Coaching Carousel restarts spinning

Dec 28

After three Head Coaches already losing their job in the first half of the season, being replaced by interims Head Coaches, everything points to Romeo Crennel being the fourth Headcoach being fired in the NFL in/after the 2008 season. See also here.

Mike Holmgren Headcoach of the Seattle Seahawks already announced his retirement before the season, thus his successor (Jim Mora) was also already named. In the meantime he weakened his “retirement”: He’ll sit out the 2009 season and then decide if he’ll be back for the 2010 season. So officially he’s actually the first announced headcoaching change for after the 2008 season, pushing the total to 5. Interestingly 3 of the changes happend in the NFC West.

Interesting note: the Players of the St. Louis Rams finishing 2-14 signed a petition to make Jim Haslett, currently just interims coach, permanent Head Coach for the 2009 season and beyond. Even though Adam Schefter thinks that Rex Ryan, current DC of the Baltimore Ravens will make the race for the Rams HC job.

Mike Singletary, currently interims coach of the San Francisco 49ers, could use such a statement just as well, ’cause even though he’s very likely to return, a win in the season finale vs the Redskins would help. But current 49ers OC Mike Martz might not be on his staff in 2009.

Oakland Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable made a big statement by knocking Jon Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of playoff contention. This might have secured him the job for 2009, but with Mike Martz possible availability, Raiders Owner Al Davis, a big fan of the pass first attitude, might fall for the Mike Martz, one of the masters of coordinating the passing game.

And after the desasterous 0-16 season I wouldn’t be astonished if the Detroit Lions would look for a replacement of Rod Marinelli. On September 24th they already relieved Matt Millen as President and CEO.

Other Head Coaches who probably won’t sleep well these days: Kansas City Chiefs‘ Herm Edwards – going 2-14, Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record after being 9-3 after 13 weeks…