As always this time of year there are a number of openings in the NFL both at the head coaching position and at the assistant level either because of firings or guys getting opportunities to move up the ladder. As always some of the hires will be retreads, some will be college guys, and some will be out of nowhere. These are a few of the things I am currently wondering about in regards to the coaching carousel. Why does any team hire a coach before the end of the playoffs? Why would a coach go to a team that fires a coach after only 1 or 2 years especially if the organization has been quick to move on from coaches in the past? Had Alabama won last night I would be wondering Is Saban made the jump to the NFL being he would be in sole position of all time championships at the college level and would need new grounds to conquer. While I still think he eventually ends up back in the NFL (I think he will eventually want to prove eh can coach in the nfl as well) I dont think he moves until after he wins another championship. however I do wonder does the beat down by Clemson and the possibility that they are going to be dominate the next 2 years behind Lawrence mean Saban jumps early? Will Dabo Swinney start to feel the lure of the nfl? Im going to throw out this scenario Dabo will make the move to the NFL in two years as part of a package deal to the NFL team with the number 1 overall selection which will be Trevor Lawrece. That one is no so much a wonder as a prediction I suppose. Does any team take chance on Marvin Lewis as a HC? I think more likely he is hired as the DC for a team perhaps under one of his former assistants Jay Gurden? If Bruce Arains takes the tampa job can you trust a guy who goes to somewhere other than his I will only come out of retirement for the Browns? McDaniels is staying with the Pats so when Belichick retires or leaves is there really a need to interview anyone else? It seems to me there is already a handshake deal in place at least. Are any of the playoff team Coaches added to to the fired list if they don't add a Super Bowl? Matt Lafleur? Really is a guy who only called signals for one season and is only 4 years older than your QB going to be able to command his respect?
Every GM has a short list before he ever becomes a GM...If a name near the top of that short list is available, there is no reason to wait until after the playoffs in the off chance another GM has his name on their list as well... If Lawrence continues to be as dominant as he currently is, this would make a TON of sense. I could see it happening. The team would need to be on board, as they could have just hired a coach, etc... but if the #1 overall pick team also needed a coach, I could certainly see this scenario play out. I agree that Clemson will dominate the next two years. Marvin Lewis coaching days are behind him. He is moving into an executive role, something that should have happened years ago. Can you trust him? Yes... The pitch was because he was desperate to get a coaching interview with the Browns, and it also got his name in circulation again. He didn't even know what jobs would be available EXCEPT for that one when he originally made the statement. It was a PR move and it worked apparently. THIS is the guy, as a GM, I wouldn't even waste time interviewing. Even if he took a job, I would almost guarantee he would take short term, two year contracts and as soon as Bill left...so would he. No...I don't see a name that would even be on a hot seat at this point. John Harbaugh was talked about earlier in the year, but A) he turned it around and B) We would have already heard about it if it were going to happen.
Not a head coach, but I have to question whether Scott Linehan's job is safe. Team was 22nd in points scored and yards, and their red zone efficiency, ummm, wasn't.
For point 1 -- why hire a guy before the playoffs. That one is simple -- gives your guy a head start on building a successful staff. Talented position coaches are in high demand. The first HC locked in gets to start building his staff before anyone else. The Giants waited and waited and ended up hiring Shurmer. There are a few positions that felt like guys were hired because that is all that was left rather than because that's who he really wanted. *Looking at you Hal Hunter*
