Football Hot Seat Index: NFL coaches in danger, or safer than you think - Page 4

oaklandhater · 11-30-2016, 03:17 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/hot-sea...ry?id=43856245

Hot Seat Index: NFL coaches in danger, or safer than you think

We're nearly three-quarters of the way through the 2016 NFL season, and?we have a good picture of which teams have exceeded expectations and which teams are coming up short. For the latter, that means head coaches are going to get fired.

With five more weeks of the season remaining, here's an inside look at which coaches could be on the way out after the season -- and which are likely to stick around -- based on?discussions with several personnel executives around the league.

Squarely on the hot seat

Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars

This was supposed to be the season in which the Jaguars took the leap forward. They spent big money in free agency, and from talking to sources with other teams, personnel executives said they thought this was a talented, young roster. Instead, the Jaguars are 2-9 in Bradley's fourth season, and they have?come up short of expectations.?The Jags are guaranteed to finish with a record at .500 or under for the ninth straight season.

While a team source said Bradley's situation will be reviewed after the season, he has compiled a career record of 14-45 in Jacksonville.

After last season, the team extended Bradley's contract through the 2017 season in order to give him a better chance at succeeding; it planned to make several roster upgrades, which the front office has clearly done. And while it's obvious the roster is more talented than when Bradley took over in 2013, the team has significantly underachieved this season. That doesn't bode well for Bradley's future.

Warming up

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are almost certain to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2010. So what has happened to this team?

From talking to a team source, the roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball, has gotten really old and needs an infusion of younger and more athletic players. While the team feels good about its deep and talented secondary, more talent needs to be added to the front seven, the source added. And on offense, the Bengals have yet to adequately replace former starting receiver? Marvin Jones, who signed with the Lions in free agency.

So, what about the future of Lewis, whose contract expires after 2017?

Lewis has a larger say in the roster than he did when he landed the job in 2003, but owner Mike Brown still picks the players. And it's no secret in league circles that Brown does not like paying coaches who are not working with the Bengals. While Lewis, who is 115-101-3 in 14 years as Cincinnati's coach, has done a terrific job of turning around the team since he took over, he still has not won a playoff game. That is why he'll remain on the hot seat -- at least until Brown goes on the record and says the veteran coach will be back for another season.

Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles Rams

In the preseason edition of the Hot Seat Index, we didn't have Fisher on the hot seat because sources said he was close to signing a new deal with the Rams. In fact, some sources believed the team would announce his new contract after it got off to a surprising 3-1 start. But since then, the Rams are?1-6, and there have been no updates from the team regarding Fisher's contract situation. His contract expires after this season.

With the team a near lock to finish with a non-winning season for the 13th straight year and Fisher's eighth straight as a coach, he'll remain on the hot seat until the Rams announce a decision on his future. He's 31-43-1 in five years with the franchise.

Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers

Sources from other teams maintain the Chargers are still very competitive despite a 5-6 record. And San Diego has?16 players on injured reserve, which is among the highest in the league.

But because the team has finished no higher than third in the AFC West during McCoy's previous three seasons and finished 4-12 in 2015, questions still remain?about his future. And the team has not said he'll be back for sure next season. He signed a one-year extension through 2017 at the end of last season. After 9-7 seasons in his first two years as coach, McCoy is 9-18 since.

Colder than you think

Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers

For the first time in many years, the veteran coach is receiving criticism from some personnel sources I've spoken to across the NFL. A few of them have mentioned that McCarthy needs to be more creative with his offense in order to help quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose performance this season has been disappointing compared to previous seasons.

But should McCarthy, who has put together seven straight playoff appearances, including one Super Bowl title, and is 109-61-1, really be mentioned as potentially on the hot seat?

One long-tenured NFL personnel source said that while McCarthy deserves some criticism for the team's 5-6 record, it's hardly a reason to suggest the veteran coach should be concerned about his job security.

"I think what you're hearing is more media-driven than anything else," the source said. "The team has fallen off this season, so it's open season on the coach. The reality is that other than [Patriots coach Bill] Belichick, show me another guy who hasn't had a down season."

