NFL Coaching Hot Seat: Rex Ryan Out Of Steam?
By Erik Lambert
Sep 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Raiders 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Many coaches around the NFL are feeling the heat after week 4 action. Which ones should worry the most about their job security?
Dennis Allen – HC – Oakland Raiders
He hasn’t posted more than four wins in each of his first two seasons and now Dennis Allen has the dubious distinction of having not won a football game with the Oakland Raiders since November of 2013. That is absolutely, positively unacceptable. In all likelihood he should’ve been fired last season but the team gave him one more chance. The Raiders are winless, listless and in contention for the #1 pick in the 2015 draft already.
Seat: Blistering
Rex Ryan – HC – New York Jets
It seems his admirable surge last season has begun to dry up. Injuries to the secondary and continued sloppy play from Geno Smith is proving too much for Rex Ryan to overcome. His team is 1-3 at the quarter mark and shows no clear signs of being able to affect a turnaround. Ryan will likely go down as a lame duck coach who used last year to save his job but the fact of the matter is he’s been met with a combination of poor quarterback play, battered defense and conservative front office maneuvering that will likely end his tenure with the New York Jets.
Seat: Hot
Mel Tucker – DC – Chicago Bears
Make no mistake. The cries for the head of Mel Tucker by Chicago Bears fans is growing louder by the week. Many wanted him gone after the fiasco last season and once again watching Aaron Rodgers have his way on Sunday hurt the embattled defensive coordinator more than he can possibly know. Marc Trestman and Phil Emery are not known for making knee-jerk decision, but it’s clear their loyalty to Tucker can only go so far before they have to do something.
Seat: Hot
Jedd Fisch – OC – Jacksonville Jaguars
Nothing is going right for the Jacksonville Jaguars right now and it may not be fair to blame it on one coordinator but the fact is Jedd Fisch isn’t getting anything out of his offense right now. The unit ranks 31st or 32nd in every offensive category and they haven’t scored more than 17 points in a single game this season. A lot of it has to do with fielding a very young roster filled with rookies but at the end of the day it’s the responsibility of Fisch to get more points on the board. He hasn’t.
Seat: Warm
Doug Marrone – HC – Buffalo Bills
The magic carpet ride has come to an abrupt end. After a fast start to the season the Buffalo Bills are plummeting back to earth. Their offense continues to struggle in all phases except for running the ball. The defense doesn’t lack spirit or toughness but it’s not enough to overshadow the reality that the team still isn’t good enough. Such realities fall at the feet of the head coach. Doug Marrone was already rumored to have a strained relationship with the front office before the season. Whether true or not it doesn’t erase the fact that the Bills organization is under new NFL ownership. Ownership that did not hire him. Unless he starts winning again real soon, he could be out the door before people realize it.
Seat: Warm