To me, Helfrich reminds me a bit of Gene Chizik in that they are both tied to a skill (Chizik for defense & Helf for offense), made it to a title game with a REALLY good quarterback, and oversaw a lack of development during the next two seasons.
Chizik is now at North Carolina and has improved their defense in 2 seasons. He is also very much like Helfrich in that he "loves the guys" which I don't have a problem with. However, accountability, discipline, and respect have to come from the head guy and each one seemed to lose control while in that seat.
My point is that there have been many that ask how we can turn on a coach that took the team to a title game. My answer to that is it is easy. Sometimes people are victims or benefactors of circumstance. In Helf's case he is the later. Like Chizik, Helf is probably a good football guy and understands the game itself. The difference with these guys and other coaches like Meyer, Saban, et al is that those guys understand players and are capable of getting them to do things at a higher and more consistent level. I think Chizik might be a better overall HC than Helf and I don't think I would hire him either.
Chizik is now at North Carolina and has improved their defense in 2 seasons. He is also very much like Helfrich in that he "loves the guys" which I don't have a problem with. However, accountability, discipline, and respect have to come from the head guy and each one seemed to lose control while in that seat.
My point is that there have been many that ask how we can turn on a coach that took the team to a title game. My answer to that is it is easy. Sometimes people are victims or benefactors of circumstance. In Helf's case he is the later. Like Chizik, Helf is probably a good football guy and understands the game itself. The difference with these guys and other coaches like Meyer, Saban, et al is that those guys understand players and are capable of getting them to do things at a higher and more consistent level. I think Chizik might be a better overall HC than Helf and I don't think I would hire him either.
