We’ve seen it a million times throughout sports. When a team is struggling and can’t find a way to win a game, the finger-pointing starts and everyone starts calling for the coach’s head. Can’t win? Fire the coach. Can’t score points? Fire the coach. Missed the playoffs? Again? Fire the coach. The list of baseball managers, basketball coaches and hockey coaches fired mid-season is extensive and many of those teams used the change as a stepping stone to bigger and better seasons under the new regime.
It’s a little different in football. Firing a head coach mid-season can be extremely complicated. Each coach tends to bring in his own personnel and the offensive and defensive coordinators are usually working off schemes designed by their superior. Are there exceptions? Of course, but for the most part, head coaches and coordinators are in lockstep with how the squad is run. If you change head coaches and don’t simply promote a coordinator to finish out the season, you’re looking at the players being forced to learn an entirely new scheme. Not ideal.
Last season, the Redskins fired Jay Gruden after an 0-5 start, but retained his assistant, Bill Callahan to maintain the scheme for Dwayne Haskins’ development. The Panthers fired Ron Rivera with just four games to go, but again, left the scheme in place.
Since 2011, a nine-year span, we’ve seen 16 midseason firings in the NFL. Match that number up against the other three major sports and you’ll see just how low that number really is. Again, it’s a complicated move to make. But, of course, not beyond the realm of possibility here in 2020 which is why we are here today.
Below is a list of coaches who could find themselves on the hot-seat this year. If they were to be fired during the season, what type of an impact could that have on the players and, subsequently, their fantasy value? There were no real standouts after Gruden and Rivera got the axe, so keep in mind, while the fanbase may be ecstatic over the change, there are very few immediate impacts made over the years.
Matt Nagy, CHI – The boy-genius left Kansas City and the shadow of his mentor Andy Reid to take the reins in Chicago and while there were some questions regarding his relationship with some players, he finished 12-4 and led the Bears to an NFC North title in his inaugural campaign. Following a first-round exit from the playoffs, things have steadily gone downhill and the result was an 8-8 finish with no hope of making the playoffs in his second season. The lack of progress seen in QB Mitchell Trubisky is painfully obvious and his inability to build any momentum id disturbing. He brought in Nick Foles to compete for the starting job under center and he now gets a third-year with running back David Montgomery. The pieces are certainly there, so if there is not step forward, he could be gone by season’s end.
Matt Patricia, DET – The Lions took a chance when they hired the defensive-minded Patricia away from the Patriots and, so far, the returns have been less than desirable. A combined 9-22 record while finishing each of the last two years in the NFC North cellar does not exactly enamor a fan base or ownership. The defense continues to lag which makes it difficult for the offense to jell as they simply abandon the run at every turn. The team focused on rebuilding the offensive line in the offseason and draft and brought in a new set of legs in D’Andre Swift. It’s only been two seasons and this coming year will make two for OC Darrell Bevell who is looking to go run-heavy like he did in Seattle. But it’s all about wins and losses, so if the Lions don’t show marked improvement this season, Patricia could find himself out of a job.
Dan Quinn, ATL – After making an appearance in this article last season, Quinn somehow managed to convince ownership he deserved a pass on last season’s struggles. He lost Devonta Freeman early to an injury, but with Dirk Koetter as his new OC, the offense still remained productive. The defense, unfortunately, did not as they ranked 25th against the pass and their corners looked like they were always a step behind. Injuries took their toll on the defensive side of the ball as well, so perhaps that was the main reason he’s still in Atlanta, but if new DC Raheem Morris doesn’t get this team right on his side of the ball, it could cost Quinn his spot at the table.
Bill O’Brien, HOU – Bottom line is O’Brien’s job probably hangs in the balance of how the trade of DeAndre Hopkins for David Johnson goes. He’s made some suspect moves as the Texans’ GM and while he managed to get them into the playoffs last year, this could be the final straw for ownership. This team has the weapons to succeed, but they haven’t put it all together for even just one dominant season. The playoffs this season are a must and anything short of that is going to require some serious explanation as to how and why he is still employed.
Adam Gase, NYJ – Is there a head coach who has been more under-fire by the fans, the media and the players than Gase? Probably not. Yet there wasn’t even a hint of discussion in the offseason regarding his employment status with the Jets. That likely stems from the fact that Gase was named interim GM of the Jets in 2019 and was made a part of the hiring committee that brought in Joe Douglas as the new GM. How’s that for job security? But it should only take him so far. A 7-9 record last season, an inept offense, a distinct rift between him and both players and assistants, all of which make you wonder how much longer he has. Douglas gave him a pass last season, but patience may wear thin this year and if the Jets don’t continue to develop as a team, he could be on his way out. Hard to believe anyone would be upset as the track record of his players during their post-Gase careers speaks volumes.
Keep an Eye On: Anthony Lynn, LAC; Doug Marrone, JAC