NFL Coaching Hot Seat: Eli Manning Burying Tom Coughlin
By Erik Lambert
Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin argues with referee Gene Steratore (114) and head linesman Derrick Bowers (74) during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Giants 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The regular continues to wither away, as do the chances for many NFL head coaches to save their jobs. Who is the most in danger after Week 11?
Tom Coughlin – New York Giants
Things were bad enough for Tom Coughlin prior to Week 11 but to have his quarterback Eli Manning, whom together they have won two Super Bowls, throw away a winnable game at home with five interceptions? The timing couldn’t be worse. Not only are the New York Giants all but done in the playoff picture for the third-straight year, it may be that final nail in the coffin for the veteran coach.
Seat: Hot
Mike Smith – Atlanta Falcons
Beating the Carolina Panthers and taking over first place in a really bad NFC South will probably ease the pressure on Mike Smith with the Atlanta Falcons, but it can’t erase the fact this team is a shadow of what it was two years ago. Is it all his fault? No, but Smith holds a lot of responsibility. He is still very much in danger, especially if the Falcons fails to hold on down the stretch.
Seat: Warm
Tony Sparano – Oakland Raiders
Interim coaches almost never survive the ax anyway, but Tony Sparano inherited a mess with the Oakland Raiders. Every time they get a good defensive showing, the offense goes silent and every time the offense goes, the defense disappears. Sparano couldn’t hope to have fixed it immediately but with his team still winless, the chances of him surviving the off-season are slim to none.
Seat: Ashes
Marc Trestman – Chicago Bears
Beating a flawed Vikings team and their rookie quarterback at home does not erase the futility the Chicago Bears showed in New England and Green Bay. That black spot will be hard to get out for Marc Trestman. Though still only in his second year, the team is not playing efficient football and it’s a big reason why even winning out the rest of the way might not be enough to make the playoffs. Such blown opportunities coupled with demoralizing beat downs fall at the feet of the head coach. Trestman isn’t on life support but he remains in intensive care.
Seat: Warm