It’s that time of year… World Series, leaves changing, windbag politicians kissing babies, pumpkins, a cool, crisp feel in the air.  What better way to warm up than by examining the annual NFL coaching hot seat?  Pull up a chair and we’ll throw some wood on this fire.

In recent seasons we’ve seen some NFL teams swing the axe early, sending coaches packing their bags as early as three weeks into the season. The NFL is a serious business and with the shortest schedule in sports, some guys have found themselves in the unemployment line while season ticket holders are barely settling into their seats.

This year’s “pink slip” candidates:

• Mike Singletary, 49ers: “Samurai Mike” first made a name for himself (and raised eyebrows) by yanking underachieving tight end Vernon Davis off the field during a 2008 game, and then dropping his pants in front of his team after said game.  Expectations were high for the 49ers this year in the weak NFC West.  But after a 1-6 start, Singletary has garnered himself a nice warm spot on the hot seat.  Don’t believe the public vote of confidence he received from owners John and Jed York, word is that the two are not pleased with their coach.  Expect former 49ers assistant Jon Gruden to be among the favorites to replace Singletary.
• Wade Phillips, Cowboys: Even before Tony Romo broke his collarbone against the QB-injuring machine known as the New York Giants, Phillips was on the hot seat.  With Romo out for at least six weeks, you can stick a fork in both the 1-5 Cowboys and Phillips’ tenure as head coach.  This is a team that many expected to be the first to have a “home game” Super Bowl this February (the game will be played in Cowboys Stadium), and owner Jerry Jones is none too pleased.  According to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, Jones covets the Titants Jeff Fisher and the Saints Sean Payton, but both pose potential contractual issues.  Current Ole Miss (and former Arkansas) head coach Houston Nutt could be a dark horse candidate.
• John Fox, Panthers: Fox’s contract is up, and the team is clearly in rebuilding mode.  The question is not if Fox will go, but where he’ll be coaching in 2011, CBS’s Bill Cowher is the one name continually mentioned as a replacement, given the fact that he lives in the Charlotte area.
• Lovie Smith, Bears: Chicago is another team that has underachieved this year, losing three straights after a 4-0 start. Smith hasn’t been able to do much since the team acquired QB Jay Cutler before the 2009 season.  Cowher’s name is also mentioned here as a potential successor.

Other names whose jobs could be on the line include Jacksonville’s Jack Del Rio, Cleveland’s Eric Mangini, Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis, Minnesota’s Brad Childress and San Diego’s Norv Turner (although he could save himself with yet another late-season rally).

On the bright side, there are a few coaches who have remained off the hot seat thanks to their teams’ improved play.  They include Steve Spagnuolo of the Rams, Raheem Morris of the Buccaneers and Jim Schwartz of the Lions; a team that is playing far better than its 1-5 record indicates.

It’s still early but remember, it’s the NFL and some of these seats will only get hotter.

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

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