There's a crowd growing on the coaching hot seat

Sporting News, The, Nov 4, 1996 by Bob Glauber

If you think the rare, in-season, coaching changes in Cincinnati and New Orleans were the end of this season's sideline casualties, just wait. Before the turnover is complete, the hit list could reach double digits.

There haven't been that many changes since the 10-man purge of '77. And in case you're wondering, the all-time record for most coaching changes was set in 1971, when 11 newly hired coaches opened the season. The record for the '90s: nine changes heading into the '92 season.

Here's a look at the crowded--or should we say over-flowing?--group of coaches on the hot seat:

Bruce Coslet, Bengals. It's Coslet's job to lose, according to Bengals president Mike Brown, who fired David Shula after the Wunder-less-kind lost his 52nd game in only his fourth season. (FYI: Don Shula didn't lose his 52nd until his 16th season, and was a cumulative 154-51-5 after 15). Coslet has the rest of the season to prove he belongs as the long-term solution. But if the losing continues, Brown will cut Bruce loose and look elsewhere for a coach who will sell enough tickets to ensure the Bengals stay in Cincinnati.

Rick Venturi, Saints. He's got as much of a chance of coaching this team next season as Ken Venturi. The one-time Colts interim has a dreadful 2-41-1 record as a head coach (for the Colts and at Northwestern.) Look for Auburn coach Terry Bowden to surface as a potential replacement--or Dan Reeves, assuming he is available (which we do.)

Rich Kotite, Jets. After giving Kotite a series of blanket endorsements in recent weeks, team president Steve Gutman, the pipeline to reclusive, 83-year-old owner Leon Hess, says Kotite's status will be reviewed after the season. You know that means one thing. The Jets will have their fourth coach of the '90s next season. But here's what I would do first: Hire a general manager. Either appoint highly respected personnel director Dick Haley to a position of more authority, or go out and make an offer that Panthers general manager Bill Polian can't refuse.

Dan Reeves, Giants. When Reeves is asked if he would like to finish out the last year of his five-year deal in '97, his answer is "definitely." Nevertheless, it would be a major surprise if Reeves were to fulfill the fifth and final year of his contract with the team. Continued frustration over his lack of front-office power and inability to bring out more in quarterback Dave Brown will be the deciding factors. General manager George Young likes offensive line coach Pete Mangurian, but Cardinals offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, who has worked with Brown in the past, also will get a long look from Young. And tune in to what happens in Kansas City, because there might be an option there, too. Read on and see how.

Bill Parcells, Patriots. There are few people around the league who believe Parcells has the desire to continue coaching beyond this season. But two things will change all that: 1) A playoff berth for the Patriots; 2) A multi-million-dollar offer from team owner Bob Kraft that will be too irresistible to turn down. If Parcells leaves, secondary coach Bill Belichick offers the chance for stability, but Kraft may have reservations because of Belichick's run in Cleveland.

June Jones, Falcons. His sideline confrontation with Jeff George resulted in a four-game suspension for the quarterback and an immediate collapse of the team. Jones likely will last the season, but his future after that remains uncertain. If Jones is out, look for the Falcons to make the obligatory phone calls to Florida coach Steve Spurrier and NBC analyst Joe Gibbs, both of whom will politely decline the offer.

Wayne Fontes, Lions. This is his last chance. I mean it. And, more important, so does team owner William Clay Ford. If Fontes doesn't win at least one playoff game, he is out. And the way the Lions have been looking lately, it would be an upset if he is back in '97. 49ers defensive coordinator Pete Carroll would provide a Fontes antidote, though Carroll may be a hot commodity for several teams.

Dennis Erickson, Seahawks. Three problems for Erickson. First, he never got through to Rick Mirer. Second, the team is in the process of being sold. Third, the prospective new owner, computer magnate Paul Allen, wants to hire a general manager to oversee all football-related matters. And what's the first thing a new G.M. evaluates? The coach.

Mike White, Raiders. The return of quarterback Jeff Hostetler has taken White off the critical list, but when it comes to coaches, you never know what Al Davis is thinking. If White is out, it's a tossup between offensive line coach Joe Bugel and special teams coach Rusty Tillman.

Rich Brooks, Rams. Team owner Georgia Frontiere invested millions in free-agent talent during the offseason, but the investment has hardly panned out. Same with first-round pick Lawrence Phillips, who is hardly the second coming of Jim Brown. Sitting next to Brooks on the hot seat is G.M. Steve Ortmayer, whose ill-fated trades of Sean Gilbert to the Redskins and Jerome Bettis to the Steelers have this team looking like a remarkable imitation of the Cardinals in St. Louis. If Ortmayer is out, look for Chargers personnel director Billy Devaney to get a look-see.