First off I want to apologize to everyone involved with SportsKop for my hiatus. It's been a difficult few weeks with school but now that winter break is here I plan on posting quite a few articles (two others are done in addition to this one). Hopefully my writing isn't rusty upon my return.
Anyways, in this post I will be taking a look at coaches who are "on the hot seat" and may have to face being fired in the upcoming offseason. You probably have heard their names involved in rumors throughout the year and hopefully I can give a better perspective in regard to this. Without further ado, let's get cracking.
Coaches guaranteed to lose their jobs
Mike Shanahan Washington Redskins
Record: 3-11
A lot was expected of this team coming into this season with RGIII's return and the success they achieved late last year. After winning seven straight games and propelling themselves into the playoffs, the team earned a lot of respect and praise from the nation. Most analysts picked them to make the playoffs but things haven't exactly gone the way they hoped this year. The team can't make a tackle on defense or special teams and Griffin is turnover machine now (12 interceptions and 6 fumbles compared to only 16 touchdowns). To top it off, Shanahan and the franchise player have created a riff with each other and in the locker room. The Redskins simply invested too much into RGIII to side with the coach on this one.
Jason Garrett Dallas Cowboys
Record: 7-7
Yes the Cowboys are only a game behind the Eagles and I still think that they will make the playoffs, but with the amount of talent that "America's team" has they should be leading their weak division. Garrett's job seems to really be on the line after that historically bad loss to the Green Bay Packers. It doesn't help that he seems to have no control over a lot of his players. The Cowboys team are far too stacked to allow themselves to be a .500 team. A change must be done to better utilize all their talent.
Rex Ryan New York Jets
Record: 6-8 [should be 5-9 but Lavonte David committed a stupid penalty which caused the Bucs to lose in the last second]
This prima dona has probably seen his last few weeks in the spotlight that is New York. While he has seem to be perceived as a genius on the defensive side of the ball, this team needs to find new life. The new general manager will probably want his own coach to manage future seasons too. Rex Ryan was on a thin wire coming into the season and needed a successful season to keep his job. Sure his rookie quarterback Geno Smith has shown flashes of brilliance but his development over the course of the season is lacking. He needs more help if the Jets want to find success and that starts with a new coach.
Mike Munchak Tennessee Titans
Record: 5-9
The Titans entered the season as a surprise team who could make a little noise in their division but inevitably lose out to the superior Indianapolis Colts. Things have gone south very quickly after having after having a strong first quarter of the season (3-1). In fact there were rumors that Munchak would not even finish the season because of the team's recent poor play. After showing promise early in the year, the Titans have been disappointing and may even need to cut ties with the unmotivated but speedy Chris Johnson. This is extremely sad as he was thought to be their franchise player not too long ago.
Leslie Fraizer Minnesota Vikings
Record: 4-9-1
There is a verrrrrry slight chance that he can salvage his job if he manages to win his remaining two games against playoff caliber teams but because that is so incredibly unlikely I'm going to put Fraizer in this portion of the list. His quarterbacks have been lackluster at best but this is a situation where the team just needs a new leader. If you really need any indication of why he should be fired, look at their recent game with the Baltimore Ravens. They blew two late game leads with the Vikings making some very questionable decisions.
50-50 Chance
Jim Schwartz Detroit Lions
Record: 7-7
His situation is actually really similar to Jason Garrett's. Personally, I'm not a fan of the critical decisions Jim Schwartz often makes and if I were a Lions fan, I would not want him back. The team is loaded with talent on the defensive front and have soooo much firepower. If a team is struggling to maintain a .500 record and they have as many standout players as the Lions do, there is usually something wrong with the coach.
Dennis Allen Oakland Raiders
Record: 4-10
Let me preface this by stating that I actually like the direction the Raiders are going. Sure they've lost four straight games but now they're just playing for a draft pick and have had to go through a chunk of the season injured. Unfortunately, coaching for the Raiders is never a secure job. The team likes to make personnel changes a couple of years into rebuilding and very rarely give their head coach a solid chance to turn things around. Yes they lack talent but with an early priority in the draft, this team should be poised for a big turnaround next year.
Greg Schiano Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 4-10
If I wrote this article a couple of months ago I would have said that Schiano was as good as gone. Since then the Bucaneers have won four of their last six games (their losses coming only to the playoff bound San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers) and look drastically better. It's quite shocking how this turnaround happened. If the Buccaneers can continue to play well and at least split their remaining games the late surge may be able to keep Schiano around for another season.
Slight Possibilities
Mike Smith Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-10
I blame their poor season solely on injuries to their best players Roddy White and Julio Jones [starting running back Steven Jackson was hurt for much of the season as well]. The team has taken a step forward with White's return but I have to put Mike Smith here just because I saw his name being thrown in these rumors. Smith is a good coach and does not deserve to lose his job and I'm almost certain the Falcons see things the same way I do.
Tom Coughlin New York Giants
Record: 5-9
This team has looked pitiful at times. Sometimes I wonder how they managed to be so good before. Luckily for Tom Coughlin, he has the support of the front office and is adored for the titles that he brought to New York.
Joe Philbin Miami Dolphins
Record: 8-6
If the bullying situation gets ugly then expect Joe Philbin to possibly be suspended or lose his job. I doubt that will be the case and the Dolphins have been enjoying a successful season other than that scandal. Philbin has been leading some great football and pushed the Dolphins into a tight playoff race.
Coach who is a Full-Time Baller
Jim Harbaugh San Francisco 49ers
Record: 10-4
For those of you who do hate the 49ers, I understand why you don't like him. Harbaugh is just one of those coaches that you love if he's on your team and hate if he's on another. Kind of like Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll. In the end, we should all respect their abilities and brilliant minds when it comes to football. Go niners.
