By Josh Katzowitz

While teams have begun making moves on Black Monday to fire their failing coaches, the Dolphins are gearing up to find Tony Sparano’s replacement. Here’s the statement the team released Monday afternoon, in the words of general manager Jeff Ireland.

"Steve Ross and I have a plan in place that is designated to insure that we identify and interview an outstanding set of candidates for the head coaching position. The process will be thorough, it will be in compliance with NFL policies, and provide the best possible result for the franchise.

"That search has begun and there is no designated timetable; it will be conducted in a manner that give us the greatest opportunity to hire the individual we feel is best suited to become the team's head coach. Steve and I are excited to embark on this process, and we are confident that it will result in the selection of an outstanding individual who will return the Dolphins to their long-time status as one of the most successful team in the league."

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The Rams are cleaning house on Monday. (Getty Images)

By Will Brinson

On Monday, St. Louis fired third-year coach Steve Spagnuolo as well as general manager Billy Devaney, beginning a house-cleaning process in order to get the franchise turned around after another two-win season.

The team announced both of the firings around 11:30 a.m. ET.

Black Monday

Wilson: Spags tenure in STL ends poorly Judge: St. Louis needs offensive-minded guy Freeman: Bucs evaluating Raheem Morris now Katzowitz: Jags looking to interview Mularkey? Brinson: Bolts to wait 'a couple days' on Norv Eye on Football: Black Monday coaching rumors

"I would like to personally thank Steven and Billy for their dedication to the St. Louis Rams over the past several seasons," owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement released by the team. "This was a difficult decision for many reasons. We have tremendous respect for them as people and professionals. No one individual is to blame for this disappointing season and we all must hold ourselves accountable.

"However, we believe it’s in the best interest of the St. Louis Rams to make theses changes as we continue our quest to build a team that consistently competes for playoffs and championships. We wish Steve, Billy and their families the very best in the future and thank them again for their commitment to our organization and the city of St. Louis.”

Ryan Wilson's already detailed everything you need to know about Spags' tenure, when the news of his firing broke earlier Monday, and there's a good chance he bounces back quickly in terms of landing a coordinator job, despite

Devaney, 12-52 as Rams general manager, was hired in 2008 after working under Rich McKay with the Atlanta Falcons and his first major move with St. Louis was hiring Spags.

Things looked to be turning the corner for the Rams in 2010, when they fell one game short of a division title thanks to Sam Bradford's outstanding rookie year, but everything collapsed back to Earth in 2011, as the Rams won just two games and ended up with the second-worst record in the NFL, behind only the Colts.

In Devaney's four years with the team, the Rams drafted with the second, second, first and fourteenth picks.

Not helping matters for the duo is the fact that Kroenke's status: Kroenke became majority owner of the Rams late in 2010

There's been plenty of rumors surrounding a tandem replacement for Devaney that involves A.J. Smith (if he's let go from the Chargers) and Jon Gruden (if he leaves ESPN).

Either way, as Clark Judge noted, it would be wise of the team to find a general manager and coach who're offensive-minded enough to bring in talent and work/develop Bradford into an elite NFL quarterback.

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By Josh Katzowitz

The Jaguars, officially looking for the successor to Jack Del Rio, have asked the Falcons for permission to interview Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, according to NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora.

This would be Mularkey’s second head coaching job. He coached the Bills from 2004-05, and after a debut of 9-7, Buffalo fell to 5-11 the next season. He’s been in charge of Atlanta’s offense the past four years, and in the past two seasons, the Falcons have been among the top-seven teams in points scored.

Mularkey has been a hot coaching candidate the past two years. He interviewed for the Titans job last year, and he talked to the Browns about the position that ultimately went to Pat Shurmur.

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The coaching hot seat begins to claim victims: St. Louis dumps Steve Spagnuolo after three seasons

By Ryan Wilson

Steve Spagnuolo made his name during Super Bowl XLII, when he devised a game plan to stop the thought-to-be-unstoppable 2007 New England Patriots, who were 18-0 heading into the championship game and went back to Foxboro 18-1. A year later, Spagnuolo replaced Jim Haslett (who had replaced Scott Linehan) as the Rams head coach.

