NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat 2012-13: Updates on Andy Reid, Norv Turner and More

Life in the NFL is awfully tough, especially if you're a head coach.

Andy Reid and Norv Turner are just some of the prominent names that have been on the coaching hot seat all season long. Reports are that both men, in addition to several others are expected to be out of a job come 2013.

It was the legendary Vince Lombardi who once said, "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." And in today's NFL, that phrase couldn't be more true, as a handful of coaches are set to find out soon enough.

Here we get you caught up with the latest updates regarding the NFL's top coaches on the hot seat.

Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals

UPDATE: Monday, December 31 at 1:20 p.m. ET by Alex Kay

Ken Whisenhunt has been axed by the Arizona Cardinals.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the organization fired the coach after six up-and-down seasons.

"

Cardinals fired HC Ken Whisenhunt. Up to 7 HCs today.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2012"

Whisenhunt went 45-51 during his tenure, and notably helped transform the Cardinals from a perennial laughingstock to a Super Bowl runner-up after the 2009 season.

---END OF UPDATE---

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt will meet with ownership on Monday according to NFL.com's Albert Breer.

Breer reports that Whisenhunt's future "hangs in the balance," and that it could potentially come down to whether the Cardinals are willing to fire him and still pay his 2013 salary.

Whisenhunt has coached six seasons in Arizona, leading the Cardinals to the playoffs twice, and once to the Super Bowl in 2009, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, Arizona missed the playoffs for the third straight season this year, finishing 5-11 despite a 4-0 start. 

Chan Gailey, Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills missed the playoffs for the 13th straight season in 2012, and it cost head coach Chan Gailey his job, the team announced on Monday:

"

Chan Gailey has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Buffalo #Bills

— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) December 31, 2012"

The Bills won their season finale to finish 6-10, but they still ended the year in last place in the AFC East division.

Gailey is 16-32 in three seasons with Buffalo.

Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers

A decision on Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera's future will have to wait for now, according to ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas:

"

[Owner Jerry] Richardson could be taking a few days to think this one through. He also could be waiting until he hires a new general manager to determine Rivera’s future.

"

Rivera's Panthers finished 7-9 this season, but ended the year on a four-game winning streak. Rivera led Carolina to a 6-10 season in his first year in 2011.

Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have reportedly fired Lovie Smith after nine season as head coach in the Windy City according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport via Twitter:

"

BREAKING: #Bears have fired coach Lovie Smith, I'm told #BlackMonday

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2012"

Smith hasn't had a losing season since 2009, but his Bears finished the year only 10-6 in 2012 despite a 7-1 record at the season's midway point. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

Pat Shurmur, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur has been let go by the team according to FOX Sports' NFL insider Jay Glazer via Twitter:

"

Black Monday begins. The Cleveland Browns have just fired HC Pat Shurmur

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 31, 2012"

Glazer also reports that general manager Tom Heckert has been let go as well:

"

In addition to Shurmur the Browns have also fired GM Tom Heckert

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 31, 2012"

Shurmur's Browns opened the season 0-5, and finished on a three-game losing streak to wind up 5-11. The season was an improvement on a 4-12 campaign in 2011, but clearly it wasn't good enough to inspire ownership.

Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions

Like Mularkey in Jacksonville, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz's future is in jeopardy, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen:

"

League sources say that the issues that have troubled owner William Clay Ford and his son, vice chairman Bill Ford Jr., pertain to the team's image and the coach's management style.

"

Schwartz had improved on his record in every season since coming on as head coach in Detroit in 2009 before this year. The Lions lost their last eight games in 2012 to finish 4-12 overall.

Mike Mularkey, Jacksonville Jaguars

Mike Mularkey's future with the Jacksonville Jaguars can best be described as "up in the air," according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, who reports that general manager Gene Smith will be fired though a decision on the head coach will have to wait.

