This is the February edition of The Lineup, a newsletter recapping many of the most important developments in the world of sports.
Leading Off: NFL Coaching Carousel
Head Coaching Changes
Every year, both contenders and struggling teams make changes at the head coach position for various reasons. This year is one of the most eventful years ever, with 10 head coaching openings and several more assistant coach changes. This coaching cycle kicked off with two former Coach of the Year winners being fired: Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh and Cleveland Browns’ Kevin Stefanski.
The Giants snagged Harbaugh and believe he will be a great fit to develop quarterback Jaxson Dart. Stefanski switched conferences, signing with the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns replaced Stefanski with former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, shutting down the rumors that he would join Harbaugh as the Giants’ offensive coordinator. Monken’s initial interest in quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL draft laid the groundwork for a reunion in Cleveland.
Another former COTY, Mike Tomlin, stepped down after 19 years as Pittsburgh’s head coach. He chose retirement instead of a new team and was replaced by former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. Despite his history with Aaron Rodgers, many have criticized this move and expect Pittsburgh to follow their recent trend of finishing just over .500. Staying in the AFC North, the Ravens replaced Harbaugh with Jesse Minter. This is his first gig as a head coach after two impressive seasons as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator. With all the coaching changes, especially in the AFC North, many expected the Bengals to fire Zac Taylor after another disappointing season, but they decided to stick with him.
By Max Moughan
Jets’ Coaching Chaos
Before his first season as New York Jets head coach, Aaron Glenn chose to bring in veteran defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for a season and had four years of experience as defensive coordinator. To run the offense, Glenn brought in Tanner Engstrand, who previously served with Glenn under Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell as the team’s pass-game coordinator.
Wilks’ unit was a disaster. The defense ranked second-to-last in points allowed per game and most notably failed to record an interception the entire year; they became the first team in NFL history to accomplish such a feat. The Jets fired Wilks before the season ended.
The Jets fired Engstrand as well after he failed to wow anyone with his performance as well. However, the team was without its best receiver, Garrett Wilson, for most of the year, and played undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook for five games. This made Engstrand’s firing at the end of the year a bit more surprising than Wilks’.
To replace Engstrand, Glenn brought in former head coach Frank Reich, who has coached the Indianapolis Colts, the Carolina Panthers, and, most recently in Stanford to a 4-8 season. Reich brings experience to the offensive staff, though how good that experience is, as he has been fired three times, is to be determined.
For the open defensive coordinator position, the Jets made a surprising move. They hired Brian Duker, a 36-year-old defensive assistant, who worked under Glenn when he served as defensive coordinator in Detroit. Notably, the Jets announced that Glenn will take over defensive playcalling going forward, something he delegated to Wilks last season.
This much change from year to year is usually not a sign of stability. The Jets enter a critical offseason, as they hold the second and 16th overall pick, ones this regime has to nail if they wish to hold on.
By Jack Tomasi
Harbaugh Lands in New York
On Jan. 14, reports surfaced that John Harbaugh and the New York Giants were in the process of finalizing an agreement to make him the 21st head coach in franchise history, but a chance remained for the deal to fall through. After coaching in Baltimore for 18 seasons, the Ravens fired Harbaugh, who immediately began seeking his next opportunity. The Giants held extreme interest and were seemingly willing to do anything to get a deal done with the Super Bowl-winning head coach.
Harbaugh had an in-person meeting at the Giants facility on Jan. 14, where both parties looked to finalize a contract. Around 11:55 p.m., reports on social media said that barring any setbacks, Harbaugh was expected to be the next head coach, but work remained to finalize the contract. The hiccup did not pertain to money; instead, it revolved around power.
