NFL Rumors: Exploring the Options for Eric Mangini after Departure from Browns

After a 5-11 season in Cleveland, Eric Mangini is out as the head coach of the Browns. 

He spent two seasons in Cleveland, posting the exact same record in both years. Remember that just prior to his time in Cleveland, Mangini was fired from his position as the head coach of the New York Jets after three disappointing years. 

Now Mangini will be looking for another job, but the question is, will someone be willing to give him one?

Read on for some possible options Mangini could take a look at. 

San Francisco 49ers

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns on the sidelines while playing the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

It can't get much worse than Mike Singletary. If there's ever a team that would be willing to give Eric Mangini his third head coaching gig, it would be the 49ers. 

Singletary has shown them the worst it can be, so even Mangini would be virtually guaranteed to be a step up. 

However, Mangini is known for being a defensive specialist, and the 49ers need help on offense right now more than anything. 

Dallas Cowboys

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Eric Mangini, head coach of the Cleveland Browns stands over injured Browns player David Bowens #86 during a timeout against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo

If Jason Garrett doesn't become the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys after a rather successful campaign as the interim head coach, Eric Mangini could become a potential candidate. 

However, I don't believe that this will happen because the Cowboys are known as America's Team and would much rather have a high-profile coach with a history of success. 

He could be a good fit, though, as the Cowboys desperately need to improve their defense. 

Denver Broncos

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns coaches his team against the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

It would be a rather interesting statistic if Eric Mangini became the head coach of the Denver Broncos and made it three out of four AFC divisions in which he's served as a head coach. 

Mangini would be the kind of coach that would let Tim Tebow play, which is something that Denver management is looking for. 

The problem is, the Broncos aren't exactly happy with what Josh McDaniels did to their franchise, and they're probably going to want a coach with a history of success. 

Mangini most assuredly does not have a good track record. 

Washington Redskins

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns watches a play during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

A lot of people think that Mike Shanahan is going to be shown the door in Washington after this season's debacle. Sure, he only had one year to try to turn the team around, but he made too many mistakes and controversial moves to be guaranteed a job. 

If Shanahan is fired, it opens the door for coaches seeking the Washington head-coaching gig. 

Mangini would have his eyes on that one, but even Dan Snyder is smart enough to realize that he wouldn't be a good fit. 

Oakland Raiders

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BEREA, OH - AUGUST 04: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns looks on during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on August 4, 2010 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Now that Tom Cable has been fired despite the protest of Oakland players and fans alike, they'll be looking for a new head coach. 

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is said to be one of the favorites for the job, but it would be just like Al Davis to mess up the franchise even more. 

One big mistake he could make would be to higher Eric Mangini. 

Oakland is a potential spot solely because of its availability as a head coaching gig, but Mangini should not end up there. 

New England Patriots

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - 2005: Eric Mangini of the New England Patriots poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Getty Images)

Eric Mangini made his biggest mark as a coach under the wings of Bill Belichick. 

Throughout his life and career, he's made it a point to model himself after the New England Patriots head coach.

Mangini may have burned some bridges during the Spygate scandal, but he may come back to Belichick begging for a job. 

As successful as they were together, it could happen again. 

Houston Texans

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns reacts as his team takes on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 1, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Browns 30-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Houston Texans are looking for a defensive coordinator, and despite earlier reports, Wade Phillips has not yet won the job. 

As a defensive specialist who knows the AFC, Mangini could be a good fit for the Texans. 

Mangini has been a defensive assistant for the New York Jets, the defensive backs coach for the New England Patriots and the defensive coordinator for the Patriots. 

Houston could do worse. 

Baltimore Ravens

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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)

Another potential spot for Eric Mangini would be as the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. 

But this too would just be a bad fit. 

Mangini doesn't really like outspoken players, so it would be tough for him to coexist with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. 

Plus, the Ravens would probably hire someone with a better track record than a head coach who has been fired twice recently. 

College Job

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BEREA, OH - MAY 02: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns looks on during rookie mini camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on May 2, 2009 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

There are many jobs with openings around the country in the world of college football, and more will inevitably open themselves up. 

If Mangini can't find another job in the NFL, he may be forced to scour the ranks of college football. 

I won't speculate as to which schools he would look at, but this could become a possibility. 

Jobless

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals during their game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The final option for Eric Mangini is to find himself jobless in 2011—well, jobless in the sense that he's not coaching. He could very well be doing something else. 

After an 8-3 start in New York, he was the Mangenius. Now he's been fired twice, and people are starting to doubt his abilities as a coach. 

There's a chance that no team, both in the pro ranks and the collegiate ranks, is willing to take a chance on him again. 

It's unlikely, but it is a possibility.