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5 NFL Coaches Who Need to Take Over Play-Calling Duties in 2016

By John Sarianides

Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan talks to head coach Gus Bradley before the start of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan talks to head coach Gus Bradley before the start of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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There will be several NFL head coaches heading into the 2016 season that will be on the hot seat. These coaches need to do more to save their jobs. It might help them to either take over the play calling on their respective side of the ball or put together the game plan.

The NFL is the ultimate bottom-line business.

For Gus Bradley, Jason Garrett, Mike McCoy, Chuck Pagano and Jim Caldwell, it’s win now or you are out. All five coaches are on the hot seat. One of the ways they can help their cause is to be more involved in game planning and play-calling.

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Just because they are now head coaches in the NFL, doesn’t mean that they can’t coach on their respective side of the ball. Here is why all five coaches need to be more involved on their side of the ball if they want to save their jobs.

1. Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars spent a lot of money this off-season signing Malik Jackson, Prince Amukamara, Tashaun Gipson and Chris Ivory. Jacksonville also drafted Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack so there is no doubt the pressure is on Bradley and his staff to take the Jags to the next level. One of the ways Bradley can help his team take that next step is to coordinate the Jaguars defense.

Its a no-brainer when you examine the situation. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash lacks experience and while veteran coordinator Monte Kiffin was brought in as a consultant, he will not be coordinating the defense. All the more reason why Bradley should coordinate the Jaguars defense and make it an elite unit.

May 25, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett smiles during organized team activities at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett smiles during organized team activities at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys

The return of Tony Romo and the addition of Ezekiel Elliott will make a world of difference for the Cowboys offensively. Taking the play calling away from veteran offensive coordinator Scott Linehan might not seem fair on the surface because Linehan has done a good job during his time in Dallas. This was especially true in 2014 when the Cowboys averaged  29.2 points per game.

Garrett is on the hot seat however and he could really help his job security by taking over the play calling and working more with Romo and the Cowboys passing game. Even if Garrett doesn’t take over the play calling, he should play a more active role in the game planning and play calling. The offense will carry the Cowboys this season.

3. Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers

May 14, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy (C) walks through as his team stretches during rookie mini camp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy (C) walks through as his team stretches during rookie mini camp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

McCoy needs to win or he may be out in San Diego. The Chargers brought back Ken Whisenhunt to run the offense. Whisenhunt is an excellent offensive coordinator. He has a great rapport with Philip Rivers and his play calling plays to Rivers strengths. All of that being said, McCoy needs to be more than just a statue on game day. He needs to be more involved in the play calling. His job is on the line this season.

Game day can’t just be about running pre-game stairs for McCoy. He needs to be more involved.

4. Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts

Chuck Pagano signed a four-year extension with the Colts earlier this off-season. On the surface it might seem like he’s secure but he’s not. He needs to win and he needs to win now. Once the kumbaya press conference between Pagano, owner Jim Irsay and general manager Ryan Grigson was over, the pressure was on Pagano to get things tunred around. Pagano made changes to his staff and brought in Ted Monachino to be his defensive coordinator.

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Monachino is a good coach but he has never coordinated in the NFL before. Pagano need to be involved in the game planning and the play calling. He cannot put all of his eggs in Monachino’s basket even though he knows him and trusts him.

5. Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions

New Lions general manager (and a former classmate of mine at Norwood High School) Bob Quinn decided to keep Caldwell. The Lions played well down the stretch in 2015 and a big reason for that was the promotion of quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter to offensive coordinator. Cooter did a great job playing to his players’ strengths.

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I don’t think Caldwell needs to take over the playing from Cooter but he needs to be more involved in the overall operation of the Lions. He can’t just stand there on game day and stare into space.

I get that Caldwell is stoic but stoic doesn’t win games in the NFL. You can be stoic in baseball. He can’t do that in football. It is a game of emotion. Caldwell needs to show more emotion.

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