Which NFL Coach Will Get The Axe First?

Added on Oct 01, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

It didn’t take long for the NFL coaching hot seat to heat up. Three games into the 2010 season and a few head honchos are already feeling the squeeze of having to win a game now. Owners and General Managers are an impatient breed. Staring at a 0-4 or 1-3 start makes them very nervous. Since you can’t fire the team (even though some should), the easiest move is to impale the head coach onto his sword. One of the following six guys is bound to lose his gig at some point. Let’s handicap the field.

Mike Singletary (San Francisco) – Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has already been shown the door due to the 31st ranked offense. Singletary, who is supposed to be a defensive guru, might not be far behind considering the defense is currently ranked 32nd. The Niners are 0-3, but play in an awful division, so there is plenty of time to turn things around. I say Singletary wins enough games to escape the season unscathed.

Eric Mangini (Cleveland) – Mangini is not Mike Holmgren’s guy, but since this is a throwaway season, he might last until January before getting canned. Using the same logic, Holmgren could decide to kick Mangini to the curb sooner rather than later. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan would make an ideal interim coach.

Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville) – Jacky boy has been operating on borrowed time for a while. How he’s lasted nine seasons is a mystery. He’s won a single playoff game and has a career record of 59-59. A loss at Buffalo in two weeks could be all she wrote for Del Rio. I doubt he makes it past October, but owner Wayne Weaver seems oblivious to what’s going on with his team, so Del Rio could skate again.

Norv Turner (San Diego) – For whatever reason, Norv’s Bolts never seem to get off to great starts. It’s deja vu in 2010. They’ll probably rebound to win the division, but an inevitable defeat in the postseason will leave Turner fighting for his job come January. Bottom line: he won’t be dismissed mid-season.

Tom Coughlin (New York Giants) – I already covered Coughlin’s situation, so I’ll avoid a rehash. I think he’ll survive the season, but the pressure of coaching in New York could cost him his job if he fails to right the ship soon.

John Fox (Carolina) – Like Del Rio, Fox has lasted longer than expected. The Cats are heading toward an 0-5 record before they hit their bye week. I have a feeling Fox will be gone before the week seven matchup with San Francisco. A rebuilding stage is underway in Carolina and odds are Fox won’t be in charge for much longer.