I don't have the patience.
klinefan said:
You don't have the patience to do what? Think logically and answer a reasonable question? But you do have the patience to indulge in speculative nonsense and pat yourself on the back for being ahead of the curve? "Mark my words!". OK, I'll mark them. If they don't come true in 10 or 15 years will you admit you're wrong? Just early?
Those were my words you scoffed at marking...and no one said they were assuming he would be kicked out of here. So apparently the issue is reading comprehension, which would explain why someone else didn't want to waste time explaining things to you.
Nothing lasts forever. At some point he will have had enough of the No fun League. People who have been here awhile, unlike yourself, have often discussed the ultimate end game for Bill. Doesn't mean any want to see him gone or anticipate his leaving any time soon. The college game leaves a lot more time for enjoying the other important things in life that NFL HC's and even assistants sacrifice sometimes for decades in an effort to get here let alone succeed here. And at Annapolis you don't have the recruiting BS and media to deal with... His dad was a legend there even though he never served as HC. Stayed there because he wanted stability and security for his family more than personal professional fulfillment or success. Bill grew up idolizing young Navy players who essentially played for the love of the game (which is the way his dad coached and taught him to) and with uncharacteristic discipline. Some of whom went on to storied NFL careers. Bill loves being a teacher, which is what both his parents were. Teaching the game to bright young men is the highlight of his season every year irrespective of the end result in the standings.
I don't think he'd coach another NFL team, don't think proving he can do it again anywhere his idea of a challenge or a point worth proving... This is the crowning jewel of his NFL legacy. Tommy's too. Some can envision him doing a Montana only landing IN SF. I think he will simply walk away when he's ready, and that will be before everyone else is convinced he is. He's got more to do than mow the back 40 or start a winery.
Pioli could have stayed, but perhaps sensing Bill isn't moving on any time soon he did have some desire to make his mark apart from his mentor, just as Bill did with Tuna. Bill has nothing left to prove. He is the HC and GM here (total control), and Pioli worked for him, even as Bill willingly shared credit and preferred to characterize it as working with him.
If you don't think (unlike many in the fan base) Bill took considerable enjoyment from orchestrating an 11-5 season with an aging defense he's slowly transitioning and a QB who hadn't started since HS and may had earmarked for Walmart, after Tuna and Favre landed in his division, you don't get him. Sure he wants to win it all but his first and foremost goal here has been to maintain a competitive disciplined team that is no fluke and is truly not totally dependent on any one player or a galaxy of egotistical star players, or a specific personnel guy or particular coordinator.
Even as he appreciates that that one player in particular here is pretty unique in that he is adept at making everything around him better than it might otherwise be. And the personnel guy was top shelf and deserves to run his own show and the coordinators are well qualified to run their own programs and have earned the right to take their shot (except for Mangini who had too much ego to earn it). One of the things that he learned from the years he spent with Tuna was how not to view and treat your best and brightest employees. That may be Tuna's best legacy.
I think when he leaves here he will write for a bit and enjoy life. Then football will call, but not necessarily NFL football where he's proved himself thoroughly adept.
I think he can find that kind of rewarding football teaching/strategy experience at Annapolis, not so much so anywhere else in the college ranks beyond maybe teaching finance at Wesleyn while simultaneously coaching the lacross and football teams to their respective championships...
