HEADLINES

Dowell Loggains

Dolphins Hire Adam Gase As Head Coach

January 9th, 2016 at 11:08am CST by Ben Levine

11:08am: The Dolphins have announced the hiring on Twitter.

10:45am: The Dolphins are set to hire Adam Gase as their next head coach, reports Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Beasley says it’s a “done deal,” with the official announcement expected to come at a 3:00pm press conference. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that it will be a five-year deal.

Adam GaseThe Dolphins had previously interviewed Teryl Austin, Mike Shanahan, Mike Smith and Anthony Lynn, but it was clear from the beginning that Gase was the favorite for the position. The 37-year-old spent 2015 as the Bears offensive coordinator, helping lead Jay Cutler to one of the most efficient seasons of the quarterback’s career. Gase had spent the previous six years in Denver, where he eventually served as the team’s offensive coordinator. He has also been on the coaching staff of the 49ers, Lions, and LSU.

Gase is now the youngest head coach in the league, but that didn’t discourage suitors from pursuing the coach. He had also interviewed with the Eagles, Browns and Giants. Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets that New York had strong interest in Gase, which may have pushed along the deal in Miami. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald notes that Gase was a “unanimous decision” among the Dolphins staff.

Rapoport believes that Bengals defensive back’s coach Vance Joseph is expected to be the team’s new defensive coordinator, and Salguero adds that Gase’s father-in-law is Joe Vitt, an assistant on the Saints. Salguero is uncertain if former coach Dan Campbell will remain on the staff.

The Bears had anticipated Gase’s departure, according to Rapoport, and the team will now have to seek a new offensive coordinator. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that Bears quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains is the “leading candidate” for the gig.

Coaching Staff Notes: Browns, Lions, Jaguars

January 1st, 2016 at 11:29am CST by Rob DiRe

Mike Pettine isn’t giving up his position as Browns head coach without a fight, as he has already offered up the suggestion that he would make significant changes to his coaching staff if the ownership decided to retain him, writes Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal.

It is unusual for a head coach to be so willing to give up his staff in exchange for his job, which points towards the likelihood of him getting fired. However, owner Jimmy Haslam vowed not to blow up the franchise back in August, and might consider keeping Pettine for continuity’s sake.

Here are some more notes involving current coordinators and coaching staffs in the NFL:

  • Despite offensive struggles this season, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has not lost any confidence in Scott Linehan’s ability to coordinate the offense, writes David Moore of DallasNews.com.
  • Jim Caldwell may be on the hot seat in Detroit, but his coaching staff is even more uncertain. Many Lions’ coaches could be in the running for better jobs elsewhere, while others could decide to jump ship if any opportunity should arise, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
  • Of all the Lions’ staff, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is least likely to return, as he will be a top head coaching candidate around the league this hiring cycle, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.
  • The Jaguars offensive took a big step forward this year, but defensive coordinator Bob Babich might not have done enough to keep his job into 2016, writes Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com.
  • The Bears are expecting offensive coordinator Adam Gase to be offered a head coaching job this year, after interviewing with five teams a year ago, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains will be in consideration, as could Ken Whisenhunt and Pat Shurmur.
  • Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan looked like a head coaching candidate during the team’s 5-0 start, but the disappointing finish put that status into question. Still, Shanahan is excited to be back with the team in 2016 to build on what the offense started, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.
  • Despite completely turning the Seahawks offense around midseason, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell isn’t receiving much head coaching buzz this season, writes Sheil Kapadia of ESPN. He has been in the discussion the past two offseasons but has not been able to come away with a job. His 2015 performance might be the best offense he put on display, but he doesn’t seem to be as hot as other candidates.
  • Some changes will be made on the 49ers coaching staff, but defensive coordinator Eric Mangini believes they won’t wait long to find out, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. For one, linebackers coach Clancy Pengergast is expected to leave to join USC’s coaching staff.

North Notes: Manziel, Ansah, Bears

November 27th, 2015 at 6:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo isn’t sure if recently demoted quarterback Johnny Manziel will be active for the team’s game against Baltimore on Monday. However, DeFilippo won’t rule out Manziel playing again this season and is encouraged by the second-year man’s on-field progress, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

“I like what I’ve seen,” said DeFilippo. “I really do. Even the jump he made from the Cincinnati game to the Pittsburgh game was a huge jump. I think we’d all agree on that. I think Johnny has played enough football where we know what we have in him.”

