My father had a strong wardrobe and was a snazzy dresser.
One day, I tried on some of his sportscoats. They looked great on my dad. On me, they didn't look as good. They weren't the right fit.
The Ravens are seeking the right fit for their next head coach. Tailor-made suits come in different sizes and styles, and so do head coaches.
Who's most tailor-made to become the Ravens' next head coach? That's what they're trying to determine.
It was interesting to hear Owner Steve Bisciotti say he wasn't eager to disqualify candidates who didn't succeed with their previous shot. Quite the opposite; he told his hiring committee that he was "very intrigued."
"It'd be very easy for me to try and avoid those ex-head coaches because they have losing records, but I'm telling you, we are keen to their circumstances, and we won't let their first shot at a job influence us negatively for this one," Bisciotti said.
The Ravens are keeping their options open, which is the smart approach. Here are my thoughts on the coaching search and more, all in 50 words or less:
- Four coordinators in this weekend's playoff games are reportedly on the Ravens' radar – defensive coordinators Vance Joseph (Broncos), Robert Saleh (49ers), and Mike Shula (Rams), and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (Seahawks). Watching the games, it's only natural to wonder if one of them will be Baltimore's next head coach.
- If you're an offensive person, the idea of Mike McDaniel coaching Lamar Jackson probably sounds very intriguing. If you lean toward defense, maybe you want Saleh, who also has head coach experience (Jets). You can't say the Ravens don't have different options to choose from.
- It's undeniable that head coaches Mike Vrabel (Patriots) and Ben Johnson (Bears) have made a huge impact in just one year. A new coach brings new perspective, new energy. The Patriots and Bears went from missing the playoffs to contenders. That's the same jump the Ravens are looking for.
- Rams pass-game coordinator Nathan Scheelhasse is the second-youngest candidate reportedly on the Ravens' radar at age 35. He's only been in the NFL two seasons, but he will reportedly interview with at least four teams. It's impressive how quickly Scheelhasse has built a strong reputation in league circles.
- Will the Ravens or anyone else hire someone who has never been a head coach or coordinator? Hiring Scheelhasse or Broncos Pass Game Coordinator Davis Webb would be an outside-the-box move, but sometimes bold moves are best. I think it's interesting that Baltimore is giving them a close look.
- Another Ravens candidate, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, has drawn interest from seven teams that want him to interview. Shula and Scheelhaase have been preparing for the Rams' playoff game this weekend. Talk about multitasking. The NFL interview process puts extra strain on candidates whose teams are still playing.
- It's likely that Baltimore's coaching search will last until at least late next week. This weekend's playoff games could affect the timetable. Coaches with teams that advance to the conference championship won't be allowed to do in-person interviews next week.
- What do Bruce Arians, Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Pete Carroll, John Harbaugh, Gary Kubiak, Mike McCarthy, Sean McVay, Sean Payton, Doug Pederson, Andy Reid, Nick Sirianni, and Mike Tomlin have in common? All won a Super Bowl after the Ravens hired Harbaugh in 2008.
- That's 13 different coaches in 18 years. The next coach won't be perfect, and no situation is perfect. However, a new coach brings new energy, and the right fit for the Ravens is out there. They just need to figure out which coach that is.
- Hiring the next coach is priority No. 1 for Baltimore right now, but the offseason clock keeps ticking. Some mock drafts are already out, and with the 14th pick, the Ravens will have plenty of options.
