# 2011 NFL Coaching Carousel **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 6, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623 "2011-01-06T16:27:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/41 "2011-01-28T14:35:48Z")
> [@Jules\_Andre](#): > > The Eagles made a huge hire today by [picking up Jim Washburn from Tennessee](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6037853) as their new defensive line coach. Cue the rumors of Haynesworth to Philadelphia… ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/42 "2011-01-28T15:44:49Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > … I’m sure someone will snap him [Fisher] up though; or maybe he’ll decide to take a year off and do some Sunday Pre-game show, coming back in 2012 when he’ll have his pick of jobs and the labor dispute is settled. ESPN talking heads speculated that he could go for a vacant coordinator position, but I think taking a year off is more likely. Heck, every coach might be taking a year off. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/43 "2011-01-28T15:59:28Z")
I don’t have a problem with the Titans firing Jeff Fisher. But Bud Adams really screwed Fisher over by waiting so long to fire him. If Adams wanted Fisher gone, fine! It’s not as if he’s won a dozen Super Bowls (or even one Super Bowl). But he could have fired him the instant the season ended, and Fisher would undoubtedly have been hired quickly by SOMEBODY. But now? All the vacancies have been filled, and Fisher is almost certainly out of coaching for a year. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/44 "2011-01-28T16:03:18Z")
So does that mean Vince Young is off the trading block? Or are they both gone? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/45 "2011-01-28T16:06:13Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I don’t have a problem with the Titans firing Jeff Fisher. But Bud Adams really screwed Fisher over by waiting so long to fire him. > > If Adams wanted Fisher gone, fine! It’s not as if he’s won a dozen Super Bowls (or even one Super Bowl). But he could have fired him the instant the season ended, and Fisher would undoubtedly have been hired quickly by SOMEBODY. But now? All the vacancies have been filled, and Fisher is almost certainly out of coaching for a year. And getting paid $6 million to not coach in that year. That’s likely more than he would have made elsewhere. He’s very well-regarded and will get another job. If I were in his position, I would _want_ to sit out a year or two, recharge the batteries, and enjoy the ability to be picky about what’s next. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/46 "2011-01-28T20:00:17Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I don’t have a problem with the Titans firing Jeff Fisher. But Bud Adams really screwed Fisher over by waiting so long to fire him. > > If Adams wanted Fisher gone, fine! It’s not as if he’s won a dozen Super Bowls (or even one Super Bowl). But he could have fired him the instant the season ended, and Fisher would undoubtedly have been hired quickly by SOMEBODY. But now? All the vacancies have been filled, and Fisher is almost certainly out of coaching for a year. Three weeks ago he didn’t know that Fisher wanted to hire his son as quality control coach. There’s a no nepotism rule with the Titans. He also didn’t know that Fisher had signed Chuck Cecil to a million dollar contract two weeks before firing him, making sure he got a nice parting gift. A lot of people figure that Fisher did this to force this exact reaction, due to the slow response he was getting hiring assistants, that he would be a lame duck, and just the general level of distrust between coach and owner. This doesn’t mean VY will be back, most of the organization had issues with him, just not Bud. Personally, I’m all for the move. Two six game losing streaks in the last two seasons? Multiple five game losing streaks over the past few years? Any other coach would be gone. If it wasn’t for the Music City Miracle, he would’ve been fired years ago. You hear about all the other teams that want to hire him…really? I know he was on the competition committee and all that, but last years team was an unorganized mess. People want to point to VY and to Bud, but they didn’t cause the defense to be so terrible. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/47 "2011-01-28T20:44:14Z")
> [@diku](#): > > Personally, I’m all for the move. Two six game losing streaks in the last two seasons? Multiple five game losing streaks over the past few years? Any other coach would be gone. If it wasn’t for the Music City Miracle, he would’ve been fired years ago. You hear about all the other teams that want to hire him…really? I know he was on the competition committee and all that, but last years team was an unorganized mess. People want to point to VY and to Bud, but they didn’t cause the defense to be so terrible. I think you’ll find that I didn’t object to the firing, per se. Bud Adams had valid reasons for thinking it was time to go in another direction. Fisher is a good coach, but I fully agree he’s been overrated. I just think it was a bush league move to do it NOW, when there aren’t any more head coachig vacancies that Fisher could apply for. Of course, there’s liable to be a lockout this year, which would make that a moot point. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/48 "2011-02-01T20:33:22Z")
