If BB went down, who would step in?

[DarrylS]

Gotta be Dante, do not see McDaniels taking over the reigns as the O is still showing growing pains.. perhaps in another season he might be a consideration, however this year the O needs as much attention as it can get.

Not sure you would ever see Ernie Adams behind the microphone, that does not compute.. not many folks actually know who he is.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Teams that change Coaches in mid season seldom have turned out well. Appointed as an interim HC, it becomes politically impossible to demote him again and the team is almost forced to have him continue as a Head Coach, if neccessary. If the interim Coach is NOT who would likely have been selected in a truly open hiring contest, than it is best to NOT TIE YOUR HANDs,

All the more reason to promote Dante as a necessary and logical temporary progression. He doesn't want to be a HC, He alone would feel comfortable returning to his previous coaching position. Furthermore few other assistant coaches would get their noses out of joint with being "passed over".

Unlike several previous Head Coaches Bill Belichick brought more than a Coach. He brought a football PROGRAM. A coordinated plan of drafting, acquiring FAs, making trades, and a scheme that endured more than for just half the team, Offense or Defense.

For a long term HC in an open hiring process, you might end up with an accomplished Head Coach from the pros. Some college Coaches run a football Program too, as well as just coaching. The ideal Head Coach/GM would be an accomplished Head Coach who has run a football Program, and has some NFL experience too,

It adds up to Assistant HC Dante Scarnecchia becoming the interim HC.

 

[Fencer]

Based on title and precedent, it's indeed Scar.

Even if BB's career were clearly over, Scar would probably be the right choice. McDaniels would then go into the offseason hiring process as the preferred candidate for a variety of reasons -- continuity!! -- but it's not obvious that a surprise part-season trial would be that relevant to the hiring process.