NFL Coaching Carousel

With the end of the NFL season yesterday, many coaching openings will emerge. If you're a coach who has been on the job for more than a year and finished out of the playoffs you hesitate to answer the phone this time of year. So far, the following teams are without a head coach:
Chiefs - Dick Vermeil - retired
Rams - Mike Martz - fired
Vikings - Mike Tice - fired
Packers - Mike Sherman - fired
Texans - Dom Capers - fired
Saints - Jim Haslett - fired
Lions - Steve Mariucci - fired (Interim coach Dick Jauron may be retained)

None of the firing is a big surprise, except Sherman being let go by the Packers. This was his first losing season in 6th years in charge of the Packers. Also, he had to deal with an incredible number of injuries. In some ways this may be an attempt by Green Bay management to push Brett Farve out the door.

While seven openings may seem like a lot, there will probably be a couple more added as the week goes on. Norv Turner is likely out in Oakland. Bill Parcells is reportedly mulling retirement. Dennis Green may be on shaky ground in Arizona.

All these moves will have a ripple effect on coordinators and position coaches. Hopefully, the Browns will be looking at some of the available talent to upgrade our coaching on the offensive side of the ball.