NFL: Tennessee Titans Fire Jeff Fisher, 10 Possible Replacements

In a turn of events that can only be described as "bizarre", Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher was backed by Tennessee and is now out as the head coach less than a month later. SI.com broke the story that Fisher was parting ways.

What this leaves now is a head coaching vacancy a little more than a month after all the hot candidates like Ron Rivera and Jason Garrett (although he was probably never leaving Dallas anyway) have been snatched up.

The Titans shouldn’t worry too much though. While there have been candidates snatched up, there are still plenty of top level coaches that could be had.

Here is a list of some of the possible replacements. 

Honorable Mention: Mike Singletary, Assistant Head Coach, Minnesota Vikings

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

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)

Why He Works:

Before you scoff at this, know that there are reasons why this makes sense. He’s a player's coach. He’ll have a lot more stability on both sides of the ball, and he’s a defensive-minded guy, which works well on an already good defensive squad.

His Odds:

Bad. While there is reason to believe that Singletary will coach again, he has too much 49er stink on him right now to be taken anywhere else. 

10. Dave Toub, Special Teams Coach, Chicago Bears

NFL Photos/Getty Images

CHICAGO - 2009: Dave Toub of the Chicago Bears poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Why He Works:

Dave Toub has been one of the reason’s Chicago was so good this season. He has given the Bears a top notch special teams unit. There is also interest in special teams coaches with the success of John Harbaugh in Baltimore.

His Odds:

Not great. While Toub should be a candidate for a lot more jobs, he’s still a pretty small name out there, and it’s going to take a while to build that resume.

Honorable Mention: Marty Mornhinweg, Offensive Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 26: Quarterback Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles discusses a play with Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on the sidelines of the NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelerson August 26, 200

Why He Works:

He gets honorable mention because his system works, and whoever they seem to plug into the system does well. Sure Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb are great and good quarterbacks respectively, but a guy has to get credit for losing his top QB and the offense getting better.

His Odds:

Bad. Two Words: Detroit Stink. Nothing washes away what he did in the Motor City. 

9. Brian Schottenheimer, Offensive Coordinator, New York Jets

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Mark Sanchez #6 and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer of the New York Jets look on during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Why He Works:

If the Titans do decide to re-sign Vince Young and bring him back, Schottenheimer could be very helpful. He has been great for the Jets and Mark Sanchez. He has a good coaching pedigree and has been considered before. Plus, he makes a cheap option.

His Odds:

There are so many more qualified candidates out there. He could get an interview, but that’s likely as far as he’ll get. 

8. Dom Capers, Defensive Coordinator, Green Bay Packers

NFL Photos/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - 2009: Dom Capers of the Green Bay Packers poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Why He Works:

In his two previous stints with Carolina and Houston as a head coach, Dom Capers had to deal with expansion franchises. Tennessee is better established, and Capers star is on the rise. He would want to convert Tennessee’s 4-3 to a 3-4, but he did it in Green Bay. He can do it again.

His Odds:

Unlikely. While Capers might get some interest, it seems he is happy in Green Bay. He’s likely to stay a coordinator. 

7. Jon Gruden, ESPN Commentator

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

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)

Why He Works:

He’s looking to get back into coaching and Tennessee is a ready-made team. They might not be Super Bowl ready, but they are in good shape. They lack a proven quarterback, but Gruden didn’t really have one in Tampa Bay either. He could make an instant impact.

His Odds:

Not good. He wants to coach again, but he seems committed to ESPN for one more year. There is also speculation he doesn’t want to go into a situation with the lockout looming. 

6. Bill Cowher, CBS Analyst

Kevin Cox/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 11: Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher attends the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils on February 11, 2009 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Cox/Gett

Why He Works:

This is his kind of team. The Titans are a blue collar kind of team just like the Steelers were under his reign. Tennessee could plug Cowher right in and wouldn’t miss a beat.

His Odds:

Not great. With a lockout looming and the money Cowher will command, it doesn’t seem likely he ends up in Tennessee. 

5. Brian Billick, FOX Analyst

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Brian Billick of the Baltimore Ravens directs his team against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Staduim on November 11, 2007 in Baltimore, Maryland. Cincinnati defeated Baltimore 21-7. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty

Why He Works:

He has got a Super Bowl, and he’s used to having to work with less than stellar offensive units. He had experience coaching teams with good defenses. He’s angry no one is talking about him, so he’s likely to coach his behind off to prove the critics wrong.

His Odds:

Iffy. He’s a good choice if he can check his ego (and it’s massive) at the door and accept a little less money than he probably thinks he’s worth. For whatever reason, his Super Bowl ring doesn’t hold the same weight that Cowher’s or Gruden’s does. 

4. Dave McGinnis, Assistant Head Coach, Tennessee Titans

Getty Images/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - 2008: Dave McGinnis of the Tennessee Titans poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Getty Images)

Why He Works:

He’s already in place in Tennessee. He’s got real head coaching experience. There wouldn’t be much to change, and that matters big time coming into a season that could be shortened due to a lockout.

His Odds:

Good. He isn’t a lock but he’s a good financial option, and he would be helpful in the short term. They could always keep him for a year then go out and look for a bigger coach after the CBA is done and the Titans are done paying Fisher. 

3. Josh McDaniels, Former Denver Broncos Head Coach

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Ima

Why He Works:

He’s a young and dynamic guy. He won’t have nearly the growing pains he did in Denver. Tennessee is much more ready to compete. Plus, he has learned from his mistakes. He should be better all across the board.

His Odds:

Not bad. He was looking into running the St. Louis Rams' offense. It’s possible he and the Titans are willing to build something together. 

2. Russ Grimm, Assistant Head Coach, Arizona Cardinals

Getty Images/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - 2008: Russ Grimm of the Arizona Cardinals poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Getty Images)

Why He Works:

He’s a guy who’s been around for everything. He has a lunch pail attitude a bit like Fisher, and players really respond to him. He’ll come cheap and is ready to take the next step.

His Odds:

Pretty good. Don’t discount him. He’s a guy who has long been on the list of candidates, and he would likely take the job. He makes sense. 

1. Perry Fewell, Defensive Coordinator, New York Giants

Why He Works:

He runs the same 4-3 defense in New York, and he improved the Giants from 13th in total yards to second.  He’s a good player's coach and has experience as a head coach.

His Odds:

Good. He’s well-liked around the league, and he’s eager for a shot. As long as the Titans want a defensive-minded coach, Fewell will do well for them.