11-29-2018, 01:51 PM
According to ESPN, Marvin is now firmly on the 'warm seat' according to their formula, meaning there's at least a chance he could be fired, if the season continues to be a disappointment:
Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
Coach: Marvin Lewis (130-118-3 over 16 seasons)
It seemed almost inevitable that Lewis would leave at the end of the 2017 season, but he ended up reaching a two-year contract extension. While the Bengals certainly don't work the way other teams do, it's clear that fans are fed up, which shows in the declining attendance numbers at Paul Brown Stadium. Lewis has a built-in excuse with an extraordinary amount of injuries and a defense so bad that it resulted in the firing of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, but the way this season has gone has been disappointing after the team's hot start. Lewis' future is not set in stone either way.
Unfortunately, their methodology doesn't take into account the Bengals owner, Mike Brown.
Marvin could have, and should have, easily been canned after the 2013 and 2015 playoff nightmares, but Mike refused. They could have parted ways with Marvin after 2010 and 2017 without owing him a dime because he wasn't under contract. Again, Mike refused. I don't see any way in hell that Marvin isn't the head coach next year...unless it's Marvin's decision. Mike simply won't make that move. He's far too comfortable with Marvin. Heck, he's basically part of the family at this point.
Even worse, if Marvin should decide to leave, he'll lobby for Hue to get the job - assuming there's not already a succession plan in place - and Mike will surely go along with it because it's an easy / lazy hire that eliminates having to conduct an interview process.
The fact that Mike hasn't been able to bring himself to get rid of Marvin after all the playoff meltdowns and disappointing seasons should tell every fan exactly how void he is of drive, passion and willingness to do whatever it takes to win. That's a huge problem, but one we're all well aware of. The bigger worry for me is that his successors, Katie and Troy...have always seemed to be very on board with keeping Marvin around as well. Katie has voiced her support retaining Marvin a few times over the years. If the reports from back in the day are true, it was Katie and Troy that really wanted, and fought for Marvin to be hired...so that may explain their misguided loyalty.
I just worry that even when Mike and Marvin are out of the picture, we're still going to be left with the same style and mindset when it comes to management. I used to be hopeful that Katie and Troy might be different, but I'm not so sure anymore.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
Coach: Marvin Lewis (130-118-3 over 16 seasons)
It seemed almost inevitable that Lewis would leave at the end of the 2017 season, but he ended up reaching a two-year contract extension. While the Bengals certainly don't work the way other teams do, it's clear that fans are fed up, which shows in the declining attendance numbers at Paul Brown Stadium. Lewis has a built-in excuse with an extraordinary amount of injuries and a defense so bad that it resulted in the firing of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, but the way this season has gone has been disappointing after the team's hot start. Lewis' future is not set in stone either way.
Unfortunately, their methodology doesn't take into account the Bengals owner, Mike Brown.
Marvin could have, and should have, easily been canned after the 2013 and 2015 playoff nightmares, but Mike refused. They could have parted ways with Marvin after 2010 and 2017 without owing him a dime because he wasn't under contract. Again, Mike refused. I don't see any way in hell that Marvin isn't the head coach next year...unless it's Marvin's decision. Mike simply won't make that move. He's far too comfortable with Marvin. Heck, he's basically part of the family at this point.
Even worse, if Marvin should decide to leave, he'll lobby for Hue to get the job - assuming there's not already a succession plan in place - and Mike will surely go along with it because it's an easy / lazy hire that eliminates having to conduct an interview process.
The fact that Mike hasn't been able to bring himself to get rid of Marvin after all the playoff meltdowns and disappointing seasons should tell every fan exactly how void he is of drive, passion and willingness to do whatever it takes to win. That's a huge problem, but one we're all well aware of. The bigger worry for me is that his successors, Katie and Troy...have always seemed to be very on board with keeping Marvin around as well. Katie has voiced her support retaining Marvin a few times over the years. If the reports from back in the day are true, it was Katie and Troy that really wanted, and fought for Marvin to be hired...so that may explain their misguided loyalty.
I just worry that even when Mike and Marvin are out of the picture, we're still going to be left with the same style and mindset when it comes to management. I used to be hopeful that Katie and Troy might be different, but I'm not so sure anymore.
