HC's must be CEO's. They have to have certain traits and think strategically on multiple levels that can lead not only players, but also coaches. And, they must deal with the owner, the GM, the media, and the fan base.
The usual route to a HC job is to have had some real success as an OC or a DC. That works sometimes, but probably less than half the time.
HCs need to be hired according to what is needed to be team CEO's, not great DCs or OCs. And that's what successful teams often do. McVay is a case in point.
But more typically we have examples like Fangio who is a superb DC.....maybe currently the best. Not so good as a HC. Another example is how owners keep trying to take Josh McDaniels to a level (as HC) that he clearly is not suited for.....but he is a very good OC. Sometimes it is up the coach to realize what he is good at, and what he is not good at, and stay in a position of success rather than allowing himself to be woo'ed to try yet again.
Staley is a very good DC, but he is not an HC, and that is probably his optimum career position in the NFL. I hope he learned that. But when he's fired at the end this year, the odds of him becoming the Rams DC again are not large because Morris is going to remain in that spot unless he gets an HC gig elsewhere. My hunch is that Morris is likely best at being a Co-ordinator, and far less so as a HC. But, he probably will get another shot somewhere.
