The 2011 NFL season is only one week old so no coach is in danger of being fired but some are in a prove-it year so every game counts. SB Nation will be taking a weekly look at coaches that are on the hot seat as the season rolls along.
NFL Hot Seat: Dolphins’ Tony Sparano Leads The Pack
NFL coaches don’t get fired after just one week of the season but some coaches are entering the hot seat. Who’s seat is getting warm after Week 1?
We’ll be using the National Weather Service’s excessive heat map to determine the warmth of every coach’s seat. Here’s what Week 1 looks like:
Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins: They have some talent on that team, we know that. But the Dolphins also thought about replacing Sparano last offseason. That can't be good for his long-term future. He's squarely on the hot seat until the Dolphins win their way out.
Hot Seat Temperature: Moderate. A little warm but it’s too early to tell.
Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs: He's coming off of a division championship and a couple of coach of the year honors with the Chiefs 2010 10-6 record. Despite that, there are some that feel he needs to prove himself this year and things didn't start off on the right foot as the Buffalo Bills stomped the Chiefs, 41-7 -- at home. Haley's future is still an unknown but, with TE Tony Moeaki and S Eric Berry out for the year, things have started in about the worst way possible for him.
Hot Seat Temperature: Moderate. Like Sparano, Haley’s seat is warming up a little bit after a blowout loss to the Bills -- at home --- but there’s plenty of time left in the season.
Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans: They won big against Indy in Week 1 so that's a big start. Then again, they won big against Indy in Week 1 last year only to melt away down the stretch. He needs to get to the playoffs this year. It's really as simple as that.
Hot Seat Temperature: Low. Week 1 went well but this is still a big year for Kubiak.
Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars: I don't really know whether the decision to dump QB David Garrard affects Del Rio's future but it's a major decision and the success or failure of it will fall right on Del Rio. Through one week, he looks good as QB Luke McCown lead Jacksonville to victory.
Hot Seat Temperature: Low. A win in Week 1 helps, especially in a wide-open AFC South.
Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts: Sure, the Colts were without QB Peyton Manning which is about the biggest loss any team in the NFL could have. But 34-0 in one half against the Houston Texans? The Colts flat-out looked unprepared and unable to compete without their star quarterback.
Hot Seat Temperature: Very low. Does Caldwell get a pass in a Manning-less season?
See More:
