Lane Kiffin’s second season as the Raiders’ coach could end after four games, just like Mike Shanahan’s tenure 19 years ago. Giving coaches a chance to adapt - Coughlin and Nolan each apparently promised to fix communication problems as part of a deal to extend his tenure - and once you commit to a coach, don’t overreact to early setbacks. Two of the more lamentable events in sports over the last five years were the 2003 Marlins winning the World Series after swapping managers during the season and the Astros going to the National League Championship Series a year later, after canning Jimy Williams and replacing him with Phil Garner at the midpoint. The Finals revealed all of what Rivers had done for this team as a coach - the emphasis on defense, the rejection of selfishness, and the cultivation of Paul Pierce as a leader. Read More