Mike McCoy: Possible Landing Spots If Chargers Fire Him
By Erik Lambert
The San Diego Chargers are about ready to completely alter the course of their franchise, and it may start with dismissing their head coach.
After leading the team to back-to-back 9-7 seasons and a playoff run in 2013, Mike McCoy hasn’t been able to replicate that same success the past two years. Injuries have wreaked havoc on his roster and the Chargers have continued to come up painfully short in close games. No fewer than seven of their nine losses on the season are by seven points or less.
Ownership clearly wants a clean slate as a likely move to Los Angeles nears. According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, odds are strong they will dismiss McCoy when the season ends in two weeks.
The question then becomes what will McCoy do once he’s out? He could always seek out another head coaching job. Many believe he’s being unfairly criticized for problems out of his control. College might be an option. Of course the classic route is him returning to duties as an offensive coordinator, the route that got him noticed on the big stage in the first place.
So if that is the route he chooses to go, where are some potential landing spots?
Chicago Bears
McCoy spent 10 years as an assistant to head coach John Fox, first in Carolina and then in Denver. The two enjoyed a lot of success together. As it so happens the Chicago Bears have serious questions at their offensive coordinator position. Dowell Loggains is not popular as of late, what with the team ranking 15th in total yards but just 29th in points scored. The inability to put the ball in the end zone is a recurring problem and many feel Loggains’ inability to adjust or properly utilize his best players can’t go on. A reunion with McCoy might just save Fox in 2017.
Atlanta Falcons
There is a very strong likelihood that the Atlanta Falcons will be hunting for a new offensive coordinator. That’s because Kyle Shanahan is considered one of the top head coaching candidates expected to be available. Keeping Matt Ryan playing at a high level is priority one for that team, and the Falcons have done a good job of supplying quality coordinators to make that happen. McCoy could do himself a number of favors by taking that job.
Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco really hasn’t been the same since Gary Kubiak left for Denver last year. The Baltimore Ravens offense has really struggled. John Harbaugh has shown he’s willing to make changes when something isn’t working. Having played against McCoy in the past, there is undoubtedly a degree of respect there. Bringing him in to take over would be an instant help for Flacco. McCoy excels at adapting to the players he has. Something the Ravens need badly.