There were eight NFL head coaches hired to fill vacancies created during the 2018 season. That is one-fourth of the teams in the league replacing their field general.
Ironically the coach that many thought would get fired – Jason Garrett – managed to keep his job with some late season magic. He should be the favorite next season to be the first coach canned.
Of the eight new hires, only one was a coach that was fired from another team in the 2018 season. Adam Gase was let go from Miami, but found a job with AFC East rival New York Jets.
Who selected the best candidate for the job? We take a look below at all eight, and opine who should have success, and who might be looking for a new coach soon.
Cleveland Browns
Fired: Hue Jackson
Hired: Freddy Kitchens
Cleveland did the right thing getting rid of both head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. This was a team that was in dire need of a house cleaning and doing so in the middle of the season gave offensive coordinator Freddy Kitchens an opportunity to try out for the position.
Browns general manager John Dorsey liked what he saw, and got an coach that can tutor No. 1 draft pick Baker Mayfield.
Outlook: The Browns could surprise some people next year.
Green Bay Packers
Fired: Mike McCarthy
Hired: Matt LaFleur
This was the second coaching move of the season, and though it was time for McCarthy to go, the Packers are taking a big leap with Matt LaFleur. It is true his is an offensive prodigy, working under LA Rams coach Sean McVay and others, but can he win right away in Green Bay?
He should have a good relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and will try and get him back to elite status.
Outlook: His success depends on how forgiving Packers fans are to inevitable stumbles.
New York Jets
Fired: Todd Bowles
Hired: Adam Gase
The New York Jets were the only team to hire a coach that was fired in the 2018 season, and they didn’t even get the best one of the eight. Adam Gase becomes the Jets’ first coach since Bill Parcells in 1997 to have head coaching experience, but a 23-25 record in three seasons with Miami isn’t exactly impressive.
He did defeat the Jets in five of their six games, so maybe Jets brass watched those games and was impressed. There shouldn’t be much of a honeymoon, since the team has a solid quarterback with Sam Darnold, and a solid defensive core.
Outlook: The New York media is brutal, and if Gase slips up they will pounce.
Denver Broncos
Fired: Vance Joseph
Hired: Vic Fangio
The Broncos were going nowhere with Vance Joseph and after firing him wanted a tough, defensive veteran, and got that with Vic Fangio. He has been a defensive coordinator for four teams, but never a head coach.
There are many, including former Denver coach John Fox, who believes Fangio will restore respectability to the Broncos.
Outlook: He will work wonders on the defense, but they still need a quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fired: Dirk Koetter
Hired: Bruce Arians
Bruce Arians retired from the Arizona Cardinals in 2017 and worked as a television analyst last season. He obviously missed coaching, and the chance to reunite with former Cardinal executive Jason Licht was ideal for him.
Arians also has history with troubled star Jameis Winston. He spent time at Arians summer camp as a teenager, so that relationship might prove to be beneficial.
Outlook: If Arians can motivate Winston the team might have a chance.
Arizona Cardinals
Fired: Steve Wilks
Hired: Kliff Kingsbury
Arizona went with the college route, hiring Kliff Kingsbury of Texas Tech to the job. He can claim Patrick Mahomes as one of his successes while at TT, and he definitely knows college offenses.
The question is does it transfer over to the pros. Also his lack of defense is a concern, unless he gets a quality defensive coordinator.
Outlook: This may be a tall task for a first-time NFL coach.
Cincinnati Bengals
Fired: Marvin Lewis
Hired: Zac Taylor
The Bengals had to wait until after the Super Bowl, but they believe they got the right man in Zac Taylor. Taylor was the quarterbacks coach for the Rams and was partly responsible for Jarod Goff’s recent success.
Can he do the same with veteran Andy Dalton? He is young at 35, and might actually bring the type of excitement and enthusiasm the team needs after 16 years of Marvin Lewis.
Outlook: It’s a gamble, but it might pay off.
Miami Dolphins:
Fired: Adam Gase
Hired: Brian Flores
The Dolphins grabbed New England defensive coordinator Brian Flores as soon as the Super Bowl was over, and they are hoping that it goes better than Matt Patricia’s first year in Detroit.
Flores, like his predecessor Patricia, is a defensive wizard, but he doesn’t have a strong quarterback like Detroit and will have to work with that huge disadvantage.
Outlook: If Miami can get a quarterback, Flores should do well.
