Judging by the title of this article, it’s not just about the Miami Dolphins.
In fact, it’s about coaching carousel that is about to get a bit crazy in a month or so in Miami and other NFL franchises will be communicating or have been with potential coaching candidates.
Near and far, teams such as the Dolphins who fired head coach Joe Philbin will be knocking down doors so to speak to find the next great coach of the Dolphins. The Dolphins fired head coach Joe Philbin after week 4 and a paltry 1-3 start. In fact the change to Dan Campbell, has pushed the team to 4-4 since the change, but the Dolphins rank 32nd versus the run and 18th versus the pass defensively and have Ndamukong Suh.
The Dolphins are rumored to be after a coach such as Sean Payton, Mike Shula (Don Shula’s son), and maybe someone out of left field per Peter King in October. Wouldn’t it be funny if the Dolphins hired a dark horse candidate such as Todd Haley?
Not far behind will be the San Diego Chargers, in my glorious opinion who have head coach Mike McCoy twisting in the wind as the three win Chargers continue to dismay the city of San Diego and owe their fans an apology. Based on a recent article by Nick Kanepa, the Chargers are not playing up to the standards of a winning franchise after extending hall of fame (in terms of offensive statistics) quarterback Phillip Rivers and then extending GM Tom Telesco. If McCoy hasn’t had extension talks this season, he won’t be having them anytime soon and certainly not if he doesn’t win out the rest of the season. It’s conceivable that the moves that have been made in drafting defensive players and offensive players such Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon have yet to pan out. Then there’s that other move no one mentions, letting running back Ryan Matthews go to Philadelphia via free agency.
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Mike McCoy of the San Diego Chargers watches on during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 8, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Lastly, at least right now, the San Francisco 49ers at 4-8 are headed for a collision course between President Jed York and GM Trent Baalke. It’s been said that Baalke and Jim Harbaugh didn’t see eye to eye, but who are the 49ers fooling? It seems that there was something to the fact that Jed York and Jim Harbaugh had to part ways because they didn’t get along and it certainly wasn’t mutual per Harbaugh in his February interview with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. From the outside looking in, it appeared that Jed wanted roster control or at least as much say as Jerry Jones has in Dallas and that never sat well with Harbaugh.
Looks like Harbaugh is doing fine at Michigan and with only two losses this season, that program is back until he comes back to the NFL. It won’t be long and he’ll have his pick at the best job in the NFL. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if he took the Patriots job after Belichick retires?
Back to the 49ers, they could be asking Jim Tomsula (4-8) if he can either apply for a coordinator job with the team or look for a coordinator job elsewhere. In reality, the 49ers will be at the Senior Bowl in Mobile looking and scouting for talent as they’ll get a top 10 pick in the draft. Inevitably, the 49ers could be looking for an opportunity to hire the best coach that can fit in their organizational structure. A structure that could prevent the team from winning games in the near future. A meddling owner hiring a “yes man” as a coach is a recipe for disaster in today’s NFL as evidenced by the successful models that work-the Patriots come to mind as the most successful with Belichick as the GM and coach.
All in all, it’s going to be one heck of an offseason for the Dolphins, Chargers, and potentially the 49ers.
Maybe the Cowboys will join in the fun?