I am a Rams fan. During the 2000 season, the defense tank while the offense continued to hum well enough to get us barely into the playoffs.
During the off-season, the defensive coach was fired, and Lovie Smith was brought on to turn the defense around. Despite Martz’ goofy draft picks, a couple of decent FA acquisitions (Aeneas Williams in particular) and the addition of Lovie Smith made all of the difference, and the Rams went to the Super Bowl again. He was a rising star and after the Bears picked him up for a head coach assignment, he helped bring them to only their second Super Bowl, then the team plateaued.
I don’t blame Smith, though. He is a solid head coach and NOT an affirmative action hire. He may well thrive in Tampa. As a Rams fan, I respect our current head coach, Jeff Fisher. BUt if wwe had to replace him, and couldn’t get Cowher, I’d want Smith from the list of available coaches.
I am surprised no one is mentioning Mike Singletary. He did well for the 49ers, many of the players there he drafted or brought it. They kind of mutinied against him, because he drove them quite hard. Tom Coughlin was like that for the Jags, and Belichick was as well in previous stints.
They won't solve it until a financial collapse brings player salaries back to earth such that more fans can afford them more easily. Or fans stop buying overpriced sports tickets, which probably won't happen.