Don’t bemoan the downer debut of new Capitals coach Dale Hunter, a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Little can be gleaned from a coach’s first game, especially in Washington sports. Consider the following misleading debuts: 5. Ed Tapscott (Wizards) » After a 124-100 win over Golden State in 2008, Caron Butler (35 points) said this of Tapscott: “Now that we got ‘Obama’ on the sideline with us, we’re going to ride with it. Tap, he’s light-skinned, he stands for change, he’s got a law degree, he uses big words, and he’s new in the District and he’s in control now.”
4. Steve Spurrier (Redskins) » His reaction to his preseason debut in 2002, a 38-7 win over the 49ers in Osaka, is widely quoted. But his first regular-season game held more promise, a 31-23 victory over the Cardinals behind Shane Matthews (28-for-40, 327 yards).
3. Joe Gibbs (Redskins) » In a 26-10 loss to the Cowboys in 1981, Joe Theismann threw 48 times and John Riggins rushed eight times for 25 yards. But it didn’t take Gibbs long to figure out what his team did best, at least in his first tenure.
2. Randy Edsall (Maryland) » His 32-24 victory over Miami this year was an ESPN star turn and proof that the Terrapins brand could go national. Oops.
1. Richie Petitbon (Redskins) » In the mother of all misleading debuts in 1993, the Redskins pummeled the defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys 35-16 on their way to a 4-12 season, after which Petitbon was fired.
– Kevin Dunleavy
