Mike Nolan, You're Fired!

And then there were three. The latest drama has unfolded, with Mike Nolan being the third NFL head coach fired this season. If this is a tell of what is to come, there are a few other coaches who might lose there job in the next few weeks.

On Sept. 22, Lane Kiffin became the first coach of the 2008 NFL season to be fired. In Kiffin's first season as head coach, the Raiders posted a horrendous 4-12 record. Before being fired this season, Kiffin's team had only won one game against Kansas City, while losing three to Denver, San Diego, and Buffalo.

Al Davis made the announcement that Kiffin had been release for "cause" and nothing else. Kiffin's record as a head coach is 5-15. Since Kiffin's release, Interim Head Coach Tom Cable lost his first game as head coach against the Saints and won his second against Brett Favre, the Jets were out there too, I think.

Not long after Kiffin's release, the St. Louis Rams followed the Raiders' lead by firing Head Coach Scott Linehan. Linehan had been with the Rams since the 2006 season. His first priority was to get the Rams' rushing offense back. He immediately gave the ball to RB Steven Jackson.

At the end of the 2006 season, Linehan's record was 8-8, only to go down hill from there. In 2007, the Rams didn't get their first win until Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints. Linehan managed to get two more wins against the 49ers and the quarterback-less Falcons, finishing the season with a 3-13 record. Before his firing in Week Five, the Rams had yet to win a game.

The Ram announced that Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett would be the interim head coach. Jim Haslett, former Saints head coach, has led the Rams to two straight victories, over the Washington Redskins and, more recently, the Dallas Cowboys. 

The latest in the drama, however, is the recent firing of Mike Nolan, head coach of the San Fransico 49ers. Nolan was know for wearing a suit when playing at home. Nolan joined the 49ers in 2005 and in 2006 was given total control of the team. In his three-and-a-half seasons in San Fransisco, Nolan had posted an 18-37 record. With no season at .500 or above. Nolan's replacement was named, and Mike Singletary has his work cut out for him. 

With all of this unfolding, there is a question which has yet to be answered. Who will be next? So far this season, Detroit has not won a game, placing Rod Maranelli's job at possible risk. In the same sinking ship is Marvin Lewis' Cincinnati Bengals, who are also winless after seven weeks. Not far behind are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks, who each have won only one game this season. 

If these teams follow the lead of the Raiders, Rams, and most recently 49ers, we could have new head coaches across the country. Bets anyone?