4 NFL Head Coaches Who Could Be Fired After First Year on the Job
By Ian Anderson
Despite being only halfway into the season, many coaches are on the hot seat after poor performances during the opening eight weeks of the NFL season. Among the teams struggling are some run by first-year coaches. Here are four coaches in their first year with their team who could be fired at season's end.
4. Adam Gase
Gase came into the season with lofty expectations for the New York Jets after the team spent big in the offseason by signing superstar running back Le'Veon Bell and Pro-Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley. Despite being coined an "Offensive Guru" Gase has failed to live up to expectations as the Jets rank 32nd in yards per game and 31st in points per game. Will the return of Sam Darnold spark their offense and save Gase's job?
3. Zac Taylor
Zac Taylor is a disciple of the Sean McVay coaching tree, but the former quarterbacks coach is struggling to get a win in Cincinnati. The Bengals boast the NFL's worst record at 0-8, and the offense has been lethargic to say the least. And with Ryan Finley taking over the reins as starting QB, things could go from bad to ugly. Week 16 could be crucial for Cincinnati as they travel to Miami to play the currently 0-7 Dolphins in what has been dubbed the "Tank for Tua Bowl".
2. Brian Flores
Brian Flores came into the season with low expectations as the Dolphins were clearly in rebuild mode. Despite jumping out to a 14-0 lead over Pittsburgh on Monday night, Miami conceded 27 unanswered points to fall to 0-7 on the season. Flores may be given another couple seasons in Miami as the Dolphins have purged their roster of all talent, but his struggles in 2019 won't go unnoticed.
1. Freddie Kitchens
The Cleveland Browns came into 2019 with Super Bowl expectations after finishing 2018 strong but have failed to live up to the hype. While Kitchens can shoulder some of the blame, a leaky offensive line combined with Baker Mayfield's turnovers and a porous defense may buy Kitchens one more season in Cleveland. Time will tell as the Browns' final eight games are significantly easier than their first eight.