NFL Head Coach rehired

EA Sports' sim-minded football management game returns after a year spent riding the pine; Tony Dungy named for cover.

In the wake of Electronic Arts' contract extension with the NFL two weeks ago, EA Sports president Peter Moore told GameSpot he wanted to bring back the company's Head Coach series, which debuted in 2006 but was left on the sidelines the following year. EA Sports' newest president apparently gets what he wants, given that the company today officially announced NFL Head Coach 09.

Set for release on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, NFL Head Coach 09 trades in the helmet for the headset by letting gamers take year-round strategic control of an NFL team. In addition to game-day duties such as play calling, coaches will have to scout opponents, design playbooks, and manage their teams' drafts. Replacing Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher on the Head Coach cover will be another Super Bowl-winning skipper, the Indianapolis Colts' Tony Dungy.

NFL Head Coach 09 is being developed by Madden NFL studio EA Tiburon. The game has no release window yet, but the original NFL Head Coach was a June release.

46 Comments

  • mystic2000

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 4:47 pm GMT

    Why is EA doing this? the original Head Coach was just The WORST GAME EVER and that's putting it lightly.

  • scrymonster

    Posted Feb 29, 2008 8:32 am GMT

    I don't get it... all the things we wish they would build into Madden to make the game a more complete experiance and instead we get this junk.

    Booo!!!!

  • LinkErdrich

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 8:39 pm GMT

    Why?! We need this game like we need Uwe Bole to direct Kevin Costner and Travolta in a movie about reality TV

  • dkslade

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 7:10 pm GMT

    Can you say ALL PRO 2K8....er NFL TOUR......
    ..basically will be the same result as those i hope the make millions just to have them sit on shelves so they lose out on cost of production and advertising and hours of work.
    I wish they would make a QB challenge game (but no)..

  • ChuckNorris82

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 12:56 pm GMT

    YEAH TONY DUNGY RULES!!!! COOL!!! Another NFL ga...........o.....wait........I forgot EA made this.......o yeah EA makes all NFL games.....that i'm never getting again...........EA Sucks my B@!!$ like this and their future games!!!! Yeah, you here that EA, IT SUCKED!!! LIKE YOU!!!!!!

  • BelmontMaster

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 12:18 pm GMT

    Another one?! EA come on, this is the worst game you have ever made. Ugh, waste of money right here.

  • smitacular

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 11:08 am GMT

    Ehh I might try it if it's discount priced like the last one.

  • Tech-head

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 11:04 am GMT

    New NFL HC game coming out?

    I guess Peter Moore's work at EA is done lol.

  • dolfan928

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 9:35 am GMT

    OH BOY!! Another sub par NFL game coming from the monopolizers at EA! Can't wait!

    Come on EA. Fix Madden first before you bring back a coaching game. And by fix Madden I mean quit muscling all the competition out of the market and releasing whatever garbage you damn well please just because it's the only option for an NFL game and you know it will sell. This is the NFL's fault too. Combine this with my Dolphins being totally inept both on and off the field and I've lost all interest permanently in the NFL. Go MLB/NBA/NHL/MLS!!!

  • neal_douglas

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 9:23 am GMT

    No PC version? Epic fail EA

  • DeViLzzz

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 11:21 pm GMT

    the first head coach game was so much fun but you could tell they had trouble with the sim engine cuz they limited the time on the quarters to way less than what is in an actual NFL game but hey if they at least fixed the mic situation on this go around that would be enough for me and about scrapping another control reaction time joypad game I could care less .... heck EA buyout APBA and the like and bring them to console and pc and give them some graphics ....

    what is needed in the future are great sims with great graphics .... there is room for this kind of gaming and if they ever had online play where u could play in leagues it would be hella lot more fun than Madden online

  • online-predator

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 9:48 pm GMT

    i liked the first one for 19.99 and played it thru a few tims so if i can get it for 19.99 i would buy it on the cheao

  • Kenaue

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 8:43 pm GMT

    Wow EA. Why would you sequelize the worst game you've ever put out...Oh wait, it's EA. If it is garaunteed o make more than a dollar, it gets made.

