Playing Fact or Fiction on Latest NFL Coaching Carousel Rumors

The NFL coaching carousel is in full swing now that the 2012 NFL season has all but concluded. NFL black Monday is rapidly approaching, which means a variety of head coaches will lose their jobs the day after calling their final game. 

The days before black Monday are always interesting with a variety of reports making the rounds about job security for head coaches. 

In the following slideshow, we will attempt to round up the latest information and reports on a variety of head coaches who may lose their jobs in a few days and decide whether or not the reports will come to fruition. 

Let's play fact or fiction with the latest NFL coaching carousel rumors. 

Is Chan Gailey on the Way out in Buffalo?

Chan Gailey has directed a sinking ship in Buffalo all season, with the Bills being one of the most miserable teams in the NFL. 

According to Kareem Copeland of NFL.com, Gailey and his general manager Buddy Nix are likely on their way out as the organization wants to perform an entire house-cleaning:

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An executive on another team and a league source told reporter Mark Gaughan they expect a total "house-cleaning."...Owner Ralph Wilson is set to meet with top executives, including Nix, this week to review the season.

"

The news is not at all shocking, considering the Bills have managed to regress in all aspects from a year ago. This regression comes after extending quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and signing defensive end Mario Williams to one of the biggest contracts in league history. 

Gailey is a lock to lose his job. The Bills need a culture change, and it starts by eliminating the main problem. 

Verdict: Fact

Will the Cleveland Browns Fire Pat Shurmur?

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the Cleveland Browns are looking to start over with new ownership and take the franchise in a different direction. 

Per the report, the new Browns brass' idea of a fresh start could mean bringing in a college coach:

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Cleveland is expected to make a major run at a college coach such as Oregon's Chip Kelly or Penn State's Bill O'Brien or search for a bright young offensive NFL mind.

"

A culture change is needed in Cleveland, and with new bosses up top, Shurmur is a lock to lose his job by black Monday. 

Despite the presence of a young, improving roster, Shurmur has only been able to muster a 9-22 record as a head coach with the Browns. It is time to shake things up in Cleveland, and that starts by letting go of the ineffective Shurmur. 

Verdict: Fact

Will Mike Munchak Remain with the Tennessee Titans?

The best the Tennessee Titans can do this year is 6-10, which is a regression from Mike Munchak's campaign last year in which the Titans won nine games. 

Despite the clear issues, Tennessee appears to be content letting Munchak keep his job. 

According to NFL.com's Copeland, the organization does not want to start over at the head coach position once again after going through the process in 2010:

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Climer thinks owner Bud Adams, 89, doesn't want to go through the process of changing coaches for a second time since 2010. He pointed out that team officials recently indicated that Munchak's deal runs through 2014.

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It is hard to understand exactly why Adams would not want to move on from Munchak. The team has regressed during his tenure, failed to improve on either side of the ball and his staff clearly has no idea how to use running back Chris Johnson. 

At this point, one has to believe Adams is simply playing nice publicly, right? We are calling fiction on this one. Munchak has to be out of a job before Monday concludes. 

Verdict: Fiction 

Is the Andy Reid Era in Philadelphia Over?

Jason La Canfora of CBS believes that Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles is a lock to lose his job when black Monday finally rolls around. 

Canfora's report is not exactly shocking. 

All season long Reid has been considered a coach on the hot seat given his failure to lead the "Dream Team" to success a year ago. 

This year, Reid has done nothing to improve the team despite the belief of many that he has one of the more talented rosters at his fingertips. 

Reid has wore out his welcome in Philadelphia. The organization needs to find a fresh face who can get the most out of the roster, because Reid apparently cannot. 

Verdict: Fact

Are the New York Jets Going to Retain Rex Ryan?

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has had some issues with the media as of late, as the Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News recently suggested that Ryan would look for a way out if changes were not made this offseason. 

Ryan did not like that suggestion one bit. 

According to ESPN, Ryan only wants to coach in New York:

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Let's face it, I wear Jets stuff every single day. I'm proud to be a Jet. Sometimes I'm proud to be a Jet more than others -- this season has been a rough one -- but this is my team. That's how I approach it. I believe that we can accomplish what I set out to do when I took the job. 

