NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2011

The NFL coach is expected to do one thing: Assemble a team that will win.

There are plenty of coaches that enter the 2011 season with a general manager breathing down their necks.

The coaching world may see some shake ups during this season or shortly after as many coaches are finding themselves running out of lifelines. There could be many changes coming if they don't deliver.

Here's a look at some coaches that are rumored to be on the hot seat, and some who may be surprised when their contracts aren't renewed.

Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Jack Del Rio has been coaching Jacksonville since 2003, when he replaced Tom Coughlin.

Since that time, Del Rio has compiled a record of 65-63 with only two playoff appearances, both of which ended prematurely.

Del Rio has been rumored to be on thin ice in Jacksonville, as the under-performing team has not seen a winning season since 2007, when they finished 11-5 and lost to the Patriots in the divisional round.

With the recent release of veteran quarterback David Garrard, Del Rio is gambling on Luke McCown to revitalize his team and compete for the AFC South division.

It may be safe to assume that if the Jaguars' gamble doesn't pay off, Del Rio will be looking for a position elsewhere this season or in 2012.

Lovie Smith (Chicago Bears)

Smith has a 63-49 record since he was hired as the Chicago Bears head coach in 2004 to replace Dick Jauron.

Lovie Smith has endured a roller coaster of emotions as he has guided the Bears to three division championships and a Super Bowl.

Despite losing the Super Bowl and other playoff games, Smith is the type of coach that may find himself in a situation where the front office is tired of waiting for him to get this team over the hump.

Coming off of an 11-5 season where the Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers in the championship game, Smith has must have another successful campaign to ensure he continues his tenure in Chicago.

Under his administration, the Bears have a record of sliding backwards following a successful season, and if this happens again, it may be one time too many for Lovie to rebound from.

Tom Coughlin (New York Giants)

Coughlin became the 16th coach of the New York Giants in 2004 and has since compiled a record 65-47 with them, including a Super Bowl victory in 2007.

Although the Giants have had winning seasons, they have missed the playoffs for the last two seasons and have a less than perfect playoff record under his guidance.

Despite the winning record, Coughlin coaches in New York, the toughest sports market in the world.

If he doesn't right the ship and return to the playoffs, he may fall victim to the New York standards, either win or go home.  In New York, it can be best said with the phrase: "What have you done for me lately?"

Coughlin could find himself on the outs if things don't turn around.

Tony Sparano (Miami Dolphins)

Replacing Cam Cameron after a dismal 1-15 season, Tony Sparano inherited a team in shambles.

He then seemed to cast a spell over his team by leading them to an 11-5 record in 2008, where the Dolphins eventually lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round.

Since that time, he has seen his teams finish consecutive seasons with a 7-9 record.

His coaching record in Miami entering the 2011 season is 23-25 with most of those wins supplied by the 2008 team.

Sparano finds himself at the crossroads going into his fourth season with Miami and seems to have his work cut out for him.

Despite free agent signings of Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall, the team isn't expected to be a factor in the AFC East or a threat to the playoffs.

If Sparano's numbers dip any further and the Dolphins finish 7-9 or worse, Sparano might be the sacrificial lamb.

Gary Kubiak (Houston Texans)

Since assuming head coaching detail in 2006, Kubiak has compiled a record of 37-43 and hasn't finished better than second in the AFC South.

After the Texan's best season in 2009, in which they finished 9-7, Kubiak was granted a contract extension through the 2012 season.

Expectations of the team's path to success were short lived as the Texans finished 6-10 last season despite having a talented roster which includes Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub.

If the Texans fail to reach the playoffs, or make a serious run to winning this division, look for Kubiak to be terminated sometime this season or at the end of it.

In Kubiak's case it's simple: He's running out of time.

Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals)

Replacing Dick LeBeau in 2003, Marvin Lewis has had a mixed reception in Cincinnati.

Lewis has compiled a record of 60-67 over his eight seasons in Cincinnati and has been rumored to be on the chopping block for a considerable amount of time during his tenure.

Lewis has guided the Bengals to only two winning seasons, 2005 and 2009, only to see his team lose in the wild card games in each case.

During his time with the team, the Bengals have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL, constantly up and down in the record books.

With Carson Palmer gone, refusing to ever play for the Bengals again, and the team consisting of young players, there is no reason to think the Bengals will be able to emerge from the quagmire they are in.

If I had to bet, I would say Marvin Lewis is in his last season with the Bengals, but that has been said several times over and he finds a way to remain.

I think Mr. Lewis will be going to the well one to many times this year.

Jim Schwartz (Detroit Lions)

This is a long shot, but in the NFL you never know what general managers think.

Schwartz took over this franchise in 2009, compiling an 8-24 record in the two years since.

Although the Lions are still rebuilding, the team is met with high expectations entering the 2011 season.

The Lions have shown marked improvement in all areas of the team, but must execute on the field in order to be quantified as the real deal.

The Lions had a great preseason in 2011 and look to be on the right track. However, if the team fails to continue to improve and finishes similar to 2010 or worse, the coach may be feeling the pressure to move his team.

I think the Lions will show patience with Schwartz, but if the front office feels they gave him what he needed and considers his direction inadequate, there could be a change.

I wouldn't count on it, but it has to be considered.

Andy Reid (Philadelphia Eagles)

Andy Reid is another coach who seems to be victim of the the pressure to win year in and year out in a tough market.

Reid has compiled a record of 118-73 and had a four-year span where his team won the NFC East.

Reid's teams have appeared in four NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl, which they lost to the New England Patriots.

Although Reid has had successful seasons for the majority of his career in Philadelphia, the coach may find himself victim of the impatience in the front office.

Reid is a fantastic coach, but his failure to reach the Super Bowl and bring home a championship may be his undoing.

With the media-dubbed "Dream Team" that he leads in 2011, anything less than a Super Bowl appearance may be enough for the Eagles' owners to find a coach with a different philosophy.

I find it unlikely, but again, anything goes in the NFL.

Norv Turner (San Diego Chargers)

Since taking the helm in San Diego in 2007, Norv Turner has led his team to a record of 41-23 over his four seasons as coach.

Despite finishing first in his first three seasons, 2010 saw a slight drop off in the win category, but not by much.

The factor that lends itself to the possibility of Turner being ousted is that through all of his success his team has failed to reach the Super Bowl in the three years it has made the playoffs.

The talent the team holds is in the company of elite NFL teams and makes the Chargers a potential challenger for a title each year.

Even though this team is successful, the shortcomings of not making it over the hump and getting to the Super Bowl may encourage the owners to consider a change in approach to the game.

If Turner can't find a way to win in the playoffs, the team may want to change pace as it is growing impatient and wants to win now.