As they say all good things come to an end. I just never thought the end would be this soon for Jeff Fisher. After 17 seasons with the organization, Jeff Fisher, the longest tenured coach in the NFL was let go on Monday.
"There comes a point where its just time to move on," Fisher said. "I've been blessed to be with this great organization for so many years. But as they say all good things must come to an end."
This organization is in shambles. And Titans owner Bud Adams is the conductor on this crazy-train. Just three weeks ago Adams said the team made "the decision," that they would release or trade disgruntled quarterback Vince Young and retain Fisher. That wasn't the case on Monday when he told the sports world he would not be returning to coach the Titans in the 2011 season.
No one really knows what caused this sudden Fisher/Adams divorce, but after long time assistants Chuck Cecil and Jim Washburn were fired, some had to see to see something like this coming. Fisher would never fire his "go-to guys." Bud Adams must have forced them out the door and Fisher probably didn't take to kindly to that. As much as I love the NFL (or as you will hear me reference NFL=Not For Long.....) we as fans have to understand that although football is just a game, it's also a business. A very powerful business, where the owners control all.
Really Classy Owner that Bud Adams....Pause, Not!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTxHuUGG_2c
Fined 250k by the NFL for this.....Idiot!
More about the good guy.
Fisher was 142-120 in his career with the Titans which goes back as far as the 'Oilers' (Houston Oilers) administration. Although his record may not show it, Fisher has been known for his defensive mastermind since his tutelage under Buddy Ryan in 1985.
After Fisher went on IR, with that 85' Bears team, (Yes the same 15-1, dominate Super Bowl XX champion, Super Bowl Shuffle Kings of 85', Ditka Bears) he knew his days as a player were probably over so he took up coaching. After the season Buddy Ryan was named head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Fisher followed him and became the defensive backs coach. In 1988 at the age of 30, Fisher took over as Eagles defensive coordinator, becoming the youngest coordinator in the league at the time. After bouncing around the league with a few defensive coaching gigs, Fisher landed in Houston in 1994. After Jack Pardee (then head coach for Houston) was fired in November of that season, Fisher took over as interim-coach for the remaining six games and never looked back.
Fisher had his best season in 1999, when Tennessee changed their team name from the 'Oilers' to 'Titans'. He led the Titans to a 13-3 record and with some help from the Music City Miracle, (Frankie Wycheck to Kevin Dyson on that 75-yard lateral....Poor Buffalo Bills can't catch a break!) he took them all the way to the Super Bowl. They lost 23-16 to some grocery bag boy, (Kurt Warner's 4,353 yard, 41 touchdown, just 13 interception, MVP season) and the St.Louis Rams. At the time this was the best finish I had ever seen live, in a SB. Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled at the one-yard line by Rams linebacker with no time left on the clock! Rams win 23-16. Sick finish to any Super Bowl if you ask me!
When it comes down to it Jeff Fisher wasn't going to sign a contract extension, and Titans owner Bud Adams was never going to offer him one after the 2011 season. It came to a tipping point just like John Fox in Carolina last year but hey, that's the nature of the NFL business.
Names being rumored to replace Fisher are offensive line coach and pro football Hall of Famer Mike Munchak. Munchak has been with the team since 1994 and is one of 14 remaining assistants from Fisher's former staff. Another name to consider is offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. This would be a "feel good" story, as Heimerdinger was battling cancer for much of the 2010 season; He is one of the most-respected, well-liked coach's in the NFL.
As for Fisher's future in football, I promise you it's not over. If Adams would have let him go three weeks ago he would have probably been interviewed for multiple NFL head coaching positions. Now he will probably be an analyst for a year, (Assuming there is an NFL season in 2011) and try to make his comeback in 2012.
Something to consider if your teams head coach is on the hot seat 2011. Don't be nervous help is on the way.
The top four head coaching names to consider for 2012. In any order.
Jeff Fisher
Bill Cowher
Jon Gruden
Brian Billick
They will all be back!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9Z0ivphb-E
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