Ten NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat

The National Football League is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business, this holds true especially for the head coaches. It is an honor to be a member of this 32-team fraternity, but the opportunity cannot be squandered.

The head coach must lead his team and build a winning environment with his respective franchise. It appears that no head coach is susceptible from getting a pink slip, just ask Super Bowl winning coaches Brian Billick, Mike Shanahan, and Jon Gruden.

There are now only three NFL head coaches who have won a Super Bowl: Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, and Mike Tomlin.

With the sudden youth movement taking place and several NFL head coaches residing over underachieving squads, I comprised a list of the top 10 NFL head coaches on the hot seat or under pressure to win or their jobs will be in jeopardy.

It was difficult deciding exactly which 10 coaches would go onto this list and where, but if you disagree feel free to leave a comment of who you think deserves or doesn’t deserve to be on this list.

10. Jim Zorn, Washington Redskins

The 'Skins started out to an incredible 6-2 start in 2008 only to fizzle out down the stretch to finish with a .500 record. Zorn was criticized by the media and his own players for his play-calling, specifically RB Clinton Portis.

Zorn was originally hired as the offensive coordinator, but named head coach later. If Bill Cowher were interested in coaching in the nation's capital, Jim Zorn would be the pariah.

9. Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars

Some readers might scratch their heads seeing Jack Del Rio on this list, but the Jaguars have been 50-46 in the past six years with only one playoff victory. A shocking fourth place 5-11 finish in the AFC South division certainly puts pressure on Del Rio's Jags to make a playoff run in 2009.

8. Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings

Brad Childress has been 24-24 overall in his three season at the helm in Minnesota. Childress had drawn some criticism for not using all-pro RB Adrian Peterson is key situations, his inability to win with a stout defensive keeping games close and his selection of QB Tarvaris Jackson in the Second Round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

Childress' job will depend on how well Jackson can play next season or unless he finds a QB that can play consistently and stay healthy.

7. Dick Jauron, Buffalo Bills

Dick Jauron had his young Bills team playing excellent early in the season with a 5-1 start, but injuries and inconsistent play played a major part in a 2-8 finish. Jauron's poor game management was under fire by the media and many called for his job at the end of the season.

Owner Ralph Wilson shocked many fans and reporters when he said Jauron would be back in 2009 after his third straight 7-9 season. Jauron cannot afford a slow start in 2009 or he could be one of the first coaches canned midseason.

6. Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders

Any Oakland Raiders head coach can go on this list since there seems to be a revolving door at the position. Owner Al Davis changes coaches more than he changes white jump suits!

Tom Cable was 4-8 as interim head coach after taking over a quarter into the 2008 season. Surely, Cable’s days are numbers unless he leads the lowly Raiders to the playoffs sooner than later.

5. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers

The Packers took a huge step in the wrong direction in 2008. It all started with Brett Favre waffling about retirement and the beginning of the Aaron Rodgers Era. Green Bay went 6-10 after playing for the NFC Championship in 2007.

McCarthy's Packers lost several close games in 2008 and McCarthy basically put all the blame on his defensive staff, firing most of them after the season. This will put a lot of pressure of McCarthy if the defense struggles in 2009.

Also with several unemployed Super Bowl winning coaches out there, McCarthy must get the Pack back to the playoffs or he could be packing up his office soon.

4. Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers

Turner has a record of 19-13 in two seasons as San Diego Chargers head coach. The Chargers have made the playoffs both seasons under Turner, but the slow starts have had Turner under some fire.

There is a small window for San Diego to make a Super Bowl run with the talent on that roster, so another slow start in 2009 could cost Norv his job.

3. Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are 33-30-1 since playing in Super Bowl XXXIX. Reid's conservative play-calling and aloof personality is wearing thin on the Philadelphia fans and media.

Reid will likely retire before he is fired, but he is certainly under pressure to win a championship for the Eagles or he and McNabb will get sent packing.

2. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have been 46-49-1 in six years since Lewis was hired. During his tenure, the Bengals have had more players arrested than All-Pros. The constant battle with Chad Johnson has worn thin on everyone, almost to the point where one of them must go.

The 0-8 start should have cost Lewis his job any other season, except for the fact that Carson Palmer was out most of the year. Marvin Lewis' seat is very hot so the Bengals must make the playoffs in 2009 to save his job.

1. Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys

Phillips is 22-10 during his two seasons so far in Dallas since he replaced Bill Parcells. The pressure to win is immense and so far, Phillips has fallen short.

It doesn't help having offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting, Jason Garrett looking over his shoulder and dealing with a cast of characters make the Cowboys job a soap opera.

The expectations in Big D are so go great that Philips cannot live up to them unless he brings home a Lombardi Trophy. Until then, he will be on the hottest seat in the NFL.