NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat

Life as an NFL coach is very tenuous. This past offseason saw 11 new head coaches be hired, the most changes over one season.

Owners are in a win now mode and if they’re not pleased with the results on the field they’ve proven they’re not afraid to make a change.

Three coaches that finished with an 8-8 record or better were fired last season (Mike Shanahan, Eric Mangini, and John Gruden.)

Also there are many high profile head coaches who are looking to get back in the game after this season including Bil Cowher, Mike Holmgren, and Mike Shanahan, all of who have won Super Bowls.

So let’s take a look at who may be getting the axe after the upcoming season.

Brad Childress- Minnesota Vikings

Childress is entering his fourth season as Vikings head coach after serving as the Eagles offensive coordinator. Childress has been underwhelming with a 24-24 record and only one playoff appearance which resulted in a loss. With the impending addition of Brett Favre expectations will be sky high this year and if the Vikings flame out early in the playoffs expect Childress to get the axe.

Marvin Lewis- Cincinnati Bengals

Lewis has been in Cincinnati for six seasons but only once has the team finished above .500. That added to the off the field troubles his players have gotten into does not bode well for Lewis. Lewis has also had back-to-back losing seasons and another one could spell doom for the coach.

Wade Phillips- Dallas Cowboys

Wade has done well in his first two seasons in Dallas but was never a popular pick for the job. While he has had good regular season results the Cowboys have failed to win a playoff game under him, something they haven’t done since 1996. If the ‘Boys fail to a playoff game this year expect Phillips to be gone and replaced with a big name possibly Cowher or Shanahan.

Jim Zorn- Washington Redskins

In his first year on the job Zorn did solid finishing with an 8-8 record but that left the Redskins in dead last in the division. He also was the only rookie coach not to make the playoffs. With Daniel Snyder at owner anything is possible and a playoff-less season could seal the end for Zorn. Mike Shanahan has already been linked to the Redskins and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his coaching the team in 2010.

Dick Jauron- Buffalo Bills

Jauron hasn’t been the best coach in Buffalo but at least you can say he’s consistent. In his three seasons Buffalo has finished 7-9 every year. Jauron was given an extension during last season through 2011 before the team finished 1-7 so that might give him another year but the team made a splash signing T.O. in the off season and expectations are high. Anything short of the playoffs will signal the end of Jauron in Buffalo.

Jack Del Rio- Jacksonville Jaguars

Del Rio has been the head coach for six seasons in Jacksonville. He has had good results making the playoffs twice and winning one playoff game. Recently Del Rio called out John Henderson publicly, which isn’t helping his reputation. Out of all the coaches on this list Del Rio is probably the least likely to get fired but if the Jaguars repeat last years performance Del Rio may get fired.