## NFL Salvaje: Black Monday
**NFL Season Ends in Coaching Carnage**
The NFL’s regular season concluded with a bang, but Monday brought a somber note known as “Black Monday.” This annual event marks the mass firing of head coaches whose teams failed to meet expectations.
### Coaching Carousel Spins
A total of six head coaches have been relieved of their duties following the conclusion of Week 18:
* **Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos:** Hackett’s tenure lasted just one season, as the Broncos stumbled to a dismal 5-12 record.
* **Lovie Smith, Houston Texans:** Smith’s two-year reign ended with a 3-13-1 record, the worst in the NFL.
* **Matt Rhule, Carolina Panthers:** Rhule was fired after three seasons, compiling a 11-27 record and failing to lead the Panthers to a winning season.
* **Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts:** Reich’s tenure ended after four seasons, despite guiding the Colts to the playoffs in 2022. The Colts finished 4-12-1 this year.
* **Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals:** Kingsbury was fired after four seasons, amassing a 28-37-1 record and failing to reach the playoffs in 2023.
* **Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders:** McDaniels’ first season as Raiders head coach was a disaster, as the team finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs.
### Reasons for Dismissals
The reasons for these firings vary. Some coaches, like Hackett and Smith, struggled to win games due to poor roster construction and team underperformance. Others, like Rhule and Kingsbury, failed to meet expectations despite having talented teams on paper. Reich’s firing was reportedly due to philosophical differences with the Colts’ front office.
### Potential Replacements
With these vacancies now open, the NFL coaching carousel is expected to spin rapidly in the coming weeks. Potential candidates include:
* **Sean Payton, Former New Orleans Saints Head Coach:** Payton is widely considered the top coaching prospect available. He has a 152-89 record in 15 seasons as head coach of the Saints, winning Super Bowl XLIV.
* **Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Wolverines Head Coach:** Harbaugh is another highly sought-after candidate. He has a 101-19 record in nine seasons at Michigan and won the Big Ten Championship in 2021.
* **Eric Bieniemy, Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator:** Bieniemy has been a key part of the Chiefs’ offensive success in recent years. He is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks.
* **DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator:** Ryans is a former Pro Bowl linebacker who has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top defensive minds.
* **Shane Steichen, Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator:** Steichen has helped guide the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game this season. He is a young and promising coordinator who could be ready for a head coaching job.
### Conclusion
Black Monday marks a significant shift in the NFL landscape. With six head coaches fired, the coaching carousel is set to spin rapidly in the coming weeks. The teams that make the right hires will be well-positioned for success in the 2023 season, while those that make the wrong choices could find themselves in a rebuilding mode.