The Impact of the NFL Divisional Playoffs on the Coaching Carousel

Jan 16

Another offensive coordinator will not return for the next season to his team: Tennessee Titans Norm Chow got the boot from head coach Jeff Fischer on Tuesday.

Now, that the Dallas Cowboys are eliminated from the playoffs, the extended coaching staff is already falling apart: The Miami Dolphins hired Brian Gaine, the Cowboys Assistant Director of Pro Scouting for the last three years, as their Assistant Director of Player Personnel today.

And Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Jason Garrett seems to seriously considering taking the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job, even though Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is reportedly desperately trying to keep Garrett on his current job, and also the Atlanta Falcons haven’t stopped courting him…

Even though the Dolphins also interviewed Titans defefensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Tony Sparano is still considered to have the best chances of being the next Miami Dolphins head coach, the Dallas Cowboys report.

Skin Patrol of Hogs Haven reports and comments that the Redskins search for their new head coach might be quietly over, by interviewing and maybe hiring Gregg Williams, but they are also interviewing Indianapolis Colts assistants Jim Caldwell and Ron Meeks.

The Atlanta Falcons hired former New England Patriots director of scouting Tom Dimitroff as general manager on Sunday, despite the fact that the Patriots are still playing, but since the director of scouting is not considered a part of the coaching crew, which is protected from interview distractions by NFL regulations, members of the management are not, even though losses in the management might be just as much distraction to the team as interviews of coaches…

The Green Bay Packers try, while still playing, to guarantee stability in the near future: first they named Mark Murphy the successor to longtime Packers top executive Bob Harlan, then they signed a 5-year contract extension with GM Ted Thompson, and now they are working on a contract extension with head coach Mike McCarthy, before his contract expires after next season.

The Buffalo Bills, while still looking for a new offensive coordinator, promoted Director of Pro Personnel John Guy to Vice President of Pro Personnel and Director of College Scouting Tom Modrak to Vice President of College Scouting. This is considered a reward for their excellent efforts in the past and will mainly result in higher paychecks, while the work they’re doing will largely remain the same. While the promotion of Executive Vice President Russ Brandon to Chief Operating Officer looks more like a real realignment, due to the retirement of GM Marv Levy.

The Cleveland Browns filled the open defensive coordinator job with one out of their own ranks: Mel Tucker, defensive backs coach for the past three seasons, receives a contract extension until 2010 with his promotion. His job is given to Cory Undlin a three year secondary assistant coach with the Browns. He also receives a contract extension (until 2009).

The Houston Texans also made some coaching moves: They named Alex Gibbs assistant head coach/offense and promoted Kyle Shanahan to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

Last not least from the coaching carousel:

Chrissy Mauck wrote a nice farewell article for retiring 49ers strength coach Johnny Parker. (I reported about his retirement).