Which NFL Head Coaches Could Be Fired at Season's End?

The upcoming NFL season will determine the future of multiple high-profile head coaches. With organizations facing more pressure to win on a yearly basis, there are quite a few NFL front offices that could decide to change head coaches if lofty expectations aren't met this season.

There is no question that coaches will be on the hotseat this season, but who could lose their job in 2012?

Here is a list of potential head coaches who could get fired at the end of the season.

5. Lovie Smith

Lovie Smith has faced plenty of adversity as the head coach of the Chicago Bears and has managed to keep his job despite some disappointing seasons in the past.

The Bears appear to be a team that should contend in 2012. The addition of Brandon Marshall reunites Jay Cutler with his former teammate from the Denver Broncos and could create an offense that can potentially carry this team into the postseason.

However, what if the relationship between Cutler and Marshall as teammates once again becomes an issue? While Cutler and Marshall can both raise the team's level of play, they could also potentially cause controversy inside the Bears locker room en route to another disappointing season in Chicago.

Smith was given a contract extension that runs through 2013. Phil Emery is entering his first year as general manager and could look to make a change at the end of the season if the Bears fall short of expectations once again.

It doesn't appear that Smith's job is in jeopardy at this moment, but a disastrous season in 2012 could lead to a vacant head coaching position.

4. Rex Ryan

The pressure has never been higher for Jets coach Rex Ryan than it will be in 2012. After a disappointing 8-8 season that included dissension in the locker room, the Super Bowl expectations haven't changed one bit.

Ryan might not be preaching as he used to be, but the Jets need to first make the playoffs and become contenders once again in the AFC.

There has been plenty of controversy surrounding the Jets, from the Tim Tebow acquisition to the recent fights started by players in training camp.

Ryan knows the pressure is on him, more than ever, to succeed, and his job will be in jeopardy if the Jets disappoint for a second consecutive season.

3. Pat Shurmur

To be fair, it may not seem right for Pat Shurmur to face any pressure as he enters his second season as coach of the Cleveland Browns.

He is regarded as one of the better young offensive gurus in the game, and he is slowly building a roster that could compete with the foes of the AFC North in a few years.

However, new Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam will want to see drastic improvements made this season and could decide to bring his own head coach and general manager into the organization.

Shurmur will need to hope that rookies Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson and Josh Gordon can show potential signs of a dynamic offense.

Unfortunately, Shurmur could find himself looking for a job next offseason if the Browns don't make enough improvements in 2012.

2. Norv Turner

How many more opportunities will Norv Turner receive to coach the San Diego Chargers?

Aside from the one AFC championship appearance, Turner hasn't proved to be a much better coach than Marty Schottenheimer.

This team has continued to struggle early in the season and ultimately never recover. Under Turner's offensive system, Philip Rivers never emerged into the elite category of quarterbacks with New England's Tom Brady, New Orleans' Drew Brees and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers.

In an improved AFC West, three consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance will finally put an end to Turner's stint in San Diego.

1. Leslie Frazier

Leslie Frazier is in a tough situation as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, where he has accumulated a record of 6-16 since replacing Brad Childress in the middle of 2010.

What has been the problem for Frazier? Clearly, his defensive scheme hasn't proven to be successful dating back to his time as the defensive coordinator when the Vikings were in Super Bowl contention.

He hasn't shown much ability to further enhance Christian Ponder's development as a quarterback or add creativity to a struggling offense.

Ponder now enters his second season as a starter, and Frazier's head coaching fate will be in the hands of the former first-round pick.

In an improving division, it appears certain that Minnesota will move in a different direction barring a surprising season out of their young roster.

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on twitter