Rex Ryan, Buffalo Bills
We had Ryan under the hot section before this season started. The reason was simple: Ryan had not posted a winning record in his previous five years as a head coach, and there was chatter around the NFL that he had trouble getting the most out of his players.

After 11 games this season, however, the 6-5 Bills are a competitive team despite injury issues on both sides of the ball. Owner Terry Pegula has preached continuity publicly and privately, a team source said. So don't look for anything to happen here.

john Fox, Chicago Bears

After doing slightly better than most personnel executives expected in his first season with a record of 6-10, the Bears have dropped off significantly this season under Fox, with a disappointing 2-9 record.

But there are reasons for the drop-off. The team will place its 15th player on injured reserve this week once it makes the expected move with linebacker? Danny Trevathan (knee). And keep in mind two key players are serving suspensions (wide receiver? Alshon Jeffery and inside linebacker? Jerrell Freeman).

As one team source said, there's simply no way to properly evaluate this team and the coaches with so many key players?out.

Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts

Last November, we had Pagano leading the hot-seat section. He was in the final year of his contract, and he and general manager Ryan Grigson did not have a good working relationship. In fact, it was quite strained at that point, team sources said. Since then, both men had their contracts extended for four seasons and have formed a much better working relationship.

Owner Jim Irsay made it clear that he wanted what was the NFL's oldest roster to become significantly younger, and a team source said Grigson had to address the roster issues on the offensive line, which he did with three selections in the first five rounds of April's draft.

While the 5-6 Colts haven't significantly improved this season, they still are very much in the hunt for first place in the AFC South, and there are no indications Pagano is in jeopardy of losing his job one season after signing an extension. He's 46-29 in five seasons in Indianapolis.

Safe

Todd Bowles, New York Jets
In Bowles' first year with the Jets in 2015, a plugged-in team source felt the team exceeded expectations. The Jets posted a very respectable 10-6 record but did not make the playoffs. Because the team had such a solid record, however, expectations were raised for Bowles despite a roster that needed upgrading in more than a few areas.

Personnel executives from other teams who have watched the Jets' game tape this season pointed out to me that the team has gotten old on offense -- seven starters were at least 29 years old to start the season -- and they look slower on that side of the ball. And the defense, which Bowles still has a large hand in managing, has issues?in the secondary.

General manager Mike Maccagnan has a challenge on his hands, and he has control of the personnel, a team source confirmed. The Jets' issues this season largely are due to having an incomplete roster, and Bowles, who is in the second year of a four-year deal, should not take the blame, even with New York at 3-8.

ScareCrowe · 12-05-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Fisher = extended
Lewis = Gone
Pagano = Gone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

FYP

Hate to say I told you guys so regarding Fisher. He was getting extended almost regardless of record this season. In fact it's coming out now that the deal has been done for a while. Which explains why Demoff wouldn't say last week whether Fisher had already been extended, because he already had.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ned-weeks-ago/

I mean who's ever heard of a team hiding the fact that they've extended a coach or a player? What a joke.

**notorious** · 12-05-2016, 08:51 AM

I can't believe that Fisher has a job.

It would be a hopeless feeling being a fan of his teams.

Deberg_1990 · 12-05-2016, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

I can't believe that Fisher has a job.

It would be a hopeless feeling being a fan of his teams.

Hes the 'Cutler, Rivers, Romo' of coaches.

Hes not great, but hes never truly awful either. He always does 'just enough' to keep a job.

Miles · 12-05-2016, 08:27 PM

Fisher's last winning season was 2008 and has gone 1-7 in the last 8 games this year. Can't recall a coach ever being extended in this type of situation.

Coochie liquor · 12-05-2016, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles

Fisher's last winning season was 2008 and has gone 1-7 in the last 8 games this year. Can't recall a coach ever being extended in this type of situation.

They must like the shape of his lips...

okcchief · 12-05-2016, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Hes the 'Cutler, Rivers, Romo' of coaches.

Hes not great, but hes never truly awful either. He always does 'just enough' to keep a job.