  • tommyboy316

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 6:08 pm GMT

    SERIOUSLY!!!! EA is simply amazing!! Let's put out a lame sim game and drop a VERY GOOD College Baseball game (not even a chance on next gen). I would rather see Rugby, Arena Football or College Baseball come out for the next gens then for a PC sim game like this. REALLY! Anybody interested in this kinda game is more likely a PC gamer then a console gamer- so just release it on PC and spend the development time on some good console titles (SEE ABOVE). Hell, I'd rather see a Lacrosse game get made before another Head Coach game. There's my VENT, the game isn't my cup of tea- for those that enjoyed the first one- congrats you get another. YIPPIEEE!

  • ctifer1

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 5:50 pm GMT

    I have never played this game, but always wanted to. Building a Franchise, Legacy or Dynasty is always my favorite thing to do in Madden, College Hoops or NBA 2K8...

  • GamersNightmare

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 5:35 pm GMT

    Can't wait for this game. I wanted them to continue the series but it died without getting a shot to get going. I hope they fix a lot of the bugs because this game has a ton of potential IF they can get it right. Also I hope they release new drafts and stuff on PSN.

  • nintendorocks

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 5:26 pm GMT

    Ehh...The first one was decent sim. I guess this one will be alright also.

  • LAboy06

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 3:57 pm GMT

    Booooooooorrrrriiiing!!!!!!!!!!

  • ocdog45

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 3:44 pm GMT

    i would only play that game for a PC. i got the last one adn it was aright if your hardcore for calling plays and managing a team.

  • teirdome

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 2:36 pm GMT

    Tony Dungy is one of the best black role models of the last 20 years. I'm glad to see him on the cover.

  • revczar

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 2:25 pm GMT

    i dont care about no game that takes longer to complete then it took to make and the first Head Coach is the modern day ET game

  • tretcharuss

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 2:23 pm GMT

    Looking forward to this one if they can improve on the first one.

  • mjswooosh

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 2:14 pm GMT

    For a moment, let's try to forget about EA's monopolistic & predatory tendencies with re-upping the exclusive NFL license, acquiring the NCAA basketball license & potentially trying to perform a hostile takeover of Take Two. For the moment, let's try to evaluate the potential for the Head Coach game based on its own merits & potential. To do this, we must look at the first version, use deductive reasoning, and try to extrapolate that forward to predict how a sequel might pan out. Additionally, we can look at EA's track record with regards to the Madden franchise to try to further understand their commitment - or lack thereof - to making successive versions of their games better. With that in mind, the first version of Head Coach was essentially horrible. Basically the entire game was an animated overlay pasted onto an extremely buggy version of Madden's management model. The simulation of actual games was entirely and utterly broken. The fact that the game was even shipped in its bug-infested state is proof positive of just how little EA thinks of it's customer base. EA was willing to trade what little credibility it had with football gamers by turning out broken code and charging us to beta test it...and since EA owns the exclusive NFL license it's not exactly like there are many football game choices. So if you want a football fix, you buy Madden and/or Head Coach...even if these games are essentially re-hashed versions of the previous installment. EA knows this. It has been their modus operandi for years with the Madden franchise. Will this change at all with Peter Moore running the show? Given that it is his guidance which has brought us two more exclusive franchise deals & a soon-to-be hostile takeover attempt of Take Two, I think the answer is clear: EA prefers to eliminate competition rather than produce the best product they can, compete fairly, and let the market decide. EA has to be padding some serious pockets to make the FTC look the other way as they essentially buy up the entire gaming industry and push out mediocre games to a buying public with slowly dwindling buying options...and laugh all the way to the bank.