The following day, there were very few updates on the status of negotiations. In Baltimore, Harbaugh always reported to the owner on decisions, not the general manager, which has not historically been the case with the Giants. On Jan. 16, Giants owner John Mara’s brother, Chris, had a secret meeting with Harbaugh to further discuss his demands. That night, when asked over text about his confidence that a deal would be finalized by The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor, Harbaugh responded with a shrug emoji. Harbaugh appeared to at least be considering walking away from the Giants and talking with the Tennessee Titans.
On Jan. 17, John Mara, who is fighting cancer, sat down with Harbaugh and gave him what he asked for. Harbaugh wanted it written in the contract that he would report to the owner, not the general manager. That afternoon, both sides agreed to a contract.
By James Giunco
The Cleanup Spot: Basketball Updates
NBA Trade Deadline
27 of the 30 teams in the league completed a trade in the eventful 2026 NBA trade deadline. The Dallas Mavericks made puzzling trades once again. After trading Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis in the widely believed worst trade of all time, the team decided to change course and enter a rebuild. They shipped the aforementioned Davis to the Washington Wizards in a deal highlighted by Khris Middleton and three first-round picks.
Former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison’s vision of a Kyrie Irving and AD duo died when his tenure did, and the two never played a full game together. Washington’s acquisition of Trae Young last month, on the other hand, signals their intention to compete in the Eastern Conference as soon as next season.
Similarly, the Utah Jazz decided to cash in and acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. in a blockbuster trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, who shockingly held on to Ja Morant after weeks of rumors. They gave up several rotational players and three first-round picks to build a team around Lauri Markkanen and their big men; Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George handle the playmaking.
Despite their recent success, the Los Angeles Clippers sold during this deadline. They sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland, a move that came out of nowhere. Cleveland officially broke up the “core four,” starting with Garland, their longest-tenured player. They also swapped Ivica Zubac for Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson. To make up for their lack of picks, L.A. begins a youth movement.
The East saw plenty of changes. The Bulls retooled their roster and completed a Nikola Vučević and Anfernee Simons swap, but somehow another year went by with no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
By Max Moughan
Pitino Re-Reaches 900 Wins
Rick Pitino reaching 900 career wins for the second time in his career is a full-circle moment in college basketball.
Pitino built his legendary coaching resume across multiple programs, stacking up wins at Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville, Iona and St. John’s. His greatest run came during his time at Kentucky, where he recorded 254 wins, including four SEC championships and an NCAA national title. At Louisville, he continued that success, turning the Cardinals into a perennial tournament team with three Final Four appearances and a national championship.
During his coaching career, Pitino took opportunities with the Knicks and Celtics before returning to the college game.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that this is the second time Pitino has reached 900 wins. After violating NCAA rules, a significant portion of his victories at Louisville were vacated, along with the program’s national championship. Rather than step away from the sport, Pitino returned and rebuilt his resume, leading Iona to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
With a recent win over a team coached by his son, Richard Pitino, he etched his name into the record books, joining the elite company of just three other coaches in the 900-win club: Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, and Roy Williams.
Rick Pitino’s name will remain in college basketball history for generations.
By JJ Garcia
Jaylen Brown Speaks Out
Influence is a direct result of what someone does with the platform that they are given. With the pedestal that athletes and celebrities are placed on, especially now, it is commendable that he uses his platform for the betterment of the world, despite the controversy it may face.
Controversy, however, has never affected the decisions of NBA superstar Jaylen Brown. Since 2016, Jaylen Brown has been a spark plug for the Boston Celtics, accumulating a championship behind his Finals MVP efforts. Upon building himself an impressive athletic resume, Brown has been extremely outspoken when it comes to political conflicts, especially as of late.
Two 37-year-old individuals were killed by ICE in Minneapolis recently: a mother of three in Renee Good, along with an ICU nurse, Alex Pretti. Homeland security, along with other members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet, have publicly painted ICE as the victims, and the actual deceased as the aggressors. Many spoke out against this, including Brown.
Brown said, “We demand accountability,” a simple yet powerful message to the government of the United States.
