MVN - Most Valuable Network

The coaching carousel has begun

By Andrew Strickert

It’s not often that a coach quits on his team before the end of the season. Fired, yes, but quit, no. Dan Reeves and Dave Wannstedt are recent examples of NFL coaches who quit but they’re exceptions to the rule. Now we can add Bobby Petrino, who outraged the writers at Flying High, to that short list. Petrino lied to owner Arthur Blank and abandoned his team. Blank and the Falcons deserved better. The good news for Blank is he’ll get a head start on his search for a new coach.

Petrino’s hasty exit from Atlanta has gotten the NFL coaching carousel off to an early start this year. While Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer top the list of experienced coaches who will be available, the Falcons job is the only one we know will be open.

Here’s a list of other coaching jobs which may be vacant after the season.

Oakland’s Al Davis has never been known as an owner who’s easy to work for. Now Thoughts From the Dark Side’s Patrick Patterson writes that Lane Kiffin was looking to get out of town to take the Arkansas job, a move sure to stir up Davis’ emotions.

Cam Cameron is winless in Miami and Sean Fowler and Alex Carver opine on The Phish Tank that Cam needs to go.

Andy Reid is having problems in Philadelphia, both on and off the field. There’s also a chance Donovan McNabb may have a new zip code next year. Will Reid want to go through another tough season without him? Check out Eagles Eye for their thoughts on Reid and the ongoing saga.

Has the game passed by Joe Gibbs? Will Gregg Williams succeed him? Hog Heaven is following that story.

Although Minnesota now has a 7-6 record, Vikings War Cry’s Anthony Hall is leading the Fire Brad Childress bandwagon.

Brian Billick received a contract extension, but Ravens Roost has reported that he may be on the hot seat anyway.

A few other coaches, such as the Jaguars‘ Jack Del Rio and the Giants‘ Tom Coughlin, are nearing the ends of their contracts.

And RAMblings reports that despite a terrible season, Scott Linehan will be back for another year in St. Louis. Really? That may remain to be seen.

Petrino started the carousel but there will be more participants in this annual event within the next month.

Andrew Strickert writes on Total Titans for Most Valuable Network.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 13th, 2007 at 11:20 am and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.