NFL Coaching Hot Seat: Mike Smith Shows Bad Timing
By Erik Lambert
Oct 23, 2014; Hertfordshire, UNITED KINGDOM; Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith at press conference at the Grove Hotel in advance of the International Series game against the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
After Week 8 there is a serious chance some coaching heads will roll across the NFL. Which names are the likeliest to get the ax?
Rex Ryan – HC – New York Jets
Screaming and trolling opponents with media phone calls is what Rex Ryan has had to resort to. No matter what he tries, the New York Jets just keep losing. It’s unfortunate because Ryan has been one of the more entertaining head coaches for the NFL in a sea of blank stares and general mumbling automatons. Yet at 1-7 there really is no hope for Ryan. Not even winning out may be enough to save his job at this point.
Seat: Melted
Mel Tucker – DC – Chicago Bears
If there was one thing, just one thing that Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker couldn’t afford, it was to have his defense suffer a collapse right before the bye week. Then he proceeds to go out in New England and watch it all happen. To allow 38 points in the first half and 51 in a game, there really are no words. Tucker was given a second chance to put things right by Marc Trestman and he’s wasting it. Not only will he not be back in 2015, he may not even survive the bye.
Seat: Hot
Mike Smith – HC – Atlanta Falcons
Things weren’t all bad. Though 2-5 the Atlanta Falcons were in the worst division, record-wise in the league. So they by no means were out of the playoff hunt. If they could turn things around in London against the Lions they’d be right back in it. Things couldn’t have started any better, taking a 21-0 lead into the half. Then things fell apart as Detroit rallied for a stunning 22-21 win, leaving head coach Mike Smith with few answers for what has happened to a team that was seconds from a Super Bowl two years ago.
Seat: Hot
Gus Bradley – HC – Jacksonville Jaguars
Yes he took over a bad team and it takes time to rebuild but one would think that Gus Bradley could’ve found a way to make at least a little progress with the Jacksonville Jaguars have one and a half seasons. Instead he’s 1-7 in 2014 and his team followed their first victory of the year by getting hammered 27-13 by Miami at home. There is only so much good faith a head coach receives in the NFL. Bradley is running out fast.
Seat: Warm