Jeff Fisher Out As Tennessee Titans Head Coach: 5 Teams He Could Coach In 2012

The Tennessee Titans and head coach Jeff Fisher have reportedly decided to part ways. There is only one year remaining on Fisher's contract, and neither side allegedly had any desire to co-exist after 2011, making this the only logical solution.

Had Titans owner Bud Adams let Fisher go all of three or four weeks ago, he would have instantly become a candidate for almost every vacant head coaching gig. Instead, Fisher will probably have to wait until 2012 to find work again.

Fortunately for Fisher, there are a handful of teams that may be in the hunt for a high-caliber head coach next summer. Although he will likely contest with names such as Gruden and Cowher for a job next year, there might be room for all three of them to get back to work.

No. 5 Cincinnati Bengals

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

In eight years with the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Marvin Lewis has produced just two winning seasons. Yet, owner Paul Brown continues to stick with Lewis despite consistently disgruntled stars and a mediocre collection of talent. If Lewis fails to keep his team in contention in 2011, expect him to finally be let go.

The Bengals offense is aging rapidly, but a very promising core of young talent persists. In order to ensure those young players develop and fulfill their potential, Cincinnati needs a new start and a fresh face to head the franchise. There is hardly a winning atmosphere in Cincinnati anymore, rather there is one of mediocrity.

Fisher would provide a strong figure with a consistent track record of winning and evaluating strong talent. There might be more enticing jobs available next season, but the Bengals might be a sleeper landing spot for Fisher's services.

No. 4 San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

If only the Chargers could start their regular season in December, they would be perennial Super Bowl contenders. They still are, but Norv Turner's Chargers teams have a troubling lack for starting extremely slow. In 2010, it cost them a playoff spot.

Even more troubling than the team's slow starts is the Chargers' decline since Turner arrived. During his first year as head coach in 2007, San Diego reached the AFC Championship. In 2008, they lost in the divisional round, in 2009 they lost in the wild-card round, and 2010, the Chargers failed to reach the postseason.

Despite this downward trend, San Diego general manager A.J. Smith has chosen to stick with Turner. And to their credit, Smith and Turner have stocked the Chargers with an unbelievably talented roster. But if Norv fails to lead San Diego on a deep playoff run in 2011, he could definitely be fired.

The Chargers job would probably become the most desirable vacancy in the NFL, and Fisher, who has led much less talented teams deep into the playoffs, would be a candidate.

No. 3 New York Giants

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

After the Giants' epic Week 15 collapse against the Philadelphia Eagles, many suspected Tom Coughlin would be fired at season's end. Instead, New York has decided to give the 64-year-old coach another year with the team he led to a Super Bowl in 2007.

Even if the Giants are successful in 2011, Coughlin could choose to retire, something he has reportedly considered doing over the last few seasons. If Coughlin is fired or if he steps down, Jeff Fisher, along with Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden, would become candidates to fill his shoes.

The Giants boast a very talented roster, including one of the league's most fearsome defenses. Bill Cowher had New York on his alleged "wish list," and if he chooses to re-enter the coaching carousel, he might be the favorite for the job. If, however, Cowher stays retired or goes elsewhere, Fisher could take the reigns over the Giants.

No. 2 Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a play against the New England Patriots at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Just because Dolphins owner Stephen Ross signed Tony Sparano to a two-year extension does not necessarily mean Sparano's job security is any tighter. Ross is the 101st richest man in America. Buying out Sparano does no damage to his wallet. In fact, somebody could probably buy out the entire Dolphins coaching staff without Ross noticing.

Anyway, based on the very questionable coaching staff shuffling that Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland have done over the past few weeks does not bode well for their future. They hired arguably the least attractive offensive coordinator on the market and put multiple coaches in charge of positions they have never coached before. (It almost sounds like they want to get fired).

Stephen Ross has made his intentions of creating an exciting, up-tempo offense known, but the Dolphins are still without a quarterback and Sparano seems to be contradicted his boss's wishes. If Miami stumbles in 2011, expect Sparano to be fired and expect the team to heavily pursue Fisher, Gruden and Cowher. Fisher orchestrated an offense fueled by speed in Tennessee, and that could make him an extra attractive option for Ross.

No. 1 Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Gary Kubiak's crowning achievement in five years as the Houston Texans' head coach is posting a 9-7 record. Although Kubiak led the Texans to the first winning season in franchise history, he is yet to lead them to the playoffs despite one of the most explosive offenses in football.

Kubiak has been on the hot seat for almost three years now, but Texans owner Bob McNair refuses to fire him. However, Houston had a historically awful defense in 2010, and unless Kubiak can reverse their fortunes and bring this team a playoff berth, he will most definitely be fired after the 2011 season.

Jeff Fisher could return to the city he began his head coaching career in (Houston Oilers became the Tennessee Titans in '97. Fisher coached the Oilers in '94-'96). He is well versed on AFC South rosters, and would have the opportunity to face the Titans twice a year. Fisher obviously knows Houston's personnel well from intra-divisional match ups over the years, and perhaps more importantly, built multiple top 10 and top five defenses while with the Titans.