Now, three years later, he'll be replaced by the next guy the organization thinks can save the Rams. On Monday, St. Louis fired Spagnuolo after going 10-38 in three season, including one win in '09 and two in '11. The news was first reported by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

Much like Raheem Morris in Tampa Bay, Spagnuolo may have been a victim of his own success. In 2010, the Rams were 7-9 and a Week 17 victory away from winning the division and going to the playoffs for the first time since 2004 (where, incidentally, they qualified as an 8-8 team). Now St. Louis is headed for the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft two years after they selected quarterback Sam Bradford with the first-overall pick.

"We considered some very qualified and outstanding candidates for this position but we kept coming back to Steve Spagnuolo," General Manager Billy Devaney said in January 2009. "Steve has been on some outstanding defensive staffs during his 10 seasons in the NFL. He represented what we were looking for."

And that was the plan: Spags would bolster the Rams' porous defense (in 2008, they were 30th, according to Football Ousiders; 27th against the pass, 32nd against the run). Except that didn't happen: St. Louis ranked 31st in '09, 20th in '10 and 19th in '11. It was an improvement, but clearly not enough to change the Rams' fortunes. Exacerbating matters: the offense was worse, even with Bradford under center for parts of the last two seasons.

(Before Spags) 2008 - 32nd overall, 32nd passing, 29th rushing
(With Spags) 2009 - 32nd, 32nd, 25th
2010 - 30th, 27th, 31st
2011 - 32nd, 31st, 32nd

Now what? There were reports last week that Jon Gruden and A.J. Smith could be headed to St. Louis but Gruden said later that he's returning to ESPN. So the Rams will look elsewhere. As for Spagnuolo, he could end up in Philadelphia as the Eagles' defensive coordinator.

That could mean curtains for Eagles incumbent Juan Castillo, the longtime offensive assistant hired as the defensive coordinator prior to the season. There were reports earlier this month that Reid's future in Philly was contingent on parting ways with Castillo. (Reid later denied it.)  Of course, Castillo could return to coaching the offensive line, a position he held from 1998-2010 in Philly. As for Spags' imminent arrival, there are some logistics to take care of first.

Spags is certainly qualified for the job but the Eagles also have Jim Washburn as their defensive line coach. Washburn came to Philly from Tennessee and he brought the "wide nine" with him. It's a scheme built on getting pressure from the front four and involves little blitzing. Spags was a zone-blitzing maniac during his DC days.

Whatever happens, Spagnuolo's talents will be in demand. And if he again proves himself as a coordinator he'll likely get another chance at a head-coaching gig down the line.

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By Josh Katzowitz

According to the New York Daily News, Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has drawn interest for the Dolphins head coaching job.

Unlike offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and coach Rex Ryan, Pettine’s reputation has remained intact this season, as the Jets ranked 20th in points allowed but only fifth in yards allowed.

Pettine took over the defensive play-calling duties from Ryan this season, but the major blame for the Jets 8-8 season goes to the offense. Therefore, Pettine still is considered an up-and-coming assistant and could have a decent (but not great) chance at landing the Miami gig.

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The decision on Norv won't be made for 'a couple days.' (Getty Images)

By Will Brinson

It wouldn't be surprising if Norv Turner were booted as coach of the Chargers on Black Monday (coming in a few hours to a box office near you!), but it's looking unlikely that he'll lose his job immediately.

Week 17 Recap

Judge: Atlanta lucks out by landing at No. 5 Brinson: Brees/Rodgers MVP debate heats up Prisco: Rex, Tannenbaum deserve NYJ blame Doyel: Win, win for Baltimore, Cincy on Sunday Eye on Football: Black Monday coaching rumors

San Diego President Dean Spanos, who reportedly expressed support for the Bolts during their late surge, said he'd take "a couple days" to decide the fate of Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

"I’m going to sleep on this for a couple days," Spanos said, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "There are a lot of things I want to think about. I’m looking at the entire organization."

