Least Graceful Coaching Exits: NFL Edition

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By Dave Gil de Rubio and Rich Forestano

With Tom Coughlin being the latest head coach of a New York NFL franchise to be shown the door (following Rex Ryan’s ceremonious kicking to the curb by fellow Met Life Stadium tenants the Jets), we thought we’d take a look at some other less-than glorious departures by ex-Jets and Giants capos.

Pete Carroll (1994)

Long before he won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, his first stint in the NFL had a less-than stellar beginning. Carroll was Jets’ defensive coordinator for four seasons before succeeding Bruce Coslet as HC. His energy and enthusiasm sparked the team to a 6-5 start but after falling for Dan Marino’s fake spike that became a Miami Dolphins game-winning touchdown in week 12, Gang Green closed out the season losing its last four games and Carroll was fired.

Lou Holtz (1976)

Lou Holtz (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)

Was there ever a coach less-suited to lead an NFL team? A 33-12-3 record through four seasons leading North Carolina State University and four bowl games where he went 2-1-1 landed Lou Holtz in the Big Apple. Unfortunately, his lone stint in the pros was an unmitigated disaster that found him taking a team coming off a 3-11 season and actually falling to 3-10 (he quit with one game left in the season). Holtz’s ideas of leadership included his lining up his players by size during the national anthem and writing a team fight song that none of his players wanted to sing.

Bill Belichick (one day in 1999)

After his disastrous coaching turn with the Cleveland Browns, Belichick was initially tapped to coach the Jets in 1997 right when Bill Parcells stepped down from the New England job following their loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI. Belichick was demoted to New York assistant coach after the Pats agreed to allow Parcells to coach Gang Green in exchange for draft picks. Fast forward three seasons and Parcells is stepping down with arrangements in place for Belichick to succeed him in New York. Not so fast. Belichick wound up resigning one day after his promotion and scratching out a resignation on a napkin that read “I resign as HC of the NYJ.” The press conference that followed was all over the place although Belichick did admit, “I had no clear direction of where I am going in the direction.” Given how the Jets treated Belichick, the success he’s had in New England is prophetic.

John McVay (1976-1978)

FootballCoaches_012216G.JohnMcVayThe Ohio native lasted just two seasons with the Giants and the most notable moment came at the expense of Big Blue with the “Miracle at the Meadowlands.” Up 17-13, the Giants had control of the ball and all but a guaranteed victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, who had no timeouts left. Giants QB Joe Pisarcik botched a handoff to fullback Larry Csonka that was scooped up by Herman Edwards before he ran the fumble in for a touchdown as time expired, sealing a 19-17 victory. Offensive coordinator Bob Gibson called for the run, but McVay insisted that his headphones malfunctioned and had he heard the call, McVay would have overruled Gibson.

Ray Handley (1991-1992)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: Running back coach Ray Handley of the New York Giants looks on during a game against the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium October 28, 1990 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 21-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
 Ray Handley (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

Another two-year tenure in East Rutherford, Handley was picked by GM George Young to succeed Bill Parcells after he retired following the Giants’ Super Bowl XXV win. Young’s first choice was Bill Belichick who bolted for the Cleveland Browns. Handley, remembered for the funky sweater he wore on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers, brought 8-8 and 6-10 records to the Giants in 1991 and 1992 before getting canned.

Jim Fassel (1997-2003)

New York Giants' head coach Jim Fassel on the sidelines during game against New York Jets at the Meadowlands.
New York Giants’ head coach Jim Fassel on the sidelines during game against New York Jets at the Meadowlands.

Arguably a successful coach prior to Tom Coughlin’s arrival in 2004, Fassel was known as a players coach, took a chance on the troubled quarterback Kerry Collins and guided the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV in 2000. They were routed by the Baltimore Ravens 34-7. The disappointments bowled over Fassel until his ousting. With losses to inferior teams, plus a 2002 39-38 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers that saw New York up 38-14 at halftime, the calamity that was the 2003 season ended in a 4-12 campaign and Fassel’s dismissal. He hasn’t held a head coaching position in the NFL since.

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