10 NFL Coaches Facing Do-or-Die Situations In 2015

Technically, every NFL coach is on the “hot seat.” Coaching in the NFL is a stressful job, much worse than accounting during tax season and nearly as thankless. Of 2015’s pool of 32 head honchos, here are 10 whose seats are simmering.

10 NFL Coaches Facing Do-or-Die Situations In 2015

Technically, every NFL coach is on the “hot seat.” Coaching in the NFL is a stressful job, much worse than accounting during tax season and nearly as thankless. Of 2015’s pool of 32 head honchos, here are 10 whose seats are simmering.

10. Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions

Jim Caldwell took the 5th-most talented team to arguably a 12th-place finish in the NFL playoffs. An aspirin bottle could’ve taken the Lions to the playoffs last year. Not only does Detroit want to get there, but they’d like to win — the Lions haven’t won a playoff game since the 1991 season.

10. Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions

Jim Caldwell took the 5th-most talented team to arguably a 12th-place finish in the NFL playoffs. An aspirin bottle could’ve taken the Lions to the playoffs last year. Not only does Detroit want to get there, but they’d like to win — the Lions haven’t won a playoff game since the 1991 season.

9. Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly performed a major overhaul with a lot of overhead, but Philadelphia wasn’t too fond of Andy Reid, so do you think they’ll be patient with Kelly? Maybe Charlie Kelly, but not Chip.

9. Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly performed a major overhaul with a lot of overhead, but Philadelphia wasn’t too fond of Andy Reid, so do you think they’ll be patient with Kelly? Maybe Charlie Kelly, but not Chip.

8. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

The expectations were built by Marvin Lewis (and maybe Sam Wyche) and now Lewis must deal with them. Companies want you to continue to trend upward and getting “only” 10 wins might not jibe with Cincinnati brass any longer. AFC championship or bust for the Bengals.

8. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

The expectations were built by Marvin Lewis (and maybe Sam Wyche) and now Lewis must deal with them. Companies want you to continue to trend upward and getting “only” 10 wins might not jibe with Cincinnati brass any longer. AFC championship or bust for the Bengals.

7. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants

Tom Coughlin is on the perpetual hot seat of professional football. New York flexes a tough, “what have you done for me lately” culture and two Super Bowl championships in the last decade makes no one exempt. If Coughlin doesn’t retire after an unsuccessful 2015, this long-time employee of Big Blue might get the big pink slip.

7. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants

Tom Coughlin is on the perpetual hot seat of professional football. New York flexes a tough, “what have you done for me lately” culture and two Super Bowl championships in the last decade makes no one exempt. If Coughlin doesn’t retire after an unsuccessful 2015, this long-time employee of Big Blue might get the big pink slip.

6. Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars

“Year three” is usually the season good coaches show us just how brilliant they can be. Does anyone think Gus Bradley will have a big year three? Let’s see, four wins in 2013 and three in 2014, the outlook looks bleak for Bradley.

6. Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars

“Year three” is usually the season good coaches show us just how brilliant they can be. Does anyone think Gus Bradley will have a big year three? Let’s see, four wins in 2013 and three in 2014, the outlook looks bleak for Bradley.

5. Joe Philbin, Miami Dolphins

Miami now has what you’d call “weapons,” and just added the proven, yet NFL elderly, Greg Jennings. I think the Dolphins will be the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles “dream team” all over again, but that’s none of my business.

5. Joe Philbin, Miami Dolphins

Miami now has what you’d call “weapons,” and just added the proven, yet NFL elderly, Greg Jennings. I think the Dolphins will be the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles “dream team” all over again, but that’s none of my business.

4. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

I can’t believe the era of Sean Payton could ever meet demise, but one more mediocre year for the Saints and Payton’s tenure could be done. Both parties will have to move on and move forward.

4. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

I can’t believe the era of Sean Payton could ever meet demise, but one more mediocre year for the Saints and Payton’s tenure could be done. Both parties will have to move on and move forward.

3. Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams

Jeff Fisher has built a tough St. Louis Rams team but hasn’t built a talented one. 2015 could be Fisher’s final shot if Nick Foles or a “QB to be named later” can’t come through. I know it seems that Fisher has been fire-proof his entire career, but change is obdurate and the Rams haven’t made the playoffs since 2004.

3. Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams

Jeff Fisher has built a tough St. Louis Rams team but hasn’t built a talented one. 2015 could be Fisher’s final shot if Nick Foles or a “QB to be named later” can’t come through. I know it seems that Fisher has been fire-proof his entire career, but change is obdurate and the Rams haven’t made the playoffs since 2004.

2. Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers may not be the only high-profile Charger changing scenery after 2015. Back-to-back 9-7 campaigns are just too blah for beautiful San Diego. And if the Chargers end up moving up to L.A., a new coach may have to become part of the decor.

2. Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers may not be the only high-profile Charger changing scenery after 2015. Back-to-back 9-7 campaigns are just too blah for beautiful San Diego. And if the Chargers end up moving up to L.A., a new coach may have to become part of the decor.

1. Ken Whisenhunt, Tennessee Titans

How did Ken Whisenhunt guide the Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII? No seriously, I want to know. My guess is that Kurt Warner was coaching that team because since then, Whisenhunt has compiled just one winning record and put together two 5-11 seasons to go along with last year’s 2-14 failure.

1. Ken Whisenhunt, Tennessee Titans

How did Ken Whisenhunt guide the Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII? No seriously, I want to know. My guess is that Kurt Warner was coaching that team because since then, Whisenhunt has compiled just one winning record and put together two 5-11 seasons to go along with last year’s 2-14 failure.