Norv was a little less optimistic sounding when asked about returning in 2012, according to our Chargers Rapid Reporter Dan McLellan.

"I don’t need to answer that because there’s going to be a decision made, and we’ll all know what it is, and what my opinion right now is probably doesn’t have a lot of effect," Turner said. "I’ll leave it at that."

Turner, for all the criticism he receives, has the support of his team.

“I really believe in him,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “I can’t speak for every guy, but the guys that have been here and know what this league’s about, they all believe in him, too, and they all want him here. We all want him here."

Rivers reference to "we" probably includes Spanos as well; there's no doubt he believes the team has the talent to succeed and feels like the Chargers are close to contending.


The problem is simply that Norv can't get San Diego to turn the corner. He's obviously an offensive genius and his players clearly love him and a lot of times, Turner's teams look like potential world champs.

But with the continual disappointment of this Bolts regime it's going to be hard for Spanos to justify rolling with the status quo into 2012.

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It's Black Monday and that means seats are heating. (Getty Images)

By Eye on Football Staff

Throughout the day on Monday (and now Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday!) week news and rumors will be flying about job security of various NFL coaches. Bookmark this page to stay updated constantly.

SUNDAY
1:10 p.m. ET

• According to reports, Mike Sherman is close to being named head coach of the Buccaneers. And he could potentially hire Brad Childress as his offensive coordinator, though Chilly might also land with the Browns.

• Gregg Williams won a Super Bowl in New Orleans, but he could reportedly follow Jeff Fisher wherever Fisher lands (read: St. Louis).

• The rumor mill surrounding Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's been weird this offseason, but he could reportedly be out the door regardless of whether or not he's getting a head coaching job.

SATURDAY
9:20 p.m. ET

• The Cardinals got Todd Haley his last job and they might get him his next one, as the former Chiefs coach is reportedly close to re-joining his old team.

• The Jets are reportedly contemplating eyeing potential replacements for Brian Schottenheimer, and a combo of Dirk Koetter and Tony Sparano could be in the mix.

• Hue Jackson talks like he's locked into the Raiders gig, but there's some rumblings that he could be on the hot seat.

3 p.m. ET

• Although Ray Horton realizes that Jeff Fisher has to be the No. 1 choice for the Rams job, the St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that if Fisher takes the Miami job, St. Louis will give a second look to Horton, the Cardinals defensive coordinator. Apparently, Horton's initial five-hour interview went very well. "When it was over they called my agent and said they were blown away by him, and he couldn't have been any better," Horton said.

• According to Rapid Reporter Ron Clements, the Rams have received permission to interview Tennessee VP of football operations Lake Dawson and Titans VP of player personnel Ruston Webster for the vacant GM job. Both worked with Jeff Fisher in Tennessee.

• CBSSports.com's Clark Judge speculates that Vikings defensive coordinator Fred Pagac might be fired soon. According to Judge, four candidates have already lined up interviews to replace him -- Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris, Mel Tucker and Mike Singletary.

12 p.m. ET

• The Chiefs reportedly have decided to remove the interim tag for coach Romeo Crennel, meaning the job is all his. It seems like general manager Scott Pioli wanted Crennel to have the job all along.

• It didn't take long for the Patriots to hire their next offensive coordinator to replace Bill O'Brien. It's their old offensive coordinator of course as Josh McDaniels will take over O'Brien's spot for 2012 AND will begin work immediately, helping New England in this postseason.

• According to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, the Dolphins have permission from the Falcons to interview offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. Jacksonville already has shown interest in Mularkey.

FRIDAY
11:20 p.m. ET

• Josh McDaniels is interviewing with his old team, the Patriots, for his old job, offensive coordinator, this weekend.

12:13 p.m. ET

• Mike Tice, the Bears offensive line coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator to fill the role left vacant by Mike Martz' departure.