DeFilippo went on to state that he believes Manziel can still be a franchise quarterback, which looks unlikely for a player whose career has been defined by off-field problems and on-field inconsistency. To his credit, Manziel did have the best game of his short NFL tenure – a 33-of-45, 372-yard showing in a Nov. 15 loss to the Steelers – before the Browns benched him for poor conduct away from the field.

Now the latest from the NFC North:

  • Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah helped make Thanksgiving 2015 a miserable one for the Eagles in a 45-14 shellacking on Thursday. The third-year man tortured Philadelphia for 3.5 sacks, giving him an NFC-best 11.5 for the season. Ansah said afterward that he drew motivation from the fact that the Eagles passed on him in the 2013 draft, per The Associated Press. Ansah wanted to be an Eagle, but they chose offensive tackle Lane Johnson fourth overall instead. Ansah, who went to Detroit one pick later, faced off against Johnson on Thursday and got the better of the matchup. “It felt very good beating him and getting to the quarterback,” Ansah said.
  • Given the Bears’ recent resurgence, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com wonders whether defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will join offensive coordinator Adam Gase as a potential head coaching candidate in the offseason (Twitter link). After a rough start to the season that featured four losses in six games, the Bears are 3-2 since their bye week. Fangio’s defense has played a key role, giving up fewer than 15 points per game during that stretch. That includes stymieing rival Green Bay in a 17-13 road win Thursday.
  • If Gase departs in the offseason to become a head coach, he likely won’t be able to take quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains with him, according to Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). Loggains is under contract next year and would likely be the Bears’ choice to take over for Gase.

AFC Links: Mettenberger, Manziel, Cyprien, Broncos

August 15th, 2015 at 12:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

After an impressive showing Friday night behind already-anointed starter Marcus Mariota, Zach Mettenberger should be a Bills or Jets trade target, offers Louis Riddick of ESPN.com.

But the value the Titans would extract in such an exchange wouldn’t equal what they’ll receive with the second-year quarterback serving as key depth behind the No. 2 overall pick, writes Riddick’s ESPN cohort, Paul Kuharsky.

The ESPN Titans reporter notes Mettenberger’s value will go up in time and trading him for what could amount to merely a conditional draft pick now won’t outweigh having a potentially talented backup in case Mariota struggles or experiences health concerns.

Let’s look at some more news from around the AFC.

  • Joining Julius Thomas as an injury-induced preseason spectator will be Jaguars starting safety Jonathan Cyprien, who will miss August with a broken finger in his right hand sustained Friday night, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). The 2013 second-rounder’s Week 1 status is uncertain, but Cyprien did play through the injury Friday night and won’t require surgery. Jags coach Gus Bradley is optimistic both will be available, however, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • Mike Pettine admitted in an interview with Sports Illustrated he fired quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains due to Johnny Manziel not being held accountable for a disastrous rookie season, notes Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “What we did not do a good enough job here [last year], not nearly a good enough job, is holding [Manziel] accountable, even when he wasn’t the guy,” Pettine told Sports Illustrated. “That’s the main reason why I made the switch at the QB coach position.” The Browns now have 30-year-old Kevin O’Connell in charge of Manziel’s development.
  • The Browns’ coach has been publicly challenging players all week, noting his disagreement with Justin Gilbert‘s “flawless” assessment of his play Thursday night, per Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald.
  • The Broncos‘ hopes at attaining a third Super Bowl title hinge on their defense making good on expectations, unlike last year, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post. They bring back most of the starting unit, with Terrance Knighton‘s nose tackle spot being the most noticeable void.
  • Dan Herron shouldn’t expect to serve in any type of committee with Frank Gore this season, and the fourth-year runner may not have a claim to the third-down back role he occupied at the end of last season, writes Kevin Bowen of Colts.com. Herron did catch 21 passes last season despite starting just three games, while Gore snagged 11 throughout the season.

Bears Add Three To Coaching Staff

January 24th, 2015 at 4:45pm CST by Rob DiRe

SATURDAY, 5:58pm: In addition to Loggains and Pires, the Bears have now hired Bo Hardegree to their coaching staff, reports Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). Hardegree will join Gase and Loggains as an offensive assistant. He formerly coached with Fox on the Broncos staff in 2014 as a quality control coach.

FRIDAY, 9:09pm: John Fox promised he was giving his full energy to filling out his staff, and he seems to be coming through on his word.

The Bears have hired Dowell Loggains as their new quarterbacks coach and Glenn Pires as their new linebackers coach, reports Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter).