He's made the playoffs 6 times in 22 years. That's truly awful.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Eleazar · 12-05-2016, 10:30 PM

I wish the league had a way to force Kroenke out, he's an embarrassment to humanity

CoMoChief · 12-06-2016, 03:35 AM

Still a head scratcher as to why/how Jeff Fisher still has a job.

**Mav** · 12-06-2016, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Chip Kelley and Hue Jackson safe?

Why would Hue be in trouble. Haslam called it a multi year rebuild and honestly the only poor decision Hue has made was wanting Kessler over Dak. But that's forgivable. He hasn't lost the locker room despite starting 4 different qbs.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-06-2016, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smasher

Unfortunately, embarrassing yourself every Sunday and making the entire world wonder if the computer on Madden at Rookie level would coach better than you is not enough to put you on the hot seat.

scho63 · 12-06-2016, 09:32 AM

LA Rams just surpassed the Browns as the dumbest franchise in the NFL with the Fisher extension.

Maybe they are keeping him so they have a top 3 draft pick for the next 4 years?

ScareCrowe · 12-06-2016, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles

Fisher's last winning season was 2008 and has gone 1-7 in the last 8 games this year. Can't recall a coach ever being extended in this type of situation.

If you believe Fisher he was actually extended during the offseason.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/l...204-story.html

Quote:

Fisher said discussions about an extension started at the end of last season. He said he agreed to the deal “well before the season started” but was not aware of how it became public.

Now why an organization would give a coach a double secret extension & then announce it when the coach is about to drop to 4-8 & set the all time record for losses in anyone's guess. It's almost like they're trying to look bad.

ping2000 · 12-06-2016, 09:15 PM

Hoopsdoc · 12-07-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Still a head scratcher as to why/how Jeff Fisher still has a job.

He's good at making excuses.

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/12/4/13...-and-9-excuses

kccrow · 12-07-2016, 08:37 AM

6 to 7 HC's change over on average, so here's my short list for canning....

Gus Bradley, Jacksonville

Absolutely not the season for poor results. A blossoming offense with great receivers and a young quarterback. A defense that had a ton of good money thrown at it in the offsesason. A rather weak, but up-and-coming division. Seriously, 2-10?

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati

This team is playoff calibur. Absolutely no excuses for 4-7-1. Good-to-great offense and some promising young wideouts behind AJ Green. A defense that still features a tough front 7. What's the problem Marv?

John Fox, Chicago

Brought in to help right a ship that continues to sink under his watch. Look for this team to bring in fresh faces at HC and QB this offseason. They have to be more competitive in a division that has left them behind.

Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles

You haven't had a winning season since joining the Rams, and even that extends an extra two year to your time with the Titans. Youth or not, the Rams can't keep spinning their wheels with a head coach who can't win.

Bruce Arians, Arizona

An ultra-talented roster that has underperformed in a division severely lacking for competition. Continual run-ins with players and openly and publicly trashes players. Health issues continue. Not good ways to endear the trust of the team nor ownership.

Mike McCoy, San Diego

Two consecutive seasons of injury pile-ups has to be a huge red flag about standards of conditioning and so forth. Huge leads blown is a regular event. Definitely more questions about this team than answers.