• Ray Horton, the Cardinals defensive coordinator, is set to interview with the Rams for their head coaching position soon.

9:03 a.m. ET

• Our Ryan Wilson takes a look at who might replace Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator for the Patriots.

• You'd think his work with the Jaguars would have kept Jack Del Rio off of coaching candidate lists. You'd be wrong: Del Rio will reportedly interview with the Chiefs for their head-coaching position.

THURSDAY

4:15 p.m. ET

• Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin has been a busy man lately, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Philben was in Kansas City on Wednesday, and by this weekend, he'll interview for the Dolphins head coaching job as well.

1:20 p.m. ET

• Although he and general manager A.J. Smith kept their job, Chargers coach Norv Turner fired defensive coordinator Greg Manusky after just one season. Interesting, because, three days ago, Turner said he thought Manusky had done a good job this year.

9:00 a.m. ET

• Raheem Morris was spotted dining with Redskins brass, and Washington could be interested in hiring Morris as a defensive coach. The only problem with that scenario is that Buccaneers were the worst team in the league in points allowed this season.

• Yahoo Sports' Michael Silver has written that the Jeff Fisher sweepstakes has become a two-way race between the Dolphins and the Rams. Fisher was scheduled to interview with St. Louis today.

• NFL.com's Albert Breer is saying that Jay (not Jon!) Gruden is the favorite to land the head coaching job in Jacksonville. The Bengals offensive coordinator, however, can't interview until Cincinnati is out of the playoffs. Until then, it sounds like the Jaguars will continue to interview every hot offensive coordinator they can find.

WEDNESDAY

8:20 p.m. ET

• According to multiple reports, Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will interview for the Penn State job on Thursday. Though his interview with the school has been reported and then denied previously, it seems like O'Brien might have a real shot at landing this position, especially since it appears he's not a candidate for any current open NFL head coaching jobs.

5:58 p.m. ET

• The Rams have requested permission from the Ravens to interview director of player personnel Eric DeCosta for the St. Louis general manager spot, according to PFT. DeCosta is seen as the possible successor to Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore. St. Louis also has received permission from the Falcons to interview director of player personnel Les Snead.

10:53 a.m. ET

• Here's another fun rumor: the Bears job is the job that Jeff Fisher has reportedly "always wanted." Just one little problem -- the Bears are keeping Lovie Smith. For now.

• Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy's name is picking up steam. The Denver Post reports he's one of the people in the running for the Jaguars job. McCoy's also been linked to the Chiefs offensive coordinator position.

TUESDAY

6:06 p.m. ET

• Jeff Fisher's the hottest name on the coaching circuit and he officially visited Miami -- even flying there on a helicopter! -- to talk to owner Stephen Ross about the Dolphins gig.

2:40 p.m. ET

• Perhaps the most shocking news of the day came when the Chargers announced that they were keeping Norv Turner and A.J. Smith in 2012. Unless you're CBSSports.com's Clark Judge anyway -- he wrote this was happening yesterday and doesn't think it's a surprise.

2:20 p.m. ET

• But the Bears weren't done! Well, actually they didn't do anything, but offensive coordinator Mike Martz did resign from the team. Our Mike Freeman writes that the Bears are in a state of upheavle.

10:19 a.m. ET

• General Manager Jerry Angelo gets the boot by the Bears, but Chicago decides Lovie Smith "will remain."

MONDAY
6:00 p.m. ET

• Colts owner Jim Irsay calls firing Bill and Chris Polian a tough decision, and adds that "it's not outside the realm of possibility" that Jim Caldwell returns as head coach. When asked if Peyton Manning will play again he responded, "I don't."

4:28 p.m. ET

• According to CBSSports.com's Clark Judge, the Chargers are considering retaining coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

• The Rams will interview Jeff Fisher this week for their vacant coaching job. If they land Fisher, then they would try to find a general manager.

