On Mike Munchak's Job Security

Beat writer Jim Wyatt recently reported that Titans head coach Mike Munchak has two years remaining on his contract meaning he is signed through the 2014 season and not the 2013 season like his coaching staff. Munchak’s annual salary is reported to be between $2.75 million and $3 million. This means Munchak is safe for one more year at least right?

Not so fast. Regardless of whether Munchak makes changes to his lame duck coaching staff, his job is clearly not safe. I like Munchak he comes across as a very personable fella and a class act. Yet, no one watching the Titans thinks they are a well coached football team. People I respect who know football have privately told me the Titans are very poorly coached in most positions. Count me as one who certainly believes it is a good possibility that Titans owner Bud Adams will find a way to part ways with Munchak after a dismal 2012 season.

Adams is largely viewed as a tightwad but he is clearly willing to spend money when he believes the situation calls for it. It was largely reported Adams paid then head coach Jeff Fisher $8 million dollars to part ways with him. Further, a good case could certainly be made that Munchak's contract could be terminated "for cause." In any event, his contract certainly isn't prohibitive to moving on.

I also disagree that an extra year gives Munchak more flexibility in bringing in coaching staff. I just find it hard to believe a good coordinator or up and coming assistant would be willing to risk taking a flier on a one year deal when there are likely to be far more attractive options available. In fact, in my mind this makes it even more likely that Munchak could get the boot since obtaining quality staff is going to be an issue and there seems to be little justification to expend money delaying the inevitable.

 

Clearly Adams is the wild card here and what a wild card. Adams is pushing 90 and surely he understands his time is limited. While a good case can be made for "staying the course" an equally compelling argument can be made for going out and spending the money to get a proven winner in at the head coaching position and to make a push for a Superbowl while Adams is still around to celebrate it.