11-30-2016, 03:17 PM
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $5888993	Hot Seat Index: NFL coaches in danger, or safer than you think http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/hot-sea...ry?id=43856245 Hot Seat Index: NFL coaches in danger, or safer than you think We're nearly three-quarters of the way through the 2016 NFL season, and?we have a good picture of which teams have exceeded expectations and which teams are coming up short. For the latter, that means head coaches are going to get fired. With five more weeks of the season remaining, here's an inside look at which coaches could be on the way out after the season -- and which are likely to stick around -- based on?discussions with several personnel executives around the league. Squarely on the hot seat Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars This was supposed to be the season in which the Jaguars took the leap forward. They spent big money in free agency, and from talking to sources with other teams, personnel executives said they thought this was a talented, young roster. Instead, the Jaguars are 2-9 in Bradley's fourth season, and they have?come up short of expectations.?The Jags are guaranteed to finish with a record at .500 or under for the ninth straight season. While a team source said Bradley's situation will be reviewed after the season, he has compiled a career record of 14-45 in Jacksonville. After last season, the team extended Bradley's contract through the 2017 season in order to give him a better chance at succeeding; it planned to make several roster upgrades, which the front office has clearly done. And while it's obvious the roster is more talented than when Bradley took over in 2013, the team has significantly underachieved this season. That doesn't bode well for Bradley's future. Warming up Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals The Bengals are almost certain to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2010. So what has happened to this team? From talking to a team source, the roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball, has gotten really old and needs an infusion of younger and more athletic players. While the team feels good about its deep and talented secondary, more talent needs to be added to the front seven, the source added. And on offense, the Bengals have yet to adequately replace former starting receiver? Marvin Jones, who signed with the Lions in free agency. So, what about the future of Lewis, whose contract expires after 2017? Lewis has a larger say in the roster than he did when he landed the job in 2003, but owner Mike Brown still picks the players. And it's no secret in league circles that Brown does not like paying coaches who are not working with the Bengals. While Lewis, who is 115-101-3 in 14 years as Cincinnati's coach, has done a terrific job of turning around the team since he took over, he still has not won a playoff game. That is why he'll remain on the hot seat -- at least until Brown goes on the record and says the veteran coach will be back for another season. Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles Rams In the preseason edition of the Hot Seat Index, we didn't have Fisher on the hot seat because sources said he was close to signing a new deal with the Rams. In fact, some sources believed the team would announce his new contract after it got off to a surprising 3-1 start. But since then, the Rams are?1-6, and there have been no updates from the team regarding Fisher's contract situation. His contract expires after this season. With the team a near lock to finish with a non-winning season for the 13th straight year and Fisher's eighth straight as a coach, he'll remain on the hot seat until the Rams announce a decision on his future. He's 31-43-1 in five years with the franchise. Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers Sources from other teams maintain the Chargers are still very competitive despite a 5-6 record. And San Diego has?16 players on injured reserve, which is among the highest in the league. But because the team has finished no higher than third in the AFC West during McCoy's previous three seasons and finished 4-12 in 2015, questions still remain?about his future. And the team has not said he'll be back for sure next season. He signed a one-year extension through 2017 at the end of last season. After 9-7 seasons in his first two years as coach, McCoy is 9-18 since. Colder than you think Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers For the first time in many years, the veteran coach is receiving criticism from some personnel sources I've spoken to across the NFL. A few of them have mentioned that McCarthy needs to be more creative with his offense in order to help quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose performance this season has been disappointing compared to previous seasons. But should McCarthy, who has put together seven straight playoff appearances, including one Super Bowl title, and is 109-61-1, really be mentioned as potentially on the hot seat? One long-tenured NFL personnel source said that while McCarthy deserves some criticism for the team's 5-6 record, it's hardly a reason to suggest the veteran coach should be concerned about his job security. "I think what you're hearing is more media-driven than anything else," the source said. "The team has fallen off this season, so it's open season on the coach. The reality is that other than [Patriots coach Bill] Belichick, show me another guy who hasn't had a down season." Rex Ryan, Buffalo Bills We had Ryan under the hot section before this season started. The reason was simple: Ryan had not posted a winning record in his previous five years as a head coach, and there was chatter around the NFL that he had trouble getting the most out of his players. After 11 games this season, however, the 6-5 Bills are a competitive team despite injury issues on both sides of the ball. Owner Terry Pegula has preached continuity publicly and privately, a team source said. So don't look for anything to happen here. john Fox, Chicago Bears After doing slightly better than most personnel executives expected in his first season with a record of 6-10, the Bears have dropped off significantly this season under Fox, with a disappointing 2-9 record. But there are reasons for the drop-off. The team will place its 15th player on injured reserve this week once it makes the expected move with linebacker? Danny Trevathan (knee). And keep in mind two key players are serving suspensions (wide receiver? Alshon Jeffery and inside linebacker? Jerrell Freeman). As one team source said, there's simply no way to properly evaluate this team and the coaches with so many key players?out. Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts Last November, we had Pagano leading the hot-seat section. He was in the final year of his contract, and he and general manager Ryan Grigson did not have a good working relationship. In fact, it was quite strained at that point, team sources said. Since then, both men had their contracts extended for four seasons and have formed a much better working relationship. Owner Jim Irsay made it clear that he wanted what was the NFL's oldest roster to become significantly younger, and a team source said Grigson had to address the roster issues on the offensive line, which he did with three selections in the first five rounds of April's draft. While the 5-6 Colts haven't significantly improved this season, they still are very much in the hunt for first place in the AFC South, and there are no indications Pagano is in jeopardy of losing his job one season after signing an extension. He's 46-29 in five seasons in Indianapolis. Safe Todd Bowles, New York Jets In Bowles' first year with the Jets in 2015, a plugged-in team source felt the team exceeded expectations. The Jets posted a very respectable 10-6 record but did not make the playoffs. Because the team had such a solid record, however, expectations were raised for Bowles despite a roster that needed upgrading in more than a few areas. Personnel executives from other teams who have watched the Jets' game tape this season pointed out to me that the team has gotten old on offense -- seven starters were at least 29 years old to start the season -- and they look slower on that side of the ball. And the defense, which Bowles still has a large hand in managing, has issues?in the secondary. General manager Mike Maccagnan has a challenge on his hands, and he has control of the personnel, a team source confirmed. The Jets' issues this season largely are due to having an incomplete roster, and Bowles, who is in the second year of a four-year deal, should not take the blame, even with New York at 3-8.
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12-05-2016, 08:51 AM	#47
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-754116	I can't believe that Fisher has a job. It would be a hopeless feeling being a fan of his teams.
Posts: 88,497

