He believed that in his heart, and he often verbally conveyed that feeling to his players and assistant coaches. What Cunningham can't comprehend is that normal people shouldn't be expected to live and breathe football 20 hours a day. There are other NFL coaches who work as many hours as Cunningham, but, for the most part, those coaches know that they're freaks and that their colleagues and players can be just as committed to winning without putting in the same hours. Cunningham would be a much better football coach if he spent a few years in the real world. I believe the two years Marty Schottenheimer spent in the civilian world will contribute to his success in Washington.
Coaches have to perform an amazing balancing act between football and family.
Gunther has a great opportunity to make his family completely happy for a couple of years. This could make his re-entry into the coaching profession easier. But Gunther should get out for selfish reasons. If he was truly blindsided by his firing, then I believe he was so lost in football that he lost his ability to comprehend and think through simple issues. There were signs everywhere that Cunningham was going to get fired.