The NFL isn’t known for being a stable organization, especially when it comes to its coaches and players, as those individuals are all too familiar with the league changing around them in a moment’s notice. So it goes without saying that each year typically brings a bevy of coaching changes, some expected and others not, opening the doors for plenty of speculation as the regular season gets closer to the finish line.

I opened up a discussion on which coaches are likely to be on the hot seat a few weeks back, but given the amount of rumors flying around these days surrounding multiple teams and individual coaches, I thought it would be good to bring the subject back to the forefront and see how things have changed.

So far there are at least eight different teams that could potentially be on the hunt for a new head coach this off-season, and while several of those openings will be highly dependent on how well the current coach performs down the stretch, most of the positions are a virtual lock at this point to be available.

For now, I’ll be focusing on the teams I think are most certain of having a new head coach next season. As the regular season comes to a close, I’ll add in more names when they become available.

1. Washington Redskins | Jim Zorn

To be honest, Zorn probably has a better chance of being struck by lightning while standing on the sidelines then he does of keeping his job next season. The Redskins have been one of the decade’s most universally disappointing teams, with millions of dollars spent on pricey free agent acquisitions and nothing to show for it.

A lot of that instability has come from team owner Dan Snyder, as he’s constantly trying to land the next big name player or coach. In the end though, the responsibility for winning and losing each week falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach, which is why Zorn is guaranteed of a one way ticket out of town in a few weeks.

Given Snyder’s propensity for trying to go big with his head coaching hires, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pull out all the stops to lure one of the marquee names out there, like Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, or possibly even Jon Gruden. Shanahan would be the most likely of those three to be interested in the position, as Cowher and Gruden have both made it clear they’ve got other fish to fry, but you can never be completely sure, especially with the kind of money Snyder will likely throw out there to get his guy in the fold. Keep an eye on former Ravens head coach Brian Billick as well… he has plenty of connections in the area and could be a solid hire for the Redskins.

2. Buffalo Bills | Perry Fewell

The Bills have already dumped their head coach this season, firing Dick Jauron half way through the year for his pathetic performance with a reasonably talented team. Fewell is well liked within the organization and seems to have his players working much harder each week to win, so it’s definitely possible that he sticks around after the season is complete, especially if Buffalo can’t find another coach they like to come in and run the show.

The hard part though lies with the location and current roster composition, as Buffalo certainly isn’t the most desirable spot to be, especially in the dead of winter, but that could be overcome if the team had a stable situation at key positions. Unfortunately, their biggest issues seem to be at both quarterback and offensive tackle, which will make for a longer rebuilding process unless the team goes out and gets legitimate players to fill those spots this off-season.

Mike Shanahan has already spent close to seven hours in discussion with the front office, but seems to have moved on for the time being, waiting to see what opportunities will be available before making a decision. The rest of the big names out there have all said no thank you to the Bills, so while Buffalo could call an audible and go after a rising assistant like Leslie Frazier (Vikings) or Brian Schottenheimer (Jets), at this point it’s looking more and more likely that Fewell will be the best option in the future.

3. Houston Texans | Gary Kubiak

This job seemed to be safe for Kubiak earlier in the year, but with the Texans imploding headed down the stretch, it’s becoming more of a certainty that Houston will be looking for a new coach as the season gets close to the end. Kubiak hasn’t done a terrible job as the head guy for the Texans, but no playoff trips and a perpetual role as the Colts punching bag each year have all but sealed his fate.

Houston definitely isn’t lacking though in curb appeal, as they have a solid nucleus of players already in place, along with one of the premier facilities in the game today, so it’s doubtful that they would have any trouble finding a solid group of coaches to take Kubiak’s place.

Out of the big name guys, the only one that makes sense is Mike Shanahan, although it would be a bit strange for him to take over the job from his former offensive coordinator in Denver. That said, Shanahan’s son Kyle is already in place as the Texans OC, which could make things even more appealing. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a solid assistant like Leslie Frazier (Vikings) get the position, but given the amount of talent on the team right now, they may be looking for a veteran coach who can win quickly instead of a young coach getting his first opportunity.

4. Carolina Panthers | John Fox

This is where the uncertainty begins, as Fox isn’t a lock as of yet to get the axe this off-season. That said, the Panthers struggles have been well documented this season, and combined with their playoff debacle last January at home against the Cardinals, it’s going to be difficult for Fox to retain his job once the regular season is complete.

Saying goodbye to Fox wouldn’t necessarily be the best move for Carolina, but it could open the door to a bigger and brighter future, with several big name coaches available this season that would almost certainly be interested in the job, given the amount of talent already in place. The Panthers do have major question marks at quarterback and on defense, but those issues can be fixed via free agency or in the draft, and the emergence of Matt Moore at QB could make much of the discussion irrelevant in that regard.

The number one candidate to take over in Carolina if they end up firing Fox is almost certain to be former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, who has strong ties to the area and would bring a level of excitement not seen since the Panthers run to the Super Bowl in 2004. Cowher is known for his defensive prowess and would likely have an excellent crew of assistants lined up as well, should he decide to take the position. Hiring a younger coach isn’t out of the question, but there’s little doubt that Cowher is the man everyone wants right now.

5. Cleveland Browns | Eric Mangini

For some time now, the hot seat discussion has centered around a potential dismissal of Mangini from his job in Cleveland, but after watching the Browns take home a big win over their rivals from Pittsburgh last Thursday, it’s going to be hard for owner Randy Lerner to push him out the door. The team has publicly stated their love for Mangini’s style and seems ready to turn the corner with him at the helm.

But words mean little at this time of year in the NFL, and in Mangini’s case, his team’s desire to have him around for the long haul may not be enough to save his skin, especially if Lerner brings in a strong general manager with ideas that run counter to what Mangini is trying to accomplish. It could alienate some of the players that enjoy working with Mangini, but in the end, the NFL is a business and the Browns will move on without Mangini if Lerner and his new GM feel it’s in the team’s best interest.

If Mangini is handed a pink slip this off-season, there will be more than enough candidates to choose from, although the list may not include any of the marquee names that are currently being floated right now. Given the state of the franchise, it’s much more likely that we’ll see a younger, less experienced coach take the reins in Cleveland, as the top level coaches will find the going a bit rougher than they would prefer. Some names to keep an eye on are Leslie Frazier (Vikings) and Brian Schottenheimer (Jets), as they both have the talent and ability to become effective head coaches in the NFL, and are overdue for a promotion.

Other jobs to keep an eye on…

• Dallas Cowboys | Wade Phillips

• Chicago Bears | Lovie Smith

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raheem Morris

• Jacksonville Jaguars | Jack Del Rio

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