Jack Del Rio: 8 Coaches Who Could Be Targeted to Replace Him

If the Jacksonville Jaguars brass is truly committed to the future and success of this football team, we as fans should understand these are probably the last 14 games in which we will see head coach Jack Del Rio roaming the sidelines.

Del Rio, who has been with the team for nine seasons and has only made the playoffs twice in his tenure in Jacksonville, may have seen the writing on the wall just as the regular season began.

For Del Rio and his staff, the time is now to prepare for the team's future with another coach coming in and taking over the progression of what has already been started.

All of this transition begins with rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and a defense that has been retooled through free agency.

Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said before the season he wanted a winner in Jacksonville this season or there would be changes at the top. Whether that includes general manager Gene Smith or not remains to be seen. But the fanbase now will spend the 2011 season getting acclimated to Gabbert and what he can do on the field with his arm and leadership. He will have to learn in a "trial by fire" situation.

If Del Rio cannot save his job, then of course the rumor mill will start to speculate as to who will replace the second head coach in Jaguars history.

If another coach comes in next season, he will undoubtedly have to deal with problems that exist at receiver, the offensive line and possibly in the secondary where players like Brad Meester and Rashean Mathis, the team's two longest tenured players, may not be back (yes, this is speculation).

Fans in Jacksonville are tired of the "close but no cigar" teams that look good midway through the season only to fizzle out at the end because of injuries or lack of competitive spirit.

Del Rio has been the subject to rumors of being fired the last two seasons, and this season he was told he needed to make the playoffs or there would be a new coach in 2012.

With the changes made at quarterback, the outlook on the season and a schedule that is not as favorable as it was once thought to be, there is now an opportunity to look at these possible candidates to be roaming the sidelines in 2012.

8. Todd Haley

Haley may get the ax in Kansas City, but that does not mean he is not a good offensive coordinator.

Haley was on staff when the Arizona Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl. The offensive-minded coach, who has worked with Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles the last two seasons, could surely find some offensive firepower in what exists and hopefully find missing pieces through the draft or free agency.

7. Brian Schottenheimer

If the Jets make it to the playoffs again and Mark Sanchez continues to improve, he will get some calls for head coaching interviews.

Schottenheimer is the son of former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

He has worked to help develop Sanchez over the past two seasons. While Schottenheimer would have a better running game in Jacksonville than in New York, he works with better receivers in the Big Apple in Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress.

Also, Schottenheimer is a University of Florida graduate, so there is a Florida connection already there.

6. Bill Cowher

You know his name may come up for jobs after the season.

This will probably be one of them.

Cowher is such a good motivator and can really make players who are average into Pro-Bowl-type stars.

Only problem is I don't see him leaving the television studio for any job, with the exception of one or two.

5. Wade Phillips

He already had head coaching jobs in the NFL and was not as successful as he could have been. But this defensive coordinator in Houston has helped make the Texans a contender this season.

Phillips is the opposite of Del Rio. He is not as aggressive and yet can coach a defense to get after the ball.

If there is a job he may be asked to apply for in the offseason, this may be the one.

4. Rob Ryan

If brother Rex Ryan is enjoying such success as a head coach, then surely Rob will get a look.

Rob Ryan is currently the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. There is nothing easy about working for Jerry Jones.

There will be at least three or four head coaching vacancies at the end of the season and Ryan may be looked at to fill one of them.

He would bring a fiery intensity to the defense Del Rio has been already trying to instill.

He would be a hit with the media.

3. Bob Stoops

You have to figure there will be a college head coach who will try his luck in the NFL next season. I don't think Nick Saban would ever leave Alabama for the Jaguars.

Stoops, a former defensive coordinator at the University of Florida under Steve Spurrier, may think about trying his hand at the next level.

Only issue with that is he is green in terms of being in the NFL and he and his quarterback would experience growing pains together.

2. Mike Martz

Martz has a knack for taking quarterbacks and making them great.

He is currently the offensive coordinator in Chicago with the Bears.

Martz ran the offense for the St. Louis Rams in their Super Bowl glory and knows a thing or two about getting the most out of possession and speed-burning receivers.

He would be a good fit for a team trying to find a pulse in a lifeless offense.

1. Jon Gruden

He will be an NFL coach again some day. Why not four hours up the road from Tampa Bay?

Gruden is a great quarterback teacher and a tireless worker. He injects firepower in his teams and is pretty savvy with the media.

He should be the Jaguars' top choice if they decided to go another route.