Potential NFL Head Coaching Carousel

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With the regular season in the National Football League winding down there are teams that are focusing on the playoffs while the rest are planning for next season. And for some of those teams that are looking ahead to next season they might have a different head coach leading them into battle as “Black Monday” is right around the corner in the NFL. So with the hot seats heating up for some head coaches, who will survive and who will receive the dreaded pink slip?

Marc Trestman-Chicago Bears

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Marc Trestman

Marc Trestman was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2013 to be the guy to fix up the offense and get this team back to Super Bowl contention. Trestman inherited a 10-6 club, but he decided to not re-sign middle linebacker Brian Urlacher in 2013 and as a result the Bears had the 30th ranked defense in the National Football League. This season things have gotten worse as the Bears are currently 5-9 and Trestman has now decided to bench starting quarterback Jay Cutler. Reports are surfacing about friction within the Bears locker room between players and coaches after Trestman failed to firmly reprimand offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer after he was sighted as an unnamed source that had recently been critical of Cutler’s play to the Chicago media.

After winning his first three games as Bears head coach, Trestman has never won more than two in a row since and a frustrated Bears fan base is looking for changes. I highly doubt that you will see Trestman at Halas Hall come the spring.

Prediction: All but done

Jim Harbaugh-San Francisco 49ers

When Jim Harbaugh became the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, it appeared to be a marriage made in heaven. That season Harbaugh led the Niners to their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade which culminated with a trip to the NFC Championship Game. In each of Harbaugh’s first three seasons in San Francisco, the Niners made it to the NFC Championship Game with a trip to the Super Bowl in 2012. But after last season reports began to surface as far friction between Harbaugh and 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. The Cleveland Browns were attempting to acquire Harbuagh from the 49ers before cooler heads prevailed.

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Trent Baalke, Jim Harbaugh

The 49ers have taken a step backwards this season as they are currently 7-7 and they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention. The distraction from the beef between Harbaugh and Baalke has trickled down to the team as the 49ers have not been in sync all season long.

Once the 49ers were eliminated from postseason contention Harbaugh’s name has been linked to the University of Michigan which is his alma mater where he would be welcomed with open arms and also be Baalke free.

Prediction: Out of town on the first thing smoking

Rex Ryan-New York Jets

http://www.realclearsports.com/images/wysiwyg_images/2014footballhotseat/rex-ryan.jpgIn 2009, Rex Ryan was the brash man that never met a camera that he didn’t like when he became the New York Jets head coach. From his introductory press conference with the Jets, Ryan let it be known that wasn’t there to bow down to the New England Patriots and “kiss Bill Belichick’s rings.” In Ryan first two years with the Jets, he got them to the AFC Championship Game, but the team has regressed ever since as they have failed to make the postseason. In 2013, Jets owner Woody Johnson fired team general manager Mike Tannenbaum while deciding to retain Ryan. This practice by Johnson made it tough for the Jets to find a worthwhile general manager and thus they settled on John Idzik. With Idzik and Ryan working together the Jets are 11-19 as the marriage has not worked. The Jets are expected to fire Idzik after the season and it will be all but impossible for Johnson to retain Ryan once more under another general manager.

Prediction: Gone

Tony Sparano-Oakland Raiders

http://www.tsmplug.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mike-brisiel-tony-sparano-nfl-washington-redskins-oakland-raiders1.jpgThe Oakland Raiders began this season with a record of 0-4 which led to the dismissal of head coach Dennis Allen. Allen was replaced as the Raiders head coach by Tony Sparano who has the interim tag attached to him. Under Sparano, the Raiders are 2-8 and they still have the look of one of the worst teams in the National Football League. Raiders owner Mark Davis is looking to make a splash this off-season and we could see wholesale changes being made to the silver and black.

Prediction: Sparano’s bags are already packed

Joe Philbin-Miami Dolphins

If nothing else the Miami Dolphins have been consistently inconsistent under head coach Joe Philbin. In nearly three seasons under Philbin, the Dolphins are 22-24. Last season the Dolphins were 8-6 and they only needed to win one of their last two games to be playoff bound, but they lost both contests. Philbin was also barely able to survive the Dolphins bullying scandal last season that sent shock waves around the NFL. The Dolphins have lost their last two games by a combined score of 69-26 and at 7-7, their playoff hopes are doubtful.

Prediction: There’s a slim chance that Philbin could be back next season

Mike Smith-Atlanta Falcons

http://standingosports.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mikesmith.jpgIn nearly seven seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Mike Smith has won more games (65) than any other head coach in the franchise’s history. In Smith’s first five seasons with the Falcons, the team never endured a losing season with four playoff appearances. But in those four playoff appearances the Falcons only won a single postseason game. The injury bug has limited the Falcons chances in the past two seasons as they are 9-21. The Falcons are 5-9 this season, but their saving grace is that they are in the NFC South and they still have a puncher’s chance to make the playoffs.

Prediction: Even if the Falcons make the playoffs it will come down to the mindset of team owner Arthur Blank

Ron Rivera-Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera has been the head coach of the Carolina Panthers since 2011. After going 6-10 under Rivera in 2011, the Panthers began 2012 with a record of 2-8. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was on the verge of firing Rivera that year, but the team rallied to win five out of their last six ball games that season to finish with a record of 7-9. The Panthers won the NFC South with a record of 12-4 last season and the expectations for them were once again high this season.

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ron+Rivera+Carolina+Panthers+v+San+Francisco+dOG46mwA_jjl.jpgThe Panthers got this season going on the right foot as they won their first two games. But over their next 10 games the Panthers would only go 1-8-1. The Panthers have rebounded to win their last two games and with a record of 5-8-1 they are right in the thick of things to repeat as NFC South Champs. Rivera is 30-31-1 in nearly four seasons as the Panthers head coach including being the NFL’s Coach of the Year in 2013, but how much support does he have from Richardson?

Prediction: 50/50

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