Five NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2011

The NFL is back and as we prepare for the start of the 2011 NFL season, there are several coaches who are on the proverbial hot seat and need to show signs of improvement if they are going to win. These are the five coaches who will be looking for new employment if things do not improve.

Tony Sparano - Miami Dolphins

The way the Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross courted Jim Harbaugh, you would think Sparano was already out the door. When the deal for Harbaugh died, Sparano was rewarded with an extension.

The problem is that the Dolphins have begun regressing on offense since they first brought the Wildcat offense to the NFL. The team is still lacking a quarterback who can take over a game and their running game is questionable at best.

Even with the two-year extension, this is going to be a make or break year for Sparano. If the Dolphins do not reach the playoffs and make some noise, he will be on South Beach looking for work.

Norv Turner - San Diego Chargers

Every year the Chargers on at the top of the list when it comes to Super Bowl predictions but in the end they simply seem to fade away.

Last year was no exception when the Chargers started the season with a 4-5 record. They finished with the one of the top rated offenses and defenses in the AFC, but yet they failed to make the playoffs. There is no excuse for a team filled with offensive weapons that they should not run away with the AFC West this year.

A typical Chargers' slow start to the season could spell the end of Turner's time in San Diego.

Jack Del Rio - Jacksonville Jaguars

Every year it seems like Del Rio is on this list, and yet he finds a way to save his career and live to coach another day.

Over the last three seasons, the Jaguars have compiled a 20-28 record with Del Rio at the helm. To top it off, the offensive and defense units ranked near the bottom. If they are going to turn things around in 2011, they will need to rely on their running game and hope it helps their quarterback situation.

While big things are not expect from the Jags in 2011, if the team under performs it should spell the end for Del Rio.

Marvin Lewis - Cincinnati Bengals

In 2010, the Bengals were going to build on their success and make a push to the Super Bowl. Instead they ended up a paltry 4-12 record. Now he finds himself back on the hot seat, a place all too familiar.

The Bengals remain in a tough AFC North division with other teams that made strides last year. To top things off, Lewis is going to need to save his career with a rookie quarterback and an offense that sputters at best.

Aside from a playoff berth, there is little hope that Lewis will be walking the sidelines for the Bengals in 2011.

Gary Kubiak - Houston Texans

Last year, the Texans were supposed to break the Colts stranglehold on the division and come away with their first AFC South title. Instead they finished with a 6-10 record and well out of the playoff chase.

The offense continues to make strides but it was their defense that held them back. Changes were put in place to see if the defense can bounce back to be one of the better units in the AFC.

It does not help Kubiak's chances that he has only had one winning season since taking over the head coaching position. If Kubiak is going to keep his job and remain employed, he will need his team to man up in 2011 and make a serious run at capturing a division title.