Billick to Notre Dame rumors

Yesterday, Spencer Tillman of CBS Sports reported that Brian Billick is a candidate for the Notre Dame coaching job.

There are rumors, posts, and conjecture all over the internet today talking about that.

I keep seeing all these Golden Domers saying they would not want Billick, who only ‘achieved what he did due to his defense.’

It is a poor argument when locals say that about Billick, but I hate seeing his name tarnished nationally.

Nobody at any level wins without players. Yes, Billick won a Super Bowl on the backs of the greatest single-season defense ever; but that should not be a ‘knock’ against him.

He was smart enough to keep Marvin Lewis in place. He was smart enough to adapt to the players he had, and winning games under a style of play, he personally would rather have not used.

He quickly changed the culture of the Ravens locker-room from under Marchibroda, and brought the organization into the 21st century with the upgrades he mandated to their information systems.

He was the Head Coach for 9 years, and compiled an 80-64 overall record. Some might not be impressed with that average 9-7 season, but I am. It means that on a normal basis, the Ravens were competitive. Part of that I understand is due to the overall structure of the NFL; and how they reward/encourage parity. Another part of that record, was due to the talent that was in-place. Billick should gain some credit for what he brought to the table.

If you are going to criticize Billick for never developing a QB, his passing offense, or handling the clock; you have to credit Billick for his record when playing at-home with a lead. He simply did not give away games, like you see NFL coaches do each and every week.

The Media never forgave Billick for what was perceived as a pompous interview during Super Bowl week. Anyone with any intelligence should have understood that was Billick attempting to move the white-hot light of scrutiny from off of Ray Lewis, on to him.

Another area where Billick never received enough credit, was for the interview preparation he provided to his Assistant Coaches. There is a reason that 6 of his former assistants became NFL Head Coaches. (Ryan, Del Rio, Lewis, Nolan, Singletary, Smith).

I have been saying on message boards since March 2008 that I thought Billick would make an excellent Head Coach for Maryland someday.

Each time, my argument has remained constant.

Billick is not an offensive genius, but he has all the tools to be a dominating college coach.

He is exceptional with dealing with the media, and I believe he would be a superior recruiter.
I can picture him going into the homes of recruits, and flashing his Super Bowl ring. Reminding those recruits of his 85-67 career record in the NFL, and how he has what it takes to prepare players for that next-level.

Billick is a master-motivator, whose teams always played hard. While stories get old at the professional-level, in college the players always change, and the stories stay fresh.

To me, Billick’s best Coaching job came with his youngest-team, two years after the Super Bowl, when he found a way to make that group competitive.

Billick has a lot of ties to local business, which could help with fund-raising.

After being fired by the Ravens, Billick has made the decision to continue living in Maryland, saying he loves it here. He has an existing relationship with Gary Williams, and him and Ravens owner (and major Terp contributor) Steve Biscotti have stayed friendly as well.

Biscotti obviously will not decide the next Maryland Head Coach, but his $$$ might let him give his opinion.

I guess the only problem with this scenario, is that Billick told me directly he does not see himself stepping back to the College game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzxOjH78mV0

You can see Billick’s response to my question at around the 230 minute-mark of the above YouTube link.

I had limited time that night, but I think there is a further argument that could be made to him.

“Coach Billick, it has been said that you want to coach again. This is your 2nd-year out of the league, and there have not been numerous suitors banging down your doors. You could come to Maryland, and continue to live in your house. You would not make as much as you did in the NFL, but you would make more than you do combined working with the NFL Network, and Fox Sports. The other benefit is that you would not being working as obscene a schedule as you did at the professional-level. You wrote the book Competitive Leadership, which is certainly applicable to business; but also to young-men who need to be developed.”

Maybe you make that argument to Billick, and he turns you down. I still think it would be a worth-while discussion to have.

I understand the financial constraints currently facing the University of Maryland. I understand that paying off Friedgen, buying out Franklin, and paying for Billick would require extremely deep donations that may, or may not exist.

If there is a way to at-least financially make it happen, the offer from MD should be made.
There is no move that the Maryland program could make, which would raise the profile of the program higher.

I also completely understand the possible allure of Notre Dame. The Terps would obviously not able to compete with the National TV contract, and the historic prestige of ND. MD’s argument would have to be about maintaining his current residence, and the relationships he has built.