Chargers Fire OC Frank Reich
After announcing earlier in the day that they’ll retain head coach Mike McCoy for the 2016 season, the Chargers have begun making changes elsewhere on their coaching staff. According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link), offensive coordinator Frank Reich has been let go by the team.
It was just a year ago that Reich drew interest from multiple teams with head coaching openings, interviewing with the Bills and the Jets for their jobs before they went with Rex Ryan and Todd Bowles, respectively. However, the Chargers’ offense has seen its offensive efficiency slowly decline over the last three years.
In 2014, Reich’s first year as offensive coordinator, San Diego went from second in offensive DVOA to 11th. The team slipped to 15th this season, heading into its regular season finale. The Chargers also went from scoring nearly 25 points per game in 2013 to just 20 this season, despite the fact that Philip Rivers led the NFL in passing completions (437) and attempts (661).
Injuries have plagued the Chargers over the last couple years, and health problems on the offensive line likely contributed to the struggles of first-round running back Melvin Gordon, but Reich will take the fall for the regression, and he may not be the last Chargers assistant to go. A report earlier today suggested that defensive coordinator John Pagano‘s job isn’t safe either.
With Reich out of the picture in San Diego, it’s worth considering whether the man he replaced in 2014 – Ken Whisenhunt – would be a candidate to reclaim the Chargers’ OC job, now that he has been let go by the Titans.
Free Agent Notes: Weddle, Jeffery, Fitzpatrick
Based on how the season played out for safety Eric Weddle and the Chargers, there’s a general belief that Weddle won’t be back with the franchise in 2016. That appeared to be his stance when he spoke to reporters today, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who tweets that Weddle seemed “resolved” that he has played his final game as a Charger. The standout safety will be looking for the “right fit” in free agency, one that gives him a chance to win a title (Twitter link via Gehlken).
Here are a few more Monday items on this winter’s potential free agents:
- Asked today about whether he wants to come back to Chicago next season, free-agent-to-be Alshon Jeffery perhaps wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about the possibility of re-signing with his current team as some players are. As Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes, the Bears wideout repeatedly said he loves “the city of Chicago,” but deferred to his agent and GM Ryan Pace when asked about his contract situation, adding that “whatever happens, happens.”
- With Ryan Fitzpatrick eligible for free agency this winter, re-signing the veteran quarterback is a high priority for the Jets, head coach Todd Bowles said today. Bowles added that Fitzpatrick would be the club’s starter if he returns for 2016 (Twitter links via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
- Two key pieces of Buffalo’s offensive line, left tackle Cordy Glenn and left guard Richie Incognito, are potential free agents this offseason, and longtime Bills offensive lineman Eric Wood says it’s “very important” for the club to re-sign both players. Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News provides the details and the quotes from Wood.
Giants, Tom Coughlin Parting Ways
Tom Coughlin has informed his assistants that the Giants are making a head coaching change, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Schefter adds (via Twitter) that Coughlin will be “stepping down” from his position, though that may be just for the sake of appearances, since the Giants weren’t expected to retain him. According to Schefter (via Twitter), Coughlin made the decision to step down before the Giants had the chance to ask if he wanted to stay.
“I met with John Mara and Steve Tisch this afternoon, and I informed them that it is in the best interest of the organization that I step down as head coach,” Coughlin said in a statement, per Schefter. “I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and as I said, the Giants organization.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants. This is a not a sad occasion for me. I have spent 15 years with this organization as an assistant and head coach and was fortunate to be part of three Super Bowl winning teams. A Lombardi Trophy every five years is an achievement in which we all take great pride.”
Coughlin, who previously served as head coach of the Jaguars, led the Giants to a 102-90 record during his 12 seasons with the team. He also added eight victories in 11 postseason contests, with all of those wins coming in two seasons – 2007 and 2011 – during which the Giants won the Super Bowl.
In recent years, however, Coughlin’s Giants have struggled, having failed to earn a postseason berth since that 2011 Super Bowl season. After going 9-7 in 2012, New York has had three straight losing years, finishing 6-10 in a weak NFC East in 2015 and sealing Coughlin’s fate.
The Giants become the sixth team seeking a new head coach this winter, joining the 49ers, Dolphins, Browns, Titans, and Eagles as the clubs in the market for someone new. The New York job figures to be one of the more appealing openings, given the franchise’s history of success, its ownership group, and a talented offense led by Eli Manning and Odell Beckham.
