NFL Coaches On The Hot Seat: Who Are They and When Will They Be Fired?

It's that time of year, football fans. The time of year when Spring expectations melt into unfulfilled November dreams. For NFL head coaches, it's the time of year when their GMs and owners are asking themselves if they can win with their current guy, or if they need to make a change.

Sure, some of these coaches have received the dreaded 'vote of confidence' from their clubs, but that is similar to being voted the tallest midget.

Certain teams are operating on a 'must win now' mentality, like the Bears, and are at the crossroads of contending and pretending.  Still others (Cowboys, we're calling you) have watched a season full of promise fade away like yesterday's blue jeans.

Now, it's true that some teams cannot afford to make a change because of the money still owed on their coaches' contracts. Still there are other teams that cannot afford NOT to make a change.

Let's take a look at the main suspects standing in the lineup of coaches on the proverbial hot seat, and analyze how things may turn out for each of these men.

Just how hot can it get? I don't know, but I'm feeling the heat already and we're just getting started!

Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers

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HERTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Head Coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers attends a press conference at The Grove Hotel on October 27, 2010 in Hertford, England. The San Francisco 49ers will meet the Denver Broncos in the NFL International Se

As a Bears FC, I probably should be ashamed for writing this, but Samurai Mike may have stopped them cold out on the field as a HOF player back in the day, but as a head coach? Um, not so much.

Singletary seems to have graduated from the Mike Ditka school of coaching, where ranting and raving and maniacal behavior means more than Xs and Os.

But Mike, your mentor had the talent to win a Super Bowl. And I bet even he never dropped his pants to prove a point. And your team is 2-6.

PREDICTION: Winning two of your last three games may have bought you some time, but you will be gone immediately after the season, barring a turnaround.

Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings

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EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - OCTOBER 7: Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress answers questions from the media during a press conference at Winter Park on October 7, 2010 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Hey Brad, your bus is waiting.

I am surprised that the Vikings embattled head coach is still here, to be honest. Look, my man, it is not a good thing to get rid of a guy without telling the boss. That's just not a recommended approach even if that guy deserved to be released.

The Randy Moss incident aside, many feel that Childress has lost the team and that the locker room belongs to Brett Favre. Many players reportedly feel the coach's communication skills leave much to be desired.

PREDICTION: Coach Chilly, the winds of change are blowing mighty cold for you. Unless your team gets hot, you will be fired before Week 16.

Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross

Ah, the dreaded "vote of confidence." That will seal the deal every time. In this case, it was owner and de-facto GM Jerry Jones who said Wade will be the coach through the end of the season.

But beyond that? No way. For unless the Cowboys win almost all of their remaining games, and maybe even then, we won't likely be seeing Mr. Phillips on the sideline next season.

The 'Boys are not doing well, and a lot of folks apparently thought Dallas had Super Bowl potential this year. Watching the SB in his home park will only serve to grind Jerry's gears even further.

PREDICTION: Someone has to pay, and it will be Phillips. Immediately after the season.

Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears takes in a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

Lovie and GM Jerry Angelo went into this season with a mandate from their boss to win or else. Except that if you ask Lovie, that was never directly mentioned.

Given that he has another year on his contract, the Bears will be too cheap to replace him and pay another coach, though I'm sure that if Bill Cowher wants to come back to coaching, he would be a desirable candidate.

Yet to me, you cannot fire one without the other. If Lovie goes, so should the architect of a squad that apparently doesn't think the offensive line is important.

PREDICTION: Unless the Bears tank the rest of their games, I expect Lovie to be back as head coach next season, albeit with a very short leash.

Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner looks on from the sideline against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Gett

The Bolts remain a mystery wrapped in an enigma. They seemingly have good talent, with a wonderful QB in Philip Rivers, yet their record stinks.

But the schedule is favorable the rest of the season, and it would not surprise me to see the Chargers do well the rest of the way. Whether that's enough to save Turner's job is questionable.

PREDICTION: Norv gets the boot in Week 13.

Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders smiles on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated th

It really doesn't matter how good of a coaching job the man has done, when you work for a crazy owner like Al Davis, your job is always in jeopardy.

But the Raiders are suddenly playing well, but once they fall out of the race, which they probably will, Al will likely make Cable his scapegoat.

PREDICTION: If the Raiders keep winning, he will remain on the job, and if they somehow make the playoffs, he could even return next season. But if they lose a couple in a row, he will be gone. I'm stalling because this could go so many ways, but I'll predict a firing in Week 11.

Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Head coach of the Denver Broncos Josh McDaniels speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the start of a team training session at The Brit Oval on October 29, 2010 in London, England. The Denver Broncos will pla

After a solid start to 2009, going 6-0, McDaniels has led the Broncos to a dismal 4-13 record. He has also made coaching mistakes along the way.

No matter what happens, he should finish out the season, and may even get another shot at it next season. But he is on the hot seat and will be until he rights the ship.

PREDICTION: McDaniels returns to coach Denver next season. But if they get off to a slow start, he may be the first coach fired.

John Fox, Carolina Panthers

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 31: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 31, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Panthers 20-10. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/

Fox has the longest tenure of any active NFL coach, and he has led the Panthers to the playoffs and even a Super Bowl appearance, so he has been successful and his coaching is well respected.

Still, with the Panthers doing poorly and his contract up at the end of the season, this looks like the end of the road for Fox at Carolina.

PREDICTION: Will not be given a contract to return.