Anyways, in this post I will be taking a look at coaches who are "on the hot seat" and may have to face being fired in the upcoming offseason. You probably have heard their names involved in rumors throughout the year and hopefully I can give a better perspective in regard to this. Without further ado, let's get cracking.
Coaches guaranteed to lose their jobs
Mike Shanahan Washington Redskins
Record: 3-11
A lot was expected of this team coming into this season with RGIII's return and the success they achieved late last year. After winning seven straight games and propelling themselves into the playoffs, the team earned a lot of respect and praise from the nation. Most analysts picked them to make the playoffs but things haven't exactly gone the way they hoped this year. The team can't make a tackle on defense or special teams and Griffin is turnover machine now (12 interceptions and 6 fumbles compared to only 16 touchdowns). To top it off, Shanahan and the franchise player have created a riff with each other and in the locker room. The Redskins simply invested too much into RGIII to side with the coach on this one.
Jason Garrett Dallas Cowboys
Record: 7-7
Yes the Cowboys are only a game behind the Eagles and I still think that they will make the playoffs, but with the amount of talent that "America's team" has they should be leading their weak division. Garrett's job seems to really be on the line after that historically bad loss to the Green Bay Packers. It doesn't help that he seems to have no control over a lot of his players. The Cowboys team are far too stacked to allow themselves to be a .500 team. A change must be done to better utilize all their talent.
Rex Ryan New York Jets
Record: 6-8 [should be 5-9 but Lavonte David committed a stupid penalty which caused the Bucs to lose in the last second]
This prima dona has probably seen his last few weeks in the spotlight that is New York. While he has seem to be perceived as a genius on the defensive side of the ball, this team needs to find new life. The new general manager will probably want his own coach to manage future seasons too. Rex Ryan was on a thin wire coming into the season and needed a successful season to keep his job. Sure his rookie quarterback Geno Smith has shown flashes of brilliance but his development over the course of the season is lacking. He needs more help if the Jets want to find success and that starts with a new coach.
Mike Munchak Tennessee Titans
Record: 5-9
The Titans entered the season as a surprise team who could make a little noise in their division but inevitably lose out to the superior Indianapolis Colts. Things have gone south very quickly after having after having a strong first quarter of the season (3-1). In fact there were rumors that Munchak would not even finish the season because of the team's recent poor play. After showing promise early in the year, the Titans have been disappointing and may even need to cut ties with the unmotivated but speedy Chris Johnson. This is extremely sad as he was thought to be their franchise player not too long ago.
Leslie Fraizer Minnesota Vikings
Record: 4-9-1
There is a verrrrrry slight chance that he can salvage his job if he manages to win his remaining two games against playoff caliber teams but because that is so incredibly unlikely I'm going to put Fraizer in this portion of the list. His quarterbacks have been lackluster at best but this is a situation where the team just needs a new leader. If you really need any indication of why he should be fired, look at their recent game with the Baltimore Ravens. They blew two late game leads with the Vikings making some very questionable decisions.
50-50 Chance
Jim Schwartz Detroit Lions
Record: 7-7
His situation is actually really similar to Jason Garrett's. Personally, I'm not a fan of the critical decisions Jim Schwartz often makes and if I were a Lions fan, I would not want him back. The team is loaded with talent on the defensive front and have soooo much firepower. If a team is struggling to maintain a .500 record and they have as many standout players as the Lions do, there is usually something wrong with the coach.
Dennis Allen Oakland Raiders
Record: 4-10
Let me preface this by stating that I actually like the direction the Raiders are going. Sure they've lost four straight games but now they're just playing for a draft pick and have had to go through a chunk of the season injured. Unfortunately, coaching for the Raiders is never a secure job. The team likes to make personnel changes a couple of years into rebuilding and very rarely give their head coach a solid chance to turn things around. Yes they lack talent but with an early priority in the draft, this team should be poised for a big turnaround next year.
Greg Schiano Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 4-10
If I wrote this article a couple of months ago I would have said that Schiano was as good as gone. Since then the Bucaneers have won four of their last six games (their losses coming only to the playoff bound San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers) and look drastically better. It's quite shocking how this turnaround happened. If the Buccaneers can continue to play well and at least split their remaining games the late surge may be able to keep Schiano around for another season.
Slight Possibilities
Mike Smith Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-10
I blame their poor season solely on injuries to their best players Roddy White and Julio Jones [starting running back Steven Jackson was hurt for much of the season as well]. The team has taken a step forward with White's return but I have to put Mike Smith here just because I saw his name being thrown in these rumors. Smith is a good coach and does not deserve to lose his job and I'm almost certain the Falcons see things the same way I do.
Tom Coughlin New York Giants
Record: 5-9
This team has looked pitiful at times. Sometimes I wonder how they managed to be so good before. Luckily for Tom Coughlin, he has the support of the front office and is adored for the titles that he brought to New York.
Joe Philbin Miami Dolphins
Record: 8-6
If the bullying situation gets ugly then expect Joe Philbin to possibly be suspended or lose his job. I doubt that will be the case and the Dolphins have been enjoying a successful season other than that scandal. Philbin has been leading some great football and pushed the Dolphins into a tight playoff race.
Coach who is a Full-Time Baller
Jim Harbaugh San Francisco 49ers
Record: 10-4
For those of you who do hate the 49ers, I understand why you don't like him. Harbaugh is just one of those coaches that you love if he's on your team and hate if he's on another. Kind of like Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll. In the end, we should all respect their abilities and brilliant minds when it comes to football. Go niners.
lol "Full-Time Baller"
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