Report Card Grades for Every NFL Head Coach, Coordinator and Hire so Far in 2012

To say that the 2012 NFL offseason has been busy with new firings then hires would an extreme understatement.

The regular season ended less than one month ago and there's already been seven new head coaches and coordinators having moved elsewhere. Plus, there's surely more to come as moves continue before and after the draft.

That being said, here are grades for the 15 new coaches/coordinators having relocated so far in 2012.

Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams

Not surprising here, and Jeff Fisher in St. Louie was the biggest piece to the puzzle of totally revamping the coaching staff (two more listed later).

Although he had a strong career at Tennessee, Fisher had just five winning seasons in 16 years but did make a Super Bowl appearance. The good news is that St. Louis basically has nowhere to go but up and with the No. 2 overall pick this spring, any selection will immediately improve the team.

The Rams also needed to bring in a guy who's a proven head coach and will have the locker room's attention from the start.

His defensive mindset will surely improve the dark side and Fisher knows when to address the offense as well. As long as the Rams improve in 2012, he'll make his career resume that much more credible.

The irony of this hire though, is that when Fisher led the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV they lost to the St. Louis Rams. Obviously the NFL comes full circle here.

Grade: B+

Romeo Crennel, Kansas City Chiefs

Since 1981, Romeo Crennel has been a coach in the NFL. However, he has yet to prove his value as a head coach.

His time as the Cleveland Browns head coach was not impressive with a 24-40 record but then again, it's hard to win with quarterbacks like Trent Dilfer, Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson among others.

So, at least he has a legit offense to build an already strong defense around, with players like Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, Dwayne Bowe, Eric Berry and Tamba Hali.

As a defensive coordinator Crennel has been great and his work with the Chiefs in 2010 and 2011 is certainly worth noting, in addition to the time served under Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells.

Nevertheless, it'll be interesting watching Crennel in charge once again.

Grade: B

Joe Philbin, Miami Dolphins

After developing an explosive, efficient and highly productive offense with the Green Bay Packers from 2003-2011, Joe Philbin has some strong tools to work with in Miami.

For one, Matt Moore has developed quite well through this past season and Reggie Bush emerged as an every down/complete back toward the final month. Include receiver Brandon Marshall to go with a decent offensive line, and the Dolphins offense will start off strong in 2012.

Not to mention they have a top 10 draft pick and already have a better than advertised defense. So basically, offseason development and chemistry is all that's needed.

And with the drama that's gone on in New York while the Bills just imploded in the second half of the season, Miami right now is the No. 2 team in the AFC East. A fresh start with Philbin in charge and the Dolphins will begin strong.

Grade: A-

Mike Murlarky, Jacksonville Jaguars

Although Mike Mularky has great experience as an NFL coach and he's deserving of another shot, the Jacksonville Jaguars could have explored their options a little more.

Then again, perhaps Mularkey's more prepared because after two seasons in Buffalo the Bills went just 14-18 and 5-11 during his second and final season (2004 and 2005).

A lot really will depend on how quickly he can develop Blaine Gabbert.

Since 2008, he was Atlanta's offensive coordinator and developed Matt Ryan rather well, however, Ryan was much more NFL ready than Gabbert.

The Jaguars also have no legit and/or well-established receivers, so a lot on how Mularkey pans out in 2012 will depend on free agent acquisitions and the NFL Draft. Not the worst of decisions, but there's a lot of work to do for both parties.

Grade: C+

Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With just one season of 10-plus wins at Rutgers, Greg Schiano is taking over a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that finished 2011 on 10 straight losses.

Schiano virtually has no NFL experience after just being a defensive assistant and secondary coach for the Bears from 1996-1998.

At Rutgers the Scarlet Knights have had six winning seasons in their past seven years, as well as five consecutive bowl wins. So, to Schiano's credit, he did turn around one of college football's most abysmal programs.

Unfortunately, he must now turn around one of the NFL's most abysmal franchises in 2012.

With limited experience and a really young team, 2012 isn't looking up right now in Tampa.

Grade: D

Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts

He's never been an NFL head coach before, but there's no pressure to immediately succeed with a team that just finished 2-14.

Chuck Pagano has been an NFL coach since 2001 (excluding 2007) and has specialized in defense. From 2008 through 2011 he was part of the Baltimore Ravens organization and had orchestrated one of the league's best defenses year in and year out.

Had it not been for Pagano's play-calling, the Ravens would not have been in position for a Super Bowl shot. Although the Ravens failed, the Colts got what they needed.

In 2011, Indianapolis fielded one of the NFL's worst defenses, however, Pagano has solid players to build around in Dwight Freeney and Pat Angerer. Include the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, and it's a win-win for both sides.

Grade: A

Dennis Allen, Oakland Raiders

Once again the Oakland Raiders have a new head coach, and that's unfortunate because Hue Jackson built a strong team that simply suffered from too many injuries.

If anything, all Oakland needed was a new defensive coordinator and some solid draft picks. Well, now they have a defensive minded coach in Dennis Allen who was the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator 2011.

Although Allen's been in the pros since 2005, the coordinator position with Denver was his highest position yet. So, at least the Raiders addressed the correct side of the ball that needed the most improvement.

The problem is that Allen is still not quite experienced enough. This begs the concern about how long he'll remain with the Raiders if 2012 doesn't turn out so good.

Doesn't it seem like Oakland has a new head coach every season?

