Bidwill's Playbook: How to Welcome a New Head Coach

Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

By Walter Mitchell

Over the past 4 hiring cycles, Michael Bidwill's patterns when it comes to signing and then welcoming a new head coach are very clear.

1. After casting his proverbial wide net that prolongs one tedious search after the other --- the pattern is to jump on the last coach (note: that is - without NFL head coaching experience) available.

2. Make him agree to a number of Bidwillean quid pro quos --- I will hire you if you agree to:

a). accept the minimum head coaching salary (as is expected of candidates without prior head coaching experience)

b). accept all of the holdover assistant coaches and players we prefer

c). allow the GM make a number of your assistant coaching hires

d). lavish me and GM with the highest of praise to make them look like the smartest owner/GM tandem in the league

e). every chance you get, reiterate how injuries were the main reason for the team's poor record

f). cover for any and all deceptions

The Coup de Grace

Saddle the new head coach with a highly distracting holdout from one of the team's high-profile players. 

2018 Steve Wilks

Holdout: RB David Johnson coming off a 1-game season in 2017 due to injury, wanting long-term extension with a year remaining on his rookie contract.

                                                                      (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Did it Work? Yes --- 3-year, $39M contract, worth up to $45M with incentives, with $30M guaranteed.

Results:

2016: 1,239 yards rushing, 16 TDs, 879 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, 79.9 PFF

2018: 940 yards rushing, 7 TDs, 446 yards receiving, 3 TDs. 64.1 PFF

Team Record: 3-13

2019 Kliff Kingsbury

Holdout: CB Patrick Peterson (who asked for a trade during the 2022 season while being a team captain) now wanting to be paid by the team during his 6-game PED suspension and calling the Cardinals' FO "snakes in the grass" for not complying.

Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Did it Work? No.

Results: 

2018 82.5 PFF --- 80.7 QB-RTG 

2019: 68.6 PFF --- 104.6 QB-RTG

Team Record: 5-11-1

Jonathan Gannon

Holdout: S Budda Baker whose guaranteed money had run out on his previous contract extension that, by the way, he earned every penny of (and more) --- he had an understanding (with the previous GM) that in 2023 he would be promptly re-extended with new guaranteed money. When it appeared that Monti Ossenfort was reluctant to make good on the extension, Budda asked to be traded.

                                                      HBO's Hard Knocks In-Season 2022

Did it work? A compromise was reached:

The Arizona Cardinals reworked Budda Baker's contract in July 2023, ending a standoff that had prompted the All-Pro safety to request a trade.

The upgraded deal was a compromise that added money to the final two years of his existing contract rather than a full long-term extension:

• 2023 Raise: Baker received a $300,000 signing bonus and was guaranteed his base salary. He was given the opportunity to earn up to $2.4 million in additional bonuses and incentives.
• 2024 Raise: The reworked deal also included a raise for the 2024 season, featuring potential playing-time, Pro Bowl, and offseason workout bonuses.

Note: This reworked 2023 agreement has since concluded. The Cardinals and Baker later agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract extension

Budda Baker gets a contract reworking in 2023 - Google Search

Results:

2022: 110 tackles, 30 stops, 1 FF, 2 ints., 109.3 QB-RTG, 73.7 PFF

2023: 85 tackles, 21 stops, 0 FF, 0 ints., 133.0 QB-RTG, 64.8 PFF

Team Record: 4-13

Mike LaFleur

Holdout: QB Jacoby Brissett who, coming off the most productive passing stretch of games in his career and having won the trust and belief of his teammates as the team's starter, wants a new contract in light of the fact that his current one has only $1.75M left in guaranteed money and a base salary of $4.88M. 

Getty Images

Did it work?

Not thus far.

Results: 

2025: 3,366 yards passing (280.5 ypg #1 in NFL last 12 weeks) at 65.4%. 23 TDs (#2 in NFL last 12 weeks), 8 ints, 70.6 PFF

2026: 

Team Record: 

In Case You Missed It:

During yesterdays' Red Rain Podcast we took a close look at how Michael Bidwill manages to double-cross virtually every GM, head coach, key assistant coaches and players. We provided copious examples. Watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXm3e0sdHis

What we want to do is come up with a list of changes that we would like to see Michael Bidwill make in amending his modus operandi as the Team President. Kyle, Sam and I will be offering out top 3 suggestions next week and in the interim, we would like to include a number of yours. We intend to send these suggestions to Michael Bidwill via the mail. Please give up yours!

