After their loss over the Panthers in the Season 4 NFC Championship game, Coach Don (49ers) and Coach JayForeign (Panthers) would meet in the middle of the field. In that moment, they both were unaware of two things. One of those things was that they would not see each other again until Season 6. And the next thing was that they started a coaching rivalry.
Following their win over the 49ers, the Panthers would lose in the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. After the loss, Coach JayForeign’s contract was up and he wanted to become the highest-paid coach in league history. And being that he led the Panthers, a team no one expected to make the playoffs, to two straight Super Bowls gave him a case. However, the Panthers would not budge, causing Coach JayForeign to decide he would not coach for Season 5.
Meanwhile, Coach Don and the 49ers were on a mission to prove everyone wrong. After their loss to the Panthers, many Coaches and GMs around the league started to claim that the 49ers were pretenders. The 49ers would ball out Season 5, becoming the #1 seed in the NFC while dominating the league’s “best” competition. That being said, Coach Don rightfully earned his respect in the league. Although the 49ers would lose in the Divisional Round, the 49ers still have hope. Quick reminder: We almost had one of the greatest comebacks in OGCFM history in that Divisional Round game against the Rams. A true showing of the great adjustments Coach Don can make on the fly. And this season, Coach Don and the 49ers are heavy favorites to make it to the Super Bowl. They have come so close to reaching it. And after last year’s early exit, I know they will be ready this time around.
So what does any of this have to do with a coaching rivalry? Well, in week 4 Coach Jayforeign would sign a huge deal to join the then 0-3 Eagles. Apparently, the Eagles were always in talks with Coach Jayforeign even after it was announced that he would not be back with the Panthers. Since his hiring, the Eagles would win four straight games. They were killing it. Until they had to play Coach Don and the 49ers. The 49ers would shut the Eagles offense down, only allowing 192 yards and forcing two turnovers. The 49ers would take care of business and win 34-18.
And when these two teams met in the middle of the field for the first time since the Season 4 NFC Championship game, it got heated. Heated words were exchanged that led to the two coaches being separated. After the game, Coach Don would call Coach JayForeign his “lil bro”. Coach JayForeign would tell an Any Given Sunday analyst that he cannot wait to shut Coach Don come playoffs like he did two years ago.
Wow! Nothing like a heated rivalry. We don’t see many coaching rivalries, but we are seeing one right now. What will happen if these two coaches meet again in the playoffs? Who do you have winning it?
©Any Given Sunday News