JETS 101

Many Jets fans may find the notion that Brian Schottenheimer could find work as an NFL head coach crazy, considering his sometimes-uneven performance as the Jets' offensive coordinator over the past few seasons. The truth is that Schottenheimer has been a hot candidate for a few seasons now and the bloodlines are there as the son of former head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

In 2007, Schottenheimer was considered for the Miami Dolphins head coaching job that went to recently-fired Tony Sparano. Schottenheimer may have gotten the job if he hadn't withdrawn his name and decided to stay with the Jets.

Schottenheimer did the same thing with the Buffalo Bills in 2010, pulling his name out of the running to be their head coach. Buffalo eventually hired Chan Gailey to replace Dick Jauron. If it was a winning environment Schottenheimer wanted, he certainly made the right move not going to either Miami or Buffalo considering the teams' struggles this season.

It was only a few weeks ago that many Jets fans were calling for Schottenheimer's job after the team dropped to 5-5 with a Thursday night loss to the Denver Broncos. Little did fans know that the coordinator's job was safe as a result of a secret extension signed in the offseason that nobody knew about until it was reported by ESPNNewYork.com.

As deceitful as it was for the organization to extend an unpopular member of the coaching staff, it's funny how Schottenheimer recently responded to the rumors of him potentially taking a head-coaching job elsewhere.

"This is the time of year for people to speculate and talk, this is the time of year for us to work. We're trying to make a push. I'm just happy to have a job. A few weeks ago, if you would've asked people, I'd be lucky to have a job."

Jets fans and many others around the league definitely echo Schottenheimer's sentiments that he was lucky to have a job a few weeks ago with the way he and the offense were performing. It took the arrival of Tom Moore at the Jets' facility to add some creativity to a gameplan that had lacked anything fun and different for the entire season.

According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, Schottenheimer may once again get strong consideration for the Dolphins job again. It's difficult to see him taking it after rejecting the team four years ago and having to face the Jets twice a year but considering his flaws that have been exposed in recent seasons, it wouldn't be surprising to see him take another position around the league while he can still get one.

I doubt Schottenheimer has any interest in the Jaguars job, as Blaine Gabbert is much more of a project than Mark Sanchez. The same likely goes for the Tampa Bay position if Raheem Morris is let go with Josh Freeman's regression this season.

Kansas City remains an option as would both St. Louis or San Diego if Steve Spagnuolo or Norv Turner got fired. Schottenheimer was the quarterbacks coach with the Chargers for four seasons from 2002-05 during his father's tenure as head coach.

If Schottenheimer was smart, he would take a head coaching position in the offseason if it was offered to him. His appeal has fallen off significantly as the Jets' offense has struggled this season and, unless Mark Sanchez can quickly turn things around for the rest of the season and into 2012, Schottenheimer's days as a hot coaching candidate may soon be over.

Most Jets fans wouldn't be sad to see Schottenheimer go, especially if the team could convince Tom Moore to expand his role in New York from consultant to offensive coordinator. That seems unlikely considering Moore's recent "retirement," but crazier things have happened.

Considering the Jets' offensive performance in the two games since Moore has been on the sidelines, fans would probably be happier to see him calling plays than the embattled Schottenheimer. Assistant head coach Bill Callahan is another option with four years of experiences as an offensive coordinator with the Raiders, but the team could also bring in outside help if Schottenheimer indeed decides to leave.

Tags: Brian Schottenheimer, Chan Gailey, Football, Kansas City, Mark Sanchez, Miami Dolphins, New York, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Network, Tom Moore

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