5 Coordinators Next in Line for NFL Head Coaching Gigs

With so many teams firing and then hiring a new head coach during and since the 2011 NFL regular season ended, there's some really credible coordinators that deserve some recognition provided that any positions open up after the 2012 NFL season.

As for the following coordinators, each are deserving of a shot to take charge, and for those that have been following the NFL coaching carousel, some may be more familiar than others.

Dick Jauron

Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron hasn't come up anywhere this offseason, however, if the Cleveland Browns fail to improve in the 2012 NFL season, it would not be surprising at all to see them part ways with Pat Shurmur.

That being said, earlier in January ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that the Browns were interested in hiring an offensive coordinator:

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Despite statements to the contrary, the Cleveland Browns intend to hire an offensive coordinator to allow Pat Shurmur to put more focus on his head coaching duties in 2012, according to team sources.

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Well, is that possibly the first step in replacing Shurmur pending on 2012 pans out?

Certainly, it's easy to suspect considering how awful the Browns were in 2011. Just by looking at the picture of Shurmur and Jauron though, doesn't Jauron look like the head coach and Shurmur the assistant?

Then again, Jauron has been a head coach twice with stints in Chicago and Buffalo, so the experience is there.

And based on how 2011 went, we have to expect that Shurmur is on thin ice.

Mel Tucker

In his third year as the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator, Mel Tucker orchestrated one of the NFL's best defenses in 2011.

Despite having to overcome injuries, a fired head coach and abysmal offense, Tucker's defense still finished ranked inside the top 10 against the pass and rush.

Provided that the offense can marginally improve for 2012 and the defense remains healthy, Jacksonville can have one great season. And with Tucker having much success in creating a stout defense, he'll surely get some calls.

Additionally, Tucker is Jacksonville's assistant head coach to the newly hired Mike Murlarky for next season, so his status and reputation have most certainly increased throughout the NFL world.

Plus, doesn't he look like the Mortal Kombat character Jax? Intimidating.

Todd Bowles

According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins appear to be parting ways with Todd Bowles:

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[Joe] Philbin talked to interim head coach Todd Bowles Sunday and the message didn't exactly suggest the new coach is eager to retain Bowles. In fact, a source close to Bowles just told me the club's secondary/assistant head coach/interim head coach will not return to the Dolphins.

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This is interesting because Bowles has been with the Dolphins since 2005 as the assistant head coach and secondary coach.

Then, when Tony Sparano was let go, Bowles became the interim for the remainder of the 2011 season. He was definitely the right man for the job, and the Dolphins ended 2011 strong despite the bad start.

And with Bowles possibly not returning the Miami, someone will come calling. He's a legit coordinator that's deserving of a head coaching spot one day.

Prior to Miami, Bowles was with the Jets, Browns and Cowboys and has been in the league since 2000. He also had a brief stint in Green Bay from 1995-1996.

With his experience, Todd Bowles has learned from guys like Bill Parcells and Mike Holmgren how to be a legit NFL head coach.

Mike McCoy

Let's put it this way, anyone who can have success with Tim Tebow under center in the NFL can have success with an already more developed pocket-passer in the pros.

Not that Tebow can't develop into a true under center, sit in the pocket and make reads quarterback while feeling the rush, however, he still has a long way to go.

As for current Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, it's clear he's on the radar after Kyle Orton had career years under him and the playbook was modified to fit Tim Tebow.

So at his best, McCoy knows how to adjust accordingly, provided that change is needed to succeed. And earlier this month McCoy's name did come up in Jacksonville (who have already gone in another direction).

In an article by Michael David Smith of NBC Sports, the Jaguars were interested in McCoy however, the playoffs got in the way:

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that McCoy was going to interview in Jacksonville today for the Jaguars’ head coaching job if the Broncos had lost to the Steelers, but because the Broncos won, McCoy won’t be able to do that, as he’ll be predisposed preparing a game plan for the Patriots.

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To that end, even with the Jags having hired Murlarky, it's obvious that McCoy's play calling didn't go unnoticed.

Provided that Tebow can improve as expected in 2012, McCoy's name will certainly come up again.

Wade Phillips

For right now, it was a good thing that Wade Phillips is remaining the Houston Texans defensive coordinator.

That said, in an article by Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune earlier in January, Wade took himself out of the candidacy for the Buccaneers' vacancy:

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Phillips, 64, was scheduled to interview following the Texans practice in Houston on Friday, but sources with knowledge of the Bucs' coaching search said he called general manager Mark Dominik early Thursday evening and told him he was pulling out.

The notification from Phillips came shortly after Phillips said during an afternoon news conference that he preferred to stay in Houston.

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As for Wade, in just one season as the Texans defensive coach he had them pull a 180 degree turn from one of the absolute worst defenses, to one of the best and most complete.

However, he is still a viable head coaching candidate considering his overall experience at the helm with Denver, Buffalo and Dallas.

He's been in the NFL since 1976, and one more year controlling the Texans defense could really be just what he needs before trying head coach once more.

Regardless of the team, Wade can't miss another great year in Houston but it would also be surprising if he neglected to try head coaching a fourth time.

John Rozum on Twitter.