Coaches With Their Pants On Fire

Once that is resolved, you will see a lot of turnover, more similar to what happened after the 2008 offseason.  Let’s try to give a verdict on  whose seat is smoldering the most at this point (these, of course, are post-labor stoppage resolving, as teams aren’t going to pay two coaches even if they are dead men walking):

1.  John Fox.  Fox has been in Carolina since 2002, and he’s had his share of ups and downs. The 2003 Super Bowl run has kept him around for a while, but this team does not seem to be going in the right direction at 1-5. I’m not sure that even a run to get to 6-7 wins saves Fox here. Sometimes a relationship runs its course.  Verdict: As sure as Delhomme throwing an interception, he is gone.

2.  Mike Singletary. We’ve chronicled Singletary’s situation, but when you come in with as much expectation as San Francisco, you can’t start off like this. The team looks undisciplined and lets down and plays to the level of the competition. He can probably save his job with a great run, but given what we’ve seen so far, I’m not expecting a lengthy stretch of consistent good play. Verdict: Gone unless San Fran wins 7 of their last 9.

3.  Jack Del Rio. Del Rio has been chopping wood since 2003, and has a 40-39 record.  I’m not sure any coach can endure three straight losing seasons this far into a career and survive, when he doesn’t have a Super Bowl resume to fall back on.  Whoever’s responsible for drafting defensive players should also be gone.  Verdict: Need a change here. Gone.

4.  Wade Phillips. People have been clamoring for his job since the day he was hired.  The Romo injury just cemented the Cowboys from a bounce back after a rough start, and with the team doing so many little things wrong, he will be an easy scape goat.  I’ll get what the Cowboys need to do (offensive line, anyone) in a few weeks, but want to see how they respond to the Romo injury in other phases first.  Plus, you don’t need another Cowboys post yet.  Verdict: Gone unless Jon Kitna is really good.  Um, yeah, he’s gone.

5.  Brad Childress. This team was built to win now, and the quarterback situation is going to decide Childress fate.  Does he sit Favre, or ride him hoping he can turn it around?  Verdict:  Depends on how it ends with Favre.  If the team turns it around, he’s safe.

6. Lovie Smith. It’s fine to admit you made a mistake with the challenge, but they have to stop happening.  This team had one great year under Smith, and has been otherwise, meh.  Verdict:  If they continue like the last two games, he’s gone.  Need to show improvement.  If they are still in the playoff hunt in the final week, he’s okay.

7.  Chan Gailey. I know he is in his first year, but he’s not a rookie.  We’ve seen coaches like Cam Cameron get the axe after one season if it goes badly enough.  His saving grace is that Ralph Wilson may not know who he is.  Verdict:  Probably Safe unless Bills really regress offensively over the second half of the season.  I would still hang in the background at the Christmas party though.

8.  Gary Kubiak. He’s 35-35 overall, and his fifth season.  The Texans have never made the playoffs.  He tends to be conservative at crucial times.  I know they are 4-2 now, but the AFC is tough and the pass defense is brutal.  Verdict: If they don’t make the playoffs, he could be gone, unless the Texans want to repeat the Dennis Erickson in Seattle era.

9.  Marvin Lewis.  A 58-59-1 record and no playoff wins 8 years in?  This guy would be higher on the list except it is Cincinnati.  Verdict:  A good organization would expect better after eight years on the job, but your guess is as good as mine.  My guess is he’s out if they lose 10, but may survive another middling showing.

10.  Josh McDaniel. He’s under fire because of the 59 point loss, his sometimes abrasive approach, and the fact that the Broncos have won only 4 of their last 15.  He can design a passing offense though.  Verdict: Cooler heads prevail, and he gets at least one more year in Denver to turn it around.