As twelve teams prepare for the NFL playoffs the other teams begin their off seasons and, for some, that process will involve finding a new head coach. Black Monday is upon us, and has already claimed a handful of coaches while uncertainty surrounds several other coaches whose teams did not perform up to organizational standards. The off-season coaching carousel is always a popular story line, as teams coming off disappointing seasons hope that coaching changes will provide the foundation for future success.
The Philadelphia Eagles fired Chip Kelly Thursday prior to the team’s regular season finale against the New York Giants. The Eagles were 6-9 this season and 26-21 in Kelly’s tenure as head coach. Kelly was given control over personnel before the season and made a slew of moves that did not work out. He traded quarterback Nick Foles to the St. Louis Rams for Sam Bradford and running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for Linebacker Kiko Alonzo, despite the promise the offense showed in the 2014 season. There were rumors of discord within the organization due to Kelly’s personnel decisions and relationships with players.
The Cleveland Browns fired Mike Pettine following a 3-13 season that included perpetual distractions from Quarterback Johnny Manziel. The organization also let go of General Manager Ray Farmer, who drafted Manziel. Neither Manziel, Josh McCown or Austin Davis was spectacular at quarterback, and the defense was near the bottom of the league in all major statistical categories. The Manziel saga overshadowed the on-field play of the Browns, and apparently owner Jimmy Haslem was reconciled to completely changing the culture of the organization before next season.
Tom Coughlin resigned as head coach of the New York Giants after a 6-10 season and 12 years in the position. Coughlin led the Giants to Superbowl victories in 2008 and 2012. Both wins came against the New England Patriots. Coughlin walks away with a career record of 170-150 in 20 combined seasons with Giants and Jaguars. Despite winning two Superbowls, the Giants only won ten games or more four times under Coughlin and were often lamented for their slow starts and inconsistent seasons.
The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with Jim Tomsula after one disappointing season. The 49ers finished with a record of 5-11. Tomsula had been the team’s defensive coordinator before being hired as head coach. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was lost for the season to a shoulder injury on November 21st, and the inconsistent play of Blaine Gabbert and the 49er’s defense likely cost Tomsula his job. The move to fire Tomsula comes just one season after the team let go of Jim Harbaugh, who guided the 49ers to a Superbowl appearance in 2013 and coached the Michigan Wolverines to a Citrus Bowl victory on New Year’s day.
Ken Whisenhunt of the Tennessee Titans and Joe Philbin of the Miami Dolphins were fired earlier in the season. Their interim replacements, Mike Mularkey and Dan Campbell, are not expected to be retained but will be given the opportunity to interview for the positions.
Chuck Pagano, Jim Caldwell, and Sean Payton all face uncertain futures as well, while the San Diego Chargers have announced that they will retain head coach Mike McCoy.
