go with a fresh face, fresh mind. I'd be stoked with with a Schottenhiemer/Capers/Mueller posse running the show.

[NELSON]

From what the final 3 or 4 appear to be, I'd like Capers. But if he is to be just the DC, Then Schottenhiemer would be my preference. He was a huge part of making Pennington effective this year. Pennington is like an underhanded softball pitcher playing in MLB.Yet, he picked a bunch of defenses appart (including ours). Maybe Schot can do something with our QB's. I always like Gailey, but as OC not head coach a move unlikely to happen. So that leaves us with the dilema of finding an OC. No matter how this plays out, I still don't feel very exited about it.

[Joseph]

Cote, riddle me this. What do Gailey, Capers,and Mularkey have in common?

They all coached under Bill Cower.

Could we be seeing the beginings of Cower's '08 return to football?

Interesting isn't it?

Cower HC
Gailey OC
Mularkey Ast HC
Capers DC

Just though I'd stir the pot a bit.

[Frustrated Fins Fan]

Good deal Capers really showed good potential to really improve the D, and who knows if this HC search doesnt prove fruitful them maybe he could be the HC.

P.S:to Joseph get out of your fantasy world Cowher will never coach in Miami

[Noah]

Cowher will be the coach in 2008. The 2007 coach is merely a placeholder.

[plumtree]

I'd be satisfied w/ Capers as the Head Coach OR w/ him leading the defense plus a young offensive mind as HC.

Capers is NOT 0-2 in his coaching tenure. You have to say he was successful in Carolina. Am I the only one who remembers Carolina in the NFC championship game w/ Kerry Collins leading the way? Let's give Capers a shot with an established franchise before labeling him exclusively as just a D-coordinator.

Joseph brings up an interesting point about lining things up for Cower. But, Miami HAS to get rid of Mularky!

[OC Dolphin]

Capers will almost certainly be included in the down-select process. A lot will depend on what Marino and Shula think about him. Someone mentioned above that you should only get two opportunities in this league. There may be some truth to that. While Capers is a proven commodity at defense, he has not succeeded as a HC. The best scenario should include Capers as the DC, a coach that brings pure excitement and unpredictability (play calling) at OC, and a non-college coach as the HC. One that oozes confidence.

[OC Dolphin]

Let's keep in mind another thing. It's easy to look good when you've got a team of studs at every position (think Cameron/San Diego). It's another thing altogether to make lemonade out of lemons AND make it taste good.

[Paul]

Wanted: Coach who knows where the quarterback lines up.....

Capers? Capable yes. However I would hope we could do better. This most recent list of second interviewees is not sounding like we are going to end up with the next Shula. Mora Jr., BRIAN SCHOTTENHEIMER? and Chan Gailey? That's the best there is out there?

I just don't think the three man search team knows what it is doing. It is as hard to have confidence in these guys as it is with Dub-ya and his troop surge. Just doesn't seem like either is dealing from a hand of competence.

From that list I'll take Mora Jr. who I think was done in by a bad QB in Mike Vick. Although I really don't know enough about Schottenheimer....

And my best choice would be ANYONE willing to draft a QB this year. Brian Brohm common down! Then one who is willing to invest in our offense which, in my opinion, just lacks a QB and a LT.

[Jason]

Capers should get the knod, however any offensive mind would be better than Mularkey. As long as a new OC comes in I could care less about the coach. Mularkey syn. for bullshi*.

[Flipper72]

Chargers-14....Pats-3!!

I hope this score holds up, so all the PATS Fans can go suck on a lemon. LOL!!

I say we go with either Mora Jr. or Schottenheimer. Chan Gailey is too conservative.

[Flipper72]

Oh No! Halftime, 14-10 Chargers...this pisses me off but I believe the Chargers will win this one!

Lets get Mora Jr. as Head Coach and bring in Norm Chow or Mike Martz as OC. We have to keep Hudson Houck at all costs.

[Bob from WA]

Mora? Why reward someone who failed in Atlanta with a shot at the Dolphins? I don't get it. Chan doesn't do it for me, either. No more college coaches, please, even if they've had NFL experience in the past. Schottenheimer seems somewhat intiguing, though. I kinda like the idea of starting someone young and hungry.

[spacemanspiff]

Run ricky Run ! ! ! ! I think we ahould trade down and get russell. best QB ON THE MARKET. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP WAYNE. i am now 42 i was a kid when we last one the super bowl...

[spacemanspiff]

Run ricky Run ! ! ! ! I think we ahould trade down and get russell. best QB ON THE MARKET. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP WAYNE. i am now 42 i was a kid when we last won the super bowl...

[A-ron]

I like B. Schottenheimer but Im afraid he's too young and inexperienced.

I like Capers but im afraid he's too old and will get pushed around.

I like Mora but im afraid his moron father will get involved in affairs.

