November 19, 2011|By Jeff Zrebiec, The Baltimore Sun
Newsome has spent hours with Ravens assistants — both past and present — breaking down film and observing practice and meetings. Speaking specifically about the ones that went on to become head coaches, Newsome, long lauded for his ability to judge and unearth playing talent, said that he saw their potential early.
"You saw their work ethic, you saw their passion for football. You saw how they were able to work within a structure and be a team player," Newsome said. "We would always joke because during the spring, they would get a chance to evaluate players and go out on college campuses. We would always say, 'Boy, we'd love to have Mike Smith as a scout. Pat Hill would be a great scout.' They not only showed their work ethic, but the passion that they had for their jobs."
That is made easier while working under the backdrop of a winning and stable organization with talent on the field and experience on the coaching staff. However, that wasn't always the case. Schwartz remembers how much the Ravens' defense struggled in 1996, and how hard Lewis and the staff had to work to build a defense that carried a team to the Super Bowl four years ago.
To Schwartz, it seems so long ago, at least until so many of the former Ravens' assistants and now head coaches get together each offseason at the scouting combines. When the conversations start and the stories begin, it seems like it was just yesterday.
"We're all sort of too busy working, but you know you are good friends with someone when you don't talk to them for a few months or a half year, and then when you do get together, it's like you're never apart," Schwartz said. "Coaches work typically 90 to 100 hours a week. You're doing everything with that group of guys that you're working with. There's a bond that is developed there and you always remember that, even with guys that you haven't seen in a while. You can pick up things quickly. It's like you've never been apart."
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Fruitful tree
Here is a list of former Baltimore assistants who got — and still hold — head coaching positions in the NFL or college after leaving the Ravens.
NameCoaching Position with Ravens, YearsCurrent head-coaching jobJack Del RioLinebackers, 1999-01Jacksonville JaguarsKirk FerentzAsst. head coach/offense, 1996-98IowaPat HillTight ends, 1996Fresno StateHue JacksonQuarterbacks,2008-09Oakland RaidersMarvin LewisDef. coordinator, 1996-01Cincinnati BengalsRick NeuheiselQBs/off. Coordinator, 2005-07UCLARex RyanDef. coordinator/def. line, 1999-08New York JetsJim SchwartzDef. quality control, 1996-98Detroit LionsDavid ShawQBs/wide receivers, 2002-05StanfordMike SmithLinebackers/def. assistant, 1999-02Atlanta FalconsKen WhisenhuntTight ends, 1997-98Arizona CardinalsNote: Former Ravens assistants Mike Singletary (San Francisco), Mike Nolan (San Francisco), Eric Mangini (New York Jets and Cleveland) and Al Lavan (Delaware State) also got head coaching jobs after leaving Baltimore, but they have since been dismissed from those positions.
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