Coaching Carousel: Who's Going and Who's Coming

'Tis the season for giving and who wouldn't want to receive something from those young ladies? Okay, back to reality. It is also a season for taking, and in this case, the taking away the title of Head Coach. So, as 2010 closes out and we examine our teams success, or lack of success, our fantasy leagues and trying to put in perspective some of the players we drafted, acquired, waived, or otherwise obtained, and just as we made decisions on players, it's time to look at the coaches who most likely will not be returning in 2011.

We'll start with the "foregone conclusion" coaches and then jump into speculative coaches who might get their surprise pink slip in about two weeks.

John Fox

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Ge

Poor John Fox, you have to feel for the guy, but at the same time realize that it was just a matter of time before management pulled the lever on this guy's Carolina career.

Injuries have been a major factor in Fox's inability to get this team where he had hoped, but after a while everyone deals with injuries and this team just hasn't responded.

Also, by deciding to go with Matt Moore without any sizable game tape was risky. It backfired and now Fox is the odd man out in Carolina.

Possible replacements—the NFC South has suddenly moved to a high powered offensive division. The Panthers need to make a choice. Do we try to keep up with the Joneses, or do we build a type of defense to shut the Joneses down? Fox was a defensive-minded coach, so the likely choice leans offense. Brian Billick is a good fit here. Bill Cowher  has been mentioned, but doubtful he would take the job.

Mike Singletary

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sideline at the Edward Jones Dome on December 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the 49ers 25-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

You gotta love an old school guy like Mike, but for young players making millions of dollars, that might not be the standard approach anymore; which is a shame. I think the owners really would like to keep Mike around, but due to their anemic performance this year it seems to be a foregone conclusion.

Coach Singletary had a great opportunity this year and that is where most of the disappointment lies. WIth a new coach in Seattle and an aging QB, a rookie QB in St. Louis, and an Arizona team in transition, the 49ers were picked by most to win the division, but staring down the barrel of a possibel 5-11 or 6-10 team, it just is inexcusable for the most talented team in the west to not win at least nine games this year.

Possible replacements: The 49ers turn to a college coach who is innovative and respected. Boise State's Chris Peterson or Stanford's Jim Harbaugh, or don't be surprised if you see this name being rumored, Marty Schottenheimer. He is only 67, and yes that may be old, but remember, Dick Vermeil was 61 when he came back to coach the Rams and was nearly 70 when he retired. 49ers are of two mindsets, one to get some one in there with instant credibility or someone young who can relate to today's player.

Marvin Lewis

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Marvin Lewis the Head Coach of the Cincinnati Bengals gives instructions to his team during the Bengals 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Several teams were a disappointment this year, but perhaps none greater than the Cincinnati Bengals. Other teams with poor records can look to injuries of key players, but for Cincinnati they have no excuses. Last year they boasted one of the Top Five defenses, but their offense was under-performing, so when they signed "Big Mouth" Owens, it added another dimension to their offense, but staring at a 4-12 season is enough to finally say enough when it comes to Lewis.

Unfortunately for Cincinnati fans their franchise has been one where winning consistently isn't, well...consistent, so theoretically history was against them, but it is what it is and now they are looking at a top 5 pick.

Possible replacement—Lewis is supposedly a defensive guy and most times management moves the opposite when hiring a new coach. With two outstanding defenses in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the Bengals go against conventional wisdom and go offensive guy—Brian Billick, Mike Mulakey.

Gary Kubiak

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Coach Gary Kubiak of the Houston Texans walks the sidelines against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Kubiak has been a solid coach, but he has had one winning season. That is not a recipe for keeping your job. Yes Houston is an offensive powerhouse, but they have proven to be unable to stop opponents.

Most likely Kubiak will land elsewhere, but his tenure in Houston is on thin ice if not all together done.

Possible replacements: Houston looks to defense as its next head coach. Ron Rivera is an intriguing pick. He brings energy and intelligence. He would be a good fit here. Also, Greg Williams of New Orleans.

Tom Coughlin

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

This is an interesting dilemma for New York. Do they stick with the Super Bowl-winning coach, or has he worn out his tenure?

Coach Coughlin is a proven winner and will most likely end up somewhere else, but if this is the year to move in a new direction, this would be it.

Possible replacements—The top dog is Cowher and he has expressed interest in the job. The Giant front office may see this as an opportunity to get the most coveted former coach out there.

Jason Garrett

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Interim head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Garrett appears to remain as the head coach, but with Jerry Jones you never know. Garrett has shown he has the motivational tools to get the job done, but if the Cowboys lose their final game his record will be 4-4. Is that enough? Only Jones knows.

Possible replacement—if Garrett is not the man then I have no idea who Jones will hire. My instincts tell me Garrett stays, for now.

Leslie Frazier

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Minnesota Vikings Interim Head Coach Leslie Frazier talks to referees from the sideline while playing the Washington Redskins at FedExField November 28, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Vikings won the game 17-13. (Photo by Wi

Frazier has done a decent job filling in for the embattled Childress, but lackluster performances the last few weeks has seemed to curb the enthusiasm for Frazier to remain as the head man in Minnesota. If they win their final two games (Philadelphia and Detroit) then Frazier has the inside track, but two more losses and management will consider looking elsewhere.

Without a doubt Minnesota has been through one of the most bizarre seasons in franchise history, but this team still has the talent to be a playoff team, and whether they stick with Frazier or not, there has to be some changes in the land of ten thousand lakes.

Possible replacements—Mike Pettine (Jets DC), Rob Ryan (Browns DC), Tom Coughlin.

Eric Studesville

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Eric Studesville of the Denver Broncos celebrates with quarterback Tim Tebow #15 following the Broncos 24-23 victory over the Houston Texans at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo b

Studesville has done okay, but sometimes the interim tag is never a guarantee. He is 1-2 with one to play (San Diego at home). If he beats San Diego then he can boast that they beat two good teams at the end, but will it be enough to take off the interim tag?

Possible replacements—Marty Schottenheimer, Brian Billick, or a homecoming of sorts for Gary Kubiak.

Closing Thoughts

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform during a game against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

So, kick up your heels and relax, the offseason should be quite eventful. Because as we all know one thing is for sure, the NFL can stand for Not For Long, especially if you don't win. All of these coaches work tirelessly to create winning teams, but ultimately it's a, "What have you done for me lately" league, and for these coaches it hasn't been much.

We never know what management is thinking, so to speculate on prospective coaches is just that, speculation. Some of these coaches might remain and the movement might not be that much, then again, there could be even more coaches than the ones pointed out here who find a pink slip waiting on them in a couple of weeks.

Only time will tell, but it certainly will be interesting when that time comes.