[aeneas1]

The No. 1 Job of the Rams’ New Coach: Make Everyone Forget That Stan Kroenke Exists
Posted by: Bernie Miklasz December 13, 2016
http://www.101sports.com/2016/12/13/no- ... ke-exists/

Stan Kroenke is a terrible owner, rating among the worst in professional sports for his teams’ inability to win. His Arsenal franchise in the EPL is one exception, but the even though the Gunners usually find their way to a top-four finish they’re widely viewed as a underachiever — in part because of their conservative approach to spending on players.

Kroenke has a .372 winning percentage, 27th among 32 teams, since seizing control of the Rams before the 2010 season.

And don’t forget that acclaimed manager Arsene Wenger was in place long before Kroenke swooped in for an Arsenal takeover. Oh, and by the way: Arsenal fans despise Kroenke, so that should tell you plenty.

On this side of the pond, Kroenke has a .372 winning percentage, 27th among 32 teams, since seizing control of the Rams before the 2010 season. Kroenke’s NBA Denver Nuggets are 9-16 this year; since the start of the 2013-14 season they rank 23rd among 30 NBA teams with a .399 winning percentage. Kroenke’s NHL Colorado Avalanche have made the playoffs only twice since 2008-2009, and rank 23rd in points in the 30-team NHL over that time. Kroenke’s MLS Colorado Rapids did win the league championship in 2010 — well, congrats! — but have mostly been a non-factor in the aftermath.

Kroenke took the easy and necessary action Monday by firing loser head coach Jeff Fisher.

The decision to fire Fisher had nothing to do with Kroenke wanting to win, Kroenke wanting to install higher standards, or Kroenke being disgusted by on-field mediocrity and sloppiness.

This move is all about Kroenke protecting his business interests, and getting nervous about the prospect of marketing and selling all of those luxury suites and privileged-class seating. Kroenke can’t afford to have Fisher cost him money. And that’s why Fisher is gone. It should be noted that Kroenke didn’t bother to attend the Fisher sacking. A PR person submitted a written statement instead.

Fisher was well suited for Kroenke’s purposes in St. Louis, where losing helped Kroenke fulfill his California dreaming, California scheming. The Russians have a term for this: “useful idiot.” And that describes Fisher’s role in the franchise move to LA.

Well, that’s changed now.

At this moment in time, Kroenke’s business isn’t about losing to kill interest in St. Louis. Kroenke’s business is about maximizing the profits, the revenues, that will come with the 2019 Inglewood rollout.

So one of the worst owners of a team in professional sports now has to make an effort to be an effective owner in professional sports by making a hire that will check all the necessary boxes:

–– Hire a celebrity, name brand coach that can fire up the LA fan base for at least a year or two, until their limited attention spans flitter onto the next hot thing.

— Bring in a coach that can help work a room of VIPs and spread the message on multiple media platforms to get the rich people motivated to become “A List” patrons of Kroenke’s team in the Inglewood Palace.

— Hire a coach that will be comfortable dropping in on a talk-show couch, whether it be LA-based shows or vehicles such as Jimmy Kimmel, the NFL Network, Fox Sports, FS1. You can’t have a media-adverse personality.

–– It would be great if the fellow wins, too. That’s mandatory. But it isn’t the top priority.

Why am I emphasizing sizzle over substance? Because having a consistently successful team is certainly advantageous, but it doesn’t guarantee undying fan loyalty in Los Angeles. The Rams were a prime example of that during the Eric Dickerson peak years, when the attendance was surprisingly soft even though the Rams piled up winning seasons and playoff appearances. Granted, they played home games in Anaheim back then. And Anaheim isn’t exactly a hipster spot. But that actually reinforces my point: so much of the LA sports experience is shallow and based on appearance, scenester sensibility and location. Same with the coach. He can’t be a guy. He has to be a star.
There’s already a million “listicle” pieces online, offering potential nominations for the Rams’ coaching gig.

Some of the names are laughable. Norv Turner? I thought the idea was to get the fans hot on buying tickets — not put them in a coma Jim Mora Jr? Huh? Were the Rams too late in making that phone call to Lane Kiffin before he took the HC job at Florida Atlantic University? Hey, what about Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay? (WHO?) I even saw a listicle that mentioned former Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith as one to look at. Look, Smith is a fine coach who is currently doing a terrific job running the defense at Tampa Bay. But if the Rams hired Smith as HC, here’s the reaction … crickets.

Kroenke needs to pay up for a name-brand coach that can break through LA’s haze. This is a critical hire for Kroenke, who never spent one minute as the owner in St. Louis worrying about a coaching move that would (A) crank up the fans and ; (B) stimulate the offense for enhanced entertainment value; (C) and win and compete for Super Bowl championships.

