Players like to joke that the NFL actually stands for Not For Long. What they may or may not realize is that the same holds true for coaches. If you don't produce, you're gone. If you don't win, you're gone. If you don't develop the players that your front office deems as stars, you're gone. It's a very simple ball game.
All of that is why Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin is entering a make-or-break year with the team. If he produces, if he wins, if he helps quarterback Ryan Tannehill take the leap to the next step then he has nothing to worry about. But if Philbin doesn't do those things then he could be looking for another job next year.
"It has to be Philbin," ESPN's Rich Cimini answered when asked who was on the hottest seat in the AFC East. "All the warning signs are there: He has a mediocre record (23-25) and no playoff appearances in three years, a new boss (Mike Tannenbaum) in charge of the football operation and an owner (Stephen Ross) who spent major bucks in the offseason and wants results now. It's hard to imagine Philbin surviving another playoff-less season. Tannenbaum made a lot of changes to the roster in his final season, and he will bring in his own coach if Philbin stumbles again. How do you think Tannenbaum-Eric Mangini 2.0 will play in South Beach? Don't laugh: It could happen if Philbin goes 0-for-4. It's unusual in the NFL for a coach to get a fifth crack at the postseason. Philbin has a $96 million quarterback (Ryan Tannehill), a revamped receiving corps and Ndamukong Suh on defense. Get it done, Joe."
The problem with the Dolphins since Philbin took over in 2012 has been the team's late season swoons. Philbin is 13-11 all-time as a head coach in the first half of seasons but just 10-14 in the second half. Despite being in the thick of the playoff race in each of the last three seasons, the Dolphins have faded down the stretch each time. Philbin will have to course correct this trend this season if he hopes to keep his job.
