A Very Black Monday
January 11, 2024 10:29 AM Subscribe
The Monday (and the week) after the last weekend of NFL regulation play is called Black Monday, as it is typically the day that head coaches around the league either get handed their pink slips or announce their departures. While a number of the dismissals were expected, such as Atlanta, Washington, and Tennessee dismissing their coaches, this year has seen a number of surprise departures in both the professional and college levels, with Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick, and Nick Saban all departing their head coach positions.
These departures make this transition feel like a fundamental changing of the guard in football, and the large number of openings in coaching staffs makes for a number of questions about who will make the move. The biggest of these is whether or not national champion Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will head back to the pros, especially in light of a number of scandals throughout his tenure in Ann Arbor.
These departures make this transition feel like a fundamental changing of the guard in football, and the large number of openings in coaching staffs makes for a number of questions about who will make the move. The biggest of these is whether or not national champion Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will head back to the pros, especially in light of a number of scandals throughout his tenure in Ann Arbor.
Dumb girl question: was Belichick not able to do well without Brady, or was he just tired?
posted by Melismata at 10:33 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 10:33 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
I always assumed Bill Belichick was sitting on Plymouth Rock when the first Patriots arrived by boat, a football he had made from the previous night's dinner tucked under his arm. End of an era indeed.
posted by gwint at 10:36 AM on January 11 [6 favorites]
posted by gwint at 10:36 AM on January 11 [6 favorites]
So was Belichick just not able to do well without Brady, or was he just tired?
Little of column A, little of column B, I'd say. One massive problem the post-Brady Pats had was a lack of a solid franchise QB, which is essential if you want to win. But at the same time, Belichick was notorious for having an exceptionally weak coaching "tree", as a number of his subordinate coaches have flamed out when taking HC positions elsewhere.
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:37 AM on January 11 [4 favorites]
Little of column A, little of column B, I'd say. One massive problem the post-Brady Pats had was a lack of a solid franchise QB, which is essential if you want to win. But at the same time, Belichick was notorious for having an exceptionally weak coaching "tree", as a number of his subordinate coaches have flamed out when taking HC positions elsewhere.
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:37 AM on January 11 [4 favorites]
Belichick has always been Kraft's guy, no matter what. Luckily, he kept winning and winning.
But now it looks like there's nothing left in the tank, and...well, I don't think that any other owner will rush to give Belichick the chance to get those last 15 wins.
posted by wenestvedt at 10:49 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
But now it looks like there's nothing left in the tank, and...well, I don't think that any other owner will rush to give Belichick the chance to get those last 15 wins.
posted by wenestvedt at 10:49 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
So was Belichick just not able to do well without Brady, or was he just tired?
In the middle of a stream of local TV sports discussion of to go/nogo a few days ago one player said "we work for Bill, we played for Tom".
posted by sammyo at 11:00 AM on January 11 [8 favorites]
In the middle of a stream of local TV sports discussion of to go/nogo a few days ago one player said "we work for Bill, we played for Tom".
posted by sammyo at 11:00 AM on January 11 [8 favorites]
Dumb girl question: was Belichick not able to do well without Brady, or was he just tired?
As a long time Browns fan, the former.
posted by charred husk at 11:38 AM on January 11 [6 favorites]
As a long time Browns fan, the former.
posted by charred husk at 11:38 AM on January 11 [6 favorites]
Tomlin and Harabaugh might see a delayed Black Monday. Though I doubt it this year.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 11:56 AM on January 11
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 11:56 AM on January 11
So was Belichick just not able to do well without Brady, or was he just tired?
¿Por qué no los dos? It's kind of like when Phil Jackson coached the Bills and had Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. Six titles. Then Jackson went to the Lakers and had Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Five titles.
Brady was able to win a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, but Jordan couldn't with the Wizards.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:58 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
¿Por qué no los dos? It's kind of like when Phil Jackson coached the Bills and had Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. Six titles. Then Jackson went to the Lakers and had Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Five titles.
