NFL Rumors: Where Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, Jim Harbaugh, Other Coaches Will Land

NFL Rumors are on the rise as we approach Week 17 of the regular season and a lot of coaches are on the hot seat.

Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary have already been fired, and plenty of rumors are swirling about guys like Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak and Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.

Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden are always the first two guys mentioned when a job pops up, but where will they go?

And who else will end up with an NFL head coaching job next season?

Miami Dolphins: Will Sparano Be Fired?

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Tony Sparano on the sideline against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Dolphins finished right where most had them, third in the AFC East.

But they didn't deliver on the promise they showed with an impressive 6-1 record on the road by having an embarrassing 1-7 home record.

Quarterback Chad Henne probably deserves most of the blame, but owner Stephen Ross likely will make a change.

Verdict: Fired

Who Will Coach Miami?

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 28: Coach Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs play against the Oakland Raiders at Raymond James Stadium on December 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Stephen Ross is a real estate tycoon with plenty of money to spend, and he'll need to get a big-name coach if he wants to draw in the Miami fanbase that is preoccupied with the Heat.

He'll likely target Gruden, who was also mentioned for another job in Miami not so long ago (The U).

If Gruden thinks he can develop Henne (or he doesn't mind starting over with a rookie), there's no reason for him to dismiss this fairly attractive job.

Miami is a great location, has a great defense and an offense that can win if it just gets some good quarterback play.

Gruden is needed here, and he'd be a great fit to develop a quarterback.

Verdict: Gruden takes his talents to South Beach

Houston Texans: Will Gary Kubiak Be Fired?

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Gary Kubiak of the Houston Texas looks on as he faces the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Texans 24-23. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Image

It's pretty clear the Texans need a coaching change.

They've failed to make the playoffs, yet again, despite having one of the more talented teams in the league.

Verdict: Fired

Who Will Coach Houston?

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 06: The NFL Today's Bill Cowher attends the grand opening of the CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar on September 6, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mary Schwalm/Getty Images)

The Texans need a big change, and Cowher would be a great fit.

Cowher would clearly want to coach a team that can win right away, and as long as he can make their defense respectable, the Texans will win.

He'd be a perfect fit, as long as the Texans are willing to pay, and Cowher doesn't mind going to Texas.

Verdict: Cowher will coach the Texans

Who Will Coach Denver?

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PHILADELPHIA - 2008: Marty Mornhinweg of the Philadelphia Eagles poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Getty Images)

If the Broncos decide they want to stick with Tim Tebow, they'll need a coach who can mold the former Heisman winner into an NFL quarterback.

Marty Mornhinweg, who helped transform Michael Vick into his new self, would be a perfect fit.

He knows how to coach athletic quarterbacks, and while Tebow is no Vick, he's a great athlete.

Verdict: Mornhinweg coaches Denver

Who Will Coach San Francisco?

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FLORHAM PARK, NJ - MAY 02: Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer of the New York Jets speaks to the media during minicamp on May 2, 2009 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The 49ers need an offensive guy.

Brian Schottenheimer is one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL, and has worked wonders getting Mark Sanchez acclimated to the NFL after just one year of starting experience at USC.

He's a former quarterback and would be a great fit to develop the Niners' QB of the future.

Verdict: Schottenheimer coaches San Francisco

Minnesota Vikings: Will Leslie Frazier Be Promoted?

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings points on the field during play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty

Leslie Frazier is the interim coach in Minnesota, but has performed admirably with a 3-2 record, including last night's stunning upset over the Eagles.

He knows the team well, and this team is built to win now if it can pick up a quarterback in the offseason (unless Joe Webb really is the answer).

The Vikes would be smart to keep Frazier.

Verdict: They'll do the right thing and Frazier will coach Minnesota.

New York Giants: Will Tom Coughlin Be Fired?

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants looks on agianst the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 31-7. (Photo b

If the Giants fail to make the playoffs (which I see happening), there's no way New York fans will stand for Coughlin retaining his job.

Whether he deserves it or not, he'll be fired.

Verdict: Giants miss the playoffs, Coughlin is fired

Who Will Coach the New York Giants?

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers watches on during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

John Fox is a sure bet to be fired in Carolina.

But you can't blame him for his team's failures; they just don't have enough talent to compete.

Fox was the Giants defensive coordinator just nine years ago, and he'd be a great fit for the defensive-minded Giants.

He's a great coach, and won't be out of work for long.

Verdict: Fox coaches the Giants

Who Will Coach Carolina?

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal reacts after Delano Howell #26 of the Stanford Cardinal made an interception on a pass intended for Joe Halahuni #87 of the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November

With Fox leaving, who would go to Carolina?

Well, whoever takes the job will get the chance to select Andrew Luck, if he leaves Stanford.

Luck's coach, Jim Harbaugh, will almost certainly get a shot at this job, and he'd be able to bring along Luck, who he's molded into the consensus number one pick.

Harbaugh wouldn't face a ton of pressure after the Panthers' dismal year, and it would be a great situation for him to step into.

The only question is: does he want to leave Stanford? And does he prefer the Michigan job to the NFL?

Verdict: Harbaugh opts for the NFL, and brings Luck along with him to Carolina.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud