Coaching Hot Seat

[RiverDog]

It's getting to be that time of year. There's about 6-8 head coaching changes per year, and we've already had two HC's, Matt Rhule of the Panthers and Frank Reich of the Colts, that have been fired. So who else?

First year Bronco's HC Nathanial Hackett is one of the most talked about coaches that is squarely on the hot seat, along with his division mate and fellow 1st year Raiders HC Josh McDaniels. The Texans have a first year coach, too, Lovie Smith, and with the way their season is going, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he's one and done, too.

Other names that have been bandied about are Kliff Kingsbury, Kevin Stefanski, and as always is the case for any Cowboys head coach, Mike McCarthy.

I came across an article today that talks about former longtime Saints HC Sean Payton may be getting back in the mix, with the two possible locations mentioned being San Diego and Arizona:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sean ... cardinals/

[NorthHawk]

The Chargers would make a lot of sense for Payton.
They have a great young QB, are in a warm climate and he could get full control of the roster.
AZ? I’m not sure he would want Murray after this past year and studying clause as well he might consider Murray to
be a gimmick type QB - but I could be wrong about that - just an assumption because the QBs he’s had have been of
the traditional type in their play.

[Aseahawkfan]

I cannot imagine Hackett keeping his job after this year. Denver has to salvage this trade they made by at least trying a new coach.

McCarthy is probably safe. He has to make the playoffs and maybe see some progress.

Not sure who else would be on the hot seat other than coaches of crap teams as is usual this time of the year.

Houston's coach lives on a burning dumpster fire of a team, so they are always on the hot seat.

[Hawktawk]

Not a big bounty pool architect fan . Where’s the beef ? Payton got 1 ring with a decade of Drew Brees, hadn’t won squat since then , bombed without Brees last year . But whatever . I think he’s a smug prick .

Hackett will never be a HC again . Because he had Wilson . He’d have been better off with Drew Lock . Kingsbury is a joke . So is Murray . Both are signed long term . Gotta love it . Chargers aren’t moving on after this year . They have been killed with injuries and are still competetive .

McCarthy has his best team since he won with Rogers . Unfortunately he has Dak who will sink them at some point but he’s safe barring some collapse . Lovie Smith should never have been hired nor David Culley who had Davis mills playing great last year fired . It’s the Texans . Who wants it ?
It’s a weird year already . Let’s see how weird it winds up

[obiken]

The Chargers would make a lot of sense for Payton.
They have a great young QB, are in a warm climate and he could get full control of the roster.
AZ? I’m not sure he would want Murray after this past year and studying clause as well he might consider Murray to
be a gimmick type QB - but I could be wrong about that - just an assumption because the QBs he’s had have been of
the traditional type in their play.

I agree the Coaches of the Chargers and Raiders are dead men walking. Hackett looks like a down syndrome child waiting for the ax to fall. I think the Raiders lose Carr who is a damn good QB, if their coach doesnt go.

[RiverDog]

I cannot imagine Hackett keeping his job after this year. Denver has to salvage this trade they made by at least trying a new coach.

McCarthy is probably safe. He has to make the playoffs and maybe see some progress.

Not sure who else would be on the hot seat other than coaches of crap teams as is usual this time of the year.

Houston's coach lives on a burning dumpster fire of a team, so they are always on the hot seat.

If the Cowboys don't go deep into the playoffs this season, ie NFCCG or better, and if Jerry thinks he can land Payton, IMO McCarthy walks.

At the start of the season, Ron Rivera's job was thought to be on the line, but with their recent success, his name isn't popping up very much.

[NorthHawk]

People are always linking Payton to Dallas because he and Jones are friends.
But Jones is too hands on with personnel if the reports that Payton wants full control of the personnel are true.
As well, Dallas can be a pretty cold place in the winter so that's two strikes against him going there. From a friendship PoV, Payton should avoid Dallas as it creates too many strains in the relationship, much like Jerry and Jimmy Johnson.
But, money has a way of talking loudly.

[RiverDog]

People are always linking Payton to Dallas because he and Jones are friends.
But Jones is too hands on with personnel if the reports that Payton wants full control of the personnel are true.
As well, Dallas can be a pretty cold place in the winter so that's two strikes against him going there. From a friendship PoV, Payton should avoid Dallas as it creates too many strains in the relationship, much like Jerry and Jimmy Johnson.
But, money has a way of talking loudly.

Yeah, and who knows about his warm weather preference. It could be a negotiating ploy to get a bigger salary or more favorable terms. Then there's the Saints that enter into the equation. Even though the Cowboys are in a different division, they may prefer that Payton go to an AFC team like the Chargers or Raiders.

There's also rumors floating around the Sean McVay may hang it up and go into the broadcasting business.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/se ... r-AA14vu4c

A lot of drama to be played out in the coming weeks.

[NorthHawk]

Broadcasting would be a good gig for former coaches because it pays well, keeps them involved in the game, but gives them way more time with their families.
But some people are just teachers at heart and really miss the daily interaction and creating the environment for a team to succeed. Time will tell if that coaching
bug has left Payton or not.
I still think the Chargers are the best team for him. Great young QB, and some real good talent to begin with. I think Herbert has much more upside than Prescott
and they are in LA, with all of the media presence at his doorstep.

[RiverDog]

Broadcasting would be a good gig for former coaches because it pays well, keeps them involved in the game, but gives them way more time with their families.
But some people are just teachers at heart and really miss the daily interaction and creating the environment for a team to succeed. Time will tell if that coaching
bug has left Payton or not.
I still think the Chargers are the best team for him. Great young QB, and some real good talent to begin with. I think Herbert has much more upside than Prescott
and they are in LA, with all of the media presence at his doorstep.

Not to mention how much stress there is in being an NFL head coach. I can remember Dick Vermeil retiring at an early age and at the height of his coaching career, saying that he was burned out.

Agreed about the Chargers being the right fit, but there has to be an opening. The Chargers had a 9-7 season in Staley's first year, and if they equal that this season, which with a weak 2nd half of their schedule (Cards, Raiders, Rams, and Broncos) and a healthy Justin Herbert makes it seem likely, they'd be hard pressed to fire him.

[tarlhawk]

This is a topic that is fun for speculation. Reality of such decisions comes in many forms some sudden....most are delayed. The actual decision is often "internal" for reasons discussed between management and ownership. Sometimes the pressure comes directly from the NFL when questions persist of the viability of a franchises marketing ability represents the majority of owners. Media pressure (external) and fan approval (internal) play some role....but not as big as one would assume. Team stability for a franchises ownership can not be underscored in its value and most "businesses" recognize the need to push back against "rash" decisions.

Given time ....an adequate replacement (short/long term from within/without) must be found and trusted ....as the Head coach and the GM are highly paid for the huge influence they wield on a teams finances and team buy-in. Responsible ownership is not as "fickle" as a fan's "patience"....for these changes in key leadership positions can create long ranging chaos....and the pressure to "win now" can easily suffer during such chaos. For ownership the "financial" swing of such chaos involves the formation of a trusted relationship gone "bad".

True "parity" in the NFL often endangers the ability of a coach to overcome the lofty expectations of a team "destined" for improvement. There is no "you should improve" but you "must improve" unless the perception of a "rebuild" is prevalent or sometimes new coaches have lowered expectations. Onward and upward! Go Hawks

[RiverDog]

This is a topic that is fun for speculation. Reality of such decisions comes in many forms some sudden....most are delayed. The actual decision is often "internal" for reasons discussed between management and ownership. Sometimes the pressure comes directly from the NFL when questions persist of the viability of a franchises marketing ability represents the majority of owners. Media pressure (external) and fan approval (internal) play some role....but not as big as one would assume. Team stability for a franchises ownership can not be underscored in its value and most "businesses" recognize the need to push back against "rash" decisions.

Given time ....an adequate replacement (short/long term from within/without) must be found and trusted ....as the Head coach and the GM are highly paid for the huge influence they wield on a teams finances and team buy-in. Responsible ownership is not as "fickle" as a fan's "patience"....for these changes in key leadership positions can create long ranging chaos....and the pressure to "win now" can easily suffer during such chaos. For ownership the "financial" swing of such chaos involves the formation of a trusted relationship gone "bad".

True "parity" in the NFL often endangers the ability of a coach to overcome the lofty expectations of a team "destined" for improvement. There is no "you should improve" but you "must improve" unless the perception of a "rebuild" is prevalent or sometimes new coaches have lowered expectations. Onward and upward! Go Hawks

Yeah, in past years, I've made a very tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the league make Black Monday an event like the scouting combine or draft and force teams that are contemplating firing their HC to reveal their decision in Prime Time so they can milk some money out of those decisions. You know, "Las Vegas just fired Josh McDaniels. Denver is on the clock."

[Hawktawk]

Coaching in this league isn’t easy . For every wonder boy there’s a flameout or 2. Hackett believed he was going to be coaching Aaron Rodgers when he took the job although every first time guy will jump at any job offer in the show . Now that he’s a dead men walking what reputable guy such as everyone’s favorite Payton will want to marry Russel? Guys always think they can do it and the moneys good . It’s early as you say . If Chargers make the tourney that guys staying . McDaniel needs to run the table starting Sunday . He’s been around a long time but never put it together . Hopefully he doesn’t Sunday either . If I’m Payton I’m sticking pins in my Mike McCarthy doll hoping for an early playoff exit . It’s where he makes sense . He would be most effective there.

[RiverDog]

Coaching in this league isn’t easy . For every wonder boy there’s a flameout or 2. Hackett believed he was going to be coaching Aaron Rodgers when he took the job although every first time guy will jump at any job offer in the show . Now that he’s a dead men walking what reputable guy such as everyone’s favorite Payton will want to marry Russel? Guys always think they can do it and the moneys good . It’s early as you say . If Chargers make the tourney that guys staying . McDaniel needs to run the table starting Sunday . He’s been around a long time but never put it together . Hopefully he doesn’t Sunday either . If I’m Payton I’m sticking pins in my Mike McCarthy doll hoping for an early playoff exit . It’s where he makes sense . He would be most effective there.

Hackett is just 42 years old. If he gets fired at the end of this season, which at this point seems likely, it's not necessarily the end of his head coaching career. One has to look no further than former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who's had several job offers before he took the Raiders job after a disastrous tour in Denver.

Payton's not going to Denver, at least not this season. The Saints still own his rights and are going to want something in return from any team that wants to sign him. Besides, any coach with several offers to choose from that accepts a job with a team that's hitched its wagon to an underperforming franchise quarterback like Russell would have to get his head examined.

But I could see a scenario where McCarthy gets fired in Dallas, Jerruh hires Payton, then McCarthy takes the Broncos job.

[Hawktawk]

I just read an interesting article that suggests it isn't Hackett that's losing the locker room, its Wilson. Going back to the summer with all the celebrity jet setting and goofy comments, wearing his own number to training camp, skipping preseason , all the goofy lets ride stuff.
Then he didn't perform, probably the biggest reason for almost every loss. That sideline flareup is a canary in a coal mine indicating how much of that locker room feels.
So I guess I dont know about Hackett. Surely they wont both be back next year. But there's 6 weeks left. If they should run it out then who knows. Winning cures lots of things. I hope they dont win again but if this season has proven anything its that anything is possible.

[RiverDog]

I just read an interesting article that suggests it isn't Hackett that's losing the locker room, its Wilson. Going back to the summer with all the celebrity jet setting and goofy comments, wearing his own number to training camp, skipping preseason , all the goofy lets ride stuff.
Then he didn't perform, probably the biggest reason for almost every loss. That sideline flareup is a canary in a coal mine indicating how much of that locker room feels.
So I guess I dont know about Hackett. Surely they wont both be back next year. But there's 6 weeks left. If they should run it out then who knows. Winning cures lots of things. I hope they dont win again but if this season has proven anything its that anything is possible.

Hackett and Wilson are thought of by many as being one and the same, so if Wilson is losing the locker room, it follows that Hackett is, too. Hackett is the one that has enabled Russell.

At this point, I would bet heavily against the Broncos doing any better than .500 from here on out. They still have to play the Chiefs twice along with the Ravens.

[NorthHawk]

I think it's easy to see the Broncos ending up a 5 win team.
I hope it's even less which gives us high first and second round picks.

[RiverDog]

I think it's easy to see the Broncos ending up a 5 win team.
I hope it's even less which gives us high first and second round picks.

5-12 is a reasonable expectation given their remaining schedule. That assumption would have them losing to Baltimore, KC twice, and one out of the Rams-Cards-Chargers games.

The games vs. the Rams and Cards could be interesting. All 3 teams currently have 8 losses, and the first tiebreaker when deciding draft slotting is head-to-head competition. In other words, if the Broncos lose to the Rams and both teams finish at 5-12, the Broncos would get the higher pick. That is, unless there's 3 or more teams tied with the same record.

In any event, having the Broncos first two picks make this season a little more interesting than it otherwise would be.

[NorthHawk]

It makes the draft and lead up to it much more interesting for us.
This draft doesn't seem deep in top tier talent so if we select 5th or later from the Broncos we might not get a difference maker like we got this past year with our first pick.
I wouldn't be averse to trading it away for another teams 1st round pick next year plus their 2nd round pick in this years draft - or maybe a player that really fits what we want to do.
So let's say we swap their #15 pick for our #6 plus we get pick #46 (I think Miami forfeited their pick this year) and their next years 1st round selection. But it really depends on who
is available in the draft and what would reasonably be expected of the team you are trading with for next year's pick.

