NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat
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by Oh No Romo
The sun is rising on the 2007 NFL Season, as 32 teams battle it out for the purpose of hoisting the coveted Lombardi Trophy in Glendale, Ariz., come February.
It's that same sun, however, that is heating up the seats of five NFL coaches, who must win or be fired. Who's job is safe, and who could be on the way out?
5. Norv Turner- San Diego Chargers
I know I'm going to receive some heat for this choice at five, but it makes sense when you consider where the Chargers were last year, under Marty Schottenheimer and where they should be this year.
The Chargers did get rid of 'Marty-ball' to get 49ers Offensive Coordinator, Norv Turner. Schottenheimer led the team to a 47-29 record, with two division titles.
In seven seasons with Washington, Turner won only one division title. He had a record of 49-59-1.
Turner won only nine games as Head Coach of the Raiders.
The pressure is on him to succeed. With all that talent, how can they not win? That's why Turner is fifth.
4. Jack Del Rio- Jacksonville Jaguars
Del Rio is another coach I could receive heat from. But he has one playoff berth during his time in Jacksonville.
His time would be a little better if he knew who his quarterback was. With Byron Leftwich getting hurt all the time, its never easy to switch to new quarterbacks. I know, I've seen so many changes to the Bears QB situation, I've considered making a list just on that subject.
This team has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and they need to make the playoffs if Del Rio wants to keep his job.
3. Jon Gruden- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sure he won a Super Bowl with the Bucs, but that was with Tony Dungy's players. Since then, it has been an up and down ride for the Bucs.
They've made the playoffs twice since winning the Super Bowl, both times getting knocked out in the Wild Card game.
This team has had its fair share of quarterbacks coming and going. Take this season, five quarterbacks are fighting for the job (which will most likely go to Jeff Garcia).
Could Gruden be fired if the Bucs miss the playoffs, I certainly wouldn't count it out.
2. Joe Gibbs- Washington Redskins
It's been a few years into the second part of the Joe Gibbs era in DC. Unfortunately, he only has one playoff berth to show for it. Granted, the NFC East is a tough division. But when your owner is Dan Snyder (a Jerry Jones wannabe), you need to win now
If the Redskins do struggle this year and miss the playoffs, Gibbs could be forced with the decision of either stepping aside, or being fired.
1. Tom Coughlin- New York Giants
When playing or coaching in New York, the media capitol of the world, the pressure is constant. It doesn't matter if you are a first year coach, or a seasoned one, the oven burns a lot more when the New York media scrutinizes you.
For Coughlin, it has been a bad experience in New York. Pick your poison, going with Manning over Warner too soon, the 'if you're on time, you're late' fiasco, Tiki Barber's retirement, Michael Strahan's current holdout. You name it, he's dealt with it.
To top it all off, the team has two playoff appearances, losing in both appearances. This team has more issues than a newsstand.
Coughlin almost got fired last year, this year could lead to his demise as coach.
(Honorable Mentions: Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys; Andy Reid; Philadelphia Eagles; Romeo Crennel, Browns)
