From: Michael.P.Colburn@dartmouth.edu (Michael P. Colburn)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Analysis of Possible Handley Replacements (long)
Date: 22 Dec 92 23:28:48 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
X-Posted-From: InterNews1.0a5@newshost.dartmouth.edu

O.K., so far in reading comments regarding possible Handley
replacements, I've heard the following names mentioned as possible
replacements for our boy Ray:  Bill Parcells, Tom Coughlin (head coach,
Boston College), Dave Wannstedt (Def. Coordinator, Dallas), John
Robinson (ex-Ram head coach), Tony Dungy (Def. Coordinator, Minnesota),
Buddy Ryan, Tom Landry & Ron Meyer.

Here's a few more possible candidates I've read about:  Dan Reeves,
Dennis Erickson (head coach, U of Miami), Howard Schnellenberger (head
coach, U of Louisville), Steve Spurrier (head coach, U of Florida) 

Now, let's take a closer look at the guys who've already been
mentioned...

Bill Parcells:  IMHO, love to have him back, but unless George Young
steps down as GM, it's really doubtful. I gotta think that with Young's
past differences with Parcells in player selection, etc, coupled with
Bill's sudden departure, I would think the Giants front office is going
to be rather reluctant to hire Bill back.  I know there are rumors
saying Young is stepping down, but that's all they are...rumors.  Giant
management is not tipping off their hand here. One very positive
thing...Giant fans love this guy like he's the Messiah and if rehired,
it would be like the second coming.

Tom Coughlin:  has done amazing things in only two years as head coach
of Boston College.  Even though he a past Giants wide receiver coach,
it questionable whether he can handle the responsibilities and
pressures of an NFL head coach position. (example: Mr. Handley)

Dave Wannstedt: doing a great job in Dallas, but, again, do the Giants
want to take another chance on a first-time head coach like Ray?

John Robinson:  John would probably be one of the few guys who could
handle New York's often hostile press corps.  He's had some very good
years in LA, but his final two seasons were dismal:  5-11, 3-13.  Big
question...does John still have what it takes to be a head coach in the
NFL?

Tom Dungy:  has built a stingy, turnover-forcing defense in
Minnesota...with this kinda stuff in his resume, he'd fit right in with
the Giants philosophy.  But, like Wannstedt and Coughlin, will the
Giants gamble on a first time head coach?

Buddy Ryan:  *chuckle*...I don't think so.  Buddy and the New York
media = nuclear meltdown.  This would be a relationship made in hell.

Tom Landry:  nice idea, but from what I've seen, Tom has no inclination
to coach in the NFL.

Ron Meyer:  Nah, I don't think so, Adrienne.;-)  He'll probably remain
"out of work".

The other guys I've also read stuff about:

Dan Reeves:  A proven head coach who's taken the Broncos successfully
to three AFC championships.  Reeves' contract does run out at the end
of the season, but Dan's armor has been tarnished with the Broncos
floundering of late and his long running feud with with Elway has hurt
his image as well.  IMHO, Dan probably won't go to a team that appears
to need a lot of work such as the Giants, plus I've read he'll want
some player selection control, no matter where he goes, something that,
IMHO, the Giants front office will not concede.

Dennis Erickson: Jimmy Johnson, a tough act to follow?  Erickson has
built his own winning tradition at Miami and has proven he can win the
pressure games.  IMHO, probably a better choice than Coughlin, but
again, will the Giants gamble on a college coach?

Howard Schnellenberger:  Well, here's the bubba factor...George Young
and Schnellenberger go way back to the Baltimore Colt days when George
was the offensive coordinator and Howard was the head coach. 
Schnellenberger has proven to be a builder and/or a rebuilder of
college teams...can he do the same for the Giants?  His brief stint in
Baltimore was a disaster and some of us impatient Giant fans might
mistake him for another Bill Arnsparger...for us more patient
fans...hmmmm...look at Bill now!

Steve Spurrier:  I'm not sure why Steve's name has been mentioned,
other than the fact he was responsible for recruiting Dave Brown from
Duke.  He's a great college coach, but since he's a local hero in
Florida, he's not likely to leave.

Well, that's my little analysis of possible candidates...any comments
or other insights?  

Mike Colburn                         =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Dartmouth-Hitchcock                  "Pulu-see-ba-goomba" -- Gilligan 
Medical Center                       =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Lebanon, New Hampshire  03756        :-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-)
Land of the Giants
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro