Firing season kicks off for coaches
Six teams in market for new head coaches after Jaguars, Chargers bring the axe down
Two more NFL head coaches were fired Monday, meaning six teams are now searching for a replacement. Four clubs have vacancies at both head coach and GM, while three others are searching for just a GM.
The high drama of what we once called “Black Monday”
— the day following the last regular-season game, when most clubs would traditionally wait to tie the can to a failing coach — probably won't ever return. Many teams don't have the patience to wait that long.
Two head coach firings came in October (Houston's Bill O'Brien and Atlanta's Dan Quinn), and one in November (Detroit's Matt Patricia).
Still, the New York Jets whacked Adam Gase late Sunday night, and on Monday both Doug Marrone of Jacksonville and Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers were let go.
The six clubs seeking a new GM include Carolina, Detroit, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Houston and — we learned in a surprise announcement on Monday — Denver, as head of football operations John Elway is giving up the GM duties. Washington is expected to fill its GM vacancy, too, effectively making it seven GM openings.
Hot head coach candidates include:
■From the U.S. college ranks, former Ohio State and Florida coach Urban Meyer (seeking $12 million per year, per ProFootballTalk.com), Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh.
■ From the NFL co-ordinator ranks, Kansas City's Eric Bieniemy (offence), San Francisco's Robert Saleh (defence), Buffalo's Brian Daboll (offence), Tennessee's Arthur Smith (offence), Indianapolis' Matt Eberflus (defence) and Baltimore's Wink Martindale (defence).
Here is my ranking of head coach vacancies, from most attractive to least:
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Out: Anthony Lynn, 2017-20, 3331 (.516)
Last 20 games: 6-14 (.300) What's appealing: A roster teeming with impact performers, at receiver and pass rush but especially in Justin Herbert, as elite and promising a rookie QB as the NFL has seen. It's a roster ready to win now, with proper direction.
What's not: No one in traffic hell L.A. cares about the Chargers, and the owning Spanos family has never been able to field a consistent winner. Ask Philip Rivers, a hall of fame-worthy QB but often a one-man show from 2004-19.
Possible fit: Jim Harbaugh, John's younger brother and antsy Michigan head coach. Has yet to re-sign a reported extension offer. Played for the Chargers. Lived for years in, and still has a vacation home in, Southern California. Would be an expert mentor to Herbert. Is the only NFL coach ever to take a team to a conference title game in his first three years (49ers, 2011-13).
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Out: Doug Marrone, 2016-20, 23-43 (.348)
Last 20 games: 3-17 (.150) What's appealing: April's No. 1 overall draft pick, with which to grab Clemson's generational QB prospect Trevor Lawrence. Plus 10 other 2021 draft picks. An NFL-leading $75 million in available cap space, per OverTheCap. com. A multibillionaire owner willing to spend to win. And in low-tax Florida.
What's not: Owner Shad Khan's comment on Monday that “for the immediate future” he intends to be “part of the conversation” on roster moves. That could scare away good GM and head coaching candidates.
Possible fit: Urban Meyer. This is precisely the kind of stacked deck, high upside coaching job he gets into, and crushes, until problems arise.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Out: Bill O'Brien, 2014-20, 52-48 (.520)
Last 20 games: 10-10 (.500) What's appealing: Two words: Deshaun Watson. The fourthyear QB dazzled practically on his own all season long, proving he's a top-five QB.
What's not: The rest of the roster is full of holes, and O'Brien gutted this year's draft with awful trades.
Possible fit: Eric Bieniemy, Andy Reid's co-offensive mastermind in the Patrick Mahomes era. Someone's going to hire him this month. What he could do with Watson is scary.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Out: Dan Quinn, 2015-20, 43-42 (.506)
Last 20 games: 7-13 (.350) What's appealing: Offence isn't the problem. Matt Ryan has proved that, with a lead, when defences can't just pin their ears back and attack him, he's as dangerous as any QB.
What's not: Many holes on defence. Might take time to turn this around, and by then you're probably starting over on offence.
Possible fit: If owner Arthur Blank intends to go all-in on offence, then Brian Kelly or Arthur Smith make the most sense.
DETROIT LIONS
Out: Matt Patricia, 2018-20, 1329-1 (.314)
Last 20 games: 4-16 (.200) What's appealing: Some say starting from scratch, including at QB, has its advantages. Yeah? Name three.
What's not: One franchise playoff victory since 1957. One! Thus, not a single Super Bowl berth. Just 14 winning seasons in the last 50. Possible fit: Robert Saleh, San Francisco defensive co-ordinator. He's from Detroit and the fans would love him.
NEW YORK JETS
Out: Adam Gase, 2019-20, 9-23 (.281)
Last 20 games: 5-15 (.250) What's appealing: Like the Lions, a blank slate. Maybe even at QB if Sam Darnold (the No. 3 draft pick in 2018) is deemed expendable.
What's not: Think of the Jets as a franchise clone of the Lions, with an equally worn-out reset button, but with 20 times the media scrutiny, demands and impatience.
Possible fit: Has to be a media savvy, grizzled, tough-minded individual.