Kroenke already has damaged the NFL market; this was part of the (stadium) deal with the devil that the NFL goons didn’t understand. Kroenke is so bad, only he could have a team that go into the nation’s second-largest market that had waited 21 years for the return of NFL football and immediately shatter all goodwill, diplomacy and excitement. Only Kroenke could move the Rams to LA and immediately come up with a new team mascot — an empty seat — only 13 games into the first campaign. It takes an extremely impressive level of cluelessness and incompetence to screw up a franchise move this horribly.

Now Kroenke owes it to the NFL cartel and the Los Angeles fans and his players to fix the damage right away by hiring a coach that will make everyone forget about the owner’s pathetic win-loss record, cadaver-like personality, history of abhorrent neglect, and his wanton lust for easy money.

Call Nick Saban, call Jim Harbaugh, call Jon Gruden.

See if Pete Carroll — still an LA celebrity — can wiggle out of his deal with Seattle.

You can check with Peyton Manning and see if he wants to be a head coach. Harbaugh made that transition, and Manning is one of the smartest football people in NFL history. He also has commercial star power and recognition that few athletes have matched.

David Shaw (Stanford coach) is a naturally charismatic guy — and genuine. And he’s one helluva football coach.

You want to generate buzz by recruiting a long-retired coach that’s won Super Bowls? Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy. Hey, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds. After all the St. Louis Rams won a Super Bowl after hiring Dick Vermeil, who had taken a 14-year break from coaching.

If you can’t reel in one of the big-coach catches, you take a glance at NFL offensive coordinators (Josh McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan, Jim Bob Cooter.) But they’re risky. May not have the enough marquee value.

This job has appeal. Big market. Instant status. Kroenke leaves coaches alone. The new coach can help choose a new general manager and shape the philosophy on scouting and personnel. The coach will have substantial authority over football matters.

Kroenke can’t possibly go cheap on this hire, so the coach is in line for a sweet contract.

If you’re succeeding a dull, losing, unpopular coach like Fisher, you’re an instant hero. The Rams have talent including a franchise-caliber running back (Todd Gurley) and a potential franchise quarterback in Jared Goff. Build a damned offensive line, find a No. 1 receiver and this thing can be turned around rather quickly.

This can be a great job in spite of Kroenke. But Kroenke has to go big with this hire. He has to go so big with this hire, the new coach will make everyone forget that the Rams are owned by Kroenke.

Thanks for reading …

–Bernie

[Elvis]

Thanks for reading …

–Bernie

I couldn't do it.

Funny thing is critics were laughing when they thought Fisher's extension meant he'd be back and now they're laughing that he's fired so it's not the most principled criticism.

But losing is losing. You shut the critics up by winning...

[dieterbrock]

Yep
From a national perspective, Kroenke has been a very good owner, but the Fisher extension was surely leaving doubt to his commitment to winning.
Now that Fisher is gone, and Kroenke on the hook for that $$ and will have to pony up big for a "splash" HC, just shows how commited he is.
If the team can be a winner by the time the new stadium opens, he is likely in the conversation amongst the Best owner in the sport
Wonder what Bernie will say then?

[Hacksaw]

BM must have fallen on his head as a kid and he is still having a difficult time connecting all those dots floating around in his head.

Dude really hates ESK. He is still injecting his opinions as facts. It is true that he isn't rolling out too many championships but those are hard to come by for just about anyone not name LeBron or Brady.

He does make a few good points towards the end of his vent. I did edit out a few barbs to keep it real though.

BM wrote:
Kroenke needs to pay up for a name-brand coach that can break through LA’s haze. This is a critical hire for Kroenke, who never spent one minute as the owner in St. Louis worrying about a coaching move that would (A) crank up the fans and ; (B) stimulate the offense for enhanced entertainment value; (C) and win and compete for Super Bowl championships.

Call Nick Saban, call Jim Harbaugh, call Jon Gruden.

See if Pete Carroll — still an LA celebrity — can wiggle out of his deal with Seattle.

David Shaw (Stanford coach) is a naturally charismatic guy — and genuine. And he’s one helluva football coach.

You want to generate buzz by recruiting a long-retired coach that’s won Super Bowls? Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy. Hey, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds. After all the Rams won a Super Bowl after hiring Dick Vermeil, who had taken a 14-year break from coaching.

If you can’t reel in one of the big-coach catches, you take a glance at NFL offensive coordinators (Josh McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan, Jim Bob Cooter.) But they’re risky. May not have the enough marquee value.

This job has appeal. Big market. Instant status. Kroenke leaves coaches alone. The new coach can help choose a new general manager and shape the philosophy on scouting and personnel. The coach will have substantial authority over football matters.

Kroenke can’t possibly go cheap on this hire, so the coach is in line for a sweet contract.