12-05-2016, 08:27 PM	#49
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $-1507600	Fisher's last winning season was 2008 and has gone 1-7 in the last 8 games this year. Can't recall a coach ever being extended in this type of situation.
Posts: 14,539

12-05-2016, 10:30 PM	#52
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I wish the league had a way to force Kroenke out, he's an embarrassment to humanity
Posts: 80,659

12-06-2016, 03:35 AM	#53
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7712254	Still a head scratcher as to why/how Jeff Fisher still has a job. __________________
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12-06-2016, 09:32 AM	#56
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $-720000	LA Rams just surpassed the Browns as the dumbest franchise in the NFL with the Fisher extension. Maybe they are keeping him so they have a top 3 draft pick for the next 4 years? __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
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12-06-2016, 09:15 PM	#58
ping2000 Changes pants while driving Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Washington D.C. Casino cash: $2340495
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12-07-2016, 08:37 AM	#60
kccrow MVP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $-1070000	6 to 7 HC's change over on average, so here's my short list for canning.... Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Absolutely not the season for poor results. A blossoming offense with great receivers and a young quarterback. A defense that had a ton of good money thrown at it in the offsesason. A rather weak, but up-and-coming division. Seriously, 2-10? Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati This team is playoff calibur. Absolutely no excuses for 4-7-1. Good-to-great offense and some promising young wideouts behind AJ Green. A defense that still features a tough front 7. What's the problem Marv? John Fox, Chicago Brought in to help right a ship that continues to sink under his watch. Look for this team to bring in fresh faces at HC and QB this offseason. They have to be more competitive in a division that has left them behind. Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles You haven't had a winning season since joining the Rams, and even that extends an extra two year to your time with the Titans. Youth or not, the Rams can't keep spinning their wheels with a head coach who can't win. Bruce Arians, Arizona An ultra-talented roster that has underperformed in a division severely lacking for competition. Continual run-ins with players and openly and publicly trashes players. Health issues continue. Not good ways to endear the trust of the team nor ownership. Mike McCoy, San Diego Two consecutive seasons of injury pile-ups has to be a huge red flag about standards of conditioning and so forth. Huge leads blown is a regular event. Definitely more questions about this team than answers.
Posts: 14,012