The rumor is the Browns aren’t going to sign an offensive coordinator this year. The head coach will call the plays and the QB coach will oversee the offense. How often does that happen? I can’t recall it. Sounds like… not good. I was hoping they were waiting to hire the GB QB coach or something for OC. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/49 "2011-02-01T22:02:50Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > The rumor is the Browns aren’t going to sign an offensive coordinator this year. The head coach will call the plays and the QB coach will oversee the offense. How often does that happen? I can’t recall it. Sounds like… not good. I was hoping they were waiting to hire the GB QB coach or something for OC. It’s pretty common. The way the titles shake out is often different but it’s not uncommon for a HC to be a Coordinator. The Bears went without a DC last year and Lovie called all the defensive plays even though Linebackers Coach Babich got a token DC title amended to his business cards. The Broncos never had a OC under Shanahan and the Quarterbacks coach was typically given a token OC title. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Browns QB coach was given the OC title in name only as well. The other scenario for teams with offensive minded HCs is that they won’t hire a QB coach at all and they’ll hire a low paid OC who’s job is to help the HC manage the QBs without a QB coach title. ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/50 "2011-02-02T22:34:34Z")
> [@DxZero](#): > > Firing McDermott just to keep Jauron in Philly- Bad move > Firing McDermott because his defense was historically bad this season - Better move > > Some of which was admittedly not his fault, but heavy is the head that bears the headset. When you’re consistently being outschemed in the redzone (like 80% of the time), your days are to be numbered. Firing McDermott to replace him with your offensive line coach - Much worse move. I don’t even know how to go about parsing this. ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/51 "2011-02-02T22:38:09Z")
> [@DxZero](#): > > Firing McDermott to replace him with your offensive line coach - Much worse move. > > I don’t even know how to go about parsing this. “Fuck” Only possible response. That and, “we got the Colts’ O-line coach! And Washburn!” Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/52 "2011-02-03T18:24:59Z")
Not really part of the carousel but Falcons HC Mike Smith [signed a hefty extension](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6086152) following the successful season. The guy is certainly deserving considering what he’s done with this team after the Vick/Petrino fiascoes and you have to guess that his salary will jump from $2.2M per to $5-6M per, no firm numbers available yet. Smith was entering a potential lame duck year next year like Lovie Smith and a handful of other coaches. With the lockout looming I’m a little surprised that teams would sign coaches to new extensions when there’s not a ton of motivation to do so right now, but if anyone deserved it it’s Mike Smith. Hopefully the Bears hold off on extending Lovie until he puts together another winning season, but supposedly they are negotiating a deal now. I’m coming around on him a bit, hopefully Angelo will ink this extension and then retire gracefully himself and bring in a successor (Tim Ruskell?) who blows fewer draft picks. Also, the Bengals have [hired UFL coach](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6085902) Jay Gruden, brother of Jon, to replace Bratkowski as Offensive Coordinator. I made a couple comments about it over in the Bengals thread. All in all it seems like a silly hire considering Jay’s background and inexperience in the NFL but really it’ll depend on what his personnel end up looking like. Feel free to speculate on a Jon Gruden hire next season if Lewis gets the axe after another crappy season in 2011. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/53 "2011-02-08T04:34:05Z")
I thought [this story](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/07/munchak-may-not-bring-back-heimerdinger/) was interesting regarding a possible shake up in Tennessee. > [@](#): > > Munchak was asked specifically about Heimerdinger’s return at Monday’s introductory press conference, and was noncommittal. Keep in mind that the two have worked together for eight years. > > “Right now, to me anything is open,” said Munchak. “To me, we’re starting fresh. It’s not the same old, same old. I think we come in, figure out what’s best for the Titans going forward, with what we have and just go from there. > > “Anything is possible.” > > Munchak also may be bailing on linebackers coach Dave McGinnis, at one point considered the obvious successor to Chuck Cecil as defensive coordinator. Munchak is targeting Jerry Gray to call the Titans’ defensive plays. I’ve long coveted Heimerdinger as the ideal OC for the Bears and while I suspect that Martz will be back it’d be interesting to see if Heimerdinger gets any attention should he become available. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/54 "2011-02-08T15:22:04Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I thought [this story](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/07/munchak-may-not-bring-back-heimerdinger/) was interesting regarding a possible shake up in Tennessee. > > I’ve long coveted Heimerdinger as the ideal OC for the Bears and while I suspect that Martz will be back it’d be interesting to see if Heimerdinger gets any attention should he become available. I’d be sorry to see Jerry Gray get that job, ONLY because the Longhorns just hired him as secondary coach. But I wouldn’t blame Gray for taking the defensive coordinator job in Houston, if it’s available. Being secondary coach at a college (even at Texas) is a big step down from being an NFL defensive coordinator. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623/55 "2011-02-08T21:49:03Z")
Well, the other shoe has dropped in Tennessee. [Titans fire Mike Heimerdinger](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6101875) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-nfl-coaching-carousel/566623.md?page=2)