Now that the unthinkable finally occurred (no, Pizza Hut did not build a pizza box made entirely of cheese... yet) and the Detroit Lions finally parted ways with the worst front office personnel man in football history, Matt Millen, Rod Marinelli's days are undeniably numbered. Obviously, us GoWF boys cannot resist an opportunity to chime in with some ideas. In reality, I'd love to see Cowher in the spot, but today were looking at some other good candidates, our favorite coaches from football movies.
The Long Shots
Tony D'Amato - While D'Amato certainly had the fire in his belly, his age and inability to put front office fatcats in their place, make him an unlikely candidate for the role. D'Amato struggles with keeping his game modern, so owners worry about his ability to adapt to the modern game. Finally, with new management on the way, it's too risky to hire a coach with a track record of succumbing to top brass demands against his better judgement.
Coach Klein - While Coach Klein built a sturdy reputation for discovering talent in even the strangest of places, the Lions are looking for a bit harder nose. Klein is known to get intimidated easily when facing big name coaches and must win games. Plus, this movie just sucked way to bad.
Molly McGrath - Women in jobs traditionally held by men are all the rage these days. The Lions thought maybe they could at least land one stinking Monday Night Football game if they pulled a publicity stunt like hiring former Wildcats' head coach, Molly McGrath. McGrath does not have a whole lot of coaching experience, but she still looks pretty damn good despite being in her early 60s.
The Short List
Bud Kilmer - The man could certainly motivate. He got players to play for him despite being hurt. Sure, he was a little insane and probably drove a wedge through one of the best team's the State of Texas High School Football circuit had ever seen, but you gotta hand it to him - he got the most out of his players. Shit, he has a stadium named after him and he didn't buying with the money he saved by firing all his automotive industry employees.
What could he do for the Lions? Wonders, I tell you, wonders. He's an old fashioned ball coach who'd certainly keep the ball on the ground, but he'd bring a pedigree of toughness to the organization that's sorely been lacking. And would he alienate a few folks along the way? Yes, but so friggin' be it - the Lions are team in need of tough love and we all know Bud Kilmer can deliver just that.
Coach Harris - While it would be nice to land a coach with some pro coaching experience, scouting is at the top of the list of root causes for the Lions over the past decade. Coach Harris brought in top recruits to the Adams Atoms in All-American quarterback Stan Gable, first round defensive lineman, Fred "The Ogle" Palowakski, and speed receiver, Danny Burke. Harris also brings an the aggressive, no bullshit personality the Lions need to right the ship in a hurry. Ultimately though, questions about Harris' character will likely keep him out of serious contention for the head coaching job, as Harris made national news for a widely publicized pep rally fight with a number of Adams students.
Jimmy McGinty - McGinty has a nice resume having turned a team of replacement players into a very good football team during the pro football strike of 1987. McGinty also earned praise from the Lions organization for developing a has-been quarterback into a leader in Shane Falco - clearly of pinnacle importance to the current Lions' roster. McGinty has all of the right credentials and experience, but he already retired once and his eyebrows and ears are starting to look like sleeping cats. In other words, he's too old.
Sign Him Up
Ed "Straght Arrow" Genaro - Straight Arrow Genaro really offers everything the Lions need. He took a chance on a quarterback that nobody believed in and turned him in to one of the top passers in the NCAA. He works hard with his receiving corps and does not give up on them as illustrated by the stunning development of Featherstone after struggling with drops for the better part of the season. They turned a haphazarrd group of roustabouts into a formidable defense with incredible linebacker play. Finally, the most impressive feat however, which addresses the Lions Achilles heal, is Genaro built a tremendous offensive line with zero scholarships.





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