Brady was able to win a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, but Jordan couldn't with the Wizards.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:58 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
As a long time Browns fan, the former.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:01 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
During his tenure in Cleveland, he compiled a 36–44 record, leading the team to the playoffs in 1994, his only winning year with the team.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:01 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
It's kind of like when Phil Jackson coached the Bills and had Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. Six titles.
It's amazing how one little typo can throw us over into an alternate timeline.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:02 PM on January 11 [20 favorites]
It's amazing how one little typo can throw us over into an alternate timeline.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:02 PM on January 11 [20 favorites]
Also, TIL that the Giants' (now former) defensive coordinator was named Wink Martindale, and now the G-Men defense giving away yards like they were on The Price is Right made sense.
posted by NoxAeternum at 12:10 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
posted by NoxAeternum at 12:10 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
As a long time Pats fan (hello to the shades of Eason and Grogan), I loved Bill the Coach, Bill the Historian and hated Bill the GM who couldn't draft a receiver to save his life.
Still, it's kinda weird to see Carroll, Saban and Bill all out at the same time (although I'd bet good money that both Carroll and Belichick will make another run)
posted by drewbage1847 at 12:29 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
Still, it's kinda weird to see Carroll, Saban and Bill all out at the same time (although I'd bet good money that both Carroll and Belichick will make another run)
posted by drewbage1847 at 12:29 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
During his tenure in Cleveland, he compiled a 36–44 record, leading the team to the playoffs in 1994, his only winning year with the team.
With none other than Nick Saban as his defensive coordinator.
although I'd bet good money that both Carroll and Belichick will make another run
I believe I read that Carroll is staying on as a consultant with Seattle.
posted by HVACDC_Bag at 12:48 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
With none other than Nick Saban as his defensive coordinator.
although I'd bet good money that both Carroll and Belichick will make another run
I believe I read that Carroll is staying on as a consultant with Seattle.
posted by HVACDC_Bag at 12:48 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
I've never been able to get into football the game, but football the interpersonal drama/character study is absolutely fascinating. Can't wait to find out what'll happen next!
posted by Baethan at 1:00 PM on January 11 [3 favorites]
posted by Baethan at 1:00 PM on January 11 [3 favorites]
If Pete is offerred a head coaching job, he will take it, screw the consultant gig.
posted by Windopaene at 1:21 PM on January 11 [3 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 1:21 PM on January 11 [3 favorites]
I think Saban's getting out at the right time. I don't think Oklahoma and University of Texas will be as dominant in the SEC as they were in the Big 12, but they will be competitive with a strong Alabama every single year, and they will hinder Alabama's chances at football dominance - Alabama has been a national title contender or someone pundits thought deserved a shot at the title for the past 10 years or so.
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:37 PM on January 11
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:37 PM on January 11
“How Alabama Pulled Off The Perfect Onside Kick,” Barry Petchesky, Deadspin, 12 January 2016
I've been thinking about that play a lot today. Saban knew the kid on Clemson would turn around and coached his player up right before they took the field. They had been practicing the play since August. Six months of preparation for one play.
posted by ob1quixote at 1:41 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
I've been thinking about that play a lot today. Saban knew the kid on Clemson would turn around and coached his player up right before they took the field. They had been practicing the play since August. Six months of preparation for one play.
posted by ob1quixote at 1:41 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
Some of the more football-knowledgeable people in my life speculate that fired Tennessee coach, former Patriot, and guy who once said he'd cut off his own penis to win a Super Bowl Mike Vrabel might find his way back to Foxboro.
But I don't care a lot about that kind of thing. I'm wondering which one of these assholes is going to pursue a second career in politics.
posted by box at 1:59 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
But I don't care a lot about that kind of thing. I'm wondering which one of these assholes is going to pursue a second career in politics.
posted by box at 1:59 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
I must say, the segment about Belichick on the Providence, RI, news just now contained more words from that man's mouth then I have ever heard before combined.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:06 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 2:06 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
Vrabel definitely has to be a leading candidate for the Pats. Bill's name is getting tossed around a lot for the Falcons open position.
