Entering this season the Giants were pretty much stuck in neutral. With no key offseason acquisitions while division foe the Philadelphia Eagles and crosstown rivals the New York Jets loaded up on free agents. With the departure of wideout Steve Smith and the season ending injury to his counterpart Domenik Hixon early on did not help. Numerous players on the defensive side of the ball were either on injured reserve or missed significant portions of the season. Not to mention a four game losing streak in the middle of the season, a home loss to the Seattle Seahawks and being swept by the Washington Redskins. No one would blame you if you thought a pink slip would be the next feasible solution for Coughlin. The team was able to right the ship winning the lat two games of the season to make the playoffs and take the NFC East crown as well.
Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers
Harbaugh brought a competitive fire to the 49ers that last coach Mike Singleton also brought but it did not equate to wins on the field. He guided this team to the NFC West crown and a #2 seed in the NFC. The biggest improvement was made with quarterback Alex Smith. FOX had a stat that said Smith has had three head coaches, 7 offensive coordinators and 17 starting wide receivers in his time in San Fran. Harbaugh instilled confidence and stability that finally stuck.
Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
How about starting a season with a rookie quarterback and a rookie wideout as your go to players on offense? Losing Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco and not to mention your starting quarterback in Carson Palmer, who would not play unless he was traded. Let's not forget they play in the same division as the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Marvin Lewis and his staff probably looked at that and thought this is going to be a long season. Since they made the playoffs I think they will definitely take that season.
Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions had not made the playoffs since 1999 but that all changed this season. Schwartz arrived in 2009 with a fiery attitude that reasonated with his team. It also led to a much publicized incident with coach Jim Harbaugh in a game earlier this season. With young talent such as Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh the future seems bright.
Coach Of The Year: Jim Harbaugh
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