NFL Coaching Carousel: Six Head Coaches That Will Be Fired This Year

I know we’re only two weeks into the 2010 NFL regular season, but there are some coaches that should be worried about being fired.

Coaching can be a tough profession in a dog eat dog league, and which team you accept a job with can have a lot of bearing on how long you stay.

A few of these coaches are tenured and have been with their teams for quite a while; the others are still new. Nonetheless, it’s time for them to go.

Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Wade Phillips of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during a 27-20 loss against the Chicago Bears at Cowboys Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

There are some rumors floating around that Phillips will be fired as the Dallas Cowboys head coach after this week, no matter the result in Houston.

Whether that is true or not, he must go. Phillips isn’t a bad coach, he’s just coaching the wrong team. He’s on a team with big personalities and his quiet demeanor isn’t getting the job done.

Jerry Jones is half of the problem in Dallas. He could become the next Al Davis; it’s time for him to let his son take over day-to-day operation. 

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

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INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Marvin Lewis the Head Coach of the Cincinnati Bengals watches from the sidelines during the NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy

This might be the one that I would hate to see the most. I really like the guy and believe he can inspire his players, even though the Cincinnati Bengals seem to have a player arrested every other month.

Despite having a record just over .500, Lewis is now in his eighth season and has only two winning seasons and no playoff victories.

He could probably extend his tenure one more season with a solid year this year, but I think a playoff win or two would only give him a slight chance to keep his job.

Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders

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Cable has been surrounded by controversy, on and off the field, since he took over the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have been horrible ever since their mistaken appearance in the Super Bowl in 2002.

Cable is now 10-20 with the Raiders. I don’t see Cable having another shot at being a head coach anytime soon.

Maybe he can find a job in college, because he did coach the Idaho Vandals to a 11-35 record before becoming the Raiders head coach.

Realistically, it doesn’t matter who’s coaching this organization, the problem is really Al “Crypt Keeper” Davis.

Cable could save his job with a winning season, but there’s literally no chance of that. Maybe Bruce Gradkowski will be his savior.

John Fox, Carolina Panthers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers argues a call with side judge Joe Larrew after a play against the New York Giants on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo

Fox has had his moments with the Carolina Panthers, but his time with the organization appears to be winding down. In eight complete seasons, Fox has just three winning records.

While he is 3-2 in the playoffs with a Super Bowl appearance, he hasn’t won a playoff game since 2005.

After an 0-2 start this season, the outlook isn’t bright for the Panthers this season. Fox shouldn’t have any trouble finding work in the NFL, even if it is as an assistant.

Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns oversees warm ups prior to facing the Denver Broncos during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on September 20, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

I don’t know if Mangini is a bad head coach or the Cleveland Browns are just as bad of an organization as everyone thinks. He did show some promise with the Jets.

However, over the last three seasons (two with the Jets, one with the Browns), Mangini has a record of 18-29.

When Mike Holmgren took over as the President of the Browns, it was announced that he had “decided to retain Mangini” and his staff.

That wording alone shows that he considered cleaning house and if Mangini has a bad season this year (which he will), then Mangini will be looking for employment elsewhere.

Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Del Rio’s resume looks similar to Fox’s. He’s had three winning seasons out of seven as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the last coming in 2007.

He’s also only won one playoff game and never won the AFC South. Fox is a good coach, but it’s not working out for him in Jacksonville.

He should have taken the USC job if it really was offered to him.

Will Work For Wins

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 19: The American flag is brought into the stadium by parachutte during the national anthem before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on September 19, 2010 in San Diego, Californi

There you have it. I expect to see most, if not all, of these coaches lose their job either during or after the season.

Most of them are coaching teams that don’t have as much talent as others in the league, but the coach is the one who gets the blame.

If they don’t win, it’s time to ship them out and bring in the next lost cause.

Wade Phillips, Tom Cable, John Fox, Jack Del Rio, Eric Mangini, and Marvin Lewis, it’s time for you to begin sending out your resume.