Down To The Wire For HC: Richard, Flores or Rizzi

2019 Phins HC: Richard, Flores or Rizzi?

Kris Richard appears to be the next H.C.

Who the next Miami Dolphins Head Coach is still up in the air; however, they are close to a decision. 

Two early front-runners, Munchak and Fangio, are out of the running. Miami didn’t seek an interview with Fangio and Munchak turned Ross down. Neither of these coaches offered what Miami needed… so it’s for the best that they aren’t contenders.

Steven Ross has stated that this job will be a full rebuild. The reality that the Dolphins won’t be contenders for a few years isn’t a great draw for many prospective Head Coaches. This job requires a certain type of HC: young, full of passion, and self-confidence… and ready to roll the dice.

No matter what Ross says, the NFL is a win now league. So while the course set by Ross is the right one, it’s a limiting factor in searching for an HC.

The problem is from a coaches standpoint, even if they are given time to get the team in order, the fact is, after 3 years this team could very well have more losses than wins. This type of scenario is a risk to a coach not only for this job, but he might also lose enough shine that he isn’t wanted elsewhere. For an older, first-time coach, this gig is more risk than reward.

Top Two Prospects:

Richard and Flores specialize on the Defensive side of the ball and appear to the front-runners for the job. Both Coaches current teams are still in the playoffs, so both are contributing to a place that’s winning.  We talk about this every time we get a new coach, but it’s high time for a real culture change in Miami. Maybe one of these two guys can finally carry that type of winning attitude to the Phins.

While I’ve been on the books saying Richard is the right guy… and Miami would choose him, I like both young coaches.

Flores has been a Coach with the Patriots since 2004, so like Richard, he has plenty of experience in one of the best systems in the NFL. Also, an added cherry is maybe we can finally take someone good away from the rival Patriots?

They both have confidence and a fiery attitude and everything you hear about them shows they have the respect of their players. We need to have a guy that our players will want to play their hearts out for. Gase had ‘his guys’ that liked him, but he was also divisive.

The Beloved Darkhorse

Then there’s the elephant in the room Darren Rizzi, who has a ton of respect from current players and former Dolphins players.

However, most of the best bookie services like Ace Per Head.com would agree that making Rizzi the HC doesn’t represent a true house cleaning.  In addition, being a good special teams coach is one thing, but no one really knows if that will translate into being a successful head coach. NFL history doesn’t have many examples of special team coaches becoming successful Head coaches.

Maybe Rizzi could be the rare exception? Maybe not. Choosing him would make a roll of the dice a bit more difficult. Rizzi has a feel-good vibe to him, but that vibe could turn ugly fast if he isn’t the right fit.

Bottom Line: No QB = no championship

Whoever our next head coach is, we need to be aggressive and spend draft picks on QBs.  The right QB means the difference of being a mediocre team for decades or being a perennial Super Bowl contender. There’s no denying it. Until we find our next Dan Marino or Dan Marino light, this team will be in an endless rebuilding cycle.

What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts on these top candidates?

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10 comments

  • Steve

    About the QB in this draft Miami has a good track record at 13th picked etc. On a real note the Best QB in the draft has just declared for the NFL draft and that is Tyler Murray. Dwyane Haskins Ohio State QB would be my second option. Drew Lock has a big Arm etc. but is similar to Jay Cutler in his performance etc. Will Grier would be a foolish ed reached in the 1st round. There are no other QB’s in the 1st round.

    If these two Quarterbacks are off the board then we must go after the Dexter Lawrence Defensive Tackle he would be the Best Defensive Tackles in this draft behind Quinten Williams. If we could land him he would be a steal and a true leader on our Front line.

    Dexter Lawrence Clemson Jr DT 5 6-4 350
    https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article223561655.html Banned Substances Control Group, ostarine urine test.
    https://youtu.be/ozxW1iyx_TY Best Fit for the Dolphins

    I thought QB Jaylen Hurst would be around in the second round, Jaylen decided to transfer from Alabama to Miami Hurricanes this season. But If we missed on those two QB’s then we have in the later rounds Tyler Cornelius from Oklahoma State, I keep saying that he whipped Drew Lock, Wil Grier and played Tyler Murray tough. He has the winning formula and would be another Steal.

    The Deal is not to panic and over reached for these player’s understanding what round they are worth but still winners.

    • admin

      I’m hearing that Flores is the pick now. That means a 3-4 and a serious NT would be crucial. That’s a massive man. You don’t think he’ll be off the board by then?