Grade: D+

Brian Schottenheimer, St. Louis Rams

An offensive-minded coach, Brian Schottenheimer does have the experience to help rebuild the Rams under Jeff Fisher.

Schottenheimer served as the Redskins' (2001) and Chargers' (2005-05) quarterback coach and then the Jets offensive coordinator from 2006-2011.

So, he's worked and developed along with some great quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Brett Favre.

Although Schottenheimer never got Mark Sanchez to really make significant strides, he did improve. In St. Louis there's Sam Bradford and Brandon Lloyd. Provided that St. Louis draft Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon No. 2 overall, the Rams can really make some noise in 2012.

Grade: B-

Bill Callahan, Dallas Cowboys

We could say that Bill Callahan was a solid NFL head coach after taking Oakland to the Super Bowl in 2002 behind Rich Gannon.

Unfortunately, Callahan had inherited Jon Gruden's team and was not only demolished in that game but out of pro football a year later.

After a disappointing stint at the college ranks with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Callahan resurfaced with the Jets in 2008 and according to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys' new offensive coordinator.

That said, Callahan's hiring will significantly improve Tony Romo's pass protection which is arguably the Cowboys' weakest area.

Grade: B

Gregg Williams, St. Louis Rams

The only concern about Gregg Williams joining the St. Louis Rams is that his Saints' defense the past two seasons was horrendous.

Now, New Orleans was great in his first season as its defensive coordinator which was the 2009 Super Bowl season. But the recent performances, especially in the 2011 regular and postseason, are not appealing.

Luckily, he's being reunited with Jeff Fisher with whom he coached under in Tennessee from 1997-2000, so together they will improve St. Louis' defense.

Led by Chris Long, the Rams need to improve at stopping the run which is something Williams emphasizes. Now if only the pass defense can follow.

Grade: C+

Dirk Koetter, Atlanta Falcons

From 2007-201, Dirk Koetter was the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator and coached arguably the NFL's best running back in Maurice Jones-Drew.

The red flag however, was Jacksonville's dismal passing offense in 2011 which was managed mainly by Blaine Gabbert. Although the Jags weren't explosive, they didn't have any legitimate receiving targets either.

Other than MJD, it would be hard for anyone to have success coaching that offense. In Atlanta, Koetter has some great players to work with such as Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones, Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez.

Now with that kind of talent, if Koetter fails to enhance the Falcons offense, it's then reasonable to be skeptical of him.

Grade: C+

Mike Nolan, Atlanta Falcons

Finally, the Atlanta Falcons address the weakest aspect of their game—defense.

It was a big reason why they haven't won a postseason game during Matt Ryan's tenure and that will continue, especially with Carolina on the rise and the Saints still dominating.

Well, Mike Nolan has been in the NFL since 1987 and has coached in two Super Bowls and multiple other times in the postseason.

The past two seasons he was the Dolphins defensive coordinator and Miami had a respectable defense. With the Falcons, Nolan has other solid players to build from in John Abraham, Dunta Robinson and Curtis Lofton.

For as much as the Falcons defense struggled with consistency in 2011, Nolan will only improve them as he did with Miami.

Grade: B

Steve Spagnuolo, New Orleans Saints

He may have made one terrible head coach, but then again, Steve Spagnuolo isn't the first defensive-minded head coach to fail in recent history.

Strictly as a defensive coordinator though, Spag has had much success.

From 1999-2006 he was on the Eagles staff that went to four straight NFC Championships and a Super Bowl. Then his first season in 2007 with the Giants, Spagnuolo's defense held Tom Brady and the Patriots offense to just 14 points in Super Bowl XLII.

Now with the Saints, New Orleans is getting a fresh start on defense which was the reason why it lost, yet again, on the road in the playoffs.

Spagnuolo knows how to attack a quarterback, so expect an improved front four in 2012. 'Twas the right hire for a team with so much potential on either side of the ball.

Grade: B+

Tony Sparano, New York Jets

After being fired from Miami and the Jets seeing Brian Schottenheimer move to St. Louis, Tony Sparano now finds himself in the Big Apple.

As for the hire, the Jets could have done better but they also could have done a lot worse.

Sparano has yet to strictly be the offensive coordinator in the pros, serving mostly as an offensive line and tight ends coach before being the Dolphins head coach from 2008 through part of 2011.

His wild cat formation took the league by storm in 2008 and Miami went 11-5 while also winning the AFC East over New England. Unfortunately, two 7-9 seasons and an 0-7 start to 2011 didn't keep him aboard for the long run.

With the Jets, it's a situation of whether the glass if half full or empty. Gang Green has talent but needs an attitude adjustment and Sparano is being asked to continue the development of an underachieving Mark Sanchez.

Not the most ideal situation but then again, it's a new start so change is good.

Grade: C

Alan Williams, Minnesota Vikings

According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN and the Associated Press, the Minnesota Vikings hired Alan Williams as their defensive coordinator.

With that, it's a good hire for the Vikings as they address their need to improve their overall defense as well as their vehemently weak pass defense.

Williams served as the secondary coach for the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-2011. There, he saw success as Indy made numerous postseason appearances and won Super Bowl XLI in 2006.

In Minnesota, the Vikings were one of the worst teams against the pass and it affected their ability to consistently stop the run. Well, you can bet Williams will improve the defensive backs at the very least which will allow the front seven to play better against the run.

Also, you can then expect more sacks from Jared Allen. Everything comes together in football and even more so on defense.

Grade: A

John Rozum on Twitter.