    So, despite my dislike for EA's business practices, I'm not saying this game is going to suck *for sure*. But I wouldn't bet a dollar on it being any better than "just good enough" to get out the door and cash in on a football gaming audience that has no other choice. If we're lucky EA will iron out most of the bugs & give the graphics engine a fresh coat of paint. To hope for much more from EA Tiburon is like wishing for peace in the Middle East. Are you listening Mr. Moore?

  • ctg867

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 1:36 pm GMT

    Hmm, this could be some good news. The '09 in the title implies that this is a yearly franchise now, rather then on a max two year cycle. I think it's kinda dumb it's only on PS3/360, though it may end up being for the benefit of the game. Ports tend to lower the overall quality of a title on all platforms, and this may work in the benefit of the game. A Wii, PC, or portable port is just dumb, since the game isn't big enough for such a huge multi-platform release, though a PS2 release might of be a good idea. I wouldn't be surprised to see them announce a PS2 port around the game gets an official release date.

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 1:33 pm GMT

    Why is they making a sequel to this crap.

  • fluffebunnie

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 1:28 pm GMT

    Why not put Billicheat on the cover?

  • explosivo57

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 1:18 pm GMT

    @rymill

    i think it was meant as a shot at petrino for ditching the falcons mid season

    i liked the first one but it does need a makeover
    make it more fantasy football-esque

  • Paradosis

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 1:05 pm GMT

    The first one was addictive, and yet tedious. If they could just eliminate some of the crap, this would be a great game.

  • bssauter13

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 12:25 pm GMT

    this game was decent on the pc but sucked for ps2, hopefully they make it better then the last one

  • BlackPlague1

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 12:19 pm GMT

    They need a complete overhaul of this game if they want it to sell.

  • rymill

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 12:19 pm GMT

    wait, forget that last post, i was thinking of someone else

  • rymill

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 12:16 pm GMT

    @fanboy4hire

    the game is called NFL head coach, not NCAA head coach

  • BulletProof007

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 11:53 am GMT

    I hope it comes out good because I would love to play a good head coach sim. I never played the first but from what I have read it was not very good.

    This game should be very detailed because the people that would be interested in buying it would be hardcore football fans.

  • akuya32

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 11:29 am GMT

    The last one was crap so it won't take much to make this better then the first one. After saying that I actually hope its good. I won't be dumb enough to run out and buy it because its football.

  • KamuiFei

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 11:23 am GMT

    Bill Cowher is my favorite coach...How dare they replace him...

    Now I'm really pissed EA....I would tell you were you can put your NFL Head Coach 09, but I would get modded instantly...

  • Holopaw

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 11:13 am GMT

    an old black man named Bubblegum Mcskriple told me once, if you cant make a sandwich outa beer cans and dog paws why bother.

  • Dreski83

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 11:10 am GMT

    well... thats real cute, Dungy taking the cover and all. still a bit PO'ed about how things led up to this with EA and the NFL, but I am pretty curious to play something other than Madden

  • Fanboy4Hire

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 11:07 am GMT

    What? No Bobby Petrino?! This is madness.

  • tootergray34

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:59 am GMT

    should have Joe Gibbs on the cover, not stupid Dungy.

    nice avatar tennisacerg

    go hogs

  • tennisacerg

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:59 am GMT

    this better be way improved over 06; i thought it was going to be an awesome game, but i was thouroughly disappointed

    come on EA, make this one right

  • ck02623

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:50 am GMT

    This game is going to suck.

  • speedjunkie4

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:48 am GMT

    Nice cover. That's it.

  • radbytrade

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:47 am GMT

    Eh, perhaps EA will learn from the mistakes made with the first entry in the title and put something out there that's engaging. I appreciate a good management sim. Then again, I think watching paint dry is damn fun.

  • fluffebunnie

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:34 am GMT

    Great cover choice. That's about all this has going for it.

  • DrKill09

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:30 am GMT

    EA Sports Presents: Watching Paint Drying: The Game

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