I like Martz but im afraid he will kick the bucket in mid-season.

Um, so I guess that leaves Gailey?!?!

[Dmoe]

Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin. There, have I said it enough.

[Brendan]

Mike Singletary would be my pick, but apparently he's not even been interviewed once. I guess the take on him is that he doesn't have enough experience, but he is a man of character, young and a student of the game. Oh yea I forgot, he's as tough as nails and has a SB ring... am I missing something here or does the braintrust only do what Chris Mortenson and the other talking heads say are viable options...
And why in gods name re-sign any defensive coordinator BEFORE your head coach? Something stinks in fish land and I don't like it ... I think the problem is high up in the organization.

[OC Dolphin]

Well, it's clear that we can eliminate one coach from the running. Let's file it under the Schottenheimer curse. No more sons of fathers please.

[dji]

now that the chargers lost they may fire marty. if they do expect him to get an interview and maybe be the one they pick. if they do then we'll be kissing our mother's untill they get rid of him.
as for me brian shottenhiemer should get the job. he's young and besides then we could rub the J-E-T-S fans noses in it. especially if we beat them

[mike1]

i don't like the choices. they may go with Schottenheimer b/c Shula was always good friends with dad...who made a bone headed error challenging the INT - fumble. leave Capers at def coach; it's where he belongs.

someone told me that Boise St's coach would never succeed in the pro's with his creative play calling... Well... NE did just that on the two pt play.

[Jon]

Capers? Please! What did he do with Houston? All those top 5 picks, and what did he ever get out of them? Nothing at all. What did he do at Carolina really? One trip to the playoffs and that was that. Out of all of those guys, I like Jim Mora Jr. the best. He's a good coach who had questionable talent, which he didn't pick or have a say in by the way. His dad's right, Vick is a coach killer, ask Dan Reeves. The guys young, and bonds well with his players. He could be here for a long time. I think, if they were going to make Capers the head coach, they would have done it already. I think, that signing means they're leaning towards an offensive minded coach. But seriously, Dom capers is the retred of all retreds, you might as well bring in Denny Green if you're gonna bring in Capers.

[Flipper72]

OK...check this out boys, I heard that if Marty Schottenheimer lost against the PATS today- he would be fired! He does not get along with the GM in San Diego and I heard that the GM will make a strong push to make Wade Philips the next coach.

If this is true, I think we should kill two birds with one stone- hire Marty Schottenheimer as Head Coach and bring Cam Cameron on as Offensive Coordinator. We reunite them both with Hudson Houck and we will have a solid coaching staff. WE all know that Dom Capers will stay as Offensive Coordinator and we should make a strong bid at getting Mike Shula as QB Coach.

Chargers lost 24-21...tough loss but it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for us. An added bonus would be, that Marty can get revenge on the Pats twice a year and also match wits against his son's team (Jets), twice a year.

He has won 200 games in the NFL. Thats a proven winner. Who cares about his 5-13 play-off record. You have to blame the players for that, not the coach. The players have to execute and go out there and win the game. I call it a case of bad luck and media pressure about not getting to the Super Bowl. Dan Reeves suffered from the same thing, until he finally gave up and retired.

Marty has won every place he has been and I think that he can turn the Dolphins into Super Bowl Champions. Give him a five year deal and lets get it done.

Marty needs us to get him over the hump and we need him to get us another Super Bowl trophy.

[Flipper72]

I would like to make a correction that Dom Capers will stay as Defensive Coordinator not Offensive Coordinator- my bad!

Hire Marty Schottenheimer and lets start with the overhaul process. We just need key players in certain positions and we're good to go. Please Wayne, lets get this done!
He is the best coach out there. If he stays in SD, then get his younger Schottenheimer or Mora Jr.

[bryan in ohio]

i say the number 1 tarhet is marty schottenheimer the second option would be chan gailey to coach the 2007 season then bill cowher coming in 2008!

[Pats Fan in Boston]

Hey Flipper72,

You have lots of venom toward the Pats, but, they are heading to the AFC championship once again!!! You cannot discount what they have accomplished. It is truely amazing. I could not be happier. I hope someday you and all the other Dolphans can feel this!! Good Luck!

P.S. You know deep down in your heart you want Brady to beat Manning!
Pats fan In Boston!

