The NFL Coaching Carousel

But still, fact of the matter is, they just assured fans that Marty would be back next season. So why fire him now after offering that reassurance, why not just have the grace and the CLASS to let Marty go immediately after the season was over?

 

True, I find the move to be in poor taste as well, but it shows that Marty had very little pull with the main office, and AJ Smith had more.

In essence, it was a little kid fight that's been publicized quite a bit in recent years, moreso than any other, and the Bolts main office probably wanted to get rid of the controversey.

 

He didn't do it alone, though. That's exactly the point, too. Most of his prominent coaches have gone on to other things. They did this after the Chargers said Marty would stay. Once they left, keeping Marty was looked at in a whole different light. I'd really think that considering Marty's and AJ's already unsteady relationship, that they didn't see eye to eye on the replacements for his coaching staff, and that was enough for the owner to nix Marty(as he was only contracted for one more season anyway). Had Marty signed the extension he was offered, he may not have been fired.

Oh, and btw, Wade Phillips most certainly would have been the new head coach, had he stayed. He has a strong relationship with AJ Smith, and considering what's out there, the job would have totally been Wade's.