I just don’t see Kubiak taking one of these historically bad teams HC jobs. Look what happened after the last SB’s Seattle was involved in. We lost both DC’s and only Dan Quinn has had a second shot.
If he took one of the jobs, he would have a hard time finding a DC who would want to coach, Las Vegas or Arizona as the DC both teams are missing a lot of parts
I love the fact the Super Bowl is in Santa Clara. The 49er fans are going to go insane.
I compare Kubiak's position to any team in the regular season- you can't win the SB if you don't make the playoffs and you can't be a successful head coach if you don't become a head coach. Even if his first stint as head coach isn't as successful as MM there is the probability of long term consideration as a coach as long as the next team can cite poor management, ownership, talent, etc. at the last gig. Just look at the number of retreads in the NFL, some of whom had rough first outings before winning a SB (PS, Belicheck, for examples.)
Thanks for the response! I can see Fernando succeeding or failing for the same reasons Sam Darnold did. I think he can be as successful or as much of a failure as the franchise that brings him in and could see Kubiak betting on himself and his HC program creating the environment that builds him into a starting caliber NFL QB.
That said, I think that Kubiak will be the first to recognize that going against a Mike Macdonald D in the preseason was AS instrumental to Sam Darnold's continued growth as much as Kubiak's own offensive genius. Sam had Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota, but has also said repeatedly that playing against a Brian Flores-led D leading up to the start of the season prepared him to QB confidently against any of the NFL Ds out there. I hope Kubiak stays one more year, but also thinks about the other intangibles present within the Hawks that keeps him one more year. Though if I'm being honest, $15M a year for 4/5 years would make me see the LV Raiders and Brady's Botox Frozen Face as a damn good dancing partner next season!
Kubiak is an awesome OC and it will be a shame to lose him. Having said that, what he will leave behind is what matters... a 'system' that is a force multiplier when paired with the talent JS has provided him. What he will leave behind is repeatable...same song, second verse, could be better than the first. If his replacement at OC has been paying attention and can tweak the system to accentuate a few player changes in the, so called, 'off season'...our offense will be awesome again in 2026. My advice to whoever is our next OC: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Your post made me think what if MM took part in the play calling for a year or two before handing it over to the OC as a way of keeping the poachers away for a few years.
With calling D and all a HC has to deal with on the sidelines, calling O as well would be like juggling tennis balls and chainsaws on a unicycle. Doable but a bit risky.
Without a Nacua-type receiver, what's holding hE-Man back from opening the game blitzing? Seems the best strategy is to do something different, then do it again. And again. Master their Universe. Get our blood up and drain them of theirs. Let Lock and his Load loose in the second half :)
Mendoza is insanely accurate for this stage of his career. He has that accuracy all over the field, and can throw short passes as well as long passes. I am not a QB scout or anything, but if all it takes is for KK to love Mendoza then we should get used to the idea that KK will likely be gone. However, there are other factors such as Brady and the owner. The setup sounds strange and the coach always takes the hit if the QB doesn't work out.
But I don't really care. I'm just bored waiting for us to win the SB.
Apparently, Ejiro (the DC of the Jags) is also having a second interview with the Raiders and they also seem to really like him. We shall see how it all shakes out but I would really like the Raiders to pick Ejiro as their HC. In any event, I hope John Benton stays regardless of what happens.
Ben Johnson didn't so much chose to wait a year, as interviewed badly (this was widely reported at the time) and kind of lost out on the couple of open jobs. Even last cycle it seemed like he again didn't interview great but the Bears were sold on his results and willing to give it a shot.
KK, conversely, is widely reported to interview well - and has a resume - and has nepotism - and some good self confidence. I also don't know who else the Raiders are otherwise waiting for. Joe Brady & Brian Daboll got 2nd interviews but are now hired. Davis Webb had 2nd interview but seems to have taken himself out of the running to go after an OC gig first (Denver or Giants), rather than jump straight to HC. Which leaves Klint running basically unopposed.
If i were Klint, i'd take that job in Vegas. He'd be crazy not to. The pay upgrade alone is life changing, even for an already well paid person. He's got enough other connections in the league that even if it flames out, he'll get more chances in the future with people willing to say "well, that's the Raiders for you". And he can play with Jeanty, Bowers & Meyer to start with, plus the #1, plus like $70mil in cap space.
