This is today's poll question on ESPN.com and was wondering what you all thought. Which NFL coach LEAST deserved to lose his job? And I'll add to the question by asking which coach MOST deserved the axe? And the nominees are:

Tony Dungy-Buccaneers
Dennis Green-Vikings
Jim Mora-Colts
Mike Riley-Chargers
Marty Schottenheimer-Redskins
George Siefert-Panthers


I'd have to say Schottenheimer least deserved to be fired. This is like the Red Sox firing Jimy Williams in the middle of last season. He finally got his boys playing for him but gets dumped.

And I'm torn between Green and Dungy as most deserving. They both had long enough time and were provided with enough weapons to do more than make an annual playoff appearance. But Green also lost control of the Vikes, so I'd go with him.

I guess I agree with both. Marty Schottenheimer did a sufficient job with the Redskins considering their quarterback problems. Jeff George wasn't good enough to play in the Arena league wich left the team to pick up a starting QB in Tony Banks that nobody wanted.

And I think it was time for Dennis Green to go. Though I'm not saying he was responsible, but the whole Korey Stringer thing just hung like a dark cloud over the head men of the Vikings all season. And it doesn't end with the pending trial coming up later this year.

See i would see it as the other way with the Denny Green thing. In my opinion he was the least desearving of the axe.

The most desearving would have to go to Seifert out there in Carolina.

People are misled by the Redskins' 8-8 finish. Washington started 0-5 (including losses to San Diego, Kansas City and Dallas), then they won 5 straight. Four of those wins came against teams who didn't make the playoffs. They followed that 5-game streak by losing to Dallas again, this time at home (as predicted by yours truly ) and two weeks later were handily beaten at home in their rematch against the Eagles. After falling to 6-8 they beat a threw-in-the-towel Saints team and perennial loser Arizona.

Having said that, since it was his first year, Schottenheimer was the only one in the list who didn't deserve to be fired.

...the perennial loser Arizona that beat the Eagles.

And how many playoff teams did the Eagles beat. One. Tampa Bay, the last (completely meaningless, preseason-like) game. When the games mattered, the Eagles lost.

Marty Schottenheimer was the least deserved to be fired. Regardless of the schedule, turning 0-5 to 8-8 warranted at least one more chance.

Jim Mora gets my vote for most deserved to be fired. When he ripped his quarterback in public and had his other post game rants, he was practically saying "fire me."

Tony Dungy, he brought that franchise to respectability, but he'll find another job and be even more successfull. The Bucs will return to their losing ways. As for Green, I dont know what coach would be able to control Randy Moss. The most deserving of a firing who still has his job is Holmgren. Schottenheimer should be able to find another job as well, San Diego seems like the perfect place for him.

Tony Dungy deserved better.

Jim Mora deserved to be fired six weeks ago.

Dungy least deserved to be fired, especially given the shenanigans involving Parcells. Once Parcells screws them, the stench from Tampa Bay will make all of Florida gag.

Was Marty Schottenheimer really fired, or did he just bail out because wacky Snyder refused to let him have full control? After taking the team 5-3 to end the season, he deserved praise IMHO.

Jim Mora most deserved to be fired. Replace him with Dungy, who knows his defense. (He may coddle Manning, though, as he did Shaun King.)

[quote]Originally posted by PCC:
...the perennial loser Arizona that beat the Eagles.

And how many playoff teams did the Eagles beat. One. Tampa Bay, the last (completely meaningless, preseason-like) game. When the games mattered, the Eagles lost.

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Are you enjoying your sour grapes? I hope so. I want you to be as happy as I am, drinking from the sweet, sweet nectar of playoff excitement!

Dungy goes to the Colts. Hopefully, he can repair the Colt defense and stay away from the offense and let his coordinator run it.

My question: Why are the Chargers even thinking about hiring Norv Turner? He had 8 years (about 4 years too long) with the Redskins. He is a mediocre head coach. Even after having a roster that had a combined salary of $100 million, Norv could only get an 8-8 season. Is it truly better than hiring someone like Lewis or Shottenheimer, who at least have proven to be a consistent winner.

Denny Green should have been fired five minutes after losing last year's NFC title game, 41-0. I have never seen a team so badly prepared. Marty did the best job and deserved another year, though $7.5 million of Snyder's cash will ease the pain.

Denny had to go. He had a tremendous amount of talent but lacked the ability to keep everyone on the same page.

Dungy shouldn't have been fired. His problem was he was too successful too early. He needed a big running back (Alstott doesnt count as a running back and, please, no hate mail on that one).

However, I'm glad Shotty was fired so Spurrier could leave! Watch Spurrier, his ego is larger than the players' and you'll have $50 million riding the pine while his system creates wins with less talent.

[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: Aubie in Bham ]