WP email: Redskins Coaching Staff Is The Most Experienced In The NFL

MTK · 09-07-2004, 02:43 PM

The Redskins enter the season with perhaps the most experienced staff in the NFL, including Gregg Williams, the assistant head coach for defense. Williams, who coached the Buffalo Bills the past three seasons, was one of Coach Joe Gibbs's first hires. Gibbs consulted Williams about hiring top defensive coaches, including position coaches who had been defensive coordinators.

"We wanted to put together the best staff we could at the time," Williams said. "He wanted to make sure, because he was going to spend most of his time on the offensive side of the ball, that we had a senior-laden defensive staff too.

"And part of looking at who was going to be the position coaches, I was looking at coordinators, guys who were available who had been good position coaches. Usually, that's what happens. Usually, you move up in this profession because you could do your job really well at the starting point and then you're moved up."

Greg Blache had been the Chicago Bears's defensive coordinator before being signed as Washington's de facto defensive line coach. (His official title is defensive coordinator.) Dale Lindsey had been the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers before joining Washington as linebackers coach. They joined a few accomplished offensive assistants who were with Gibbs during his first NFL tenure.

"Greg [Blache] has been a great d-line coach for so many years. And then his coordinator background really helps," Williams said. "It helps me a ton. I lean on him a lot as I do Dale because of his coordinator background.

"But you know what? I'll make a statement right now. If we're successful here, [secondary coach] DeWayne Walker and [safeties coach] Steve Jackson will both be coordinators in this league. Both of them. They're both more than capable of intellectually running the system.

"They're good speakers in the room. They're good position coaches. They have a good presence about 'em.

"All that goes into making the staff. But the fact that Lindsey and Blache have stood in my shoes means a lot to me in the room. It's helped our meeting structure so much because they've done it so many different ways. I don't have to sell the coaching staff on why we're doing what we're doing because they've done it before, or they've done a version of it before."

– Nunyo Demasio

Redskins_P · 09-07-2004, 02:45 PM

What a dramatic change compared to last years staff.....

FRPLG · 09-07-2004, 03:59 PM

Actual professionals!! Who ever heard of such a thing around here?

MTK · 09-07-2004, 04:05 PM

Comparing this year's staff to last is like comparing someone with a Phd. to a 5 year old. No comparison.

Skins fan 44 · 09-07-2004, 05:41 PM

With this staff hopefully we can keep them together also. It sure would help in building the dynasty. We have had far too many coaches come and go these past few years.

NM Redskin · 09-07-2004, 05:46 PM

I guess it really comes down to if you believe a good systems makes a good team or good players make a good system. The logical conclusion is that it takes both, and I think having Williams to test Gibbs in pratice was probably very vaulable on catching Gibbs up, Williams is the blitz master! This team and the team from last year are going to be hard to compare as far a purely Gibbs system vs SS system. I know this though, Gibbs is smart enough to get a stud RB and make sure to have quality dept at QB.

Beemnseven · 09-07-2004, 05:50 PM

The question is, will Gregg Williams jump ship as soon as the first attractive head coaching job opens up -- or will Dan Snyder open up his wallet and double Williams' salary to keep him here? I'm hoping for the latter.

monk81 · 09-07-2004, 08:08 PM

Gibbs always surrounds himself with a GREAT group of assistants....in the old days Jack Kent Cooke paid the Redskins ASSISTANTS as much or more than some of the head coaches were making on other NFL teams.

Attention to detail, no mistakes, attention to basics......no Spurrier group here

JWsleep · 09-07-2004, 09:02 PM

I bet Williams will hang around to get a ring. He just came off a head-coaching gig, so I doubt he'll be lured away. Plus, in five years he may get a shot in DC...

That Guy · 09-07-2004, 11:51 PM

williams is already getting paid more than most head coaches, he had some bad luck his last go around... and if he waits here, he could end up as the highest paid head coach ever, or at least in the top three

bedlamVR · 09-08-2004, 02:37 AM

I agree Williams has had his fingers burnt with the Bills at HC. I cannot see him clamering for a chance to be in that position of pressure again real soon . Lewis was different because he was young and hungry for the opportunity to move into the top job and so far he has done a good job in Cincy so he has yet to taste the bitter tang of local press and fans chanting for his head.