I think the best bet for us fans in the coming week is just enjoy what we have, be excited about the Superbowl, and not think too hard about the future until 9th February when we're hungover and happy.
Agreed. People use nepotism if there is any family or friend relationship and as if there is never any merit in the person to having the position. Nepotism is only when the decision is solely or largely based on the familial relationship. Sometimes the family/friend relationships are a true advantage in skill and ability. Nepotism claims seem to be thrown out in plenty of situations when the person making that claim has no to little way of knowing the truth.
I’d make sure it was guaranteed money and at least a 4-6 year contract. The average HC for the Raiders lasts about 1.5 years. Highly unlikely a rookie QB is going to shine right from the start.
Small concern considering how our first SB was stolen from us by the NFL. This is the 250th birthday of the US. NFL been posting US 250 on the fields since week 18. Us against the Patriots….
Sad this NFL has no imagination working for the 250th Birthday Celebration of our Nation at Halftime. I've long ago tired of the X-rated idiocies we are forced to shield our kids from.
Me too. I stopped watching years ago. Clearly someone really messed up royally preparing this year. Should have been all star banner show with acts that unite not divide. Sucks. Really wonder who lacked imagination this year.
I woke up this morning wondering if there had ever been a shutout in the Super Bowl. The answer is no. Now I'm wondering if we could do it. Seems possible. Go Hawks!!!
And...I started doing a little looking into the draft prospects and while initially I was discouraged about the supposed top choices, if you keep digging there are some gems buried in there. I am confident our scouts and JS (Johnny Value) can unearth them.
I think KK is single...not married. Might be hard to convince a young single guy not to take millions of dollars and hunker down in Sin City for a while...plus future organizations will totally understand if the KK Mendoza pairing doesn't pan out right away, it's not like the raiders just need a qb and new HC and things will just fall into place instantly. The mere fact that an nfl franchise selected KK will give him street cred for other billionaires to look to in the future.
Klint Kubiak has been married to Tessa Kubiak, a former Colorado State University volleyball player, since 2010. The couple are parents to three children
SJ thanks for taking my post about the captains for the SB and using that in your intro (jk). Loved absolutely loved the bulleted points about the last 4 games. The forest and trees. When you sum it up it’s even more impressive. Amazing including 2 games against the #1 offense and all games against playoff teams. Love how you capture certain bits of info. As for Coach K first even if Seahawks offered more money, head coach on resume as more clout than just a coordinator title. Money isn’t the issue at this stage in Coach K life. He’s set no matter. You’re very correct it is about the right spot. Like Johnson who backed off until a better job came along. Agreed if Mendoza moves Coach Ks needle, then he goes. But I would think his ego isn’t so great that he just take any job. We don’t know. He’s a legacy, so adding his name to a title will be important but he’s young enough too. Personally hope he thinks riding with Hawks is better. All he has to do is look at his counter part at NE. Twice failed HC. So, is his agent having a stronger voice in his head or his he looking for best opportunity?
Even if Andy Reid retires, and it doesn’t seem like that is happening this coming season, you still have three divisional opponents in the AFC West that are going to continue to be tough to beat. KK probably looks at $50m as generational wealth. He SHOULD. But it’s also the case that you have people like Spags at KC who have done great for themselves NOT being a head coach, and stability and a comfortable life for you family can be upsides.
I agree. Some guys, like Bolton the OLine coach, have made great careers at the lower levels. I know I would’ve loved to become a coach like that. For me while I want to win and have my name in lights, just being a coach at that level would be awesome. Coaching little kids was fun. Making a career out of it would be great. I’m sure Coach K has that higher level inspiration. He’s good. Just would, as you note, taking over the worse team in the NFL be where you want to start against the balance of that division. Frankly the Falcons job would’ve been my preference if I was Coach K, based on current roster and quality of the division (ie much more winnable vs Reid and AFC Conference Championship playing Broncos).
I just don’t see Kubiak taking one of these historically bad teams HC jobs. Look what happened after the last SB’s Seattle was involved in. We lost both DC’s and only Dan Quinn has had a second shot.
If he took one of the jobs, he would have a hard time finding a DC who would want to coach, Las Vegas or Arizona as the DC both teams are missing a lot of parts
I love the fact the Super Bowl is in Santa Clara. The 49er fans are going to go insane.