Loggains was the quarterbacks coach with the Browns, and formerly served as the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator for the Titans under Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator under Mike Munchak.

Pires was the linebackers coach with the Falcons for seven years before coming to the Bears.

Loggains and Pires join Adam Gase and Vic Fangio, who were hired as the offensive and defensive coordinators for the team earlier this week.

Browns Parting Ways With Kyle Shanahan

January 10th, 2015 at 11:10am CST by Luke Adams

SATURDAY, 11:10am: The Browns have officially announced the resignation of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The organization also confirmed that they would not be retaining quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains.

Coach Mike Pettine released a statement:

“After conversations with Kyle this week we’ve determined that it would be in the best interest of the Cleveland Browns that he pursue other opportunities and we have accepted his resignation. In Dowell’s case, it was a difficult decision but one that we felt we had to make. We wish them both well. Our focus quickly turns to finding an outstanding coach to lead our offense and I am confident we will bring in highly qualified individuals to help us develop, improve, and achieve the success we are all seeking. I look forward to working with the staff as we go through this process to bring in coaches committed to helping the Cleveland Browns lay a strong foundation to take our offense to a consistently high level in the 2015 season and beyond.”

Shanahan also released a statement:

“I appreciate the opportunity Mike Pettine, Ray Farmer and Jimmy Haslam gave me to lead the Browns offense in 2014. The Browns organization is committed to improvement and winning. I regret how the inner workings of the organization were represented publicly over the last few days. Ray and Mike both have the work ethic, experience and talent to work together to turn this organization into a winner. In light of the circumstances, I have decided to resign. I’m grateful for my time with the Browns and wish them great success going forward.”

THURSDAY, 9:57am: Marvez clarifies (via Twitter) that Shanahan asked for his release from the Browns, while Loggains was fired.

9:41am: The Browns are parting ways with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan after just one season in Cleveland, a source tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter links). According to Marvez, an announcement of the move is “imminent,” and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains will be let go as well. Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (via Twitter), after it became clear that Shanahan wanted out of Cleveland, he sat down with owner Jimmy Haslam and they agreed to part ways.

During his single season with the Browns, Shanahan oversaw an offense whose effectiveness declined over the course of the season, ultimately finishing 24th in DVOA, per Football Outsiders. Quarterback Brian Hoyer led the team to a 6-3 record to start the year, throwing 10 touchdowns to just four interceptions, but struggled in the second half, throwing two TDs and nine INTs in his final five appearances. First-round rookie Johnny Manziel was even worse in his lone start.

Now that he has moved on from the Browns, Shanahan is a good bet to land an offensive coordinator job elsewhere, and is even viewed as a head coaching candidate for a couple teams. Shanahan is reportedly set to interview today for the Bills’ head coaching job, and has been cited as a potential target for the 49ers, though it doesn’t appear the two sides have scheduled a meeting yet.

A few teams with head coaching openings have been eyeing Shanahan and his father Mike Shanahan as a potential package deal, with the elder Shanahan as a head coaching target and the younger Shanahan as the potential OC. However, multiple reports have indicated Kyle may prefer to chart his own course. As we heard last night, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn figures to have interest in Kyle Shanahan as his offensive coordinator if he lands a head coaching job with the Jets or elsewhere.

As for the Browns, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports points out (via Twitter) that the team interviewed Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for its head coaching job a year ago, as well as talking to Raiders quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo about its offensive coordinator job. Those could be names to watch as the club looks to hire a new OC.

Browns Notes: Shanahan, Manziel, Carter

January 8th, 2015 at 3:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The big news out of Cleveland today is the departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who reportedly asked to be released from his contract. With quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains also leaving the Browns, the team will revamp its coaching staff yet again heading into the 2015 season. Here are the latest updates on Shanahan, the newly-opened OC job, and other Browns-related topics:

  • According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links), it’s not a surprise that Shanahan and the Browns decided to part ways, since he has heard there’s been “major friction” between the two sides. Per La Canfora, last Friday, after Shanahan approached the club about his issues and concerns, the team granted him permission to leave, even if it was a lateral move to another offensive coordinator position.
  • A source tells Pat McManamon of ESPN.com that the split between Shanahan (and Loggains) and the team was caused by the fact that the offensive coaches didn’t see eye to eye with the front office on Johnny Manziel. According to McManamon, the front office wants Manziel to be the starter, and Shanahan and Loggains weren’t convinced the club could win with him. Said one source: “They are both smart to get out now.”
  • Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com counters that report, tweeting that Shanahan “really liked” Manziel, and didn’t depart because of the rookie signal-caller.
  • Cabot adds (via Twitter) that as of a couple days ago, the Browns hadn’t contacted Charlie Weis about their offensive coordinator job, but she acknowledged that could change soon. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that Cleveland had “reached out to guys like” Weis.
  • Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) adds the Browns to the list of teams planning to work out CFL wideout Duron Carter, the son of longtime Vikings star Cris Carter.

