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It’s almost that time of year again. With just four weeks left in the regular season we are nearing Black Monday, the Monday after the season ends in which coaches are unceremoniously dumped.
This year will be no different and we have already have had one coach fired, Dick Jauron.
Last year saw 11 coaching changes and while I doubt the number will be that high this year somewhere around seven seems about right.
We may even see a few surprise firings as the coaching market is as good as its ever been. It’s not every year you have coaches among the likes of Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, and John Gruden, all of whom have won Super Bowls available for hire. There are also a lot of promising assistants such as Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
It should make for an interesting market come January. Now let’s take a look at whose jobs these guys might be taking:
Jim Zorn
The most obvious candidate to receive the axe is Zorn. He was almost fired earlier in the season, but was allowed to keep his job after giving up play calling duties. Since then the offense has improved and overall the team has played better football even though it may not be showing up in the win column. Despite the recent improvement Zorn is a virtual lock to be gone at seasons end. Daniel Snyder wants a big name coach and won’t hesitate ponying up big time money for one.
Hot Seat Level: On Fire
Gary Kubiak
The Texans have not been horrible during Kubiak’s four year run, but they have consistently fail to meet expectations. It seems as if every year the media is hyping this year as the year the Texans break through, but it has yet to happen. Back to back 8-8 records and current four game losing streak after staring 5-3 won’t get the job done. The Texans have failed to finish games under Kubiak and the unsuccessful half back pass in the end zone last week may have sealed his fate.
Hot Seat Level: On Fire
Eric Mangini
The man formerly know as “Mangenious” may be getting fired for the second time in two years. It seemed impossible for the Browns to get any worse after last season, but that they did. Mangini got off the hook during the season as his hand-picked G.M. George Kokinis was canned. If the browns bring in someone like Mike Holmgren as the “football czar” he is all but gone.
Hot Seat Level: Red Hot
Wade Phillips
Wade’s job status is always in flux and this season may be the last straw. A loss to the Giants last week has everybody talking about the typical December swoon and looking at their upcoming schedule it may be hard to avoid. The only way Wade may be able to save his job is by winning a playoff game.
Hot Seat Level: Red Hot
Raheem Morris
The first year boss in Tampa is in danger of a one and done stint. He fired his offensive coordinator right before the season and fired his defensive coordinator midway through the season. The Bucs may decide to go with a bigger name to help the rebuilding effort. Morris may be out of his league as a head coach, but would make a great defensive coordinator.
Hot Seat Level: Hot
John Fox
A losing season seems all but inevitable at this point for the Panthers, which would have the Panthers at home in January for the third time in the past four years. Their only playoff appearance resulted in a blowout at home versus the Cardinals last season.
Hot Seat Level: Warm
Lovie Smith
The Bears still seem to be suffering from a Super Bowl hangover. However, Jerry Angelo is notoriously cheap and it would be an upset to see Lovie go will so much money left on his deal. The blame will likely fall on offensive coordinator Ron Turner.
Hot Seat Level: Warm
Jim Mora Jr.
The successor to Mike Holmgren might be in trouble now that G.M. Tim Ruskell has resigned. The new G.M. may want to pick his own coach, unless that man in Holmgren, who would likely keep Mora.
Hot Seat Level: Warm
Tom Cable
You never know with Al Davis, but you would think he will keep Cable around for at least another year. The front office defended him against Randy Hansen and they have sprung upsets over the Eagles, Bengals, and Steelers this season.
Hot Seat Level: Warm
Possible Surprise Fires:
These are long shots but at this time last year if someone told you John Gruden, Mike Shanahan, and Eric Mangini would be fired you’d would have thought they were crazy.
Jeff Fisher
It’s public knowledge Jeff Fisher wasn’t in favor of starting Vince Young and was forced to by Bud Adams. The decision is looking good now for Fisher and had he started young earlier they might be in playoff contention.
Norv Turner
The Chargers will likely win the AFC West and be a top three seed in the playoffs, but Norv still may go at season’s end. The Chargers always seem to fold in the playoffs and have won nothing despite being one of the most talented teams in the league. Remember this team fired Mart Schottenheimer after a 14-2 season.
