5 NFL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2011

Every year several coaches start the season on the hot seat. Last season eight head coaches were replaced either due to being fired or not having their contract extended. This season five head coaches are on the hot seat to start the season and others may join them. In a league that is based on "What have you done for me lately?", these five coaches must perform well to keep their job.

Tony Sparano

Last Year: 7-9

Tenure: 25-23, 0-1 in one playoff appearance, three seasons

After leading the Dolphins to a huge turnaround and playoff appearance in 2008, Tony Sparano seemed brilliant at the helm of the Dolphins. Now Bill Parcells and Chad Pennington are no longer employed and the Dolphins are projected to have a poor season. Many experts believe Chad Henne and Tony Sparano's future are tied and that's not a good sign for any coach. If the Dolphins do have a poor season look for Sparano to be out of Miami.

Gary Kubiak

Last Season: 6-10

Tenure: 37-43, 0 playoff appearances, five seasons

In five seasons as head coach of the Houston Texans , Gary Kubiak has failed to reach the playoffs. The Texans are perennial underachievers and they had the second worst pass defense last year. Once again the Texans have lofty expectations and it's only fair to think if the Texans don't meet the expectations that Kubiak will no longer be employed.

Marvin Lewis

Last Season: 4-12

Tenure: 60-67, 0-2 in two playoff appearances, eight seasons

It seems Marvin Lewis is on the hot seat once again. After a 4-12 season, the Bengals lost quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. With rookie quarterback Andy Dalton starting in place of Palmer the future holds uncertainty for the Bengals and head coach Marvin Lewis.

Norv Turner

Last Season: 9-7, second AFC West

Tenure: 41-23, 3-3 in three playoff appearances, four seasons

Every year the San Diego Chargers start the season off very slowly and then "catch fire" at the end of the season and end up with a solid record. However, last year's slow start cost them a division title as they ended with a 9-7 record. If the Chargers have another slow start and under perform once again Norv Turner could be out of San Diego.

Mike Shanahan

Last Season: 6-10, T-last in NFC East

Tenure: 6-10, 0 Playoff appearances, one season

With the Redskins set to start Rex Grossman or John Beck at quarterback the team is looking at a poor season. Shanahan has rubbed some veterans the wrong way in the locker room such as former quarterback Donovan McNabb. Shanahan is not known for being a defensive-minded head coach and no major improvements were made to the second worst pass defense in the league. All signs point to a dismal season in Washington, could a disappointing season lead to another early firing in Washington?