Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse for the Atlanta Legends, they do. The Legends are coming off a crushing loss in their home opener. Just two days before that game, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Rich Bartel resigned, according to Charles Odom of the Associated Press. As the old saying goes, “when it rains, it pours” and the Legends couldn’t relate more.
Rich Bartel Out as Legends Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
String of Bad Luck
When the Legends were announced as a team last year, excitement ensued for the local fans. Not only was the city given another football team to cheer for, but had a strong head coach and offensive coordinator combo. The Brad Childress hire made sense, considering Childress has over 30 years of NFL experience. The Michael Vick hire is a head scratcher looking back but brought immediate fan support. Hope surrounded the team heading into the New Year. But disaster was written all over this team, long before the season materialized.
Then, Childress stepped down in January. And to make matters worse, a few days before the inaugural game for the Legends, Vick exited his role. There is no secret to the rough start for the Legends. When there is no coaching continuity, after going months hearing one voice and learning one system, there shouldn’t be a surprise when a team lacks chemistry. The Legends 0-3 start can mainly be attributed to the coaching hires and simply a poorly built roster.
Lasting Impact
Of all the coaching moves, this is the most gut-wrenching for the Legends. To have a coach who sticks it out through camp and the first few games, to finally say enough is enough, sums up a failed season. If the Legends can somehow turn things around, and salvage a winning season from this disaster, it would truly be a miracle.
What makes this move worse is no sign of a competent offense. With Matt Simms at the helm, the offense has mustered 10 points a game and two offensive touchdowns on the season. Fans have called for the benching of Matt Simms in favor of Aaron Murray, the hometown favorite. But even for Murray, navigating this offense with a lack of direction will be an uphill climb.
For head coach Kevin Coyle, his challenge becomes keeping players motivated day in and day out. At this point, nothing seems to be in his control, considering Coyle became the head coach a month before the first game. The Legends look to pick up their first win when they travel to Arizona to face the Hotshots Sunday night.
