NFL: Revolving door in full spin as coaches sacked at high clip after failed seasons

Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio was one of a number of coaches to be sacked after the NFL regular season came to a close on Monday. Photo / Photosport

It would have to be one of the most high-stress jobs you could find - if you're winning, you're praised; if you're losing, you won't hang around.

The NFL regular season came to a close on Monday (NZ time), with 12 of the 32 teams clinching a spot in the playoffs while the other 20 look towards their next campaign.

It's a time where unsuccessful franchises look at areas to improve on which often sees coaches shown the door.

This season was no different, with 12 coaches around the league being sacked almost immediately after their seasons came to a close.

The New York Giants were quick to the play, firing head coach Ben McAdoo with four games to go in the season.

Joining him on the job hunt for a new head coaching role will be Jack Del Rio (Oakland Raiders), Chuck Pagano (Indianapolis Colts), Jim Caldwell (Detroit Lions) and John Fox (Chicago Bears).

Jim Irsay on Chuck Pagano's time in Indy: pic.twitter.com/fjtqvQvpHZ

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 1, 2018

Each team failed to make the playoffs this season and their head coaches have paid the price for their failed seasons.

For the Raiders and Lions, 2017 will be seen as a missed opportunity. Heading into the season, the Raiders shaped up as the leading contender to win the AFC West. Instead, they fell to an 6-10 record and finished third in the four-team division - just one win ahead of the woeful Denver Broncos.

We have parted ways with head coach Jack Del Rio: https://t.co/jc7MsrMoCM pic.twitter.com/DJiAhHF6T6

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 1, 2018

The Lions came up just one win short of potentially claiming the last wildcard spot in the NFC playoffs, but that was enough for Caldwell to find himself without a job.

Surprisingly, the two coaches many expected to be on their way out have kept their jobs. The Cleveland Browns finished the season winless, but will keep head coach hue Jackson at the helm in 2018, while after some though, the Broncos will keep head coach Vance Joseph for another season.

It's not just head coaches who are shown the door after a lost season, though.

The Broncos, who finished the season 5-11, have had six assistant coaches fired, while the Dallas Cowboys have sacked a positional coach - reported to be their wide receivers coach Derek Dooley - and the Green Bay Packers have sacked defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

Full list of sacked coaches in the 2017-18 NFL season so far:
- Ben McAdoo, New York Giants head coach (13-16 record over two seasons; 2-10 in 2017)
- John Fox, Chicago Bears head coach (14-34 record over three seasons; 5-11 in 2017)
- Jack Del Rio, Oakland Raiders head coach (25-23 record over three seasons; 6-10 in 2017)
- Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts head coach (53-43 record over six seasons; 4-12 in 2017)
- Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions head coach (38-28 record over four seasons; 9-7 in 2017)
- Dom Capers, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator
- Derek Dooley, Dallas Cowboys wide receivers coach
- Jeff Davidson, Denver Broncos offensive line coach
- Brock Olivo, Denver Broncos special teams coordinator
- Tyke Tolbert, Denver Broncos wide receivers coach
- Eric Studesville, Denver Broncos running backs coach and assistant head coach
- Fred Pagac, Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach
- Johnnie Lynn, Denver Broncos assistant defensive backs coach