As for his famous grumpiness, he's always hated dealing with the media and the dumb side of sports journalism. You could see that when he got asked a question he really dug or in behind the scenes footage of him.
posted by drewbage1847 at 2:14 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
As for his famous grumpiness, he's always hated dealing with the media and the dumb side of sports journalism. You could see that when he got asked a question he really dug or in behind the scenes footage of him.
posted by drewbage1847 at 2:14 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
But now it looks like there's nothing left in the tank, and...well, I don't think that any other owner will rush to give Belichick the chance to get those last 15 wins.
Despite living in Boston, I am not a Pats fan, and my disdain for Kraft and the franchise in general is pretty robust. I say this only to underscore my point, which is that Belichick could schedule a press-conference on ESPN, admit to being a serial killer, point the cops to where he's buried the bodies, and then open the bidding on his services as a head coach, and have at least a dozen offers in hand by day's end. Off the top of my head, I can probably name you... five? franchises, at most, who wouldn't happily buy out their existing coaching staff's contracts, install Bill as head coach and GM, and cheerfully agree to pay him by making him part owner of the franchise.
posted by Mayor West at 3:56 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
Despite living in Boston, I am not a Pats fan, and my disdain for Kraft and the franchise in general is pretty robust. I say this only to underscore my point, which is that Belichick could schedule a press-conference on ESPN, admit to being a serial killer, point the cops to where he's buried the bodies, and then open the bidding on his services as a head coach, and have at least a dozen offers in hand by day's end. Off the top of my head, I can probably name you... five? franchises, at most, who wouldn't happily buy out their existing coaching staff's contracts, install Bill as head coach and GM, and cheerfully agree to pay him by making him part owner of the franchise.
posted by Mayor West at 3:56 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
Also, I don't ask for much, but if the Eagles could lose by 30 at home to a Baker-Mayfield-led Buccaneers squad this weekend, and Nick Sirianni could find himself jobless come Monday morning, in a suddenly crowded field of coaching talent in a distinctly buyer's market, I'd be a very happy human. You owe me one, Universe.
posted by Mayor West at 4:38 PM on January 11 [3 favorites]
posted by Mayor West at 4:38 PM on January 11 [3 favorites]
I can’t claim to understand the drive of elite coaches or athletes but if I had millions of dollars and I’ve already won multiple championships, I would happily retire and spend the rest of my life watching football on TV, from my private island.
Pete Carroll has already won college and NFL. I am most curious about Harbaugh. Is he a Michigan man for life or will he say he accomplished what we he wanted, and claim he has unfinished business winning a superbowl and get out before NCAA scandal catches up with him
posted by CostcoCultist at 5:04 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
Pete Carroll has already won college and NFL. I am most curious about Harbaugh. Is he a Michigan man for life or will he say he accomplished what we he wanted, and claim he has unfinished business winning a superbowl and get out before NCAA scandal catches up with him
posted by CostcoCultist at 5:04 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
but if the Eagles could lose
Nooooooo. My one sports wish is that the Steelers and the Eagles get to the Super Bowl ( and somehow Beaver Stadium is the venue). Hockey and Baseball can't provide this for me. It has to be the NFL I guess.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:36 PM on January 11
Nooooooo. My one sports wish is that the Steelers and the Eagles get to the Super Bowl ( and somehow Beaver Stadium is the venue). Hockey and Baseball can't provide this for me. It has to be the NFL I guess.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:36 PM on January 11
It has been a wild week in sports. On top of all the football coaching announcements, Martin Slumbers, the head of the Royal and Ancient in Saint Andrews, announced he would be leaving st the end of the year, catching the golf world by surprise. Then today it was announced that Keith Pelley, the head of the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), was leaving to run the Toronto Maple Leaf organization.
posted by jvbthegolfer at 5:41 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
posted by jvbthegolfer at 5:41 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
@CostcoCultist - With all of those high level coaches they have an incredible level of obsession. For Belichick. it's apparent that he would live on nothing but the air in a football while eating a football and drinking the water running off a football field. He's got an absolutely encyclopedic knowledge of football across the history of the whole sport and pulls random facts and plays from obscure corners of time/place. He's been around the sport since he father took him around on scouting trips.
posted by drewbage1847 at 6:16 PM on January 11
posted by drewbage1847 at 6:16 PM on January 11
Defector ran this wonderful piece of shade, which I'm yet to see outdone, about William "Bill" Belichick
https://defector.com/tom-bradys-old-coach-to-leave-patriots
I mean. The wonderfully sustained, straight-faced cheek of this is chef's kiss for me.
