The Top Ten NFL Coaching Candidates (*Updated)
By Editorial Staff
Today both the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs fired their head coaches Tony Sparano and Todd Haley. Both teams decided that there was no point in delaying the inevitable and that they might as well begin the search for their next head coach. In the coming weeks you can be sure that other teams will create a vacancy in their coaching staff and will join the search for a new man that can lead them in 2012.
It happens every year once teams who had big expectations realize that they were not as good as they thought they were. For one reason or another the blame always seems to land in the lap of the head coach and fans begin discussing who their team should hire to replace him. I thought today I would help fan the flames and provide my list of the top ten current candidates who will be in line for a head coaching job in 2012 and one current head coach who might become available at the end of the season.
10. Les Miles, 57 years old, Currently Employed as Head Coach at LSU
— Helped lead LSU to a perfect record this season and will play Alabama for the National Championship next month. He currently holds a 75-17 record as an NCAA head coach from 2001-current (was the 2007 National Champ)
9. Jim Tressel, 58 years old, Currently Employed as a consultant for the Indianapolis Colts
–Holds a 241-79-2 record as an NCAA head coach from 1986-2010 (2002 National Champ)
8. Rob Ryan, 48 years old, Currently Employed as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys
–Has been an NFL coordinator from 2004-present
7. Perry Fewell, 49 years old, Currently Employed as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants
–Holds a 3-4 record as an NFL interim head coach in 2009. Has been an NFL coordinator from 2006-present
6. Brian Billick, 57 years old, Currently Employed as an analyst on NFL Network
–Holds a 80-64 record as an NFL head coach from 1999-2007 (2000 Super Bowl Champ)
5. Rob Chudzinski, 43 years old, Currently Employed as the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers
–Has been an NFL coordinator from 2007-present
4. Tony Dungy, 56 years old, Currently Employed as an analyst on NBC Football Night in America
–Holds a 139-69 record as an NFL head coach from 1996-2008 (2006 Super Bowl Champ)
*Note* Dungy is probably a long shot to come out of retirement this season. However, with the recent news that Peyton Manning could be playing for a new team in 2012, a team in need of a new direction could persuade the two to come as a package deal. Depending on the city in need, an opportunity to work with her former quarterback might be too good to pass up for the former Colts head coach.
3. Jon Gruden, 48 years old, Currently Employed as an analyst on ESPN
–Holds a 95-81 record as an NFL head coach from 1998-2008 (2002 Super Bowl Champ)
2. Bill Cowher, 54 years old, Currently Employed as an analyst on CBS
–Holds a 149-90-1 record as an NFL head coach from 1992-1996 (2005 Super Bowl Champ)
1. Jeff Fisher, 53 years old, Currently Unemployed
–Holds a 146-120 record as an NFL head coach from 1994-2010–
–Keep Your Eye On–
Andy Reid, 53 years old, Current Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles
–Holds a 133-90-1 record as an NFL head coach from 1999-present (lost in 2004 Super Bowl)–
Andy Reid has proven to be one of the leagues top coaches for more then a decade. During that time he has helped lead the Eagles to six division titles and nine playoff appearances. In fact, Reid’s Eagles have only missed the playoffs three times (four if they miss this year) in the past eleven seasons; a remarkable feat. During his coaching career Reid has also proven to be an excellent mentor for young quarterbacks. He helped groom Brett Favre while an assistant coach in Green Bay, and while in Philadelphia he helped develop Donovan McNabb and revived the career of Michael Vick. So why would Philadelphia want to move on from such an established and accomplished head coach? Even with all of his success Reid has yet to win the Super Bowl and coming into this year expectations were at an all time high and were not even close to being met. At the end of this season the Eagles front office could decide that it is time to make a change and that change could be at their head coaching position. If this happens you can be sure that Andy Reid will be in high demand and at the top of most teams wish lists as they shop for a new head coach for 2012.