Fear The Stache: Miami Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano Could Lose Job To Bill Cowher

Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher has stated that he might be returning to the sidelines next season and that at the top of his list for possible destinations include the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans. 

Cowher, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XL, retired from the Steelers after the 2006 season when they went a disappointing 8-8. Currently, Cowher is on The NFL Today on CBS as a studio analyst with former Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Boomer Esiason.

Of those on Cowher's wish list, the Giants are in playoff contention and it would take a monumental collapse in the last few weeks of the regular season and a early exit for Coughlin to be canned.

The Houston Texans are third on the list, and after getting off to a fast start with playoff aspirations, they've faltered post bye week. 

That leaves the Miami Dolphins who face uncertainly in the offseason in the wake of the recent departure of Bill Parcells. At this point, the Dolphins have an unrealistic chance to make the playoffs after last making it in 2009 under Sparano's first season. 

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen: "The Dolphins may be the most intriguing option because owner Steve Ross has wanted to energize his fan base as the team has played second fiddle to the Miami Heat ever since LeBron James and Chris Bosh signed with the NBA team."

The Dolphins are facing the prospects of having to search for a new quarterback due to Henne's struggles in his second full season as a starter. Henne has 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in his career with a QB rating of 75.8 through his first 29 games. 

Furthermore, the Dolphins have had a dormant running game this season under Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, and more than likely one or both will not return to Miami next season. 

Considering the Dolphins lone playoff berth since 2002, in Cowher’s 15 seasons as Pittsburgh's head coach, the Steelers won eight division titles, went to the playoffs 10 times, played in six AFC Championship games and made two Super Bowl appearances, winning one. 

While Sparano isn't to blame for Henne's struggles, he has a year left on his four-year deal signed back in 2008.

Unless the Dolphins can make any strides such as signing a free agent quarterback, possibly Donovan McNabb and renewing the run game, the team is better off clearing house of the failed Bill Parcells experiment which has yet to yield serious results in the standings, as teams like the Patriots and Jets have done better.