Originally Posted by
Connie Jo
Coming off a season like we did in 2011, fan & team morale was low. The fan base & team were in overwhelming favor of Crennel being named HC. It is a fact that Clark Hunt plays an important role in all the critical decision making. There is a reason Jeff Fisher & other potential candidates to replace Haley, flew to Dallas during the off season to meet with Clark at his home there. Pioli also flew to Dallas for the coaching interviews held at Hunt's home. The reality is however, there weren't *that* many proven HC candidates available last season end. Fisher's choice of choosing St. Louis was a wiser one for him personally, than KC, considering their advantageous position in the 2012 draft, having young Bradford as QB, they're sitting pretty for a new HC's chances to succeed.
Clark is a wise & successful businessman who must look at the bigger picture, consider all pro's & con's. Promoting Crennel to HC had more pro's than con's at the time. His record at Cleveland is at best, a minimal con, since no one succeeds in Cleveland, including Belichick. Hunt knew it would be a morale boost to the fan base & team to promote Crennel to HC, & Pioli knew the same. An emotionally healthy fan base & team & winning go hand & hand.
They also knew the team was familiar with Crennel, another pro to hiring Crennel. Crennel is a successful DC, of that there is little question or doubt, that is another pro. DC's often become successful HC's.
I agree in that, the mistake in my humble opinion I believe is, Crennel attempting to do two coaching jobs, each of which respectably is a full time job & then some. Our defense looked good with Romeo as DC. I'm hopeful that mistake will be corrected by Crennel, Pioli, & Hunt in the off season, as it's not feasible to correct it now. :)