All articles tagged with #coaching
The Atlanta Falcons have rebounded from a 0-2 start to become a contender, driven by Michael Penix Jr.'s improved performance and a dominant running game. Aaron Donald's contract structure protects him from short-term injury risks, while the Cowboys and Rams face grueling schedules. The Jaguars lead the league in game control, and the Bears have won three games with three different starting quarterbacks.
UCLA women's basketball head coach Bilić will be absent for the 2026-27 season. The team finished the 2025-26 campaign with a strong regular season but exited the NCAA tournament in the second round. The upcoming schedule includes exhibition games against Cal and Texas, followed by a non-conference slate featuring Princeton and Tennessee, and a Pac-12 conference schedule starting in November.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel firmly denied reports of a conflict with quarterback Drake Maye, stating that Maye was the primary reason he accepted the job. This response follows a 1-2 start and a 35-6 loss to the Jaguars, during which Maye threw six interceptions and one touchdown. Vrabel dismissed anonymous claims of a rift, while analysts debate whether Maye's struggles stem from a loss of confidence or mechanical issues.
The Ravens blew an 11-point lead late in the second quarter and were outscored 18-3 in the second half, including 15-0 in the fourth, as the Saints stunned Baltimore 24-17 in Jesse Minter’s home debut. A controversial 1-yard touchdown run by Tyler Shough with 1:28 left sealed the win, drawing pundit scrutiny of the defense, late-game decision‑making, and a third‑and‑1 deep shot that refocused questions on play-calling and run usage. Rashod Bateman was a bright spot with 7 catches for 88 yards, and penalties and special-teams miscues contributed to the loss. Baltimore now tunes up for a Rio de Janeiro game vs. the Cowboys amid field‑surface concerns.
The Steelers’ offense stalled in a 20-3 loss to the Patriots, trailing in first downs, yards, and third-down efficiency while producing only one 20+-yard play on 67 snaps. Coach Mike McCarthy took ownership and said details and volume must improve in the trenches, after Rodgers was under heavy pressure (4 sacks, 7 hits) and went 20-for-27 for 142 yards with an interception, plus 0-for-9 on 20+-yard attempts this season. Five starting offensive linemen struggled and the run game was inconsistent, though the defense held firm. The NFL is early in a parity-filled season, and Pittsburgh has clear work to do to rebound.
Detroit's defense is under siege after a Bills win, with opponents converting 58.6% of third downs through two games and a blown opener drive highlighting systemic issues. The piece argues the problem goes beyond injuries or personnel, pointing to miscommunication and coaching decisions, and urges changes from the defensive staff—no single player fix will suffice—as the Lions regroup for a Saturday-night matchup with the Jets.
As Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford for the Ole Miss–LSU game, OutKick frames it as part of a broader pattern of coach homecomings that can turn hostile, recounting past moments like Nick Saban’s police escort out of Death Valley, Spurrier’s return to Florida, and Bobby Petrino’s Arkansas reentry to illustrate how reunions with a former program often provoke intense fan backlash and heightened security concerns.
Belichick says his girlfriend Jordon Hudson does not work for the UNC Tar Heels or manage his coaching career; she was CC’d on emails merely to help coordinate his personal appearances amid a busy schedule, and Hudson herself runs Trouble Cub Enterprises—a holding company with ventures across cosmetics, real estate, media production, merchandising, and more.
After a weekend of maddening losses, Big Ten coaches publicly wrestle with accountability and question largely unanswered, trading pointed questions with reporters and outlining what their teams didn’t execute well. Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, coming off a 38-13 defeat to Mississippi State, was seen offering a candor about execution and play‑calling, while other conference coaches echoed similar frustrations as the league grapples with an uneven start to the season. The tone underscores a broader scramble for fixes and leadership as teams aim to rebound, even as Nebraska’s Matt Rhule enjoyed a lopsided win over Bowling Green, highlighting the sport’s uneven fortunes within the same conference.
The Titans squander a promising Week 1 showing, failing to score in the second half and falling 23-10 to the Jets. A pivotal early third-quarter decision to punt from near midfield, plus conservative play-calling (including a late fourth-quarter punt on their own 18) helped New York pull away. Jets coach Robert Saleh said he was shocked by Tennessee’s lifeless effort, and the piece suggests the Titans need more aggressive, risk-taking calls to rebound against the Eagles in Week 2.
Buffalo’s Week 2 clash with Detroit centers on a defense transitioning to a 3-4 under Jim Leonhard and an offense guided by Joe Brady, with Pete Carmichael calling plays and weapons like Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. Week 1 showed a roughly 60/40 pass‑run split, heavy under-center snaps, and a mix of play-action and deep throws from Josh Allen, while Lions analysts study the Bills’ new scheme, blitz patterns, and cover tendencies as they prepare for Thursday Night Football.
Broncos coach Sean Payton said the 31-10 loss to the Chiefs starts with him and the coaching staff, after handing play-calling to Davis Webb. Denver struggled with limited rushing, long-yardage situations, and Payton plans to review Webb’s performance and make corrections as they regroup for future games.
Brian Flores’ aggressive blitzes overwhelmed the Packers, whose injured and underdeveloped offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Jordan Love. Starting left guard Donovan Jennings—the most prepared option among a thin group—highlighted deeper roster issues, while coaching decisions by Matt LaFleur, Luke Butkus, and Adam Stenavich failed to develop players or counter Flores’ schemes, signaling a systemic problem rather than a one-game fluke.
After the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Jaguars, the column argues Deshaun Watson hasn’t been good for years and the franchise has shouldered the cost and chaos of the trade, with coaches and players bearing the burden, and questions whether sticking with Watson is sustainable or wise given the sunk cost and mounting missteps.
An Athletic feature argues the Rams and Packers squandered MVP-caliber seasons due to chronic neglect of special teams, with costly playoff miscues like blocked kicks and muffed punts tied to coaching turnover and roster decisions. It shows how practice time, player allocation, and organizational philosophy have left the third phase behind, even as high-profile acquisitions signal a renewed emphasis. With the Rams adding Garrett and the Packers pursuing similar upgrades, McVay and LaFleur are prioritizing special teams in 2026 to cure a systemic flaw and live up to preseason Super Bowl expectations.