[Aaron]

Well after just watching the Chargers get ousted by the Patriots in the postseason, I do believe this will probably change everything when it comes to getting a new head coach for the Dolphins.
I live in San Diego (but am an implant; grew up in South Florida) and it is already being WIDELY spoken that Marty Shottenheimer will be fired this week after getting defeated in the playoffs yet again. And now that Ken Whisenhunt is the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, the field of coaches (in my view) has been narrowed down.
I do like the remaining candidates for the job, but if Marty does get canned this week out here, I think they should bring him in for an interview. If they give it to his son, that would surprise me because he has only had one year as an Offensive Coordinator under his belt and I do believe might need more experience. I'm not nuts about Mora Jr. coaching the Dolphins, but it could be worse (could have brought back Dave Wannsteadt). Dom Capers is still intriguing (third time is a charm as head coach maybe?). Not sure about Tomlin or Turner either. Guess we will just see.
If Marty becomes free, we should consider it. Even though his postseason record bites, he is a hell of a coach and would be exactly what the Dolphins need to possibly get to the next level. And hey, at least we would know that his loyalty is there and won't bolt when the going gets tough (did I just hit a nerve with Nick Saban by chance?).

[Patrick]

Gentlemen,
The choice is obvious, Miami needs Chan Gailey. Do you remember that he is the one who made Miami into a team that could run the ball? He took the castoff lamar Smith, an undrafted QB in Fiedler and we made the playoffs? In addition, he is the only prospect who has a winning record as an NFL head coach!
Chan is the man!

[JimzDogz]

I like Jim Mora Jr. for HC he's young and enthuisiastic and his players in Atlanta loved him. Bring on board Mike Shula as OC his recient college experience will help evaluating draft talent. Keep Don Capers as DC/assistant HC. Keep Hudson Houck at all cost.

[PhinsMob]

Hey Pat Fan in Boston,

This time next week, Manning will be eating a big bowl of Patsie chowda! The only reason the Patsies beat the Chargers is because, once again, THEY GOT LUCKY! Why would ANY Dolphin fan want Brady to win another ring? Every Dolphin fan looks at Manning and sees Marino. Great QB who never one the big one. Yeah, it still sucks saying that. But there's a lot of empathy for Manning felt among us Dolphin fans. Sorry chowda head, but it's Manning's year!

[john turk]

the dolphins are a hard team to figure out we beat new england 21-0 in miami,and played very well in a losing effort in new england if not for some turnovers could of won.beat chicago in chicago.played well against the colts in indy.as far as a coach it's a mystery. i personally think they should hire capers for one year as a interm coach,and have him serve as defensive cooridinator for the last two years of his new contract be patient and hire cowher if he wishes to coach,and at no cost to us with draft picks as compensation. imagine cowher with miami with free agancy money added to spend.pittsburgh never did and look what he done with draft picks.mr.huzenga asked for advice from anybody i wish he could see this.what would you think????

[NY Scott]

Who cares who the next coach is? According to all of you (media)the Dolphins are going to be bad for a while so the new coach is already set up for failure. One year from now the media will be disagreeing with every decision he makes and that's exactly when the fans will lose faith and start whineing for a new coach. THE REAL QUESTION IS THIS, will any coach be allowed more than two years to build a superbowl team in Miami before he is run out of town?!!! The magic 8-ball says, "not likely".

[john turk]

ny scott are you a jet fan??

[PhinsMob]

NY Scott is either one angry Dolphin fan.....or Fireman Ed's boyfriend.

[Joe Black]

Is The DON to old to coach.
Maybe Mr chula needs to make a comeback and bring the Dolphins back to the winning days.

[PhinsMob]

Shoes won't come back to coach. He's been retired for too long and is much happier playing golf, hanging around the grandkids and cruising the Caribbean.

[Joe Black]

Is The DON to old to coach.
Maybe Mr Shula needs to make a comeback and bring the Dolphins back to the winning days.

[Ken in San Diego]

Chan's heart problems should ax his chances.

Any other defensive-minded coach out. Sorry Mora.

Absolutely NO to Martyball. He can build a winner, but can't win the important games. This Chargers team should be Super Bowl bound with this talent.

Marty's son, however, is innovative and clever and young and hungry. His philosophy is to mold an offense around the talent you have, rather than mould the talent into your offense. Hire Brian and fire Mike Mularkey.

[Pats Fan In Boston]

Hey Phins Mob,

You are probably one of the people that thought the Pats would be one and out. Come on, admit it! I only blog here because Dolphans rag on any team that wins because the Phins have not won in a while. I understand, it is frustrating, The Pats have been very fortunate. What really sucks is the fact that the Dolphins are a really good team. Your owner is misguided. You folks need a big time NFL coach. The Phins are not that far away!!

Keep the faith!!

Sincerely,

Pats Fan In Boston!!

[NY Scott]

No I am not a Jet fan. I literally puked when I read that. I've been a Dolphin fan since 81' and this is just getting really old. Unfortunately I live in upstate NY and I am surrounded by Jets, Pats, AND Bills fans. It just feels like we are cursed. Maybe the football gods are still angry about the undefeated season. My last post was written after the Patriots won, again! Why cant we do that? Who in the hell were those guys catching for Brady? It seems like they could take a kid out of McDonalds and he would contribute. They get all the luck. How does Tom Brady throw three interceptions and still win the game?! AAAUUUGGGGHHHHHH!