Along with political activism, Brown has launched several successful projects, which provide educational resources, STEM opportunities, and support to black-owned businesses. By prioritizing his conscience over corporate contracts and political convenience, Brown has redefined the modern athlete’s role from an entertainer to an architect for activism. His career serves as a masterclass in the idea that true influence is measured by the courage displayed when the cameras are off and the stakes are the highest.
By Luca Di Rienzo
Mound Visit: UFC
UFC Paramount+ Deal and UFC 324 & 325
On Aug. 11, 2025, UFC president and CEO Dana White announced that the organization will be signing a historic seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+ beginning in 2026. The sport will be moving on from the classic pay-per-view model held on ESPN+, pleasing many fans. This allows fans to access the greatest fights in the world at a more affordable and accessible rate.
With this news, White also announced the UFC will be taking a six-week hiatus, its longest stretch without an event. The break will allow fans to adjust to the new streaming platform and return with back-to-back numbered events to set off the Paramount+ era. UFC 324 was headlined by Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight (155lb) championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The rest of the main card included fan favorite and former bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley, and notable names like Derrick Lewis, Jean Silva and Umar Nurmagomedov.
The following week, UFC 325 commenced in Sydney, Australia, creating the perfect opportunity for Australian superstar Alexander Volkanovski to defend his featherweight belt against a familiar foe, Diego Lopes. Volkanovski came out victorious, strengthening his case as the greatest featherweight of all time. The lightweight division also got moving as Benoit Saint-Denis TKO’d Dan Hooker in the second round, and up-and-coming prospect Quillian Salkilld added another win to his resume over Jamie Mullarkey via submission. These two events only mark the beginning of the UFC on Paramount+ era, and fans can not wait to see what is in store for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
By Sabbas Jelia
Mid-Inning Relief: MLB Hall of Fame and Free Agent Signings
Three New Names in Cooperstown
With the results of the Baseball Writers Association of America’s voting for 2025 being announced Jan. 20, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., will welcome three new members this July: outfielders Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones and second baseman Jeff Kent.
Beltran, the sixth Puerto Rican elected to the Hall of Fame, played for seven teams over 20 seasons, primarily with the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets. A 9-time All-Star, the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year, the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award winner and a 2017 World Series champion with the Houston Astros, his 435 career home runs rank 4th all-time among major leaguers by a switch-hitter.
Jones, the first native of Curacao elected to the Hall of Fame, played 17 MLB seasons, primarily for the Atlanta Braves. During his career, Jones was a five-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, and the 2005 Hank Aaron Award and Silver Slugger Award winner. In 1996, he became the youngest player ever to homer in the postseason and his number 25 was retired by the Braves in 2023.
Finally, Jeff Kent spent 17 seasons as a second baseman with six teams, most notably with the San Francisco Giants from 1997 to 2002. The all-time MLB leader in home runs among second basemen with 351 at the position, Kent was also a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger and the 2000 NL MVP. He was also a member of the 2002 Giants team that was defeated in the World Series in seven games by the Los Angeles Angels.
The Class of 2026’s induction on July 26 will not only bring the total number of Hall of Famers to 354 but will cement their places among the game’s greatest contributors.
By Andrew Caruso
Free Agent Signings
Bo Bichette to the Mets
The former Blue Jays shortstop heads to Queens on a three-year, $126 million contract. Bichette showed a powerful bat last season despite missing time with a knee injury, and batted .311 en route to a World Series appearance.
Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers
Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract, including an opt-out after the second and third years. The deal also includes $30 million deferred and a $64 million signing bonus. The outfielder batted .266, helping the Cubs to their first playoff appearance since 2020.
Diaz opted out of his Mets contract with two years and $38 million remaining, and agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal. Last season, he posted a 1.63 ERA with six wins and three losses.
Pete Alonso to the Orioles
The former Mets first baseman signed a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore. The power hitter batted .272 with 38 home runs last season.
