It seems strange, but there is a surprising amount of interesting coaching news percolating around today. Here’s a look:
Dan Reeves is reportedly interviewing to become the offensive coordinator for the 49ers. Though I like the Niners and Reeves, I don’t get this at all. Reeves is 65, he has a radio gig that keeps him busy enough, and he has spent some time working to establish a football program at Georgia State University. He hasn’t been in the pro game since he left Atlanta in 2003, and hasn’t been a coordinator since 1980. It’s hard to figure out why he would be inspired to get back into this game, and why he would want to take a risky job like this one if he did. I can only imagine that nothing will ultimately come of this one.
Scott Linehan has found himself a new job after being fired by the Rams, and it proves one thing – he’s a serious masochist. Linehan is the new offensive coordinator with the Lions. He’s the third OC in Detroit in three years, and the second one that is a former Rams’ head coach following Mike Martz. Linehan doesn’t have much to work with, but Calvin Johnson will be a fun toy for him to play with. Though I don’t get Linehan’s move, I like what they are doing in Detroit. Jim Schwartz knows he has a huge task in front of him, so he’s surrounding himself with proven veteran talents to help him with the coaching – Linehan joins new defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham.
Herm Edwards has finally been fired by the Chiefs. It’s about time. Outside of Marvin Lewis, there is no one who deserved to get fired more in the NFL. He was 15-33 there, and 39-41 with the Jets. He’s just not a particularly good coach. Actually, he’s pretty bad. I couldn’t imagine that Scott Pioli was going to stand to keep him around. It will be very interesting to see who gets the gig.
Marc Iavaroni has been fired as the coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. That was well deserved and comes as no surprise at all. What is surprising, though, is that Avery Johnson turned down a five year contract to take the job. It was very much the right move – Memphis is not a winning situation right now. I just wouldn’t have expected a guy like Johnson, who got a bad deal in Dallas, to resist a big, juicy contract. That’s a clear case of a coach putting reason beforeego. I didn’t know that that was possible.
