What is Dubious About What PFWA Just Did with 'Dr. Z' Award—Timing

By John Turney

Jeff Stoutland

Earlier this week the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) tapped retired defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon and active Philadelphia Eagles' run game coordinator/offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland as recipients of its Paul Zimmerman ("Dr. Z") Award --  an honor given annually to salute assistant coaches. The award first began in 2014, and Petitbon and Stoutland are the 26th and 27th winners.

Petitbon? A no-brainer. He was the backbone of Washington defenses, churning out units that were tough, smart and championship-grade. He racked up 14 years as an NFL player, 20 more as an assistant and one as head coach. His defenses posted big numbers, developed talent and snagged rings. He’s the kind of coach the "Dr. Z" Award was built for -- pure pedigree.

And Stoutland? No question. The man’s a wizard with offensive lines, turning Eagles' blockers into Pro Bowl fixtures year after year. His work is a big reason that Philly’s run game has been a juggernaut, and his players love him. So he has the credentials,

Just one question: Why now? That's my only issue here. The finalist list included heavyweights like the late Tom Catlin, the late Floyd Peters (whom I voted for), the late John Teerlinck and the retired Terry Robiskie -- guys who’d hung up their whistles long ago.

Then there’s a name like Hudson Houck, who, at 82, never made the finalist cut. Houck’s resume screams legend. At USC, he molded monsters like Marvin Powell, Anthony Muñoz, Keith Van Horne, Roy Foster, Bruce Matthews and Don Mosebar -- the best of many All-Americans. When he joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1983 under John Robinson, Jackie Slater hit his first Pro Bowl, and Eric Dickerson obliterated rookie rushing records before setting the NFL's single-season mark. 

Later, with the Dallas Cowboys, Houck built on Tony Wise’s foundation, coaching lines that sent guys to Pro Bowls in droves and cleared paths for Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Oh, and he picked up two Super Bowl rings along the way, too.

So, why not Houck? Or Peters, Catlin, Robiskie or Teerlinck? Why go with Stoutland, who’s still in the thick of it with only 12 years as an NFL assistant? Eagles' fans might scream that he’s the greatest O-line coach ever, and they may not be far off ... someday. But when you have coaches with full careers in the books, why not let Stoutland wait his turn? He’s still in his NFL prime, and his time will come.

The PFWA’s leaning hard into recentism here, a trap that Hall-of-Fame selectors have fallen into. Picking Petitbon along with, say, Peters, Catlin, Robiskie, Teerlinck, or even Houck, would’ve valued a  finished body of work. Instead, we have an outstanding assistant coach still adding chapters. 

So here’s my fix: Tweak the rules for the "Dr. Z" Award. Make it so that winners must be retired—maybe two or three years removed from the sideline. That way, you’re crowning legacies, not works in progress. Stoutland will get his due, no question. But let’s give the glory to those who’ve already run the race.