NFL Coaching Carousel: Where the Former Elite NFL Coaches Will End Up in 2012
The life of an NFL coach is a 365 day a year grind. From game planning to making roster moves, coach's endure a whole lot of responsibility and are usually on a short leash with their respective teams.
In 2012, there seems to be an abundance of veteran NFL coaches that could find themselves back on the sideline.
Coach's such as Bill Cowher and John Gruden have found work in broadcasting for ESPN and CBS respectively, but I expect them to get back into the coaching ranks soon.
Marty Schottenheimer
Schottenheimer is currently the head coach for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.
Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs,Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers. He holds the distinction of being the NFL coach with the most wins since 1966 to never coach a team in a Super Bowl.
Schottenheimer was fired in 2007 after a 14-2 start because his team lost in the divisional round in the playoffs.
His record speaks for himself at 200-126.
He is one of the winning-est coach's of all time. His coaching tree is also a respectable one. Coach's such as Herm Edwards and Bill Cowher have learned under Marty.
If Schottenheimer was to make a return to the NFL, I would look for a team that has a solid offense with a veteran quarterback and defense that is young, energetic and has multiple pass rushers.
Marty Schottenheimer: Houston Texans
Brian Billick
If Brian Billick had a legitimate QB for a number of years, we may have very well been talking about a Ravens dynasty instead of a Patriots one.
Billick had a lot of success from 2000 to 2003 and had one of the best defenses the NFL has ever seen. Billick and the Ravens crushed the Giants in Super Bowl 35 and did it all with a mediocre offense.
The coach was also the Vikings offensive coordinator when they broke the then scoring record in 1998 and was considered one of the best offensive minds in the game.
I expect him to be attracted to a team that needs some offensive help, but already has a franchise QB.
Brian Billick: Chicago Bears
John Gruden
The voice of Monday Night Football won't be too comfy in his chair announcing games for much longer.
Gruden is one of the most knowledgeable offensive coach's out there, and he proved this during his time with ESPN. Gruden expects a lot from his players and they carry the same tough attitude that he possesses.
Gruden won Super Bowl 37 in his first year with Tampa Bay and had a great defense with an offense that made few mistakes.
If Gruden comes back to coaching, teams that attract him will have to have a veteran quarterback that is capable of teaching one of his future prodigies along with a hard nose defense that's not afraid to hit and punish the quarterback.
John Gruden: New York Giants
Jeff Fisher
With Tennessee, Fisher complied a record of 142-120. He was the head coach for 17 years, and was the coach of the Titans when they were still known as the Houston Oilers. Fisher had the longest consecutive single tenure since Don Shula and while with Tennessee, he was a yard short of beating the Rams in Super Bowl 34.
Fisher has always been a defensive minded coach and has developed players like Javon Kearse and Albert Haynesworth.
Being from California, I expect Fisher to return to his roots and with the Chargers struggling lately with Norv Turner, don't count it out.
Jeff Fisher: San Diego Chargers
Bill Cowher
The most prized of the former coaching guru's maybe be taking his talents to South Beach in 2012.
Cowher openly came out before this season and said he would be open to make a return to the NFL. However, with the lockout brewing Cowher will not be coaching in 2011 which makes perfect sense for a return in 2012.
He mentioned The New York Giants, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins as the three teams he would consider while all three had coach's already locked up for the upcoming season. The Fins make the most sense due to the fact that their defense has playmakers that resemble the Steeler teams that Cowher once coached. Cowher may even bring back fellow CBS analyst Dan Marino with him, due to the fact that most Dolphins fans would like his chances better than Chad Henne's.
Bill Cowher: Miami Dolphins