No, it's actually exactly the way it goes when you have been unsuccessful as a HBC. Did you look at Marinelli's resume when he went O-fer in Detroit? Everybody ain't HC material but they sure as hell can coach'em up in other areas. Falcons hired a new coach in 2015 didn't they. So of course he would be out for the most part and SD and NO already had DC's. Mike Nolan is much better for us than say............oh............DC.
It’s not uncommon to go from HC to DC and then eventually back to HC (presuming that is the goal). However, it went to DC at different spots in quick succession and then to a positions coach.
That’s not the regular trajectory.
That’s like being a regional manager, getting fired, recreating yourself as a store manager, only to move onto night shift manager.