Listing 2012 Expectations for Every New NFL Head Coach Hire

When the 2012 NFL season kicks off, there will be at least seven new head coaches roaming the sidelines.

Considering that that's almost 25 percent of the entire league, it's certainly going to make for an intriguing year.

That being said, expectations are different across the board and each coach and team has their own. So, let's take a look and see what we can anticipate next fall.

Jeff Fisher, Rams

The St. Louis Rams not only lacked talent across the board (for the most part) but it showed quite a bit.

A 2-14 finish, zero NFC West victories and arguably the worst offense to take the field in 2011. Fortunately for the Rams, they have a great new head coach in Jeff Fisher and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

So, the offseason has begun well it's just making the right moves before September rolls around.

Landing a stud receiver whether draft or free agency will significantly boost the offense and give Sam Bradford a reliable No. 1 receiver. Brandon Lloyd is legit but not as the main man.

Keep Lloyd as the No. 2 target, and with a new receiver such as Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon via the draft, that will take an immense amount of pressure off Steven Jackson and the running game.

He's still one of the premier backs in the NFL, however, Jackson still needs help around him. Defensively, Fisher's mind will make the Rams better and finding a dominant run-stuffing linebacker is needed.

Last season, shutting down the ground game was the Rams weak point on defense, so addressing there is a must. As for the schedule, it's a bit more favorable than 2011 so an improvement is in the making.

Best-Case Scenario: 6-10

Worst-Case Scenario: 4-12

Romeo Crennel, Chiefs

Mauled by key injuries in 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs began 0-3, won four straight, lost four straight and then finished 3-2.

To say that it was a rollercoaster season is an understatement, but despite being without running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry virtually all season and then quarterback Matt Cassel for some time thereafter, a 7-9 finish is commendable.

Not to mention Romeo Crennel took over before the regular season ended, and Kansas City upset the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

So, there's not too much for the Chiefs to do but get healthy. Charles and Jackie Battle make an excellent dual-back system and Matt Cassel has proved his legitimacy in 2010 with 27 touchdowns to just seven picks.

Although it wouldn't hurt to find a reliable No. 2 receiver to better complement Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston as Jonathan Baldwin is looking like a bust.

Defensively there's really no holes, and it only struggled against the pass as Berry was out. Both Brandon's (Carr and Flowers) are a solid cornerback tandem, and Crennel will coach up this defense to another level.

With Dexter McCluster as a solid return man, the Chiefs need to have high hopes for 2012.

Best-Case Scenario: 11-5

Worst-Case Scenario: 7-9

Greg Schiano, Buccaneers

Right now the most difficult task that Greg Schiano has with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is building consistency.

Under Raheem Morris, the Bucs went from 3-13 in 2009 to 10-6 in 2010 and back down to 4-12 in 2011.

Make no mistake about it, 2010 was an excellent turnaround, but pulling another 180-degree turn only proves the inability to remain consistent. Schiano to his credit, was just that while the head coach of Rutgers from 2001-11.

During that span, he built the program from bottom-feeders to having five straight winning seasons from 2005-09 and a No. 12 ranking after the 2006 season.

Tampa at the moment, is simply just so young at every position that NFL experience and success has only been minimal. Quarterback Josh Freeman certainly has potential but needs another reliable target other than tight end Kellen Winslow.

Running back LeGarrette Blount had a really inconsistent year where he'd run for over 100 yards then drop below 50 the next week. Defensively, the Bucs were just horrendous all over and allowed an average of 394 total yards per game (ranked No. 30).

In short, getting a better pass rush and sure-tackling linebackers is crucial. With Schiano's defensive mindset though, hope is on the rise in a rough NFC South.

Best-Case Scenario: 6-10

Worst-Case Scenario: 3-13

Dennis Allen, Raiders

It was a quick rise to the top of the NFL coaching pyramid for Dennis Allen.

After just one season as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, the Oakland Raiders liked him enough to make him their tenth head coach in the 16 years dating back to Mike White in the mid-1990s.

At this point, it seems like the Raiders have a new head coach every year and of the previous eight, only Jon Gruden was able to last more than two seasons.

Currently in Oakland, the more interesting situation involves the quarterbacks as we have to expect Jason Campbell to be healthy before 2012 kicks off. The question is whether the Raiders retain him to battle with Carson Palmer or let him check out free agency.

