The hot seat watch for NFL coaches moves into Week 3 as the temperature rises on a couple of coaches as the losses pile-up and other coaches found a way to win in Week 2 to avoid the pressure.
NFL Hot Seat: Dolphins’ Tony Sparano Remains In The Lead
We’re only two weeks into the 2011 NFL season but there are several coaches already on the hot seat.
As usual, we’ll be using the National Weather Service’s excessive heat map to determine the hot seat temperature. Here’s how the hot seat shakes out after two weeks of football:
Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins: That's 0-2 for the Dolphins. It was widely believed that Sparano was on the hot seat entering the 2011 season and the Dolphins aren't doing anything to dispel that notion. The Miami Herald says this might be the "most important" week of Sparano's coaching career and owner Stephen Ross is frustrated with the direction of the team. He's firmly on the hot seat and a candidate to be the first coach fired this season.
Hot seat temperature: Extreme. It’s steaming in Miami.
Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports reported last week that the worst kept secret in NFL circles is that Haley and GM Scott Pioli don't get along. Haley's Chiefs are 0-2 and facing another big test this week against the San Diego Chargers, who have beat the Chiefs in San Diego 31-0 and 43-14 the last two seasons. It's not just that the Chiefs are 0-2 -- it's the way they've looked losing those two games 41-7 and 48-3.
Hot seat temperature: High. It’s too early to talk about a firing, but the Chiefs aren’t showing many signs of hope right now.
Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts: He probably gets a pass this year considering Peyton Manning isn't there right now but the Colts have looked ugly. That said, Kerry Collins is capable enough to potentially take them out of the Suck For Luck campagin.
Hot seat temperature: Low. Caldwell is likely fine because of the loss of Manning.
Steve Spagnuolo, St. Louis Rams: There's not much, if any, buzz out there about Spagnuolo but he's in his third year and the Rams have games coming up against the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. That's a very difficult stretch that could turn the Rams season into an ugly one.
Hot seat temperature: Low. We’re not hearing a lot of buzz about Spagnuolo’s future but a slow start could change that.
Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans: He's doing everything right at this point as the Texans are 2-0. He's believed to be in a situation where he needs to make the playoffs to keep his job and so far, so good.
Hot seat temperature: Very low. All is well in Houston right now.
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