Coaches Come, Coaches Go in the NFL
With the NFL playoffs a week away, the trash talking has begun and the speculation is running wild. There's a lot of uncertainty that will play out on the field, but there are some things happening off the field that are fairly notable, including some coaching moves.
In Cleveland, Eric Mangini, the prodigal son Bill Belichick, has been canned after two seasons and rumors are swirling that Mike Homlgren, team president, might take the reigns.
"My goal is to find exactly the right person to eventually lead us to the championship," Holmgren told ESPN. "I was hired to be the president of the Cleveland Browns. I think this year I've grown into the job. Having said that, I am also a coach and will always be a coach. To tell you right now that I would never coach again — here or any place — wouldn't be honest.
While Cleveland's next coach will be the franchise's fifth since 1999, the Minnesota Vikings are finally rid of the Brett Farve drama and stripped the interim away to name Leslie Frazier head coach.
"Our players and entire organization have great respect for Leslie," owner Zygi Wilf said in a statement released by the team as reported by ESPN. "He has a vast knowledge of the game, both as a former player and as a coach, and he has a terrific way with those who play for him and work with him."
Over in Jacksonville, Florida, Jack Del Rio has kept his job for now, but has been stripped of the defensive coordinator duties.
Del Rio, 66-65 with the Jaguars, is the first coach since the NFL merger in 1970 to lead the same team for eight years without winning a division title.
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