Coaches out of luck, work in NFL offseason

At the conclusion of the NFL regular season, the coaching carousel always begins to turn.

This season there seems to be more well-known coaches out of work as the season comes to an end and the draft is right around the corner. Not only are no-names out this season, but now some future Hall-of-Famers will find themselves jobless as 2009 begins.

We will analyze four coaches’ profiles, and chance of return to the NFL, ranging from VERY LOW, PROBABLE or VERY HIGH.

Tony Dungy

Age: 53

NFL Head Coaching career: 13 Seasons (1996-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002-2008 Indianapolis Colts)

Career Record: 139-69

Career Highlight: 2006 Colts Super Bowl win over Chicago

Reason for departure: Announced retirement Jan. 12. This announcement came after the Colts’ loss to the Chargers in the Wild Card round. Despite the loss, Dungy left on his own terms.

Chance of Return: VERY LOW. Dungy seems like he has no intention of returning. Even when rumored as a candidate for the Buccaneers’ vacant coaching job, Dungy said, “If I wanted to work in the NFL, I would still be the Colts’ head coach.”

John Gruden

Age: 45

NFL Head Coaching Career: 11 years (1998-2001 Oakland Raiders, 2002-2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Career Record: 95-81

Career Highlight: 2002 Buccaneers Super Bowl win over the Raiders

Reason for Departure: Fired Jan. 15. Even though they won a Super Bowl in 2002, the Bucs have not won a playoff game since. In the 2008 campaign, they started 9-3 but lost their last four games and did not make the playoffs. Also, personality problems with players and the Bucs’ front office may have had something to do with Gruden’s firing.

Chance of Return: VERY HIGH. One of the three out-of-work coaches recognized as the best available along with Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher. He is one of the top offensive coaches in the league and still only 45, he’ll be back.

Mike Shanahan

Age: 56

NFL Head Coaching Career: 16 Seasons (1988-1989 Los Angeles Raiders, 1995-2008 Denver Broncos)

Career Record: 146-98

Career Highlights: Back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1997 over Green Bay and in 1998 over Atlanta.

Reason for Departure: Fired Dec. 30. The Broncos were the surprise team of the NFL season when they started 8-5 and looked to be in the driver’s seat for the AFC West title. But losing three straight to end the year, including a disappointing loss to the Chargers in Week 17, kept Denver from the playoffs and Shanahan from coming back in 2009.

Chance of Return: PROBABLE. Shanahan is one of the top candidates, but he might not want to return to coaching. Many experts have speculated Shanahan may have been ready to retire anyway.

Mike Holmgren

Age: 60

NFL Head Coaching Career: 17 Seasons (1992-1998 Green Bay Packers, 1999-2008 Seattle Seahawks)

Career Record: 161-111

Career Highlights: 1996 Green Bay Super Bowl win over New England

Reason for Departure: Announced retirement in 2008 effective after this past season. Spent this season as a lame duck. Jim Mora, Jr., will take over next season.

Chance of Return: VERY LOW. He would be a top candidate, but anyone who steps down on his own terms are sending the message he has little interest in coming back.

There is no doubt it will be very odd not seeing names like Gruden and Dungy on the sidelines this season. But remember, legends have to leave in order for new legends to be born.