NFL roundup: Coaching carousel continues to rotate
By Brad Weiss
The NFL coaching carousel was in full swing on Monday, as the Titans, Colts, and Giants made news regarding their head coaching positions.
After a solid playoff run, that saw the Tennessee Titans advance to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, the team decided to part ways with their head coach. Mike Mularkey was fired as head coach of the Titans on Monday, only days after the team said he was their coach for the future. Mularkey led the Titans to an incredible road victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round, but his team was blasted by the New England Patriots on Saturday night in Divisional Round action.
Staying in the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts will name Josh McDaniels their next head coach. McDaniels, who is currently the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, will be making his second stint as a head coach, as he was the main man in Denver from 2009-10. The 41-year old has won five Super Bowl titles as an assistant to Bill Belichick in New England, and will bring his bright offensive mind to a team that has been run by defensive guru Chuck Pagano over the last couple of seasons.
The team that won the AFC South this past season, the Jacksonville Jaguars, clinched their spot in the AFC title game with a win on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. After the game, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey guaranteed a Super Bowl victory, even though they have to beat the Patriots to even get to the big dance in February. Ramsey has been a stud all season long for the Jaguars, who are an elite defensive unit, and could give Tom Brady and company fits next Sunday inside Foxboro.
In other coaching news, it looks like the New York Giants have found their man as well. The Giants fired head coach Ben McAdoo towards the end of the regular season, replacing him with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. On Monday, it was reported that they would be hiring Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who has led his team to the NFC title game with Case Keenum as his starting quarterback this season. If Shurmur does get the gig, does he bring Keenum with him? Only time will tell.
Next: Jaguars’ run, Vikings’ miracle and Patriots’ dominance
In 2018 NFL Draft news, one star linebacker will be throwing his hat in the ring. Georgia junior Roquan Smith, who was named Most Valuable Player of the SEC title game, declared for the draft on Monday. The 20-year old was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year this past season, and won the Butkus Award, so you can assume that he will be one of the first defensive players off the board in April.