09-07-2004, 02:43 PM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,518	WP email: Redskins Coaching Staff Is The Most Experienced In The NFL The Redskins enter the season with perhaps the most experienced staff in the NFL, including Gregg Williams, the assistant head coach for defense. Williams, who coached the Buffalo Bills the past three seasons, was one of Coach Joe Gibbs's first hires. Gibbs consulted Williams about hiring top defensive coaches, including position coaches who had been defensive coordinators. "We wanted to put together the best staff we could at the time," Williams said. "He wanted to make sure, because he was going to spend most of his time on the offensive side of the ball, that we had a senior-laden defensive staff too. "And part of looking at who was going to be the position coaches, I was looking at coordinators, guys who were available who had been good position coaches. Usually, that's what happens. Usually, you move up in this profession because you could do your job really well at the starting point and then you're moved up." Greg Blache had been the Chicago Bears's defensive coordinator before being signed as Washington's de facto defensive line coach. (His official title is defensive coordinator.) Dale Lindsey had been the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers before joining Washington as linebackers coach. They joined a few accomplished offensive assistants who were with Gibbs during his first NFL tenure. "Greg [Blache] has been a great d-line coach for so many years. And then his coordinator background really helps," Williams said. "It helps me a ton. I lean on him a lot as I do Dale because of his coordinator background. "But you know what? I'll make a statement right now. If we're successful here, [secondary coach] DeWayne Walker and [safeties coach] Steve Jackson will both be coordinators in this league. Both of them. They're both more than capable of intellectually running the system. "They're good speakers in the room. They're good position coaches. They have a good presence about 'em. "All that goes into making the staff. But the fact that Lindsey and Blache have stood in my shoes means a lot to me in the room. It's helped our meeting structure so much because they've done it so many different ways. I don't have to sell the coaching staff on why we're doing what we're doing because they've done it before, or they've done a version of it before." – Nunyo Demasio

09-07-2004, 05:41 PM	#5
Skins fan 44 Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brazil, IN Age: 54 Posts: 883	With this staff hopefully we can keep them together also. It sure would help in building the dynasty. We have had far too many coaches come and go these past few years. __________________ HTTR!

09-07-2004, 09:02 PM	#9
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 55 Posts: 4,717	I bet Williams will hang around to get a ring. He just came off a head-coaching gig, so I doubt he'll be lured away. Plus, in five years he may get a shot in DC... __________________ Hail from Houston!

09-07-2004, 02:45 PM	#2
Redskins_P Fight for old DC! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Aldie, VA Age: 46 Posts: 4,101	What a dramatic change compared to last years staff.....

09-07-2004, 03:59 PM	#3
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 10,164	Actual professionals!! Who ever heard of such a thing around here?

09-07-2004, 04:05 PM	#4
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,518	Comparing this year's staff to last is like comparing someone with a Phd. to a 5 year old. No comparison.

09-07-2004, 05:46 PM	#6
NM Redskin The Starter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,014	I guess it really comes down to if you believe a good systems makes a good team or good players make a good system. The logical conclusion is that it takes both, and I think having Williams to test Gibbs in pratice was probably very vaulable on catching Gibbs up, Williams is the blitz master! This team and the team from last year are going to be hard to compare as far a purely Gibbs system vs SS system. I know this though, Gibbs is smart enough to get a stud RB and make sure to have quality dept at QB.

09-07-2004, 05:50 PM	#7
Beemnseven Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 50 Posts: 5,311	The question is, will Gregg Williams jump ship as soon as the first attractive head coaching job opens up -- or will Dan Snyder open up his wallet and double Williams' salary to keep him here? I'm hoping for the latter.

09-07-2004, 08:08 PM	#8
monk81 The Starter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TEXAS Posts: 2,029	Gibbs always surrounds himself with a GREAT group of assistants....in the old days Jack Kent Cooke paid the Redskins ASSISTANTS as much or more than some of the head coaches were making on other NFL teams. Attention to detail, no mistakes, attention to basics......no Spurrier group here

09-07-2004, 11:51 PM	#10
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,553	williams is already getting paid more than most head coaches, he had some bad luck his last go around... and if he waits here, he could end up as the highest paid head coach ever, or at least in the top three

09-08-2004, 02:37 AM	#11
bedlamVR Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 389	I agree Williams has had his fingers burnt with the Bills at HC. I cannot see him clamering for a chance to be in that position of pressure again real soon . Lewis was different because he was young and hungry for the opportunity to move into the top job and so far he has done a good job in Cincy so he has yet to taste the bitter tang of local press and fans chanting for his head.

WP email: Redskins Coaching Staff Is The Most Experienced In The NFL

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