I agree that Sparano needs to be let go, but I don't see the value in getting rid of him before the end of the season.
Reasons to let Sparano finish the year
- If you dump him now, you get another interim coach that just clouds the picture. This isn't like Wade Phillips where you have your next coach waiting in the wings.
- If you dump him now, you let the front office off the hook. It's a built in excuse for the team to do poorly. Looking at the front office, they are as much to blame as Sparano (perhaps more) and should share his fate.
- I don't believe a "new lame duck" coach will fire up the players. The team lacks talent as well as coaching.
- Dumping Sparano for an assistant that casual fans have never heard of isn't going to put butts in the seats.
- (for the cynical) If you really want Luck, why mess with the formula we have? Under Sparano, this team has a very good chance of getting the number 1 pick.
If you dump him now, then promote Bowles to interim, you are one step ahead of the "ROONEY RULE" since Bowels is a minority. You already have a minority running your team and could interview him anytime during the final month of the regular season for the full-time gig. As well as interview other candidates during the final month of the year and get a jump on everyone. You can't interview guys while Sparano is still around. You CAN interview when you have an interim running your team. Meaning they could hire a new head coach the day after the season ends since they meet the Rooney Rule standards and let that coach whoever it is get first crack of all the TOP assistant coaches who are also out of work around the league cause their staffs were recently fired.
THAT is why you fire Sparano at some point mid-season
That's why you do it.