Five Notable Coaching Headlines in the NFL

Whether brand new to a team or a veteran coach with new weapons on the field, there are certainly some names to keep our eyes on as we roll into the 2020 NFL season.  We’ve all seen the make-or-break impacts a coach has on a franchise and this particular year each team’s leader will face yet another layer of grind. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has added some extra challenges to the league. However, everyone is in the same boat and embodying the same risk.  Let’s examine five NFL coaching headlines, in no particular order, that are sure to keep us entertained this season.

Ron Rivera

New to Washington, Cam Newton-less, and a starting (allegedly) quarterback in Haskins who has faced a fair share of criticism, Rivera will be put to the test at a once-storied franchise. The Washington franchise has not won an NFC East title since 1999 and has had trouble finding its way. Washington endured what most would consider a turbulent offseason that just never seemed to let up. 

Just before the new year, former team president Bruce Allen was let go. He spent ten years with the team but reportedly was respected by very few.  Owner Dan Snyder is not free of controversy. In the offseason, several accounts of sexual misconduct and a toxic culture in the organization were alleged. However, he is still at the helm of the ship as far as personnel power and has, at times, been called to leave by a large part of his fan base.  Yikes.  There was also the mounting pressure to drop the Redskin mascot, finally happening in July, with no replacement name chosen at the moment. 

For now, we will watch the Washington Football Team.  It did seem as though former head coach Jay Gruden was not able to fully execute any of his plans or power as HC. Snyder and Allen seemed to be continuously overstepping.  Nine head coaches have been in Washington since the year 2000 so I think we are all curious as to how Rivera, a seasoned coach, will fare.

Matt Rhule 

There’s a new presence in blue and white who will be pacing the sidelines of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte this year: Matt Rhule. The former Baylor University head coach took a struggling Baylor team (1-8 his incumbent year) and transformed the Bears to a competitive Bowl contender. Baylor played in both the Texas Bowl and Sugar Bowl in 2018 and 2019, respectively. 

Kyle Bailey of WFNZ Sports Radio and host of the Panthers Tailgate Show spoke his thoughts on Rhule,

“He has always seemed to me like he was cut from the NFL cloth, and he’s made a good impression on his players and organization in the eight months he’s been on the job – at least from a culture standpoint.  But what will ultimately determine his success is what the Panthers do on the field and in 2020 it is anyone’s guess what Carolina will look like.” 

With a hungry Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, a league-leading rusher in Christian McCaffery, and DJ Moore coming off a great season of receiving, they are going to need to do more offensively. They still ended last season 5-11 and finishing  20^th and 14^th overall in passing and rushing, respectively. Cue Joe Brady, Carolina’s new offensive coordinator, and another brand new face in Carolina.  Defensively, they didn’t look much better, allowing the second-most points in the 2019 season. Thus focusing all seven draft picks toward retooling their defense. 

“Defensive Coordinator Phil Snow will start molding early on.  There’s a lot of talent in that group, but without any experience playing together it stands to reason their progress may be a little slow in 2020.  In a tough NFC South division, it’s always fun to watch a coach transition from NCAA to NFL.  Regardless of the final record, this is the first season of the rebuild under Matt Rhule and so all evaluations should be centered on how much this team improves in 2020.”

-Kyle Bailey

Kevin Stefanski 

As a first-time head coach taking over for a failed coach in Freddie Kitchens, Kevin Stefanski has some talent to play with!  Coming from escalating roles in Minnesota, latest being OC, Stefanski seemed to be held in high regard by the Vikings. He had been with the team for 13 years and continues climbing the ladder. 

Though he grew up playing defensive back, he found his talent in coaching positions of which he once defended.  Coach Stefanski has to be pretty overjoyed with Baker Mayfield in his third NFL season taking on a great leadership role around the locker room. Not to mention, Mayfield has some undeniable weapons in Beckham, Landry, Chubb, Hunt, and Njoku.  Sources report that Stefanski’s subdued and dialed-in approach, much different than the antics of Kitchens, has already brought the Browns together. Hopefully in a way to showcase their talents once and for all.  

Mike McCarthy

As a lifelong Packer fan who felt as though Big Mike’s time was up in Green Bay (and YES, we are thankful for all that he did for us and for leading us to a win at Super Bowl XLV!), I can’t help feel like an ex-girlfriend watching him court a new woman from afar.  That new woman is, of course, the Dallas Cowboys.  Taking over on the sidelines at Jerry World is no small feat.  Longtime owner Jerry Jones, immersed in every decision from the ground up, seems to be in the driver seat at all times. 

Jones did stick with former head coach Jason Garrett for nine seasons. However, much like McCarthy in Green Bay, Garrett seemed to wear out his welcome. He ended his coaching tenure with only two playoff wins to his name in his nine years with the squad.  With mounting talent (and paychecks) for Cowboy stars like Prescott, Elliott, Cooper, and more, he began to underperform.  Dallas fans are hoping for a fresh start from a Super Bowl-winning coach. Hopefully, elevating their schemes in hope of competing with NFC East rival Philadelphia. The reigning NFC East champions and their biggest divisional threat.  

Bill Belichick

Would we really be able to forget this lovable guy in an article about head coaching? Considering he is arguably the most accomplished coach in the Super Bowl era and he lost his GOAT quarterback in Brady, this should be a story to watch for even casual sports fans!  While it will be EXTREMELY odd to not use B&B in the same storyline, oftentimes into February, don’t count out the stoic, veteran face of the Pats.  Being known to turn water into wine, it’s going to be compelling to see how he meshes with newcomer Cam Newton who looks to excel in New England. 

It is worth noting that the Patriots got hit with the most COVID opt-outs (8) with notables Chung and Hightower who won’t be suiting up this year.  We are always ready to see what Belichick can do. Year in and year out, with many fresh faces he is always ready to develop.

Clearly, there are more coaching storylines in the NFL that will be worth following. We prepare to delve into an interesting, yet mouthwatering, start to a football year. It comes after a rough sports drought for a large chunk of 2020!  The aforementioned five caught my attention and it will be great to revisit these teams’ progress as we begin to coast through the season.