Coach Rumors: Giants, Jags, Titans, Marrone
As the divisional round of the NFL postseason inches closer, the coaching carousel continues to spin for many of the clubs that have been eliminated from Super Bowl contention. Here are the latest coaching-related updates from around the NFL:
- While there probably won’t be an official announcement until Friday at the earliest, sources expect the Giants to head into 2016 with Mike Sullivan at offensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo at defensive coordinator, and Joe Philbin coming aboard the assistant head coach and QBs coach, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
- The Jaguars are interviewing Lou Anarumo, who finished 2015 as the Dolphins’ interim defensive coordinator, for their defensive coordinator opening, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union tweets. Jacksonville is taking its time identifying a replacement for Bob Babich, having interviewed Falcons secondary coach Marquand Manuel earlier this week.
- Doug Marrone completed his interview for the Titans‘ head coaching position today, and Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (Twitter link) hears that the former Bills head coach made a good impression.
- The Chargers have hired former Vikings offensive line coach Jeff Davidson for the same position in San Diego, the team announced today in a press release.
- In addition to confirming their previously-reported hiring of linebackers coach Jim Herrmann, the Colts have announced that they’ve fired offensive line coach Hal Hunter, per Mike Wells of ESPN.com.
Dolphins Fire DC Kevin Coyle, Promote Lou Anarumo
1:20pm: The Dolphins (via Twitter links) confirmed that Coyle is out and Anarumo is the team’s new defensive coordinator.
1:05pm: Dolphins defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo will be the new defensive coordinator, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter).
12:46pm: The Dolphins are firing defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, a source tells Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter). Interim head coach Dan Campbell has made it clear all week long that Coyle’s fate was up in the air and, today, the ax has come down in Miami.
Coyle was hired by the Dolphins prior to the 2012 season. Before going to Miami, Coyle spent eight years as the defensive backs coach for the Bengals. The Dolphins came into the season with a very solid defense on paper. In practice, the Dolphins D has graded out as one of the very worst in the NFL. On top of that, Coyle has been said to be rather unpopular in the locker room and it’s not much of a surprise to see him go. This now marks the second major coaching change for the Dolphins in the last week after head coach Joe Philbin was fired.
Days ago the Dolphins touched base with former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz about the vacancy, but he declined the opportunity. At this time, it’s not immediately clear who will be taking over DC duties for the Dolphins.
Coyle was “as disliked by his players as any coach we’ve encountered [in Miami],” according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald who has covered the team for many years. The Dolphins are 1-3 heading into their bye week with very weak production out of their defense, even with the offseason addition of Ndamukong Suh.
Many speculated that offensive coordinator Bill Lazor would be on the hot seat after Philbin was fired, but for now it appears that he will remain in his position with longtime coach Al Saunders serving as a consultant.