NFL Head Coach Hot Seat: Dirk Koetter rising up the board

The NFL head coach hot seat is always something that bears watching because nothing turns a franchise upside down more than change at that spot.

Right now it’s early in the year but the buzz has definitely started to pick up on which jobs may or may not be up for grabs come next January. There are still 12 games remaining so there’s time for all these men to save themselves. Even so, it feels like a lot of grips are starting to loosen. So looking over the landscape as it stands, which names are starting to sweat and who could be on deck if they aren’t more careful in the months to come?

HOT

Hue Jackson (Cleveland Browns)

He was atop the hot seat rankings at the start of the season and not much has changed. The early schedule for Jackson has shaped up to be an easier one than expected and even then he can’t get his team wins. He tied a mediocre Steelers team in the opener. He needed a comeback to beat the Jets and just gave up 45 points to the previously winless Oakland Raiders. The schedule won’t be so generous for the rest of the way. It’s hard to see how he survives beyond this year.

Dirk Koetter (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

The 2-0 start was great for the Buccaneers as they looked like a team ready to take that next step. Then they lost to the Steelers, which proved to be a major red flag that maybe their start was a mirage. Then they went into Chicago and got humiliated 48-10. Their powerhouse offense was shut down by the Bears defense while Mitch Trubisky had his way with them on defense, throwing six touchdowns. Koetter said everybody should be fired after that performance. He’s right.

Warming Up

Bill O’Brien (Houston Texans)

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Let’s be honest. The Houston Texans were gifted one by the Indianapolis Colts. At the very least it should’ve been a tie but a failed 4th down conversion allowed O’Brien to escape with his first win. That said his team is still 1-3 and look like a team that is trying to make it with a talented core and not much else. The head coach himself hasn’t impressed at times either. After his big powerplay this offseason to oust GM Rick Smith, that’s not a good look.

Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Terry Bradshaw has been calling for Mike Tomlin’s head for the past couple of years. Now he may be close to getting his wish. The Steelers head coach went 13-3 last year and now his team is floundering at 1-2-1 with their only win being a narrow affair against the reeling Buccaneers. The offense appears out of sorts without Todd Haley, whom Tomlin let leave and the defense hasn’t been good for years under his watch. When will the breaking point come?

Be Careful

Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks)

Sure the Seahawks have rallied for two wins the past two weeks, but it’s getting harder to take them seriously as a contender. They just lost Earl Thomas for the season, which leaves Bobby Wagner as their only star left on defense. Russell Wilson continues to chafe in the new offense under Brian Schottenheimer. Pete Carroll is also getting older. If the Seahawks can’t make the playoffs again, it may be difficult for him to survive another year.

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