Don’t think there’s too many CFL coaches with that much NFL potential but I’ll give it a shot:
Ryan Dinwiddie - 'Ol Blue Eyes is only 43, a nice age to become an NFL head coach. He might go south if he accomplishes a bit more i TO (one more Grey Cup, perhaps?). Still learning but I’m impressed.
Mike O’Shea - whereas Dinwiddie has an advantage in citizenship (American vs. O’Shea being canuck) O’Shea might still have NFL potential with his unburdened, no-worries style and his care and deep love/loyalty for his players. Only 53, his window only open for another couple years vs. Dinwiddie who could bolt anytime in next 4 to 6 years!
After that its a mishmash. Porky Campbell might be the best of the remaining poor to mediocre lot of coaches but I don’t think he’ll ever be an NFL coach. But there is a slight comparison to Mike Riley, another son of a coach.
Dickensons - the game has passed both guys by.
CJ Jones - firm NO. He’s barely a CFL coach.
Jason Maas - he might have a decent 5 to 10 more years as a rounder CFL coach.
Not even worth talking about Bob Dyce or Orlondo S.
CFL coaches that went to NFL and did fairly well to real well:
Allie Sherman
Harry Peter “Bud” Grant
Marv Levy
Hugh Campbell
Mike Riley
Mick Trestman - prolly didn’t fare as well as he thought he would
Chris Jones was an abject flop in NFL, Mike “maggot” Kelly didn’t even get a sniff. Couple ex-NFL coaching hobos came up here and fell well short of expectations.
Long term CFL coaches like Frank Clair, Bob O’Billovich, Pasquale Buono didn’t even bother going NFL. They plied their trade here and made their fortunes north of the border.
The elevation to the NFL from the CFL as far as coaching is concerned isn’t like what happens with the players. In America, a CFL coach is seen as less than a NCAA coach.
Definitely - although I think Mike O’Shea might have had a chance if he wasn’t already 53/54 yrs old. Dinwiddie, early 40s may still have what it takes.
