Gibbs retires

Ouch. As a Skins fan this one hurts a bit. As Dan Snyder said in the press coference, "you can't replace Joe Gibbs." He is right, but it must be done. So who are the candidates or what is the strategy? Here are the options 3 as I see them...

Hire from within: That would include Joe Bugel Al Saunders or Gregg Williams. Williams has been sought after by several teams during Gibbs tenure and would seem to be the logical choice. Bugel may retire as well although any real Skins fan would pray that he stays! Saunders is a viable option as well but would Williams stay under Saunders? I believe Saunders will stay under Williams but not sure if the reverse is true.

Hire from the outside: Someone with no connections or credo with the Skins. Bill Cowher would be the top of anyone's list. Cam Cameron, Dennis Green, Jim Mora Jr., and anyone on the Patriots staff would be top choices! Cowher seems to be the logical choice from this group as he would be the hardest to get and thus the most money would be thrown his way from Snyder.

Hire someone with a Redskin connection: Marty Schottenheimer or Russ Grimm would be the logical choices in this group of past Skins with coachin experience. Grimm is the most likely in this bunch as Marty burned some bridges in Washington even though I think he was given a raw deal as do many Skins fans!

So that boils it down to Williams, Cowher and Grimm. I think all three would be excellent choices for the Skins. I would be happy and excited if any of them is hired as coach. So what should be looked at as the highest criteria? I believe it is credentials as a head coach. With this group of players I believe it will be important top establish that character matters and that the core needs to stay together. Williams may be the best overall candidate in that case as he was here these past few years and during the strife of the Taylor death. Gregg Williams gets my vote.