nativefalcon Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 McKay expects lots of interestBy D. ORLANDO LEDBETTERThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 12/13/07Flowery Branch Despite the 13-game Bobby Petrino era, Falcons president and general manger Rich McKay would not rule out hiring another coach from the college ranks."First of all, you eliminate no one," McKay said Wednesday. "Secondly, you pay attention to history. I think the college coaches have been the exception as opposed to the rule. I think some of them have been exceptional. I don't want to sit there and say, 'Boy, we don't want to go down that path.' "The Falcons must follow NFL hiring practices, which includes a mandate to interview minority candidates. There are also rules about interviewing coaches on teams in the playoffs."I think the NFL has done a nice job in their process rules, in slowing the process down," McKay said. "Last year, we felt as a group that we had a candidate that was moving to the head of the line and we hired Bobby. This year, we'll go through the same process, but we will hope that it ends up with somebody who will be with us for a long time."Last season, the Falcons were able to land Petrino in part because they had quarterback Michael Vick, who now is in prison after being convicted on charges related to dogfighting.The Falcons were in the middle of turning over their roster to fit Petrino's schemes. Despite not having an established quarterback and a roster in tatters, McKay still believes he has an attractive position to offer."Coaches want to coach in the National Football League," McKay said. "With an owner such as Arthur [blank], who's willing to give you the support necessary, the facilities necessary, I don't even think it's an issue if coaches will want to coach in this situation. I think that there's no question that when you look at it, that it's different than last year."Hadley Engelhard, a longtime Atlanta-based sports agent, believe the Falcons will attract some top candidates."What makes Atlanta attractive is the city of Atlanta and the fact that you've got a great owner in Arthur Blank, who wants to do what it takes to win," Engelhard said.The Falcons do not have a list of candidates, although former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher and San Francisco assistant head coach Mike Singletary are viewed as top candidates."You can go up in my office right now and look at the number of pink slips from messages, and there's some unique names on those messages," McKay said. "There will be [a lot of interest] because it is a privilege to work in the league. I think that our opportunity will be as good as any."It's possible the next coach will want more control over personnel issues, and that's fine with McKay."When I was in Tampa, we tried to hire Jimmy Johnson," McKay said. "When I went to hire Jimmy, I said, 'You can have everything. Everything you want, you can control everything there is, because you've earned the right and that's the appropriate place for you to be.' He didn't take the job."McKay said the Buccaneers also offered Steve Spurrier similar control and noted that he would do so for the proper candidate for the Falcons job.McKay played a role in hiring Tony Dungy in Tampa Bay. He recommended Marvin Lewis as Dungy's replacement, but was overruled by ownership.In Atlanta, he's played a role in passing on Lovie Smith and hiring Jim Mora and hiring Petrino."Sometimes there are names floated about, people who are just not available," Blank said. "Vince Lombardi is gone. He's not here."Is mckay freaking INSANE, hire anothe college coach. He needs to go period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londonfalcon Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 nativefalcon (12/13/2007)Is mckay freaking INSANE, hire anothe college coach. He needs to go period. Where does he say he WOULD hire a college coach? He said you don't rule anyone out. Did you start the other thread with this exact same response? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbresette Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 He might not rule anyone out, but if anyone in their right mind thinks he is going to hire another college coach this time around, you are a fool. If he does he should be fired on the spot and we will be the laughing stock of the league yet again for being stupid and ignoring our past mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superfan ! Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 He's be a **** fool not to hire this man:But wait a minute, maybe he IS a **** fool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danishfalcon Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Superfan "! (12/13/2007)He's be a **** fool not to hire this man:But wait a minute, maybe he IS a **** fool!In 2004 Blank screwed up and wanted Mora, and McKay wanted Lovie Smith. In 2007 McKay screwed up and wanted Petrino, and Blank wanted Singletary.Let's get this right this time, and get Singletary. He will be the leader we really need, and provide much needed stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakyfalcon Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I wouldnt be surprise if we hired Jeff Tedford from California. There were rumors he almost had the job last year but Petrino beat him out. I hope we dont get him though.Jason Garrett, Mike Singletary, and Bill Cowher are my choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loozianafalcon Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 londonfalcon (12/13/2007)nativefalcon (12/13/2007)Is mckay freaking INSANE, hire anothe college coach. He needs to go period. Where does he say he WOULD hire a college coach? He said you don't rule anyone out. Did you start the other thread with this exact same response?I agree -- he never said anything in his quote about hiring a college coach again -- he simply said "you don't rule out anyone". Trust me on this -- McKay and Blank will not make the same mistake!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativefalcon Posted December 14, 2007 Author Share Posted December 14, 2007 londonfalcon (12/13/2007)nativefalcon (12/13/2007)Is mckay freaking INSANE, hire anothe college coach. He needs to go period. Where does he say he WOULD hire a college coach? He said you don't rule anyone out. Did you start the other thread with this exact same response?even to think about it is stupid, except one Pete Carroll because he was a NFL head coach, but hes not going to leave USC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Smith Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 The biggest problem with Atlanta is Rich McKay.He's hired both Mora and Petrino. Does that tell you anything about his judgment?Then look at all of these wasteful draft selections.There is no hope with Rich running the ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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