One coach goes 1-10, a second coach goes 4-8 (after a 2-0 start), and a 3rd coach is 4-7 (23-23 overall, with a top 5 QB and a 27-0 blown halftime lead in a playoff game).

Unfortunately, this is not the beginning of a bad joke about another guy walks into a bar.

These are the records of recently fired Frank Reich, and current head coaches Ron Rivera (Commanders) and Brandon Staley (Chargers). All three deserve heat.

All three should face changes, to style and staff. BUT not all three deserve to be fired….yet.

David Tepper the owner of the Carolina #Panthers made the move today to release Reich. Thus making it one of the shortest NFL coaching tenures to date.

It is believed that the move signals an immediate change of direction and a mid-season attempt to salvage the rookie signal caller Bryce Young’s campaign.

The move, however smacks of misdirection. Misdirection for a franchise that has moved quickly without guidance or forethought in the past. Reich who was previously fired from the Colts, was then scooped up by Tepper.

Tepper knew he got a coach who did not work out at his previous stop. He was not a hotshot coordinator. You had to know this was not a splash hire. This was a steady pick for an organization that needed a steady hand after moving on from Matt Rhule.

Rivera and Staley have survived the pink slip dear John so far. Maybe those owners realize that a midseason change is more damaging than not. Tepper however has a less desirable track record for making questionable decisions.

Frank Reich compiled a 40-33-1 record with the Colts. Some could say “but he had Andrew Luck”. However, he had a separate playoff appearance after his retirement. His quarterbacks during that run were “– Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and then Matt Ryan” (J.Erickson, IndyStar, 2022). This is a steady hand in the face of change and unfortunately may not match well with a panicky owner.

By David J. Mitchell

@mei_ji_fei

Images courtesy of http://www.Charlotteobserver.com

Stats and quote courtesy of Joel A. Erickson @joelaerickson The Indystar.com @indystar https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2022/11/07/indianapolis-colts-new-frank-reich-fired-as-head-coach-jim-irsay/69626479007/