Is it just a freakish coincidence that ever new HC is saddled with key OTA absences from high-profile players and having to accept holdover coaches and new coaches signed by the GM? 

A Study of Contrasts

Look at how welcomed Liam Coen (a Sean McVay protege) was made by Shad Kahn, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team's new head coach in 2025.

Coen was allowed to pick his own GM to replace Trent Baalke in James Gladstone, a 35-year-old member of the Rams' scouting department whom Coen worked closely with while in Los Angeles.

Coen was allowed to hire a brand-new coaching staff with the notable hires being:

* OC Grant Udinski --- 7 years NFL experience

* Passing Game Coordinator Shane Waldron --- 13 years

* QB Coach Spencer Whipple --- 8 years

OLC Shaun Sarrett --- 15 years

DC Anthony Campanile --- 7 years

Senior Defensive Assistant Bill Sheridan --- 15 years

DLC Matt Edwards --- 9 years

LBC Tem Lukabu --- 9 years

Secondary Coach Ron Milus --- 27 years

ST Coordinator Heath Farwell --- 11 years

The Jacksonville Jaguars boasted a near 100 percent turnout for their voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs). 

The highly attended offseason sessions at the Miller Electric Center featured these key attendance and participation updates:

• High Veteran Engagement: Star edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen and receiver Dyami Brown were active participants, demonstrating high team buy-in after changes in the coaching staff.
• Quarterback Progression: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was a full participant, having fully rehabbed his surgically repaired non-throwing shoulder.
• Two-Way Rookie: First-round pick Travis Hunter participated in offensive and defensive drills during early sessions, before ultimately moving into full-time defensive back packages and gadget sets.
• Voluntary Nature: Head Coach Liam Coen praised the nearly universal roster attendance, noting that any minor absences or limited reps were pre-communicated

Jacksonville Jaguars OTAs attendance and participation 2025 - Google Search

Results:

2024: 4-13 - Offense Scoring ranked 25th - Defense Ranked 27th

2025: 13-4. AFC South Champions - Offense ranked 6th - Defense Ranked 8th

Key player on offense: QB Trevor Lawrence - 2024 ranking 26th - 2025 ranking 6th

Key player on defense: LB Devin Lloyd - PFF 2024: 76.7 - PFF 2025 88.4

High Praise from John Frascella in 2026

https://x.com/NFLFrascella/status/2056726589803491372?s=20 

Frascella ranks all 32 NFL Coaching trios: 1. Jaguars: Coen, Udinski, Campanile 2. Broncos: Payton, Webb, Joseph 3. Rams: McVay, Scheelhaase, Shula 4. Chiefs: Reid, Bieniemy, Spagnuolo 5. 49ers: Shanahan, Kubiak, Morris 6. Seahawks: Macdonald, Fleury, Durde 7. Vikings: O’Connell, Phillips, Flores 8. Packers: LaFleur, Stenavich, Gannon 9. Patriots: Vrabel, McDaniels, Kuhr 10. Texans: Ryans, Caley, Burke 11. Bears: Johnson, Taylor, Allen 12. Eagles: Sirianni, Mannion, Fangio 13. Ravens: Minter, Doyle, Weaver 14. Panthers: Canales, Idzik, Evero 15. Cowboys: Schottenheimer, Adams, Parker 16. Lions: Campbell, Petzing, Sheppard 17. Giants: Harbaugh, Nagy, Wilson 18. Chargers: Harbaugh, McDaniel, O’Leary 19. Saints: Moore, Nussmeier, Staley 20. Colts: Steichen, Cooter, Anarumo 21. Raiders: Kubiak, Janocko, Leonard 22. Bengals: Taylor, Pitcher, Golden 23. Bills: Brady, Carmichael, Leonhard 24. Steelers: McCarthy, Angelichio, Graham 25. Dolphins: Hafley, Slowik, Duggan 26. Browns: Monken, Switzer, Rutenberg 27. Falcons: Stefanski, Rees, Ulbrich 28. Commanders: Quinn, Blough, Jones 29. Bucs: Bowles, Robinson, Foote 30. Titans: Saleh, Daboll, Bradley 31. Cardinals: LaFleur, Hackett, Rallis 32. Jets: Glenn, Reich, Duker

If the Jaguars can do this --- so can the Cardinals. The blueprint is there.