4:03 p.m. ET

• The Jets just finished their season-ending press conference with Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum, who said that nothing will change in 2012! But no, really, Brian Schottenheimer will be back, Mark Sanchez will start, and Santonio Holmes will be back. Also, Rex explains why he cried in the locker room.

3:44 p.m. ET

• According to the Buffalo News, Bills defensive coordinator George Edwards has been fired and replaced by Dave Wannstedt.

2:42 p.m. ET

• There are mutliple reports that Colts owner Jim Irsay has fired front office executives Bill and Chris Polian. Jim Caldwell isn't officially gone, but it's not looking good at this point.

• According to the Chicago Tribune, Bears special teams coach Dave Toub will interview for the Dolphins job.

1:59 p.m. ET

• Our own Will Brinson put together a list of potential candidates to replace Steve Spagnuolo in St. Louis.

• A report from the New York Daily News says that Brian Schottenheimer will interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because the Jets offense was just so awesome this year, apparently.

1:22 p.m. ET

• According to a report, the Jaguars have called the Panthers seeking permission to talk with offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who, along with Cam Newton, took the Panthers from the NFL's worst offense in 2010 to seventh-best in 2011.

• Although there were reports that Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien was the prime coaching target for Penn State, it sounds like O'Brien won't be headed to Happy Valley after all.

12:45 p.m. ET

• During his last regular-season news conference, Colts coach Jim Caldwell said he's "moving forward" with his day-to-day work. Caldwell also said he met with owner Jim Irsay on Sunday night and with executives Bill and Chris Polian on Monday morning. Obviously, at this moment, Caldwell is still employed. Which led Indy Star reporter Phillip B. Wilson to tweet, "Colts fans, to be honest, I have no idea what's going on ... maybe team won't announce changes for another day or two, IDK."

11:56 a.m. ET

• And we have victim No. 2: Raheem Morris was fired by the Bucs on Monday after closing out the season with a 10-game losing streak.

• An interesting set of tweets from UniversalDraft.com's Chris Kouffman: "<s>@</s>ArmandoSalguero with a stunning revelation that Carl Peterson was told to have dinner w/ Jon Gruden and allowed to offer Gruden the job ... which included total control over football operations, ability to hire and fire whomever he wanted...and Gruden TURNED IT DOWN. Yikes."

• The Dolphins release a statement saying they're gearing up for their coaching search.

11:32 a.m. ET

• The Rams made the Spags firing official and also fired general manager Billy Devaney. CBSSports.com's Clark Judge believes St. Louis should target an offensive-minded coach in order to build around quarterback Sam Bradford.

10:37 a.m. ET

• We have our first victim on Black Monday! Steve Spagnuolo, as expected, was fired by the St. Louis on Monday. Spags was 10-38 in three years with the Rams but should be a hot name for defensive coordinator positions.

• The Jaguars have asked permission from the Falcons to interview offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

• You want to talk about a coach in demand? How about Jeff Fisher. Mike Freeman writes that the two jobs that intrigue him the most are Indianapolis and Tampa Bay.

9:39 a.m. ET

• Speaking of the Jets, their public relations staff announced that BOTH general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan will be at Monday's press conference. That's not "normal" and it could mean that people's jobs are in trouble.

• Despite a disappointing season in which the Jets didn't make the playoffs, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine -- whose reputation has largely remained intact this year -- has reportedly drawn interest from the Dolphins.

• Norv Turner's unlikely to be fired on Monday. Yes, we're surprised too. But Chargers president Dean Spanos wants to take "a couple days" to evaluate Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

9:07 a.m ET

• CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman reports that the Bucs spent all evening gathering intel on Raheem Morris from players. Ownership is starting to believe that though they don't want to fire Morris, they might have to fire Morris.

Previously:

• CBS Sports Charley Casserly reported on Sunday that there was "strong sentiment" in Indy to bring Jim Caldwell back as Colts coach in 2012.

• There was plenty of scuttlebutt Sunday morning about Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien making his way to Penn State.

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