      • Steve

        I don’t know Admin, I was hoping maybe he could fall to us at 13th picks,

        Just thought also that John Cruden has 3 picks in the 1st round he controls this draft meaning he can trade up and down this draft board at will just because of those teams who has not done there home work.

      • Steve

        Admin

        If that’s what you’re hearing that Flores is the New Coach! I’m not familiar with none of the coaches above but I will trust the Fins that They have done their homework on Flores for sure because their jobs are on the line So I would support who ever they hired based on the Fins doing their homework.

  • Steve

    Admin

    You wrote that This job requires a certain type of Head Coach. I’m convinced of that also and in most organization we understood to always take that unit that is the worst. Why? Because you can only go up?

    The problem with the Miami Dolphins since there Super Bowl years is simply one Dimensional.

    Shula’s Dolphins deserve more credit for their dominance. They were outstanding on offense, despite an early-season injury to future Hall of Famer Bob Griese, thanks to 38-year-old Earl Morall — who got an All-Pro nod with 150 passing attempts! — stepping in and handling the passing game until Griese was healthy enough to return late.

    It’s always a tad bit easier managing an offense when you have a stout running game and the ’72 Fins had it in spades. Both Mercury Morris and Larry Csonka ran for more than 1,000 yards and both averaged more than 5 yards per carry.

    Miami ranked as the No. 1 offense in the NFL, scoring a league-high 385 points. More impressive was its “No Name Defense,” a group of non-stars who dominated throughout the year, giving up just 171 points (12.2 per game) with just a single first-round pick (Bill Stanfill) and just one player who would go on to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame member (Nick Buoniconti).

    After the 70’s Shula’s did not add a serious running game to Dan Marino’s talent.

    Jay Ajayi showed us that we must invest in the running game and we don’t value a serious running game. Because the Miami Dolphins must glorify the QB!

    Even with the issue that Ricky Williams brought with him, he brought respect to the run game.

    All this means is that the coach!

    Must understand his talent around him and what he needs to succeed. Earlier last summer I wrote on your column that if Gase plans on Tannehill being his QB that he would be looking for another job at the end of the 2018 season.

    That being said the entire Dolphins Management and coaches were sold on Tannehill and I knew after Tannheill’s second year with the Dolphins I knew he was not the QB for the this team and Admin and Fans that’s really troublesome that none of the four housemen recognized this. But continued trying to sell us Fans their failing ideology

    For Stephen Ross to say rebuild this team means his team is really Bad. I keep saying this stuff is not rocket science! We entered into the 2018 Season with some serious flaws I drank the Kool-Aid and went along with this problem trying to be a good sport, knowing all along that we were doomed!

    • admin

      Actually, this was Jimmy’s. But I agree with him… I’m sorta’ heartsick to see Gregg Williams go to the Jets. I was hoping they’d at least try to reach out to him… He is so good, but this likely isn’t a spot he’d want. Jets are going to be tough next year… Williams is excellent. I was a RB until Junior College… so you don’t have to sell me on the running game. Not in the least, brother. I think the DT and build up this Oline is key to support the QB when we find one.

  • Steve

    Nice Article Admin!

    You wrote in your column that Stephen Ross said this would be a full rebuild?

    Best example is the Cowboys from the 90s. Jerry Jones comes in and immediately fires Tom Landry and trades away Hershel Walker, their best player. They went 1-15, but now the team has a ton of draft picks and cap space. They drafted Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson, Michael Irvin and later signed Deion Sanders.

    Most of the talent will be traded for future draft value, or for other talent that will compliment their new team vision.

    Look at the 2016-2018 Browns. Sashi Brown got rid of most of the expensive veteran players either by trade or just straight releasing them which opened up a ton of cap space. He then utilized that cap space to essentially buy a 2nd round pick. He also traded back in the draft a few times to accumulate more future draft picks.

    Base on the Expert wrote above and the conclusion is that a Rebuild is “BAD”
    It just doesn’t work that way.

    You have to be good now — or next year at the latest — and that’s it. That’s it.

    • admin

      This was Jimmy’s… although, I did edit and add a touch here and there… but I can’t take credit on this one. I wished Jimmy would get on here and start commenting again… Given what I’m seeing from the Jets and Bills we could very well be dead last next season… and a hard dead last.

      • Steve

        Maybe true Admin!

        This next coach must be able to sailed us threw these self inflicted storms that the Dolphins have sailed us into these last two decades. It’s a shame that a twenty year old dolphins fan only know there team to be of mediocre performances and fans that buy off on these excuses each season. Get It Admin! This is all that they have witnessed!