The architect of that offense for the last two seasons has been offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, and he’ll be an interesting name to watch this offseason. There had been speculation that the Giants were grooming McAdoo as Coughlin’s eventual replacement, but it’s not clear if the team believes he’s ready for the head coaching position at this time. Manning has enjoyed two of the best seasons of his career under McAdoo, and figures to want his offensive coordinator to stick around, whether it’s in his current role or with a promotion. The Eagles also reportedly have interest in McAdoo.
Although the Giants’ offense has remained fairly effective, the roster has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, and a lack of talent is partially to blame for the club’s struggles. General manager Jerry Reese, the man responsible for putting together the roster, has seen his draft record questioned recently, but he doesn’t appear to be in danger of losing his job, as Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network tweets.
Coughlin had been the NFL’s third-longest-tenured head coach prior to today, trailing only Bill Belichick (Patriots) and Marvin Lewis (Bengals). While today’s move was called a resignation, it’s not a retirement. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets that Coughlin will have interest in coaching again, if the right opportunity arises.
Charles Tillman Tears ACL
After playing for multiple weeks on a partially torn ACL, Panthers cornerback Charles Tillman saw his knee injury get worse this past Sunday against the Buccaneers. Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed today to reporters, including ESPN’s David Newton, that Tillman sustained a fully torn ACL, and will miss the postseason.
Tillman, who turns 35 in February, had a nice bounce-back season in Carolina this year after playing in just 10 total games for the Bears in 2013 and 2014. In his first season with the Panthers, the veteran defensive back compiled 55 tackles, two interceptions, and – his longtime specialty – a pair of forced fumbles.
Tillman’s injury leaves the Panthers fairly short-handed in the secondary as they prepare for their divisional round game. According to Rivera, Robert McClain will step into the starting lineup as the club’s cornerback opposite Josh Norman (link via Newton). Carolina also figures to add a new player to its roster when it moves Tillman to IR, though that new addition may not be a contributor during the playoffs.
As for Tillman, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll return next season. He likely won’t be healthy until the summer or fall, and at age 35, without a contract for 2016, he’s no lock to continue playing. Of course, considering how Tillman played this year after missing nearly all of 2014, I wouldn’t rule him out just yet.
Coach Rumors: Dolphins, Browns, Kelly
A previous report indicated that the Dolphins spoke to Mike Shanahan a couple weeks ago about their head coaching opening, but Mike Tannenbaum said today that the team hasn’t conducted any interviews yet, so it sounds like that December conversation with Shanahan was an informal one (Twitter link via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald). The team will interview Shanahan tomorrow, however.
Addressing the media today, Tannenbaum also said that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will make the final decision on who the club’s next head coach will be. That new coach will have input on the roster, but it’s not yet decided who will have control over the 53-man squad (Twitter links via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald).
Here are a few more coaching-related updates on Black Monday:
- Former Lions head coach and Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is on the Browns‘ list of head coaching candidates, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). Cleveland has reportedly lined up interviews with Adam Gase, Teryl Austin, and Doug Marrone so far.
- Thus far, we’ve heard more reports about Chip Kelly being interested in certain head coaching jobs than about teams being interested in Kelly. That may not be an accident. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) suggests NFL owners are wary of Kelly, and concerned that his dealings with players may work better at the college level than the professional level.
- Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula doesn’t want to interview for any head coaching jobs until after Carolina’s season is over, but defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said today that he’d be open to meeting with interested teams during the Panthers’ bye week (link via David Newton of ESPN.com). McDermott has been cited as a potential candidate for the Eagles.
Mike McCoy To Coach Chargers In 2016
The Chargers have informed head coach Mike McCoy that he’ll be retained for the 2016 season, reports Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. After a disappointing 4-12 season, the Chargers are expected to make “substantial changes” to their coaching staff as early as Monday, but McCoy will be safe.
In a statement confirming the decision, Chargers president of football operations John Spanos admitted that he’s disappointed with the club’s results in 2015. However, he expressed confidence in San Diego’s decision-making group going forward.
“I have the utmost confidence in our leadership. Tom Telesco, Mike McCoy, and I have already begun evaluating every aspect of the team to take the essential steps to put a winning product back on the field. We will waste no time in making the necessary changes,” Spanos said. “Throughout a trying season, our players never wavered in their dedication or commitment to the team. I firmly believe the decisions made today and moving forward will get us back on track in 2016.”
