Peter Principle alive and well in NFL coaching circles
In 1968, Dr. Laurence Peter and his partner Raymond Hull coined the term “Peter Principle” which established the idea that an employee working for an organization will continue to rise through the ranks until the reach a point of inadequacy. At which point they will no longer rise beyond that level. In turn, organizations are littered with people doing jobs they’re not really qualified to do.
Well, a pair of NFL owners appears hellbent on putting that theory to the test.
- Oakland Raiders — Lane Kiffin has been put out of his misery in Oakland and, according to several sources, offensive line coach Tom Cable is the favorite to succeed him. While Cable has a long history as an offensive line coach, you’ll excuse me if I have my doubts he’s the guy to right this ship. In his only prior head coaching experience, 4 seasons at Idaho, Cable amassed an 11-35 record. Sounds to me like a guy that can coach up an offensive line but PROBABLY isn’t the guy to turn around a moribund NFL franchise.
- St. Louis Rams — Scott Linehan needed to go, I’m not arguing with that. But replacing Linehan with Jim Haslett? Sure, Haslett has NFL head coaching experience and a reasonably respectable 45-51 record in six seasons in New Orleans. But how can the Rams players respond to Haslett as head coach? As the team’s defensive coordinator, the team has been abysmal:
- 2006 — 23rd in yards allowed, 28th in points allowed
- 2007 — 21st in yards allowed, 31st in points allowed
- 2008 — 32nd in yards allowed, 32nd in points allowed
Do either of these men seem like logical bets to turn around their respective franchises? It makes you wonder whether the Raiders and Rams ownership would’ve been better off making a change in the offseason. I guess time will tell if I’m being too critical, but somehow I doubt it, and I fear Raiders and Rams fans will be the ones paying the price.
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