[mike]

If we're going to go with a defensive minded coach... I'm honestly jealous of the Canes because they have Randy Shannon as their HC. That man is gonna run shit

[Paul]

If Gailey ends up as the coach, I give up! He was pathetic as OC and he still stinks it up as Georgia Tech's head coach (note the end of season collapse this year). Please, no more Chan Gailey. Wayne, are you listening?

The remaining candidates on the list are equally underwhelming. The only one who even remotely piques my interest is Mora. I live in Atlanta and I can tell you he got railroaded out of here for no fault of his own.

And please, people, don't start foaming at the mouth about Marty. He's never, ever won the big one - and evidently never will after he screwed up today. He chokes at the crucial moment, just like Fiedler and Wanny. Wanny, BTW, had a decent record, but couldn't win the big games, either. Aren't we all tired of mediocrity?

For the people who are going nuts about Bill Cowher, are you ready to accept an average of ten wins per year? It took him fourteen years to win the super bowl. Do we want to wait that long again? I don't.

[john turk]

hey paul but look at the facts 10 wins would be great now! but like i said the rooneys don't have deep pockets wayne h does.cowher did it with mirrors loosing a starter a replacing it with the draft. i truely believe if pittsburgh believed in free agency he would have won at least two more keep the faith paul who else is out there??

[john turk]

sorry ny scott! ya i'm frustated to me the last great dolphin win was vs san diego in 93 before we lost to dare i say buffalo in miami our own back yard . just think if we would have won it we would of hosted the super bowl till this day this was the closest any team has come. it just makes me sick thinking how many chances miami gets and never goes the super bowl???

[Hal]

Chan Gailey did the best job of any of Miami's offensive coordinators the last decade IMO. He has a history of getting the best out of marginally talented, but mobile QB's in Stewart and Fiedler, and he strongly established the run in both Pittsburgh and Miami.

As for his Dallas tenure he improved the team 4 wins in his first season, and they got much worse the season after he left. He did a very credible job there IMO considering that he had Larry Lacewell and Jerry Jones drafting his players.

Gailey's Ga. Tech experience is also a plus---he should have good contributions to make to the college player evaluations since he's been recruiting these players the last 5 years.

If Mueller is running personnel, Capers the defense, and Gailey has the HC job, I'm certainly OK with that. He has a history of getting production out of offenses, and of being a solid professional.

[Huizenga-Advice]

Hopefully Wayne you're reading this for advice:
1) Enough talk about Cowher- he got his ring and you dont want an already established god og pittsburgh to coach our team. He's not as hungry and he still will always bleed pittsburgh
2)hire a young, ambitious, and commanding coach who can see this new NFL and understand the right calls to make. Some of these old washed up coaches dont change and do not understand how to make a play call that will have a better success rate. A young coach in his 30's, like myself has seen enough nfl games that he knows where old coaches have gone wrong and he will press the right button.
3) hire an offensive minded coach since you already have Capers in place.
4)no college coaches - give us a break please
5)Mora Jr. has that fire- i can see it in his face, his players love him, he has something to prove, and he gets results, and the fans will love him because he's likeable. I think he's a perfect fit for Miami. I think Vick got him into too much trouble. I think you hire this guy - zach and jason and the other guys will take off.

Mora Jr and Capers.
I was 10 the last time the Dolphins were in the Superbowl, now I'm 31, c'mon already, I'm tired of being the grumpy fan who is always complaining about their team. And I'm tired of the Patriots and Colts. Let's get that old swagger back!!!

[Malice]

Dom Capers? Chan Gaily? Brain Schottenheimer? Ron Rivera? What a joke! None of these finalist being mentioned have even proven they can win consistently, let alone have Super Bowl experience as head coach.

Most coordinators are great at what they do but are just not cut out to being head coaches. Dom Capers, Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt, Romeo Cronell, Jim Mora, the list is endless. Why should the Dolphins invest several years in a new hot coordinator just to see if they can be a good head coach or not?

The Dolphins are well on the way down the road to mediocrity as one of those teams who hires a new coach every 2-3 years and never gets anywhere. What a disappointment.

Wayne, if you want to win, then hire a proven winner, not a coaching prospect who's a project or someone who's a buddy of the team prseident but hasnt done anything above average as head coach in pro and college.

I can only hope that Brain Billick gets fired soon and calls the Dolphins before it's too late and we go with another 3 year mistake.

[Flipper72]

Marty Schottenheimer-HC
Dom Capers-DC
Cam Cameron-OC
Hudson Houck-Line Coach
Mike Shula-QB Coach
_______________________________________

If Marty stays in SD, then lets get-

Jim Mora Jr.-HC
Dom Capers-DC
Brian Schottenheimer-OC
Hudson Hock-Line Coach
Mike Shula-QB Coach