NFL Coaching Switches

Sorry about the lateness of my this post, MLK day got away from me. But that means a double dose of articles!

I will save my analysis of the Super Bowl for next week. This week, we focus on one of the most important jobs in a football game: Coaching. Since the end of the regular season, we have seen many coaches fired and hired, even before the regular offseason started. Some of these coaches deserved to be fired. Others, they should have been given another chance. For now, we will stick with the head coaching position for each team.

Jim Harbaugh - San Fransisco 49ers 
During week 17 of the regular season, we would see 4 year HC of the 49ers, Jim Harbaugh, agree with the team to mutually part ways. During his time in the bay area, Harbaugh would lead the 49ers to an overall record of 49-22-1, which includes a Super Bowl appearance and 3 straight NFC Championship appearances. Harbaugh would seem to have almost the perfect formula to be back in the playoffs every year, except this last one. During the season, there was speculation on how Harbaugh treated his players. According to some, the players felt "undermined" or "treated like children." These allegations were what brought former Tampa Bay HC Greg Schiano's NFL carrier to a halt. Towards the end of the season, the players looked to have changed their minds about their fearless leader. But, the 49er front office was already looking to the future. It was too late for Harbaugh to reconcile with his franchise and officially left after their week 17 win.

Where is he now? - Harbaugh has now secured a job for the next 7 years as a Head Coach at the University of Michigan, his alma mater.

New HC - Rumors say that the 49ers will promote defensive line coach, Jim Tomsula, to Head Coach later this offseason.

Rex Ryan - New York Jets
Everyone saw this coming from lightyears away. After a 5 year stay with the Jets, Ryan has not accomplished much in recent history. Rex started out his Jets HC campaign with two straight AFC Title appearances under the rookie QB Mark Sanchez. It would seem like nothing would go right after that second year. Ryan would have to deal with many set backs including the loss of key players like CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Darrelle Revis, WR Santonio Holmes, Tebowmania, no front office help in drafting at positions he needed, and a QB who thinks he could be in the pro bowl despite having some of the worst games of his life this season. Ryan needed to go. Not because of the Jets wanted him to, but because Ryan needed to find a new coaching job where he could make the team work they way he wanted.

Where is he now? - Ryan was the first HC fired and then hired this offseason. He would sign with the Buffalo Bills earlier last week.

New HC - The HC position of the Jets still remains open.

Marc Trestman - Chicago Bears
Let's face it, it's gonna be hard to fill Lovie Smith's shoes. Trestman did not fit the bill. After 2 seasons and a 13-19 record with no playoffs, Chicago decided to cut the chord early with Marc. As a HC, you are responsible for both sides of the ball, and Trestman could not get it done on either. The Bears haven't been the same since the departure of LB Brian Urlacher (currently ranked 30th in total defense), but the second biggest problem was scoring for the Bears. The Bears had the 23 ranked scoring offense that includes a top RB in Matt Forte, a better than decent offensive line, and a host of WRs and TEs for Cutler to chose from. There was no excuse not to score more often. I know people say that Cutler is a bad QB, but he's not. He just had a bad year. Before this season with the Bears, Cutler threw for 101 TDs in 5 years and has a W-L record over .500. Therefore, the blame falls on Trestman.

Where is he now? - Trestman has not yet been hired by any team either professional or colligate.

New HC - John Fox was signed to a deal last week to become the new HC for Chicago.

John Fox - Denver Broncos
No one saw this coming. Only a few days after their loss to the Colts in the Divisional Round, Fox decided to part ways with the Broncos. After 4 seasons in Denver, Fox holds a 46-18 record in the regular season, and one of those seasons was behind QBs Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow. He has been to the playoffs every year with the Broncos since taking over. Though it has not been released as to why Fox left the Mile High City, some believe that he and VP John Elway were at odds with one another. It is the only reason that Fox would want to leave a team that is ready to win a Super Bowl with as much star talent as they have.

Where is he now? - Fox signed a deal with he Chicago Bears last week.

New HC - Gary Kubiak, OC for the Ravens, has been hired to be the new HC.

Mike Smith - Atlanta Falcons
This was the most silent of the teams to lose their HC. After 2 years of losing records, Smith was fired. This looks like for the same reason as Trestman's firing. Tons of offensive stars, and no defensive play. With what some people have called the best WR duo in football today, Julio Jones and Roddy White cannot seem to do anything in this offense. Defensively, the Falcons ranked dead last in total defense, even with the Thursday Night blowout win over the Bucs early in the season. Smith had the chance to save his job this year, but missed it in week 17 by failing to beat the Panthers to advance to the playoffs.

Where is he now? - Mike Smith has neither signing or been interviewed by any team as to public knowledge.

New HC - The Falcons have yet to hire a new HC for next year.

Doug Marrone - Buffalo Bills
This is one of the more interesting cases for HCs. Marrone would decide earlier in the month to not extend his contract with the Bills and leave. After 2 seasons and going 15-17, most people would think that he would be fired, but he walked away. This year, the Bills had the 4th best overall defense and had a shot at the playoffs with their first winning record since 2004. The Bills would also be impressive on offense as well with the recent edition of WR Sammy Watkins in last years draft. Marrone has not said why he left, and we may not know ever.

Where is he now? - On January 20, Marrone would be hired as the Assistant HC and Offensive Line coach for the Jaguars.

New HC - The Bills hired Rex Ryan as their HC more than a week ago.