How often does firing an NFL coach make things better?

This may seem like a stupid question but watching TV this morning they were talking about Rex Ryan and how he is most likely going to get fired even though he is well respected and for the last two games the Jets have been playing their hearts out...

How much through NFL history has it been proven that firing a coach, the team was better off? In my life I've seen it make no difference in places like Oakland, St. Louis, Jacksonville, and our own Redskins are probably one of the best examples.

I realize that the Head Coach is ultimately responsible for everything that happens with the football team, and when the teams starts sucking, and on a losing streak - he ultimately pays the price. But do you think that is fair? For the sake of argument lets look at the Redskins:

Coach after coach and we basically are no better. This year we already have a lost season. But is it really Jay Gruden's fault that we have problems at QB, Defense, Special teams? I mean he isn't the one making plays, or throwing the interceptions, or letting the other team run the kickoff back..

I guess i'm just looking for examples where firing the coach was absolutely the right move for the franchise and it resulted in wins, playoffs, etc....

I mean, throughout NFL history you can find examples where finding a better coach resulted in a better team, not just in victories, but in championships. Would we have any SB trophies if we never hired Joe Gibbs? Given teams like the Lions, Eagles, Browns, have a long history in this league without having a single trophy proves that anything is possible. I don't know that hitting reset is the right move for this franchise, but pretty much every SB winning team in history had to hire the right coach to get there.

It can, but we're a little early to be writing off Jay Gruden

I mean I'm not impressed and I have a bad feeling he'll tank like all the other coaches that weren't named Gibbs or Allen, but I say we need to give him at least 2 more seasons before we write him off, he may surprise.

Plus changing coaches often results in a rebuilding period, and I'm tired of constantly rebuilding.

This might give you a take on rushing to judgement .


"When Parcells took over in 1983, the New York Giants were a team that had posted just one winning season in the previous ten years. In his first year, he made a controversial decision to bench Phil Simms in favor of Scott Brunner. The result was a disastrous 3–12–1 season during which the Giants surreptitiously offered Parcells' job to University of Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger after a week 14 loss; however, Schnellenberger declined, and Parcells remained as head coach.[22]"


........so how do you think it turned out ?

It can, but we're a little early to be writing off Jay Gruden

I mean I'm not impressed and I have a bad feeling he'll tank like all the other coaches that weren't named Gibbs or Allen, but I say we need to give him at least 2 more seasons before we write him off, he may surprise.

Plus changing coaches often results in a rebuilding period, and I'm tired of constantly rebuilding.

Two more seasons? NFW! I'm getting too old for that kind of patience. I'd prefer to see Dan Snyder get so tired of losing that he threatens to fire everybody. We fans need Snyder to start hating losing enough not to put up with it anymore.

Jay Gruden just needs a better D-Coordinator and a better O-Line Coach. Russ Grimm is unemployed. lol

Head coach firings are at best a crap shoot. One of the more memorable in my mind is when Haslett was fired in New Orleans & Sean Payton took over and finished 1st in the division. To be fair to Haslett though, his record during his last year (3-13) was truly impacted by distractions and relocations of Hurricane Katrina.

Extending this discussion to Jay Gruden - I hope the team stays the course with him for now.

I'm old enough to remember Gibbs taking over and starting off 0-5. Jay is still a young head coach and has demonstrated enough at other levels to be given time to mature in his new position.

I don't like the losing right now, but the head coach deserves this year and next before there is any talk of dismissing him.

Character & Integrity are not tested until your face dire situations. Jay is in the middle of a dire situation and while it's taking a toll on him, I believe he has remained professional, honest and strong willed thus far. All in all, the traits of leadership are defined in more than just wins. It's also how you handle and deal with a loss.

I like what I've seen so far from him. He doesn't dodge the tough questions and I really feel that he will figure this out.

Having a better roster will help, but that will take another year.

Hail!

In our case the lack of FO failed with Spurrier and Zorn. I think Gruden will pan out, he needs to be given a chance. The only thing I question are keeping Haslett and Foerster as coaches.

Jay Gruden just needs a better D-Coordinator and a better O-Line Coach. Russ Grimm is unemployed. lol

Couldn't agree more!!

For a team like the Redskins, I feel like a coaching change generally won't help since the problems seem to be beyond coaching.

That said, I like Gruden, and perhaps he'll be the one to rise above the dysfunction and produce a winner. Hope springs eternal, right? I just hope Snyder doesn't pull a Snyder and fire Gruden after one or two seasons. Let him stay for a minimum of four. He's a proven winner and needs to be given time.