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NFL coaching carousel: Who's in, out on Black Monday?

احدث اجدد واروع واجمل واشيك NFL coaching carousel: Who's in, out on Black Monday?

The NFL's head-coaching carousel began to spin on Monday on the first day of the 2011 offseason. Four teams -- the Cowboys, Vikings, Broncos and 49ers -- dismissed their head coaches during the season, and the Panthers added John Fox to the ranks of the unemployed after Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

USA TODAY's Sean Leahy examines the coaches ousted on Monday, others on the hot seat and the vacancies that must be filled by NFL teams:

Out on Monday:
Cleveland Browns: Team president Mike Holmgren dismissed coach Eric Mangini one day after his second straight 5-11 finish. Mangini's job may have been saved in 2009 when the Browns won four straight games to close the season.

CAPTIONBy Tony Dejak, AP
 This year, the Browns stumbled to the end after losing their final four games. "Although we have made improvements this season, my responsibility is to ensure that we establish a program that will allow this team to compete at a championship level," Holmgren said. A Super Bowl-winning coach with the Packers, Holmgren could step in himself or select another coach -- likely an offensive-minded one. (Update: Holmgren said Monday he's not a candidate to coach the Browns right now.)

The hot seat:
Miami Dolphins: Head coach Tony Sparano is in danger after finishing 7-9 for the second straight year following a 38-7 loss in New England on Sunday. NFL.com reported that team owner Stephen Ross is set to meet with Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland this week. Sparano has one year left on his contract, but the Dolphins have regressed since he led them to an 11-5 finish and a division title in his first season in 2008. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning is expected to leave the Dolphins, but it's not yet known whether Sparano will follow him out the door.

Oakland Raiders: For the first time since 2002, the Raiders finished without a losing record. But ESPN reported that Oakland is unlikely to retain coach Tom Cable, who was 17-27 in parts of three seasons. Last year, Raiders owner Al Davis allowed uncertainty around Cable's status to linger well into February. A quick resolution is unlikely, although Davis may have to make a decision by Jan. 18, the deadline to act on a contract option for next season. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who in his first season, led the Raiders to an average of 25.6 points per game, may loom as a potential successor.

Tennessee Titans: Jeff Fisher, the NFL's longest-tenured (1994) head coach with one team, is under contract next season, but may not get the chance to play it out. 

CAPTIONBy Mike Fender, The Indianapolis Star
The Titans finished 6-10 and out of the playoffs for the second straight year, but Fisher's relationship with team owner Bud Adams and QB Vince Young could be the pivot point that turns him out of Nashville. Fox Sports reported Adams will meet with team officials on Monday to discuss Fisher's future. The coach had a blow-up with Young in November in which Young walked out of the locker room a day before being placed on IR. Fisher had already stripped him of his starting job. But Adams, who drafted Young third overall in 2006, has said this season that he expects Young and Fisher to work out their differences. Asked about his status on Sunday, Fisher said, "I'm under contract through next year."

Cincinnati Bengals: Coach Marvin Lewis' contract is expiring, and he said Sunday that he doesn't know if he will be back next season. The Bengals went 4-12 this season -- including a 10-game losing streak -- but Lewis wants the team to commit to giving him more resources (such as a practice bubble) if he returns. Lewis is mentioned as a potential candidate to fill the vacancy at the University of Pittsburgh. His defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, could potentially replace him if he walks. "It's going to be something both sides need to sit down, talk about and agree upon," Lewis said Sunday. "And I need to go away and sleep on things." (Update: The Bengals said no decision on Lewis' status was expected Monday.)

The lukewarm seat:
Houston Texans: Coach Gary Kubiak may get another chance after a win against Jacksonville on Sunday closed a 6-10. Kubiak, who got a two-year contract extension after last season (but had fans rallying to fire him on Sunday), said he would meet with team owner Bob McNair this week. The Texans may look to make changes among Kubiak's assistants, although the coach said Sunday no decision had been made about the future of defensive coordinator Frank Bush. Former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips could potentially join Kubiak as a new defensive coordinator.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The team's three-game losing streak that took it from the doorstep of the playoffs to 8-8 could put pressure on Jack Del Rio. But the coach still has two years on his contract, which would make him expensive to fire. And Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver -- who has had just two coaches in the franchise's 16-year history -- doesn't like to change coaches.

Other teams with vacancies:
Denver Broncos: Interim coach Eric Studesville went 1-3 after the dismissal of Josh McDaniels on Dec. 6. He'll likely get a chance to interview for the full-time job. But Hall of Famer John Elway, expected to join the Broncos this week as front-office boss, will be directing the coaching search. Among his targets could be Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh.

Dallas Cowboys: Team owner Jerry Jones stopped short of naming interim coach Jason Garrett the full-time coach on Sunday. But Jones hinted that Garrett -- who went 5-3 after replacing Wade Phillips at midseason -- will be the choice.

Minnesota Vikings: Interim coach Leslie Frazier declined to confirm a report late Sunday that he had accepted an offer to become the full-time head coach. Frazier went 3-3 after replacing Brad Childress in November, and looks like a good bet to get a full-time shot to run the Vikings.

Carolina Panthers: The team confirmed last week that it would not bring back John Fox, whose contract expired after the season. GM Marty Hurney said Sunday that no interviews had yet been scheduled, and a front-runner for the job has not yet emerged.

San Francisco 49ers: Team president Jed York is expected to allow his new GM -- which could be the role Trent Baalke steps up into -- to hire a new coach. He's reached out to Bill Parcells for advice in the hiring process. And big names such as Jim Harbuagh, Jon Gruden and Brian Billick have been linked to the job. Jim Tomsula, who replaced the fired Mike Singletary for the 49ers' finale, is not expected to be a contender.

Not in danger:
New York Giants: Team co-owner John Mara said Sunday that coach Tom Coughlin will return next season.
San Diego Chargers: Team CEO Dean Spanos said last week that coach Norv Turner and GM A.J. Smith will return next season.

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