Frankly, I think this is the season that teaches you what you have in your coaches. I didn't dislike some aspects of DQ's handling of this situation, but I did not like others. I personally feel like he struggles a bit to communicate clearly at the podium, and I think that is a problematic head coaching trait. I think when guys don't get HC jobs, sometimes we see why at the podium. When they are interviewed, I know one of the absolute must-have traits the upper-management is looking for is the ability to clearly communicate. He needs to be able to communicate to his coordinators and the upper-level guys, plus he ideally can connect with the guys on his team.
I tend to agree with what
skinsinparadise said, although I didn't read any book about it (he was quoting Arians). The Xs and Os are complicated, and a well oiled organization would ideally have those handled by coordinators even if the HC "can" do that job. I am pretty sure that's how Nick (Eagles) does it, as well as John (Ravens), and I suspect Jim (Chargers). There are other successful HCs (Shanahan/9ers, Reid/Chiefs) who don't do it that way, and that's fine if you can make it work; but if you have the skill to find/evaluate/hire talented people, you can build a sustainable winner and a talent factory (coaching and players).
My thinking right now is DQ lacks this, unfortunately, and it may take years for the team to fully discover or admit that. Not sure. The fact that we saw Joe Whitt's problems this late isn't necessarily an excuse for him to see it this late; also, there are other issues I have with his structure and coach selection.
As for his assistants, I have problems with both. Definitely not that we're losing given the injuries, but I see too many opportunities left on the table that feel very avoidable. When your team is relatively talented (or at least has a huge advantage at QB), sometimes you don't even see the holes in your coordinators. When the team is injured, though - I think you don't say "Well that's injuries!" - I think you are ideally looking at it and at the least taking some notes on what you may be seeing as issues. You may be seeing problems that are masked in other circumstances, but may prevent you from reaching your goals if they are left unaddressed.
Every season, you get more information on how/whether your team has the right people and structure. Good/bad seasons, injured/healthy - you get data. Marty's 8-8 season, I felt pretty good going into the next season in some ways. Marty's treatment of DG had rubbed me the wrong way (man I hated that), but I was pleased he got us to 8-8 and thought it was pretty good coaching in a lot of ways. Then Dan was Dan. You see, that (as usual for Dan!) was the *exact opposite* of what you want your org to be doing; evaluating and acting upon that data rationally.
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