Mularkey and the Jags finished 2-14 this season, tied with Kansas City for the league's worst record. It was his first season in Jacksonville though he is just 16-32 overall now as an NFL head coach. 

Romeo Crennel, Kansas City Chiefs

Romeo Crennel has been let go by the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a statement released on the team's official website Monday. 

Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt acknowledged his respect for Crennel, but also stated that the team must change directions following what he described as an embarrassing season. Hunt also apologized to the fans in the statement.

Crennel and the Chiefs dealt with unimaginable heartbreak in 2012, but finished 2-14, tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the league's worst record this season.

Rex Ryan, New York Jets

New York Jets head honcho Rex Ryan has been on the hot seat all season long, but will remain the team's head coach according to owner Woody Johnson via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

"

Woody Johnson also announces in statement that Rex Ryan will remain the Jets head coach. #nyj

— Manish Mehta(@MMehtaNYDN) December 31, 2012"

According to ESPNNewYork.com's Jane McManus, Ryan recently fired back at reports that he was looking to exit the Big Apple. This was Ryan on the inciting reports (via McManus):

"

I don't want to coach anywhere else. I'm not stepping down, no chance and that's the truth. It bothers me that I feel I have to comment on it because it was so strong out there.

"

Since leading the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in 2009 and 2010, Ryan has gone 14-18 in New York over the last two season. 

Dennis Allen, Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are expected to continue on with Dennis Allen as their coach in 2013 according to he San Francisco Chronicle's Vic Tafur:

"

After firing head coaches Tom Cable and Hue Jackson the past two years after 8-8 seasons, Oakland looks as though it will retain Dennis Allen.

"

Allen's Raiders finished 4-12 this season, but have had three different coaches in the last three seasons. Oakland hasn't had a winning season since 2002.

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles

After 14 seasons in Philadelphia, Andy Reid is finally done as the Eagles' head coach.

According to the team's official website, the Eagles announced the decision on Monday morning.

This was Reid on owner Jeffrey Lurie's decision (via NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal):

"

Whatever he chooses will be the right thing. He's always done things for the best interest of the Eagles, and I completely understand either way.

"

The Eagles finished 4-12 this season, missing the playoffs for the second straight year. This was Lurie on the change (via PhiladelphiaEagles.com):

"

Andy Reid won the most games of any head coach in Eagles history and he is someone I respect greatly and will remain friends with for many years to come. But, it is time for the Eagles to move in a new direction. Coach Reid leaves us with a winning tradition that we can build upon. And we are very excited about the future.

"

Reid led the Eagles to five NFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance in 2004.

Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers

UPDATE: Monday, December 31 at 1:10 p.m. ET by Alex Kay

It's official, Norv Turner has officially been let go by the San Diego Chargers.

According to an official press release by the franchise, Turner and GM A.J. Smith are on their way out of town after a dismal 7-9 campaign.

He finishes his tenure with a 59-43 overall career record with San Diego.

---END OF UPDATE---

San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner has been on the hot seat all season long and will not return after a disappointing 7-9 season, just one year after finishing a mediocre 8-8. 

According to ESPN NFL analyst Andrew Brandt, neither Turner nor general manager A.J. Smith will return to the team in 2013:

"

RT @chargers: Team President Dean Spanos announced that GM A.J. Smith and Head Coach Norv Turner will not return in 2013

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) December 31, 2012"

Turner's Bolts missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season in 2012, despite boasting what many perceive as one of the most talented rosters in the NFL.

Mike Munchak, Tennessee Titans

Mike Munchak is safe for now in Tennessee according to The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt via Twitter:

"

#Titans owner Bud Adams just informed Mike Munchak he will be back with the team in 2013

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 31, 2012"

The Titans head coach followed up a 9-7 season in 2011 with a 6-10 run in 2012, sparking rumors that might have been let go.

Munchak has been closely tied to the Titans organization for decades, as he played for the Houston Oilers in the 1980s. He's been a member of the team's coaching staff since the late 1990s.