(Edit to remove unneeded definite article)
posted by onebuttonmonkey at 6:46 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
https://defector.com/tom-bradys-old-coach-to-leave-patriots
I mean. The wonderfully sustained, straight-faced cheek of this is chef's kiss for me.
(Edit to remove unneeded definite article)
posted by onebuttonmonkey at 6:46 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
Black Monday? They just make this stuff up for clicks, right?
posted by pthomas745 at 7:54 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
posted by pthomas745 at 7:54 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
It apparently started being called that back in 1998, so a bit pre-click. The reason it's a big date - teams want to move through coaching searches as quickly as possible so that staffs can be assembled in time to provide combine/draft analysis to build the team around a coach's preferred system.
The amount of time teams spend building game plans and roster strategies is stupefying.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:20 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
The amount of time teams spend building game plans and roster strategies is stupefying.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:20 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]
And now it looks like the Patriots will promote former Patriots Pro-Bowl Linebacker turned linebacker coach Jerod Mayo to head coach. Keeps the hiring internal and makes Mayo the fourth active black head coach in the NFL.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:27 AM on January 12 [2 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:27 AM on January 12 [2 favorites]
Black Monday? They just make this stuff up for clicks, right?
They really do. I once even heard it referred to as "Pink Monday" due to the number of pink slips handed out.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 12:13 PM on January 12
They really do. I once even heard it referred to as "Pink Monday" due to the number of pink slips handed out.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 12:13 PM on January 12
From the sounds of it, Mayo was the heir apparent at Foxboro and is well liked by the players - it's just that the bad season combined with a QB-rich upcoming draft gave Kraft reason to pull the trigger early. Not to mention that his being both black and relatively young helps generate positive press for the Pats with the move.
It's a rather smart move all around.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:56 PM on January 12
It's a rather smart move all around.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:56 PM on January 12
Speaking of the Browns, I will use any excuse to mention this classic letter from the '70s:
November 21, 1974
Dear Mr. Cox:
Attached is a letter that we received on November 19, 1974. I feel that you should be aware that some asshole is signing your name to stupid letters.
Very truly yours,
CLEVELAND STADIUM CORP.
James N. Bailey,
General CounselAnd University of Washington HC Kalen DeBoer is taking the helm at Bama.
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:16 PM on January 12
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:16 PM on January 12
Also, I have to agree with Reggie Bush's statement that NIL was a driving force behind Saban's retirement (mainly because I've been saying something similar for years now.) Saban's recruiting has slipped in large part because NIL has changed the game and elite recruits now expect payment for their labor, and his attempts earlier in the season to shame players for demanding compensation landed with a thud with the public. (To be fair, the optics of an old white male coach making eight figures a year attacking black players for acting in their interest was never going to look good for him.)
The reality is that college football is moving from a system where Saban had all the power towards a system that had chewed him up and spat him out - Saban is one of many college process coaches that failed to make the leap to the NFL. Best to go out on top.
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:47 PM on January 13
The reality is that college football is moving from a system where Saban had all the power towards a system that had chewed him up and spat him out - Saban is one of many college process coaches that failed to make the leap to the NFL. Best to go out on top.
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:47 PM on January 13
And in followup, it looks like Harbaugh is Charging out to LA.
posted by NoxAeternum at 5:37 PM on January 24
posted by NoxAeternum at 5:37 PM on January 24
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posted by NoxAeternum at 10:33 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]