Which Coaches Are on the Hot Seat?

Added on Dec 14, 2011 by Scott in

NFL

It’s been a rough week for NFL head coaches. Two, Todd Haley and Tony Sparano, were fired on Monday bringing the season total to three, lest we forget Jacksonville’s Jack Del Rio who received his pink slip last month. As the 2011 campaign winds to a stop, it’s a virtual guarantee more will receive their walking papers, be it sooner or later. Which gentleman should feel the most nervous? Let’s take a look.

Jim Caldwell (Colts) – It’s hard to blame Caldwell for all of Indy’s woes. Sure, they probably will finish either 0-16 or 1-15, but that’s what team Vice Chairman Bill Polian deserves for not securing a better backup plan to Peyton Manning than Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter, especially since he knew Manning’s fused neck wouldn’t be ready for the start of the regular season. Without #18 under center, the team’s glaring weaknesses were exposed even further. An aging and injury riddled defense combined with an aging and injury riddled set of playmakers spelled doom early on. Caldwell will likely be asked to fall on his sword, but he shouldn’t be alone.

Steve Spagnuolo (Rams) – This was supposed to be the year the Rams made their move in the NFC West. Well, they made one all right, but it was in the wrong direction. Spags, in his third season, can’t do anything about the spate of injuries that ravaged the roster beginning in August, but he still must answer for an overall lack of discipline and focus. It’s apparent they, along with several other disappointing teams, suffered greatly from the truncated offseason. A top-5 draft pick awaits. Unfortunately for Steve, he might not be around to help decide who they select.

Norv Turner (Chargers) – It seems like Norv has been operating on borrowed time for years. His 47-30 career record with the Chargers looks impressive on paper. However, repeated flops from one of the league’s most talent rich rosters has swung the pendulum of criticism in his direction for the last two seasons. It could be playoffs or bust for Norv, and with Baltimore, Detroit and Oakland still on the schedule, the future isn’t so bright in sunny San Diego.

Andy Reid (Eagles) – Has owner Jeffrey Lurie grown as tired of the Reid act as the fanbase? We’ll find out once the Eagles’ embarrassing face-plant is completed in three weeks. Expectations were sky high in August, but a glut of abrupt player and personnel changes resulted in a severe rift in chemistry that carried over into the regular season. The Birds haven’t won a playoff game since 2008, and the decision to ride the Michael Vick express has proven unwise. Reid has two years remaining on his current contract, so he might stick. Although, explaining what has been a monumental collapse won’t be easy.

Tom Coughlin (Giants) – It’s a good thing Dallas can’t play a lick of defense or else Coughlin could be unemployed today. A thrilling, albeit sloppy, victory last Sunday night prevented a fifth straight loss for Big Blue and could’ve saved the veteran coach’s job. They still have to win the division and advance in the playoffs, neither of which is a small task. Coughlin’s last postseason win was four years ago in Super Bowl XLII. The capital gained from that victory is running out, fast.