Alex Bregman to the Cubs
Bregman agreed to a five-year, $175 million deal with $70 million deferred. Last year, he batted .273 for the Red Sox, despite missing two months of the season due to a quad strain.
Cody Bellinger to the Yankees
The outfielder will return to the Bronx for $162.5 million dollars on a five-year deal, along with a $20 million signing bonus and an opt-out in 2027 or 2028. Bellinger batted.272 last season and provided valuable defense to the Yankees’ lineup.
By Kayleigh La Point
The Closer: NHL and Olympic Hockey
Olympics Preview
The largest narrative going into this year’s Olympics is many fans’ early pick for the gold medal game: Canada vs the United States. In the 4 Nations Face-Off last season, tensions were high between both countries. The U.S. won the first matchup against Canada 3-1 in the round-robin at the Bell Centre in Montreal, a game that featured fights, physicality and close play. The two met at the end of the tournament for the gold medal game, where Connor McDavid scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Americans 3-2 at the TD Garden in Boston.
Going into this year’s games, the US is hungry for revenge, led by many of the players that represented them at Four Nations like Jake Guentzel, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski, the Tkachuk brothers (Matthew and Brady), Connor Hellebuyck, and newcomers like Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller. Team Canada features much of the starpower from their gold medal squad: Connor McDavid, Nathan Mackinnon, Mitch Marner, Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, Cale Makar, and added talent like Macklin Celebrini, Bo Horvat, Nick Suzuki and Tom Wilson.
Many of the other countries in the tournament pose threats as well. Sweden’s squad is headlined by guys like Gabriel Landeskog, William Nylander, Rickard Rackell, Rasmus Dahlin and Victor Hedman. Finland features names such as Dallas Stars teammates Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen, Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and Juuse Saros.
21-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky is one of the few NHLers representing Slovakia alongside Eric Cernak and Martin Fehervary, and the Czech Republic features names like David Pastrnak, Tomas Hertl, Martin Necas, Karel Vejmelka and 25-year-old goaltender Lukas Dostal.
This year’s Olympics features much talent across the globe now that NHLers have returned to the games, and while the U.S. and Canada are the heavy favorites to play for the gold medal, it can still very much be anyone’s tournament.
By Justin Schwartz
The Downfall of the New York Rangers
Throughout the months of December and January, the New York Rangers, a historic, original six franchise, lost 21 of the 29 games they played. On Jan. 16, their President and General Manager, Chris Drury, issued a letter to the fans. Following a five-game losing streak, they were not firing their coach as some had assumed, but instead, announced a “retool”. This retool included not extending the contract of Artemi Panarin, who leads the team in points, and instead, seeking a trade for their star. He has been a vital part of their roster for years, causing the public to question the Rangers’ front office.
This letter was released just 2 days after an 8-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators, with the Rangers being down 6-0 until the end of the 2nd period. Madison Square Garden was filled with boos, and many people left before the game had even ended. One bright spot? A pair of goals by rookie Gabe Perreault. The 20-year-old was selected 23rd overall in the first round of the 2023 NHL draft. He broke the record for points in a single season with the USNDTP with 132, and went on to play two years at Boston College, ending with 108 points in 73 games. Since that game, he has been playing on the first line alongside J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad, creating plays and providing a spark of hope for Rangers fans across the country. Although his minutes are not as high as the other two, gaining chemistry with them and experiencing first-line play is incredibly valuable to his development.
Panarin’s trade was completed right before the roster freeze, at 3 p.m. on Feb. 4. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for a conditional third-round pick in 2026, a conditional fourth-round pick in 2028, and prospect Liam Greentree. Greentree is a forward, picked 26th overall in the first round, and currently plays for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, with 45 points in 34 games played. Although a promising prospect, he has not made his NHL debut yet, meaning that he won’t appear in a Blueshirts sweater until after the Olympic break ends.
By Beatrice Shapiro
Edited by Center Field Staff
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo
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