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Adam Caplan, ESPN Insider 9y

Top NFL coaching candidates

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While we hate to see it happen, some NFL head coaches will lose their jobs beginning in late December. "Black Monday" -- the day that follows the final day of the regular season -- is an annual reality.

Last season, seven head coaches lost their jobs, including the Browns' Rob Chudzinski, who was fired after only one season. In their wake came seven new figures of various backgrounds, including former NFL head coaches (Jim Caldwell, Lovie Smith, Ken Whisenhunt), coordinators who were getting their first shot at an NFL head gig (Jay Gruden, Mike Pettine, Mike Zimmer) and one collegiate head coach who was returning to his NFL roots (Bill O'Brien).

Which candidates might get an extended look for the next round of openings? Here's the list I've culled after speaking with NFL executives over the past few months. I've ranked the coaches based on their likelihood to receive interest from NFL teams:

Top candidates

1. Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator, New England Patriots

McDaniels was probably too young when he became the Denver Broncos' head coach at 32 in 2009. Part of the problem was McDaniels was also given personnel control, which was clearly too much for him to handle during his short tenure with the team. He was fired with an 11-17 record with four games left in the 2010 season. McDaniels has recovered nicely from his time with the Broncos and is again one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NFL. More than one NFL source said he was thought to be on the 49ers' list of candidates had Jim Harbaugh not accepted the San Francisco head coaching position in 2011.

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