I compare Kubiak's position to any team in the regular season- you can't win the SB if you don't make the playoffs and you can't be a successful head coach if you don't become a head coach. Even if his first stint as head coach isn't as successful as MM there is the probability of long term consideration as a coach as long as the next team can cite poor management, ownership, talent, etc. at the last gig. Just look at the number of retreads in the NFL, some of whom had rough first outings before winning a SB (PS, Belicheck, for examples.)
Thanks for the response! I can see Fernando succeeding or failing for the same reasons Sam Darnold did. I think he can be as successful or as much of a failure as the franchise that brings him in and could see Kubiak betting on himself and his HC program creating the environment that builds him into a starting caliber NFL QB.
That said, I think that Kubiak will be the first to recognize that going against a Mike Macdonald D in the preseason was AS instrumental to Sam Darnold's continued growth as much as Kubiak's own offensive genius. Sam had Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota, but has also said repeatedly that playing against a Brian Flores-led D leading up to the start of the season prepared him to QB confidently against any of the NFL Ds out there. I hope Kubiak stays one more year, but also thinks about the other intangibles present within the Hawks that keeps him one more year. Though if I'm being honest, $15M a year for 4/5 years would make me see the LV Raiders and Brady's Botox Frozen Face as a damn good dancing partner next season!
Keep up the good work Ken!
Kubiak is an awesome OC and it will be a shame to lose him. Having said that, what he will leave behind is what matters... a 'system' that is a force multiplier when paired with the talent JS has provided him. What he will leave behind is repeatable...same song, second verse, could be better than the first. If his replacement at OC has been paying attention and can tweak the system to accentuate a few player changes in the, so called, 'off season'...our offense will be awesome again in 2026. My advice to whoever is our next OC: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Your post made me think what if MM took part in the play calling for a year or two before handing it over to the OC as a way of keeping the poachers away for a few years.
With calling D and all a HC has to deal with on the sidelines, calling O as well would be like juggling tennis balls and chainsaws on a unicycle. Doable but a bit risky.
Without a Nacua-type receiver, what's holding hE-Man back from opening the game blitzing? Seems the best strategy is to do something different, then do it again. And again. Master their Universe. Get our blood up and drain them of theirs. Let Lock and his Load loose in the second half :)
Take a look at Maye's number for and against blitzes... Blitzing may not be the best solution.
“In the year 2525 if man is still alive”. 75 more! About the time of the NFL draft.
https://youtu.be/Gb7poHQuMWg?si=MU1HpcCKL4sQ6sj_
Thanks for Zager and Evan’s.
A Facebook memory from a few years ago...
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10204936442564670&set=a.1142285091177
I couldn’t get to this. Screen shot?
Mendoza is insanely accurate for this stage of his career. He has that accuracy all over the field, and can throw short passes as well as long passes. I am not a QB scout or anything, but if all it takes is for KK to love Mendoza then we should get used to the idea that KK will likely be gone. However, there are other factors such as Brady and the owner. The setup sounds strange and the coach always takes the hit if the QB doesn't work out.
But I don't really care. I'm just bored waiting for us to win the SB.
Apparently, Ejiro (the DC of the Jags) is also having a second interview with the Raiders and they also seem to really like him. We shall see how it all shakes out but I would really like the Raiders to pick Ejiro as their HC. In any event, I hope John Benton stays regardless of what happens.
Ben Johnson didn't so much chose to wait a year, as interviewed badly (this was widely reported at the time) and kind of lost out on the couple of open jobs. Even last cycle it seemed like he again didn't interview great but the Bears were sold on his results and willing to give it a shot.
KK, conversely, is widely reported to interview well - and has a resume - and has nepotism - and some good self confidence. I also don't know who else the Raiders are otherwise waiting for. Joe Brady & Brian Daboll got 2nd interviews but are now hired. Davis Webb had 2nd interview but seems to have taken himself out of the running to go after an OC gig first (Denver or Giants), rather than jump straight to HC. Which leaves Klint running basically unopposed.
If i were Klint, i'd take that job in Vegas. He'd be crazy not to. The pay upgrade alone is life changing, even for an already well paid person. He's got enough other connections in the league that even if it flames out, he'll get more chances in the future with people willing to say "well, that's the Raiders for you". And he can play with Jeanty, Bowers & Meyer to start with, plus the #1, plus like $70mil in cap space.
I think the best bet for us fans in the coming week is just enjoy what we have, be excited about the Superbowl, and not think too hard about the future until 9th February when we're hungover and happy.