One report last week suggested that the Chargers were leaning toward letting go of McCoy, but leading up to the team’s regular-season finale on Sunday, multiple reports indicated that the head coach was expected to keep his job after all. McCoy led the Chargers to consecutive 9-7 seasons in 2013 and 2014, earning a playoff victory in ’13, before taking a step back this year.
Albert Breer of the NFL Network noted earlier today (via Twitter) that he has heard from both Rams and Chargers people that it would be hard to run a proper coaching search with the Los Angeles situation looming, so perhaps that was a factor San Diego’s ownership considered when making the decision on McCoy, who has one year left on his contract (Twitter link).
As for the changes to the coaching staff, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears that defensive coordinator John Pagano is “particularly at risk.”
Dolphins Request Interview With Josh McDaniels
The Dolphins have already lined up multiple head coaching interviews for this week, with Teryl Austin, Adam Gase, Doug Marrone, and Dan Campbell among the candidates meeting with the team in the coming days. However, Miami is working to schedule interview with several more assistant coaches, most of them from within the AFC East.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link), the Dolphins are requesting head coaching interview with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, and Bills assistant head coach Anthony Lynn. It’s not clear yet if the division-rival Pats will grant Miami permission to interview their assistants, but Buffalo has granted Lynn permission to speak to the Dolphins on Wednesday, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.
In addition to Austin, Gase, Marrone, Campbell, and the three AFC East assistants, the Dolphins have also been linked to Todd Haley, Dirk Koetter, Mike Shanahan, and Jim Mora Jr., so it sounds like their search will be an expansive one. Former Falcons head coach Mike Smith has been mentioned as a candidate for Miami as well, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Smith will interview with at least one team, but it’s not clear if the Dolphins are that team.
In other news out of Miami, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets that new GM Chris Grier, whose hiring was announced earlier today, will report directly to Mike Tannenbaum, making for a cleaner organizational flowchart than the one the team employed in 2015.
Titans Part Ways With GM Ruston Webster
The Titans will not renew the contract of general manager Ruston Webster, the team announced today in a press release. Tennessee will begin conducting searches for a new GM as well as a head coach, according to the team. Interim head coach Mike Mularkey will be among the candidates considered for the coaching vacancy, and will get an interview as part of the search process.
While Webster is no longer in the mix, and Mularkey’s future with the organization is uncertain, the Titans announced that Steve Underwood will serve as the club’s president and CEO on a permanent basis, with the interim tag removed from his title.
“Today, I am glad to announce that Steve Underwood will be continuing in his role as our president and chief executive officer on a permanent basis,” said Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk in a statement. “I have had ongoing discussions with Steve on this issue for a while, and I feel his leadership is vital in order to move us forward. He has brought much-needed stability to our organization, and I look forward to progress that will be made under his leadership.”
Underwood will be leading the Titans’ dual searches for a GM and a head coach, while vice president of football administration Vin Marino will oversee the team’s football operations until a permanent GM is hired.
According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links), Titans college director Blake Beddingfield is worth keeping an eye on, since he’s highly regarded within the organization, and took on an increased role when Lake Dawson was let go. Breer adds that Buccaneers executive Jon Robinson, a Tennessee native, may also be a candidate for the Titans’ GM role.
As for Mularkey, multiple reports earlier today hinted that he may receive stronger consideration for the permanent head coaching position than initially expected. However, if the Titans decide to hire a general manager first, particularly one from outside the organization, that new GM may want to bring in his own head coach rather than sticking with Mularkey.
AFC East Notes: Incognito, Miller, Jets
With the NFL offseason now underway for every AFC East team except the Patriots, let’s check in on those three non-playoff teams from out of the division…
- Bills guard Richie Incognito, who signed a one-year deal with the team last February, called himself “a Buffalo guy,” and says he hopes to remain with the Bills in 2016 and beyond. However, as Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News details, Incognito confirmed there have been no negotiations yet between the team and agent David Dunn.
- Potential free agent running back Lamar Miller told reporters today that he would like to remain with the Dolphins next season, but scheme and fit will be important for him. According to James Walker of ESPN.com (Twitter links), it sounds like Miller wants to end up somewhere where he’ll get more consistent carries than he did in 2015.