Browns Hire Kyle Shanahan As OC

February 3rd, 2014 at 6:32pm CST by Zachary Links

MONDAY, 6:32: The Browns have officially announced the deal with Shanahan, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).

5:25pm: The Browns have finalized a three-year deal with Kyle Shanahan today, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter). Shanahan will sign tomorrow.

1:37pm: Shanahan is in Cleveland to finalize the details of his agreement with the Browns and sign his contract, a source tells Cabot. Talks are expected to go smoothly and Shanahan’s deal could be completed this afternoon.

SATURDAY, 12:39pm: Shanahan is out of the country on vacation, but the deal will be finalized when he returns, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports (via Twitter).

11:45am: The Browns have decided on Shanahan, according to Fox Sports (via Alex Marvez’s Twitter).

9:31am: Shanahan remains a possibility, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot (via Twitter).

THURSDAY, 5:53pm: A league source told Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal it’s “very likely” that Loggains will become the Browns’ quarterbacks coach, meaning that the OC search is likely to continue.

5:35pm: The Browns have hired former Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains to join their coaching staff, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). It’s quite possible that Loggains will be Cleveland’s new offensive coordinator but he could also end up serving as quarterbacks coach.

Meanwhile, Rapoport (link) would be surprised if the Browns hired Kyle Shanahan to be their next OC based on what he’s hearing. Earlier today, it was reported that the Browns had their eye on Shanahan, who missed out on the Ravens and Dolphins openings, for the gig. League sources have indicated that reported friction between Shanahan and Redskins star quarterback Robert Griffin III last season may have hurt his stock.

Loggains spent six season with the Titans and worked his way up the ladder during his time there. He served as quarterbacks/passing game coach for two-and-a-half seasons before being promoted to OC on November 26, 2012.

AFC Coaching Notes: Browns, Jets

January 26th, 2014 at 4:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

4:25pm: Cameron will reportedly stay at LSU, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

2:34pm: The Browns are considering LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and former Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains for the same position in Cleveland, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cameron has a decade of coordinating experience in the NFL, with both the Chargers and the Ravens. His last two NFL stops have ended unceremoniously — he led the Dolphins to a 1-15 record in his lone season at the helm, and was fired mid-season in 2012 by the Ravens, who then went on to win the Super Bowl.

Loggains was the Titans play-caller for the past two seasons, during both of which Tennessee finished in the bottom third of the league in yards per game. However, the offense did improve from 29th to 16th in DVOA from 2012 to 2013. Cabot also tweets that Loggains could be the Browns quarterbacks coach, as previously reported by NFL Network’s Albert Breer.

  • LSU special teams coach Thomas McGaughey is the favorite to become the Jets special teams coach, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.  McGaughey has been with LSU for three seasons, after previously serving as an assistant special teams coordinator with the Giants. He would fill the void left by Ben Kotwica, who left to become the special teams coach of the Redskins.

Coaching Notes: Ravens, Cowboys, Browns

January 26th, 2014 at 1:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Ravens are likely to decide on a new offensive coordinator by Monday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The choice is expected to be either former Redskins offensive Kyle Shanahan or current Ravens receivers coach Jim Hostler. Shanahan, the son of former NFL head coach Mike Shanahan, also has play-calling experience with the Texans, while Hostler spent the 2007 season as offensive coordinator with the 49ers. Either candidate would be replacing Jim Caldwell, who left to become the head coach of the Lions.

  • Scott Linehan may be offered the title of Cowboys’ passing game coordinator, according to Ed Werder and Chris Mortensen of ESPN. In such an arrangement, Linehan would be installed as the primary play-caller, a responsibility that currently belongs to offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Linehan, the former head coach of the Rams, was most recently the offensive coordinator of the Lions.
  • If Linehan takes the Cowboys job, the Browns may look at Callahan as an offensive coordinator candidate under new head coach Mike Pettine, notes Albert Breer of NFL Network (via Twitter).
  • Breer also tweets that former Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is a possible choice as quarterbacks coach in Cleveland.