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There has been no indication that the Jets organization plans on letting go of Ryan. He also does not come across as a man who would simply walk out on the organization that gave him his first head coaching opportunity. 

Ryan is not going anywhere, whether it be his via firing or his own will. Fiction for the Daily News, fact for Ryan.

Verdict: Fact

Will Dennis Allen Live to See Another Season in Oakland?

Dennis Allen has done a miserable job with the Oakland Raiders, leading the team to just four wins. The horrible record comes after two consecutive eight-win seasons. 

Both coaches who orchestrated the 8-8 seasons were canned, but if a report by Vic Tafur of SFGate.com is to be believed, there is no chance Allen loses his job this offseason:

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Allen, in his first year, has led the Raiders to a 4-11 record going into Sunday's season finale in San Diego. First-year general manager Reggie McKenzie said he was "pleased" with the job Allen has done the last time he talked to reporters a month ago and cited salary-cap issues and a lack of draft picks as major obstacles this season.

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While it is true Allen has had to inherit a mess of a franchise, he should have been able to accumulate more than a lowly four victories. 

The Raiders need some consistency to be sure, but it is hard to think Allen is the man for the job. Nonetheless, general manager Reggie McKenzie appears to believe Allen is the guy, so Allen will hold onto his job. 

Verdict: Fact

Is It Time for the Chiefs to Move on from Romeo Crennel?

Romeo Crennel appears to be the scapegoat in Kansas City for the Chiefs' disastrous season, which is likely the smart route for the franchise to take. 

According to NFL.com, the team is leaning toward letting go of Crennel when black Monday rolls around:

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According to NFL.com's Steve Wyche, the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to retain general manager Scott Pioli despite a disastrous season, according to a source briefed on the situation. Coach Romeo Crennel won't be as fortunate. The source said Crennel likely will be fired, although no final decision has been made on the coach's future.

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Scott Pioli has done a horrible job of building the roster, but Crennel has done even worse as the man deciding how to use the talent. 

When a star running back like Jamaal Charles is receiving less than 10 touches per game, something is wrong with the coaching staff. Crennel will once again be a free agent looking for a job. 

Verdict: Fact

Are the Detroit Lions Going to Move on from Jim Schwartz?

It is no secret the Detroit Lions have had a plethora of issues with character under the guidance of head coach Jim Schwartz. 

However, it is mildly surprising to hear Schwartz's name as a coach who could lose his job sooner rather than later. 

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com reports that the organization is not happy with the culture surrounding the team under Schwartz, which means he could be out of a job very soon:

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The Ford family reportedly is so disturbed with the Lions culture under Schwartz that they are discussing making a move. The Ford family has previously absorbed big coaching contracts, so a change wouldn't be unprecedented.

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Schwartz did an excellent job of turning the franchise around from a winless season, but things have become stagnant in Detroit. 

Schwartz has a massive contract the organization would have to absorb should it fire him, so the move is unlikely. This season has been disappointing, but letting go of Schwartz now would not make a lot of sense. 

Verdict: Fiction

Is Lovie Smith out of a Job If the Bears Do Not Make the Postseason?

Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears has been on the hot seat for a few weeks now after his team has crumbled around him. 

The Bears started the season as one of the NFL's best, but have since been nothing more than a mediocre team now fighting and clawing for a playoff position.

Smith will now reportedly retain or lose his job based on his ability to guide Chicago into the postseason this year according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com. 

There is a strong possibility the Bears can still make the postseason, which is good news for Smith. Even if Chicago misses the playoffs, it is hard to imagine the organization would want to start over right now after glimpses of a great team when healthy. 

Verdict: Fiction 

Is Ron Rivera Safe in Carolina?

Ron Rivera has been flirting with the possibility of losing his job all season long, with the Carolina Panthers being one of the more disappointing stories in the league this year. 

According to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports via Twitter, Rivera is safe no matter what:

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To answer another question from a Panthers reader, I've heard that Ron Rivera is safe.

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeYahoo) December 30, 2012"

Most of Rivera's issues revolve around quarterback Cam Newton, who was for the most part of the season experiencing a serious sophomore slump. 

Rivera's inability to get Newton playing at a high level is a serious issue, but the organization giving him one more chance at this point makes the most sense. 

Verdict: Fact

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