We at least know that Oakland's starting quarterback will either be one of those two as both are much better than Kyle Boller or Terrelle Pryor. To improve here would be to look for a standout No. 1 receiver in free agency and try to keep running back Michael Bush.

Both he and Darren McFadden make a great two-back tandem, so losing that would be a big hit.

Defensively is where the Raiders need to most work which is why Allen's hiring isn't the worse idea.

He's Oakland's first defensive minded head coach since John Madden, and considering that The Silver and Black ranked No. 29 in total defense (allowed an average of 387 yards per game), improving there is imperative.

But, since the Raiders don't have too many draft picks, free agency is the best option. Whether it's the secondary or along the defensive line, Oakland has a few options here as its linebacking core is solid with Rolando McClain and Kameron Wimbley.

Best-Case Scenario: 10-6

Worst-Case Scenario: 6-10

Chuck Pagano, Colts

The Indianapolis Colts definitely hired the right man for the job in former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano.

That being said, there's a vehement amount of work to do as it was apparent that this franchise was solely built around Peyton Manning. Regardless of what happens in the offseason though, the Colts need to draft Andrew Luck and as they did with Manning back in 1998, build from the ground up.

There is potential talent with Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, but establishing a rushing attack is the first area of need. For one, that was the Colts offensive strength and the two-back tandem of Joseph Addai and Donald Brown has capability to setup the passing game.

The defense is where Indianapolis needs the most help, which is why Pagano was brought in.

Here, Pagano will likely have to build around middle linebacker Pat Angerer and find him a solid complement for his 3-4 scheme. After all, that's what Pagano ran with the Ravens in 2011, and he coached a lot of future stud pros while being the Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator from 1995-2000.

Last season Indy finished with the No. 25 ranked defense by allowing 370 total yards per game but still only lost seven games by a touchdown or less.

Adding some playmakers on special teams and defense will get them back on track as the offense mainly just needs a quarterback.

Best-Case Scenario: 7-9

Worst-Case Scenario: 4-12

Joe Philbin, Dolphins

Joe Philbin to take over the Miami Dolphins was a solid hire as the offense needs someone who doesn't run the wildcat at the helm.

As the Green Bay Packers coach from 2003 through 2011, Philbin worked mainly with the offensive line and tight ends before becoming the offensive coordinator in 2007.

And other than the concern about quarterback Matt Moore leading the team (has potential after 2011 season), the Dolphins offensive line has the talent to really dominate in 2012. Not to mention Miami has a Top 10 draft pick.

With great playmakers in Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush as well as the reliability of tight end Anthony Fasano, whether it's Moore or someone else under center next fall, the Dolphins offense will be improved.

Phibiln's defense is the interesting side of the ball because Miami has been rather sound the past few seasons. In 2011, the Dolphins defense ranked No. 6 in allowing just 345 total yards per game, so that consistency just needs to keep rolling in 2012.

Other than looking to add talent and depth to the secondary (pass defense ranked No. 25), Miami is set for kickoff.

Best-Case Scenario: 9-7

Worst-Case Scenario: 7-9

Mike Mularkey, Jaguars

During the 2011 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars were already looking for a new head coach.

Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker was the interim, but former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was hired in the offseason. That said, Mularkey still has Tucker has his defensive coordinator, which is a great thing for Jacksonville.

Last season, the Jaguars may have finished 5-11 but were ranked No. 8 against pass, No. 9 against the rush and No. 6 in total defense allowing an average of just 313 total yards per game.

So with Tucker retained, the defense is taken care of, and the offense is why Mularkey was hired. Jacksonville had the worst passing offense in 2011 and has no legit receiving targets. Mularkey does however, get to work with running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

Despite virtually zero talent around him, MJD rushed for over 1,600 yards and led the league on the ground. Even against solid rush defenses like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston and Cincinnati, Jones-Drew bowled over front-sevens.

The biggest priority in the offseason is two sign a stud receiver via free agency and/or draft one. In addition, looking for a possible replacement to Blaine Gabbert if his development doesn't quickly take a turn for the better.

Base-Case Scenario: 10-6

Worst-Case Scenario: 8-8

John Rozum on Twitter.