In many industries, the toughest part of finding work is getting your foot in the door. Once you get that first job, it’s easier to network and maintain relationships and potentially have an in if something comes up elsewhere.
This is especially true when it comes to NFL coaching, because you can apparently be the absolute worst at your job and still find work. That’s the case with Hue Jackson, who is arguably the worst NFL head coach ever. Fired just two weeks ago after having a 3-36-1 record in three seasons with the Browns, Jackson has already found work with the Cincinnati Bengals, who hired him as Marvin Lewis’ “Special Assistant to the Head Coach.”
NEWS: #Bengals announce Hue Jackson will join coaching staff as Special Assistant to the Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/tUj9oizZO1
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 13, 2018
Because of the absurdity of it all, people made jokes about the announcement. Most notably, people made the obligatory comparisons to Dwight Schrute from The Office being Assistant (to the) Regional Manager.
Hue walking back into the locker room with Marvin pic.twitter.com/fm8IvRQPPK
— Jonathan Reiter (@j_reiter11) November 13, 2018
The new Dwight!!! pic.twitter.com/8AxFs1slTx
— Doug Baumgartner (@DBaumgartner3) November 13, 2018
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 13, 2018
They really schruted that signing. pic.twitter.com/lVwZwUz88u
— TommyStreit (@Tstreit32) November 13, 2018
— Owen (@owen_kelly23) November 13, 2018
The rest of the AFC North pic.twitter.com/WyNQzygPdP
— Cristian(2018 WS CHAMPIONS) (@Cris_Ocgd) November 13, 2018
— Danny Shea (@deesh0729) November 13, 2018
— Columbus Dawg (@Columbus_Dawg) November 13, 2018
Lewis, despite being a mediocre head coach for 16 years and never winning a playoff game, somehow not only still has a job, but can also make personnel decisions. Yes, Jackson was on the Bengals coaching staff a couple times, including as offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015, which were the last two seasons the Bengals were in the playoffs, but still hadn’t won a playoff game. So whatever this “Special Assistant to the Head Coach” position entails, it’s likely to be the blind leading the blind in Cincinnati.
