The coaching carousel never lets up in the NFL. One thing is certain: The coaches who currently have jobs won’t be the same 32 come this time next year. Who are coaching for their jobs in 2019, by division?
Jets: Adam Gase
The big question: Can a GM fire himself? Adam Gase has already caused a storm with the New York Jets. He brings talents from South Beach that resulted in 23 wins in three seasons. With the controversy already brewing, Gase had better get off to a fast start with Gang Green. When confidence trends into arrogance that usually is never good.
Bills: Sean McDermott
The Buffalo Bills went from 9-7 and a playoff game to 6-10. That makes the third year for Sean McDermott critical. He’s not in a strong division other than the dynastic New England Patriots. Josh Allen needs to stay healthy for the Bills’ coach to have a legit shot at improving and staying on.
Doug Marrone
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ Doug Marrone could be on the hottest of hot seats. Last year was a complete bust. He went from 10-6 and a game away from the Super Bowl to 5-11. There is no Blake Bortles to blame and Nick Foles brings a winning attitude. Marrone needs a fast start. If he doesn’t get one, it would not be shocking to see Tom Coughlin make a move.
Jon Gruden
This could be a bit premature but when you have a massive contract big things are expected. Jon Gruden got off to a 4-12 start in what is a rebuilding project with Oakland. He should be looking at time until the team moves to Las Vegas. However, another dud of a season and the flame on his coaching career will start to turn up.
Jason Garrett
It looks like Jason Garrett has some kind of lifetime deal to remain at head coach of America’s Team. Still, he has not delivered big-time success and at some point that has to wear on the Jones family. He quietly is 32-16 in his last three seasons. All the wins in the regular season eventually won’t be enough to keep the heat off without some postseason glory.
Jay Gruden
Last season was borderline unfair to Washington and Jay Gruden. Quarterbacks were frequently injured to the point where Mark Sanchez became an option. Now, the team has drafted Dwayne Haskins as its future. Is he ready to be the present, too? Gruden is 35-44-1 in five seasons as Washington’s coach. The only playoff appearance was a loss. This all speaks to someone who needs a big season to remain in his position.
Pat Shurmur
Entering his second season as coach of the Giants, Pat Shurmur is in a thicket. He is standing by Eli Manning after a 5-11 season. The team drafted Daniel Jones as its next quarterback and the choice has created a swirl of disbelief. Overall as a head coach, Shurmur is 15-34 and that includes going 1-0 as an interim coach in Philly. The Giants showed no patience with Ben McAdoo and there is no reason to think they will with Shurmur/
Mike Zimmer
Mike Zimmer seemed to have Minnesota heading in the right direction. And then, adding Kirk Cousins was supposed to be the big piece. All it did was result in an 8-7-1 season. Another one of those mediocre records and the Purple Gang will likely look for a new head coach. His mark of 47-32-1 in the regular season is strong but won’t mean much without success in the postseason.
Matt Patricia
Big things were expected when Matt Patricia took over the Lions after a great run with Bill Belichick in New England. Problem is Detroit is Detroit and not much good happens with the franchise. He opened at 6-10 and there is no reason to believe things are going to get better soon. Could Patricia be to Motown what Josh McDaniels was to Denver?
Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn was so close to having the Super Bowl champion pass as head coach. Then, the roof fell in and the Falcons lost to the Patriots in overtime. Coming off an injury-riddled 7-9 season, Quinn finds himself in need of a strong 2019 to keep a lock on his gig in Atlanta.
Ron Rivera
Ron Rivera finds himself in a similar spot to Atlanta’s Dan Quinn. He also is coming off dud of a 7-9 season with the Carolina Panthers. Two of the last three seasons have been sub-.500. That means this year is critical to come up with a strong record. If not, he could be on the outs and will be one of those coaches who should be scooped up by another team.
Kyle Shanahan
Kyle Shanahan is 10-22 in two seasons as coach of the San Francisc 49ers. He gets a bit of a break because of the injury to Jimmy Garoppolo in 2018. However, this third season needs to be a turning point. A third straight season will double-digit losses will definitely put him on the hot seat. Quickly.