[RiverDog]

It makes the draft and lead up to it much more interesting for us.
This draft doesn't seem deep in top tier talent so if we select 5th or later from the Broncos we might not get a difference maker like we got this past year with our first pick.
I wouldn't be averse to trading it away for another teams 1st round pick next year plus their 2nd round pick in this years draft - or maybe a player that really fits what we want to do.
So let's say we swap their #15 pick for our #6 plus we get pick #46 (I think Miami forfeited their pick this year) and their next years 1st round selection. But it really depends on who
is available in the draft and what would reasonably be expected of the team you are trading with for next year's pick.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind stockpiling some picks instead of trading them away like we have in the past for players like Adams and Graham. But as you said, it depends on what players are available.

[RiverDog]

With their loss earlier this week, Josh McDaniel could be back on the hot seat.

The Raiders have now lost 4 games after having a 13+ point lead:

A 20-0 lead midway through the 3rd vs. the Cards. Final score: 29-23 Cards
A 17-0 lead late in the 1st half vs. the Chiefs. Final score: 30-29 Chiefs.
A 17-0 lead late in the 1st half vs. the Jags. Final score: 27-20 Jags.
And finally, a 16-3 lead with 3.5 minutes left in the game vs. the Rams. Final score: 17-16 Rams.

Social media is going ape.

JOSH MCDANIELS LOST TO A ESPN ANALYST (The Colts Jeff Saturday) AND PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AGENT IN THE SAME SEASON

https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/lists ... -led-rams/

[TriCitySam]

I don't know if Hackett is HC material or not, but he was put in a position that made it impossible. Denver gave RW and his people complete access and a lot of control. RW was running his own offense 1/2 the time, and given all that, Hackett was in no position to challenge him. It was a no win situation. Can't imagine Kingsbury or Smith survive.

[RiverDog]

I don't know if Hackett is HC material or not, but he was put in a position that made it impossible. Denver gave RW and his people complete access and a lot of control. RW was running his own offense 1/2 the time, and given all that, Hackett was in no position to challenge him. It was a no win situation. Can't imagine Kingsbury or Smith survive.

Hackett is one of the architects of the current Broncos power structure. He's the one that referred to Russell as virtually a co-coach. He helped make his own bed. Zero sympathy for him.

It sure didn't take long for the Raiders fans to forget about that 3 game winning streak. McDaniel is getting roasted.

If the Cowboys either don't make the playoffs or if they're one-and-done, don't be surprised if Jerry Jones doesn't can McCarthy and brings in Sean Payton.

We're likely looking at 6-7 HC openings this year.

[trents]

Lovie Smith will be given more time. He was handed a totally dysfunctional outfit and he has a track record of success elsewhere as a head coach at the NFL level.

[NorthHawk]

Lovie Smith will be given more time. He was handed a totally dysfunctional outfit and he has a track record of success elsewhere as a head coach at the NFL level.

I hope he gets to continue. 1 year is never enough time to put in people that fit your program, but it wouldn't surprise me if he was replaced.

[Hawktawk]

Lovie Smith will be given more time. He was handed a totally dysfunctional outfit and he has a track record of success elsewhere as a head coach at the NFL level.

It’s more dysfunctional then a year ago . David Culley won 4 last year with a dreadful team that expected Watson and got 2nd round rookie Davis Mills .
Culley got him playing as well as any rookie in any round at years end . He opened the game against us last year completing his first 14 passes in a game we pulled away late .

Everyone thought Culley deserved another year except Texans brass and next to the Wilson Hackett debacle it’s the worst hire in the league . Mills has regressed and is benched . Not a good job . Tired old man

Lovie got the job to put it in the face of those who pointed out a white man would get more time with what went down . I have no sympathy for Lovie and think he , the GM and owner should all be gone . Paying off masseuses and renting Watson room . Providing NDAs . The owner should be gone .

[Hawktawk]

I don't know if Hackett is HC material or not, but he was put in a position that made it impossible. Denver gave RW and his people complete access and a lot of control. RW was running his own offense 1/2 the time, and given all that, Hackett was in no position to challenge him. It was a no win situation. Can't imagine Kingsbury or Smith survive.

