I get that the Chronicle can't help itself. When it comes to pulling for local teams they're the tops. If gushing, not-based-in-reality reporting on local entities (Metro, City Hall, Texans, Astros, Rockets. etc.) was a catagory for a Pulitzer prize then the Chron would lead the nation (instead of, as we all know, holding the dubious honor of being the largest daily to have never won the award*).
That's why this post from Jerome Solomon is so understandable. The Chron HAS to put in that Phillips the Younger would be a good HC, that's what they do. And while it is true that Phillips has an overall winning record as an HC (21 games above .500 at that) the burning image of his HC tenure is the Dallas Cowboys flat out quitting on him in 2009. Add that to the fact that Phillips hasn't performed well in the playoffs, and you have the (accurate) makings of a meme that he's a coach along the lines of Norv Turner. The only difference is, Wade has done a better job of getting to the playoffs, he just seems to not know what to do when he gets there.
Wade has also had the luxury (recently) of taking over teams that were pretty good, and not making them any better, something he CAN do as a Defensive Coordinator. Something he should keep doing as a DC. I do understand the emotional pull for Wade for Bum's sake. That doesn't mean that he's going to be successful in the pilot's chair however, and believe me, there's nothing wrong with the role of head of security for an NFL franchise.
Where I do agree with Solomon is in the curious case of Jeff Fischer. Why this man, who's lifetime coaching record is hovering around .500 is garnering so much attention while good, competent coordinators are left hustling is beyond me. Take Charles Pagano for instance, or Vic Fangio of the 49ers?
What Wade, another DC who's had a good year, needs to remember is this: There's nothing wrong with ending up in the same class as Dick LeBeau. Nothing at all.
