Some of you folks have the patience and insight of 2 year olds.
"He did wonders with Alex Smith." - Well, the WHOLE team is in rebuild mode, has no line and threw Smith to the wolves. As I recall, both Favre and Aikman looked pitiful in their early play in the league.
Guess what, he also coached Jake Delhomme who as I recall has been a consistent presence in the playoffs and SB the last couple years...but, Delhomme has a team around him...something Smith did not.
As for Brooks....like squeezing blood from a stone...but McCarthy did get all ANYONE was ever going to get from him.
Bottom line is that none of us know how this will turn our, but I like the fact he is:
Young
Pittsburgh tough, blue-collar guy
Doesn't hold back on players or player groups when warranted
Respect of the players and coaches he has worked with
Personally, I like Mike Nolan as a coach and believe he has good insight into those he surrounds himself with. Have faith folks...and don't make up your minds until you have evidence that warrants your joy/anger.
And remember, Holmgren was met with very mixed emotions when he signed on...that turned out pretty well.