I can think of several games where wide open guys right in front of him with clear line of sight are ignored , how many wide open receivers are missed . Hackett is in an impossible position . It might keep him the job . Nobody wants to be married to a qb playing that bad . Who’s taking the job

[NorthHawk]

Lovie Smith will be given more time. He was handed a totally dysfunctional outfit and he has a track record of success elsewhere as a head coach at the NFL level.

Dysfunctional teams make dysfunctional decisions and it perpetuates the cycle.

[RiverDog]

It doesn't involve a coach on the hot seat, but rumors are continuing to swirl about the Rams Sean McVay:

It's also worth noting that both Colin Cowherd and Dan Patrick suggested this week that McVay could ditch the Rams for a broadcasting gig as soon as January or February.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles ... n_38225207

Let's count up the possible openings. We already have two, the Colts and the Panthers both having already dismissed their HC. Obviously, Hackett is in hot water in Denver and there's speculation that Lovie Smith could be one and done with the Texans as could the Raider's Josh McDaniel, and we have the possibility of McVay retiring. Plus I heard Mike Florio say earlier that Robert Kraft might be trying to encourage Bill Belichick to retire:

"I think the way it would happen is, Bill Belichick would begin to sense that they don't want him there anymore and he would start looking at other opportunities and they would let him go," Florio said. "I think that's how the end will come. Because there's going to be another team out there. If he still wants to keep coaching, there's gonna be another team out there that would take him in a heartbeat, that would pay him what he's making, that would give up a first-round pick plus to get him. So I don't think you ever have to fire Bill Belichick, you just have to make it known that Bill Belichick's available for one of these other teams."

Toss in Mike McCarthy with the Cowboys and we're up to 8 possible openings.

[trents]

Dallas is doing well this year and competitive. Doing better than they've done in a while. I don't agree that McCarthy is on the hot seat.

Did I hear that Jason Garrett is a finalist for the head coaching job at Stanford? Seems like it would be a good fit. Geek coach at a geek school.

[obiken]

Dallas is doing well this year and competitive. Doing better than they've done in a while. I don't agree that McCarthy is on the hot seat.

Did I hear that Jason Garrett is a finalist for the head coaching job at Stanford? Seems like it would be a good fit. Geek coach at a geek school.

Not anymore they went with the guy from Sac state.

[RiverDog]

Dallas is doing well this year and competitive. Doing better than they've done in a while. I don't agree that McCarthy is on the hot seat.

Did I hear that Jason Garrett is a finalist for the head coaching job at Stanford? Seems like it would be a good fit. Geek coach at a geek school.

Two names to remember about the Cowboys and their head coaching position: Jerry Jones and Sean Payton. If Jones has a chance to get Payton, he'd throw McCarthy under the bus in a heartbeat.

I hadn't heard that about Garrett and Stanford. I don't pay much attention to college football anymore.

[Hawktawk]

When McCarthy loses in the first playoff game let’s talk . When . Not “ if”

[RiverDog]

When McCarthy loses in the first playoff game let’s talk . When . Not “ if”

Gotcha!

[NorthHawk]

wo names to remember about the Cowboys and their head coaching position: Jerry Jones and Sean Payton. If Jones has a chance to get Payton, he'd throw McCarthy under the bus in a heartbeat.

I hadn't heard that about Garrett and Stanford. I don't pay much attention to college football anymore.

But is Payton interested in Dallas?
They are supposed to be friends so it might be an option but many people don't like to mix business with friendship. As well, Jerry wants to run the show and so does Payton so there would probably be
some friction about that. And Payton wants to go to a warm weather locale which would point to LA Chargers as his first choice even if some of the rumors are true that McVay might leave to take some
time off.

[RiverDog]

wo names to remember about the Cowboys and their head coaching position: Jerry Jones and Sean Payton. If Jones has a chance to get Payton, he'd throw McCarthy under the bus in a heartbeat.

I hadn't heard that about Garrett and Stanford. I don't pay much attention to college football anymore.

But is Payton interested in Dallas? They are supposed to be friends so it might be an option but many people don't like to mix business with friendship. As well, Jerry wants to run the show and so does Payton so there would probably be some friction about that. And Payton wants to go to a warm weather locale which would point to LA Chargers as his first choice even if some of the rumors are true that McVay might leave to take some time off.

If Jerry Jones can mind his business and stay out of the way of Bill Parcells, who wasn't anyone's yes man, he can do the same with Sean Payton.

I'm not making a prediction nor am I pretending to know what Payton's priorities are. All I'm saying is that if Jerry Jones has an opportunity to get Payton, he'll throw Mike McCarthy under the bus so fast it will make your head swim.