George Allen as an NFL HC, '85, '86...

[74_75_78_79_]

It's been discussed here on this forum previously about he, fresh from the USFL (Championship Game berth), being a viable coaching candidate. '86 was the year specifically mentioned with it being opined that he would have been a better candidate than Buddy Ryan. As also questioned on that old thread, would any owner have wanted to give him the HC and GM power as well as allowing he to, in these newer times, field an "over-the-hill gang" thus neglect building through the draft?

Had he made himself available in '85, what teams do you think would have been of interest along with what teams, whether the owner wanted him or not, would have been a nice fit for him - and for the team itself? The same with if 1986 would have been the year he chose to put himself out there. He would have been 67 and 68 years of age respectively each year.

Me, personally, as much as I still look back fondly at Buddy Ball in Philly - his personality and the swagger of his players, defensive especially - I would have choose a latter-day Allen in such an event had I been Braman. I'm not sure who Allen would have kept or traded away. That front four sure would have brought him back to his 'Fearsome' days two decades earlier! Sure enough he would have had Cunningham QB-coached better, at least.

I know the pro game is so different than the college game, but if he - now 72 - was coaching at all in 1990, and leading that Long Beach State team to their first winning season in years (sort-of a college equiv of Vince in DC), then no reason to think he still had some juice left in him - especially considering that he, again, was fresh off the USFL and leading 'Zona to that Championship Game date with Mora's Stars.

Thoughts?

Side question: Does anyone remember - if it was even known, that is - what Buddy Ryan's second option would have been had Norman picked someone else but him? Thanks!

[7DnBrnc53]

Sure enough he would have had Cunningham QB-coached better, at least.

Would George have been a big fan of Cunningham? This is the same guy who had Sonny Jurgensen riding the bench for Billy Kilmer.