- Insiders tell Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) that the Jets are expected to target a quarterback in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. New York traded up in the fourth round to snag Bryce Petty in 2015, so it’ll be interesting to see if the team decides to add another young QB this year.
- Veteran guard Willie Colon said he wants to keep playing in 2016, but admits that’s his mind talking, and his body might have other ideas, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Colon’s contract with the Jets is expiring, so he’ll have to sign a new one with New York or another club to continue his career.
- Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday takes a look at the future of the Jets‘ defensive line, with Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison both eligible for free agency this winter.
2016 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker
Several NFL teams are currently hunting for a new head coach, and amidst reports about interview requests and potential candidates, it’s easy to lose track of the latest updates in the shuffle. So we’ll use this space – which will be updated until every team has hired a new head coach – to keep track of the most recent news and rumors. It can be found on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features.”
Listed below are the head coaching candidates that have been linked to each of the teams with vacancies, along with their current status. If and when other teams decide to make head coaching changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here’s the current breakdown:
Updated 1-18-16 (1:12pm CT)
Cleveland Browns
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Hired
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Patriots): Interviewed
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed
- Paul Guenther, defensive coordinator (Bengals): Was candidate to interview
- Jim Schwartz, former Lions head coach: Mentioned as candidate
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interviewed; hired by Dolphins
- Jerome Henderson, defensive backs coach (Cowboys): Interviewed; remaining with Cowboys
- Chip Kelly, former Eagles head coach: Mentioned as candidate; hired by 49ers
Miami Dolphins
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Hired
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Anthony Lynn, assistant head coach (Bills): Interviewed
- Mike Shanahan, former NFL head coach: Interviewed
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Interviewed
- Dan Campbell, interim head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Was scheduled to interview; canceled
- Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator (Patriots): Requested interview
- Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Patriots): Requested interview
- Todd Haley, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Mentioned as candidate
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Mentioned as candidate
- Jim Mora Jr., head coach (UCLA): Mentioned as candidate
New York Giants
- Ben McAdoo, offensive coordinator (Giants): Hired
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed; strong candidate?
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Interviewed
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): May interview
- Lovie Smith, former NFL head coach: Will be considered
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interviewed; hired by Dolphins
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interview scheduled; hired by Browns
- Sean Payton, head coach (Saints): Remained with Saints
Philadelphia Eagles
- Doug Pederson, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Hired
- Pat Shurmur, interim head coach (Eagles): Interviewed
- Duce Staley, running backs coach (Eagles): Interviewed
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Expected to interview by end of week
- Paul Guenther, defensive coordinator (Bengals): Requested interview
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Expected to request interview
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Mentioned as candidate
- Jon Gruden, former NFL head coach: Gruden reportedly reached out
- Mike Shanahan, former NFL head coach: Shanahan expressed interest in job
- Tom Coughlin, former NFL head coach: Interviewed; Coughlin withdrew from consideration
- Adam Gase, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interviewed; hired by Dolphins
- Ben McAdoo, offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed; hired by Giants
- Sean Payton, head coach (Saints): Remained with Saints
- Kevin Sumlin, head coach (Texas A&M): Remained with Texas A&M
San Francisco 49ers
- Chip Kelly, former Eagles head coach: Hired
- Anthony Lynn, assistant head coach (Bills): Interviewed
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed
- John DeFilippo, offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed; more likely OC than HC
- Tom Coughlin, former Giants head coach: Interviewed
- Mike Shanahan, former NFL head coach: Interview candidate; receiving strong consideration
- Mike Shula, offensive coordinator (Panthers): 49ers expressed interest
- Mike Holmgren, former NFL head coach: Holmgren expressed interest in job; 49ers haven’t contacted him
- Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed; hired by Browns
- Sean Payton, head coach (Saints): Remained with Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Hired
- Harold Goodwin, offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed
- Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Mentioned as candidate
Tennessee Titans
- Mike Mularkey, interim head coach (Titans): Hired
- Doug Marrone, offensive line coach (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed
- Ray Horton, defensive coordinator (Titans): Interviewed
- Jim Schwartz, former Lions head coach: Mentioned as candidate
- Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator (Patriots): McDaniels reportedly has interest in job; considered strong candidate
- Chip Kelly, former Eagles head coach: Kelly reportedly had interest in job; hired by 49ers
- Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach: Mentioned as candidate; hired by Buccaneers