In KK’s situation, it’s not so much nepotism as a pedigree.
Agreed. People use nepotism if there is any family or friend relationship and as if there is never any merit in the person to having the position. Nepotism is only when the decision is solely or largely based on the familial relationship. Sometimes the family/friend relationships are a true advantage in skill and ability. Nepotism claims seem to be thrown out in plenty of situations when the person making that claim has no to little way of knowing the truth.
I’d make sure it was guaranteed money and at least a 4-6 year contract. The average HC for the Raiders lasts about 1.5 years. Highly unlikely a rookie QB is going to shine right from the start.
So, he can go to the Raiders, cash in, then return to Seattle as OC in 2028. Sounds like a plan!
Small concern considering how our first SB was stolen from us by the NFL. This is the 250th birthday of the US. NFL been posting US 250 on the fields since week 18. Us against the Patriots….
Sad this NFL has no imagination working for the 250th Birthday Celebration of our Nation at Halftime. I've long ago tired of the X-rated idiocies we are forced to shield our kids from.
Me too. I stopped watching years ago. Clearly someone really messed up royally preparing this year. Should have been all star banner show with acts that unite not divide. Sucks. Really wonder who lacked imagination this year.
I woke up this morning wondering if there had ever been a shutout in the Super Bowl. The answer is no. Now I'm wondering if we could do it. Seems possible. Go Hawks!!!
Damn straight, Hawk.
And...I started doing a little looking into the draft prospects and while initially I was discouraged about the supposed top choices, if you keep digging there are some gems buried in there. I am confident our scouts and JS (Johnny Value) can unearth them.
Best Edge player that fits the Hawks #32, second best D player round 2, and best player after that.
I'm thinking the CB from South Carolina (Cisse) at 32 but if Carnell Tate is still available, I don't know how you would pass on him.
I know it’s a decent edge class. I’d like to see an edge be BPA at 32. CB in round 2 and WR in round 3. I’m going to IOL in free agency.
If I were KK, I think I'd want to know more about Andy Reid than Fernando Mendoza.
I think KK is single...not married. Might be hard to convince a young single guy not to take millions of dollars and hunker down in Sin City for a while...plus future organizations will totally understand if the KK Mendoza pairing doesn't pan out right away, it's not like the raiders just need a qb and new HC and things will just fall into place instantly. The mere fact that an nfl franchise selected KK will give him street cred for other billionaires to look to in the future.
Klint Kubiak has been married to Tessa Kubiak, a former Colorado State University volleyball player, since 2010. The couple are parents to three children
SJ thanks for taking my post about the captains for the SB and using that in your intro (jk). Loved absolutely loved the bulleted points about the last 4 games. The forest and trees. When you sum it up it’s even more impressive. Amazing including 2 games against the #1 offense and all games against playoff teams. Love how you capture certain bits of info. As for Coach K first even if Seahawks offered more money, head coach on resume as more clout than just a coordinator title. Money isn’t the issue at this stage in Coach K life. He’s set no matter. You’re very correct it is about the right spot. Like Johnson who backed off until a better job came along. Agreed if Mendoza moves Coach Ks needle, then he goes. But I would think his ego isn’t so great that he just take any job. We don’t know. He’s a legacy, so adding his name to a title will be important but he’s young enough too. Personally hope he thinks riding with Hawks is better. All he has to do is look at his counter part at NE. Twice failed HC. So, is his agent having a stronger voice in his head or his he looking for best opportunity?
Money is always an issue. And if not, that’s his call, no?
Even if Andy Reid retires, and it doesn’t seem like that is happening this coming season, you still have three divisional opponents in the AFC West that are going to continue to be tough to beat. KK probably looks at $50m as generational wealth. He SHOULD. But it’s also the case that you have people like Spags at KC who have done great for themselves NOT being a head coach, and stability and a comfortable life for you family can be upsides.
I agree. Some guys, like Bolton the OLine coach, have made great careers at the lower levels. I know I would’ve loved to become a coach like that. For me while I want to win and have my name in lights, just being a coach at that level would be awesome. Coaching little kids was fun. Making a career out of it would be great. I’m sure Coach K has that higher level inspiration. He’s good. Just would, as you note, taking over the worse team in the NFL be where you want to start against the balance of that division. Frankly the Falcons job would’ve been my preference if I was Coach K, based on current roster and quality of the division (ie much more winnable vs Reid and AFC Conference Championship playing Broncos).