Expectations run high for NFL fans this time of year and even though the season has yet to kick-off, there are several coaches who are already sitting on the hot seat. Cities like Dallas and Washington expect Super Bowls, while places like Buffalo and Jacksonville want to get back to the playoffs. With coaches like Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, and Jon Gruden sitting it out this year, the pressure is going to be that much more intense for some coaches to win or move on. The following is a list of coaches who need to win now or could find themselves in the unemployment line come the end of February if things implode on them.
On the Hot Seat
Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings — It is reaching the point of do-or-die for Childress in Minnesota. The Vikings were seen as a Super Bowl contender last season, only to lose their first playoff game. He has the quarterback he has coveted for the past two years in Brett Favre, so he is running out of excuses as to why the Vikings are not getting the job done. Anything less than a deep playoff run and Childress is probably done.
Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys went from 13 wins and the top seed in the NFC in 2007 to nine wins, a season-ending debacle in Philly, and missing the playoffs altogether in '08. Jerry Jones can accept missing the playoffs one year, but he will not abide missing out two years in a row. Phillips may need to make the NFC Championship to save his job. With all of the big names available out there, Jerry will not hesitate to can Phillips and open the check book in hopes of luring one of the big names to Dallas.
Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars — Del Rio received a last-second reprieve last year after the Jags went from 11-5 and a divisional playoff appearance in 2007 to 5-11 in 2008. Del Rio was on the chopping block, but Wayne Weaver gave him a reprieve provided he agreed to certain changes. Be rest assured that if the Jags do not turn things around this season, Del Rio will be out of a job.
Jim Zorn, Washington Redskins — Like Jerry Jones in Dallas, Washington owner Daniel Snyder has an itchy finger when his team fails to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons. It is believed that Snyder favors Shanahan and probably would have hired him if not for the timing of his dismissal in Denver. It is thought that the 'Skins made a play for Jay Cutler in part because Shanahan will be the coach in DC come 2010.
Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers — Turner inherited a 14-win team and in two years they went from being in the AFC Championship to winning just eight games and barely winning the division in 2008. The Chargers are considered by some to be a Super Bowl contender and playing in one of the weakest divisions in football, he needs to win 11 games and a playoff game or two to keep his job for after this season.
Dick Jauron, Buffalo Bills — How many 7-9 seasons can a head coach survive before getting fired?
On the Tepid Seat
Things could get a bit uncomfortable for these coaches if they fail to live up to expectations or if their teams fail to show significant improvement.
Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles — After making the NFC Championship Game last season, expectations in Philadelphia are the highest they have been at the start of a season since they landed Terrell Owens. The Eagles may need to at least make another NFC Championship appearance for Reid to keep his job. Jeffry Lurie seems like a pretty loyal guy, though, and Reid could be safe unless the team absolutely implodes this season.
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints — Payton has gone from 10-6 in 2006 to 15-17 over the past two seasons due in large part to a mediocre defense. The offense is as good as there is in football, but Payton has had three years to fix the defense and another year of mediocrity could put Payton on the hot seat.
John Fox, Carolina Panthers — There is not anything to make one believe Fox's job is currently in jeopardy, but if the Cats maintain tradition, they will go from 12 wins to seven or eight this season. One has to wonder if Jerry Richardson finally pulls the trigger on Fox and tries to persuade Cowher, who lives just up the road in Raleigh, to come to Charlotte.
September 4, 2009
Ryan:
Andy Reid is on the hottest of seats. Sticking his neck out for Vick the way he did. With all the weapons the Eagles have, I’d be surprised if they fall short of the NFC Championship.
September 8, 2009
Eric Engberg:
Vick will have very little to do with Reid’s job security this season unless he starts costing the team games with his propensity to throw bad picks and cough up the ball.
Joe Banner was telling the media in Philly that he feels the team has the goods to win it all this year prior to Vick even entering the conversation so expectations are rather high this year.