Also check out the Top 10 NFL Head Coaching Prospects in 2009.
10. Dallas Cowboys
If the playoffs started today, the Cowboys wouldn't qualify. If Wade Phillips doesn't lead the team into postseason play, owner Jerry Jones may decide to part ways. He may be influenced by having hot commodity offensive coordinator Jason Garrett on staff.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Despite Andy Reid's impressive record with the Eagles, the team will miss the playoffs this season and is in decline. Reid is also in charge of football operations with final say on personnel matters—the players that he's assembled simply aren't good enough to compete for a championship.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
This season is shaping up as the Chiefs' worst season since Lamar Hunt founded the franchise in 1960. Fans are rightfully growing impatient with Herman Edwards, although the team is one of the youngest in the league.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jack Del Rio may be on the hot seat. The Jaguars were widely picked as a Super Bowl contender this year. The players have aged and younger players haven't emerged to replace them. The Jaguars have drafted only one Pro Bowl player since Del Rio was hired.
6. San Diego Chargers
It's difficult to understand how Norv Turner continues to have a coaching position in the league. Coming off a season in which the Chargers where a game away from reaching the Super Bowl, the team is languishing in one of the worst divisions in the league and will miss the playoffs.
5. St. Louis Rams
The Rams may fire Jim Haslett after the season. He possess a meager .458 career win percentage as a head coach. The team might take this chance to bring in an entirely new staff and completely retool.
4. Oakland Raiders
It's unlikely that owner and general manager Al Davis will keep interim coach Tom Cable. Cable lacks high level head coaching experience prior to this season. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is widely considered head coach material, but Davis passed on him after firing Lane Kiffin.
3. Detroit Lions
Most teams will give a coach three years to turn around a team. Rod Marinelli is now in his third season, he has a 10-33 career record, and the Lions may become the first winless team in NFL history.
2. Cleveland Browns
Now in his fourth season, Romeo Crennel has had one winning season in Cleveland. Despite the team's lack of success against the Steelers in recent seasons, analysts wrongly predicted the Browns would be one of the up-and-coming teams, following a 10-6 campaign last year. The team has regressed badly this season.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
In six seasons with the Bengals, coach Marvin Lewis has had one winning season. The Bengals have some of the league's most potent offensive players. The negative locker room culture has been widely documented. Although Lewis isn't the one making the executive decisions, for better or for worse, he's the ringleader.
8 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Cody Swartz 7 months ago
I think there is a decent chance that the entire AFC West could see new head coaches next season. Oakland has an interim coach, Norv Turner and Herman Edwards most likely won't be coming back, and the Broncos could part ways with Mike Shanahan after over a decade.
Also, Mike Holmgren is gone after this season, so Seattle will need a new coach as well.
I simply do not understand how Rod Marinelli and Marvin Lewis have not been fired yet...
Edit Comment Cancel
Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Good points about the AFC West. I think Shanahan is rumored to want to retire soon and that they have someone in the organization ready to take over for him. The same with Holmgren.
Norv Turner and Herm Edwards are a farce.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
I agree Norv Turner and Herm Edwards are the worst NFL coaches I have ever seen besides Andy Reid. They all have the same thing in common - they make the worst play calls in critical points of games. They are the most predicatable playcallers ever. I am surprised to not see Brad Childress on this list considering he is a horrible list but now if the Vikings can get in the playoffs he will probably remain head coach.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Childress and the Vikes will probably get into the playoffs, they way things look right now. But, I don't have the NFC North teams' schedules in front of me. But, if he does manage to get his team into postseason that'll save him another year, you're right. I factored that in for my list.
I disagree with you on Reid, however. I think he's an excellent coach. I think like players, they can have an off year, too. They have been rather vanilla in their play calling, but that's what everyone says when things breakdown. For instance, you know the Giants are going to run the ball down your throat, but it works, and works well, so no one accuses them of being plain Jane.
Turner and Edwards, well, enough said. The records speak for themselves. There are so many other coordinators worthier of a shot that have paid their dues in the ranks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
And Brad Childress will have a tough time making the playoffs without Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Well, right now, this very moment, the Vikes are the best team in the "Norris" as our pal Chris Berman would say.
Edit Comment Cancel
The Coop 7 months ago
Edgar, I enjoyed your lists both here and with the top coaching prospects.
Any personal thoughts on who the Browns might seek to be head coach once Crennel is fired?
It seems like 90% of Browns fans want Bill Cowher. I'm in the 10% minority because I question whether he has the passion to help rebuild a franchise that's in disarray. I also figure Cowher would want control over coaching and player personnel, and I simply don't believe that teams benefit from this type of management. Besides which, I believe GM Phil Savage has done a good job assembling the roster, for the most part.
IMO, the Browns need a guy with head coaching experience, a no-nonsense guy who will demand excellence out of his players. Here are some guys I think fit that description:
Coaches without current jobs: Marty Schottenheimer, Jim Fasel, Brian Billick
Coaches with current HC jobs: Andy Reid, Herm Edwards, Jack Del Rio
Former HCs with current jobs: Mike Tice, Mike Martz
What do you think?
Edit Comment Cancel
Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Yes, Crennel is as good as gone.
I'm with you on your perspective on Cowher. The rap on him is that supposedly he's good with veteran players and not a builder of teams. The jury's still out on him. The truth is that the Browns are in desperate need of help via the draft. The team has many good, core components, particularly at many of the skill positions on offense, but a solid draft is a must.
Anyway, from your list, I only really like Billick and Martz. I think Martz is eager for another shot. He's a great offensive mind obviously and I'm sure he can work with some of the current roster to put together a very dynamic product.
I also like Rex Ryan and Ron Rivera. These are no-nonsense defensive guys that really build defenses. Rivera has learned under the Eagles and Bears systems. Someone eager like these guys may have the patience to build a team to prove themselves.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.