If you’re succeeding a dull, losing, unpopular coach like Fisher, you’re an instant hero. The Rams have talent including a franchise-caliber running back (Todd Gurley) and a potential franchise quarterback in Jared Goff. Build a damned offensive line, find a No. 1 receiver and this thing can be turned around rather quickly.

This can be a great job in spite of Kroenke. But Kroenke has to go big with this hire.

[Hacksaw]

Yep
From a national perspective, Kroenke has been a very good owner, but the Fisher extension was surely leaving doubt to his commitment to winning.
Now that Fisher is gone, and Kroenke on the hook for that $$ and will have to pony up big for a "splash" HC, just shows how commited he is.
If the team can be a winner by the time the new stadium opens, he is likely in the conversation amongst the Best owner in the sport
Wonder what Bernie will say then?

Agreed about the signs of commitment. First thing I though of as I had that bit of a 'phew' moment. (Wipes sweat from brow)

BM will always BM on ESK... He wears his broken heart all over his bib.

[St. Loser Fan]

I live in St. Louis and I don't listen to his radio show or read his stuff (except for the rare occasion he has something big with the Blues hockey team that's worth listening to). I'd rather listen to the penis and boob talk from the local shock jocks. I don't even follow him on social media. I still can't figure out why you guys care what Bernie says or writes.

You won 52-0. Game over.

[actionjack]

This is all really noise. The question is do the Rams have the people right now who can find a good Head Coach. Even though some of the Rams peeps have changed there, the recent line of coaches hired does not inspire confidence. Opening a stadium in 2019 does not mean the Rams will pick the right coach to lead the team, it means if they expect to fill the stadium they are going to have to make the right choice. For all of us I hope they hit it out of the park. Just because we make a change doesn't mean we will be any better.

[Elvis]

We don't have a lot to go on.

Kroenke came in and immediately fired Spags/Devaney and hired Fisher/Snead.

It was a clear improvement but not good enough.

How will he and Demoff do the 2nd time around?

We're about to find out...

[aeneas1]

Kroenke needs to pay up for a name-brand coach that can break through LA’s haze. This is a critical hire for Kroenke, who never spent one minute as the owner in St. Louis worrying about a coaching move that would (A) crank up the fans and ; (B) stimulate the offense for enhanced entertainment value; (C) and win and compete for Super Bowl championships.

Call Nick Saban, call Jim Harbaugh, call Jon Gruden.

See if Pete Carroll — still an LA celebrity — can wiggle out of his deal with Seattle.

David Shaw (Stanford coach) is a naturally charismatic guy — and genuine. And he’s one helluva football coach.

You want to generate buzz by recruiting a long-retired coach that’s won Super Bowls? Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy. Hey, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds. After all the Rams won a Super Bowl after hiring Dick Vermeil, who had taken a 14-year break from coaching.

If you can’t reel in one of the big-coach catches, you take a glance at NFL offensive coordinators (Josh McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan, Jim Bob Cooter.) But they’re risky. May not have the enough marquee value.

This job has appeal. Big market. Instant status. Kroenke leaves coaches alone. The new coach can help choose a new general manager and shape the philosophy on scouting and personnel. The coach will have substantial authority over football matters.

Kroenke can’t possibly go cheap on this hire, so the coach is in line for a sweet contract.

If you’re succeeding a dull, losing, unpopular coach like Fisher, you’re an instant hero. The Rams have talent including a franchise-caliber running back (Todd Gurley) and a potential franchise quarterback in Jared Goff. Build a damned offensive line, find a No. 1 receiver and this thing can be turned around rather quickly.

This can be a great job in spite of Kroenke. But Kroenke has to go big with this hire.

"Kroenke needs to pay" and "Kroenke can’t possibly go cheap on this hire" is such bernie bullshit, stan paid a ton for fish and his staff, and is even willing to eat money next year, no reason to think he would be cheap this time around...

"This is a critical hire for Kroenke, who never spent one minute as the owner in St. Louis worrying about a coaching move that would (A) crank up the fans..." more bernie bullshit, fisher was in high demand, not some stiff who was a reflection of disinterested ownership... bernie, what a twit.

[Elvis]

"Kroenke needs to pay" and "Kroenke can’t possibly go cheap on this hire" is such bernie bullshit, stan paid a ton for fish and his staff, and is even willing to eat money next year, no reason to think he would be cheap this time around...

"This is a critical hire for Kroenke, who never spent one minute as the owner in St. Louis worrying about a coaching move that would (A) crank up the fans..." more bernie bullshit, fisher was in high demand, not some stiff who was a reflection of disinterested ownership... bernie, what a twit.

Yep, in fact we won a hell of a bidding war with Miami to get Fisher...