As an outsider-looking-in (Steelers fan), how can Gregg Williams not be considered as the front runner to retain the HC job? The team's response to him as El Hefe seemed instantaneous. I realize the NFL wants to change to this flag football, trickshot offense driving everything but the AFCN still a black & blue division in my eyes. Williams' approach seems a perfect fit for the division and Baker's demeanor.
They seemed to really have a good thing going second half of the season. Why mess with it?
I've thought the same way, and my first reaction was to "keep Williams and Kitchens no matter what - don't mess with what works!"
After stepping away from the ledge, it hit me that the reason Gregg's HC tenure worked so well was because this team needed discipline - it craved it. You could see it the first couple of weeks, there was a disconnect between the way the Defense played (with passion) and the Offense played (more lackadaisical). Gregg instills a need for discipline and accountability. When he installed that as a whole, he got players attention and a new found work ethic. That's something I want/expect a HC to do with a team.
With that said, he had nothing to do with how the offense functioned, what plays they ran, or how to sustain that side of the field. That was all Kitchens and the Offensive staff. Reports have come out after the season that Freddie and Gregg didn't really talk. Gregg openly said Freddie wasn't his choice as OC, but they made an arranged marriage work. Those comments, along with the other info out there, swayed me from Gregg being the guy to I'd be okay if CLE went in a different direction.
Freddie has been great as an OC - an up and coming offensive mind that can scheme and game plan. Give him another couple years as an OC and he has HC material written all over him. Gregg installed his defensive package that focuses on turnovers. That has been a good match for his skill players on defense, but this mentality also gives up a lot of points. His teams don't tackle well, and seem out of coverage at times. The more I focused on the differences between the two sides, I knew I wanted Freddie to stay and Gregg to go.
If the next HC wants Gregg to stay on, sure. That's fine. But If the next HC wants Bowles, Joseph, Wilks, or someone of equal value, I'm good with that too.
Gregg is a good DC and gets the respect from the players to play for him. But the play on the field can be sloppy with poor techniques. If that's how he runs a defense, I don't think he'd last long as a HC. There will be quick turnarounds and improvements, but over time I think it would revert or fall on deaf ears.
This is CLE's chance to set things up correctly for long-term success. For that, I think they must go away from Gregg. He did a good job showing this team their potential. But I don't think he's the guy to maintain it, or take them to the next level.