Mike Munchak, Pat Shurmur, and a tale of two second-year failing coaches – NFL Feature
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak and Cleveland Browns’ coach Pat Shurmur have nothing in common except for that they are in second year of their stints with two respective teams, and both are almost in similar situations at their ends.
Munchak joined the Titans a year earlier, and so did Pat Shurmur. The former was lucky that his side did rather well from a season earlier and he managed to salvage them from a 6-10 record in 2010 to 9-7 in 2011.
At the end, the Titans were just unlucky to miss the playoffs, and that was the highest they could progress under reign of the new coach.
This year it is a completely different situation. The Titans are struggling and there is a fear they might end up even worse than 2010’s standing in the league.
It is not just that they are unable to pile up successive wins to their record; the fall of their potential below even an average is a worrisome and concerning factor for the coach.
Mike Munchak has not said much about the team's failings so far, and it is not clear if he does not have an answer or just waiting for a right moment to speak out. He might well be waiting and hoping for a strong comeback by the side at any time in the season.
This leaves much on stake for the second-year coach, as although he had led the side to recover from a miserable position a year earlier there is a big question mark as far as consistency is concerned.
If the Titans are able to pull themselves up from present looming slump, he might find an answer. Otherwise, it appears to be not an ideal situation for the coach.
On the other hand, coach Pat Shurmur is in even more miserable situation. His side – the Cleveland Browns – are struggling more than they had been doing for past few years.
The coach did not expect this coming into his second year. He was hopeful of doing better than last year but the team has so far failed to find that level of form. Another rookie quarterback and wide receiver, and in fact players at all positions have failed
to make an impression on the field.
Shurmur probably has more on the stake than his counterpart with the Titans. The Browns are sold and the coach does not know if he stands opportunity for another season with them, which certainly looks difficult if not impossible with current level of performance
by the team.
The new owner has been watching the progress of his team silently but must be weighing his options all along. So, while Pat Shurmur hopes for better prospects for the Browns under his reign, deep down he knows to have something definitely to lose if not
gain.
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