The NFL regular season has ended and we are now well into the playoffs. This means that plenty of NFL coaches have been fired and hired, and some teams are looking for new coaches. That is why I’m here to break down what has happened so far and what to expect in the coming weeks.
Bengals Fire Lewis, Eye Taylor
Finally, after 16 years of mediocrity, Bengals owner Mike Brown had finally had enough of Lewis and canned him. Cincinnati is rumored to be looking at Rams QB coach Zac Taylor as their next head coach, but they won’t make an official announcement until the Rams are out of the playoffs (whether that means winning the Super Bowl or losing at some point).
Broncos Fire Joseph, Hire Fangio
After the first back to back losing seasons in decades for the Broncos, GM John Elway decided it was time to let go of second year coach Vance Joseph. After interviewing several candidates, Elway narrowed it down to Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak. He chose Fangio, but it sounds like the Broncos could hire Munchak, whose contract in Pittsburgh is out, to a high-ranking offensive assistant. He could land the coordinator job, since Gary Kubiak will not take that job after all. The Bears hired former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano to replace Fangio.
Cardinals Fire Wilks, Hire Kingsbury
After one dreadful 3-13 season, the Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Steve Wilks. The move was probably also related to his inability to develop rookie QB Josh Rosen, because Wilks was more of a defensive guy. The Cardinals went on to shock the world by hiring former Texas Tech University head coach/University of Southern California offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury as their head coach.
Dolphins Fire Gase, Expected to Hire Flores
After three seasons in Miami, Adam Gase was fired. I don’t believe that this was Gase’s fault at all. Ryan Tannehill was always injured and the rest of the roster wasn’t great. Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a great leader and defensive mind, and hopefully he can finally bring the Dolphins back to the winning ways they had with Don Shula and Dan Marino.
Jets Fire Bowles, Hire Gase
Although Todd Bowles was a great defensive coordinator, he didn’t do so hot in four years as the Jets head coach. The Jets also needed an offensive guru to come in and get the best out of rookie QB Sam Darnold, and Gase is known for his work with QBs. For example, when he was the Bears offensive coordinator in 2015, Jay Cutler had the best statistical year of his career. The Jets are expected to hire Gregg Williams as their new defensive coordinator.
Packers Hire LaFleur
After firing longtime head coach Mike McCarthy late in the season, the Packers brought in Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur to be the franchise’s next head coach. LaFleur has done great work with quarterbacks over his coaching career, and he should work out pretty well as long as Aaron Rodgers gets along with him, which isn’t a given. LaFleur is going to retain Mike Pettine as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator.
Browns Relieve Williams, Hire Kitchens
After being named the Browns interim head coach following the midseason firing of Hue Jackson, Gregg Williams led Cleveland to a 5-3 record, and Freddie Kitchens, who was promoted to offensive coordinator, did some good things for 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield. The Browns passed over Williams and hired Kitchens as their head coach.
Buccaneers Fire Koetter, Hire Arians
After a dreadful tenure in Tampa Bay, Dirk Koetter was fired. He was replaced by former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians. The hope is that Arians will revive former first overall pick Jameis Winston and the Bucs offense while new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles gets the defense going again.