As of late Friday, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi was trying to find out if Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel had hired an agent, and if so, whom. That might seem trivial, but considering the Giants already interviewed Tom Coughlin for their soon-to-be-vacant head coaching position, and Accorsi already is friendly with Bob LaMonte, the newly hired agent for Pats offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, the uncertainty surrounding Crennel’s representation leaves him at an early disadvantage.
Even Jim Fassel, who will be fired following today’s regular- season finale against the Panthers at Giants Stadium, will huddle with his agents Monday to formulate a plan for finding his next coaching gig. Fassel wants to remain a head coach in the NFL and could be a candidate for several positions that could open up this week.
“We’ll be prepared on Monday to contact teams that might have an interest in coach Fassel and teams that might be of interest to coach Fassel,” said Steve Rosner, one of Fassel’s agents. “Wherever we feel there could be a good relationship, that’s where we’ll be making the calls.”
Crennel’s chances of being the next Giants head coach might not have been harmed by the uncertainty surrounding his representation, but it hasn’t given him the head start Coughlin and Weis have in what figures to be a competitive process.
These days, agents are as involved in the hiring of coaches as they are in landing multiyear contracts for players and often can make the difference between getting an interview and ultimately being hired. For example, following the Giants 2000 Super Bowl season, then defensive coordinator John Fox was frustrated at not being interviewed for any of the available head coaching positions that year. He thought about hiring a publicist, but someone suggested he hire an agent. In February 2001, he hired LaMonte. In January 2002, he was named Panthers head coach. Coincidence? Hardly.
“They help the process,” Accorsi said of agents who represent coaches. “They make sure the coach knows the degree of our interest, and we can see how the coach feels about us. It makes it easier.”
Typically, by the time the prospective coach and general manager meet for a formal interview, much of the groundwork has been set and basic information exchanged through the agent. It includes discussing the level of interest a coach might have in the team and vice versa, the prospective coach’s background, insight on his personality, and family concerns. That’s why Weis could have an edge over Crennel.
LaMonte, who could not be reached for this story, is considered the super agent of coaches. He represents Bucs coach John Gruden, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, Packers coach Mike Sherman and Fox, and no doubt will have Weis prepared for his interview with Accorsi. The good agents will conduct mock interviews, coach their clients on dealing with the media, and teach them how to share their vision.
“The agent always has to be thinking, ‘How can I get him prepared for when he gets an opportunity [to interview]? ” said Danny Moore, who represents Vikings coach Mike Tice and Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis. “You also talk to him about the organization and prepare him to talk about his motivational skills, his crisis-management skills, and his ability to deal with the media. The misconception is that it’s all about Xs and Os. But that’s only part of it.”