The rumors are starting to swirl on if John Fox has done enough to keep his job past the final two games this season. The Bill Cowher factor remains out there, and there are a number of other good coaches that will be available.
Barry Wilner, AP Football Writer, writes the following on this Christmas about Fox, and if his job going into 2010 is safe:
John Fox is an excellent coach who has been hamstrung by some poor contract situations (Julius Peppers) and decisions (Jake Delhomme). Fox was part of those choices by the Panthers, of course.
Carolina has been up and down for most of the decade, going 7-9, 11-5 (and a last-second loss in the Super Bowl), 7-9, 11-5 (and a trip to the NFC title game), 8-8, 7-9 and 12-4 under Fox. That might be too much inconsistency for owner Jerry Richardson and GM Marty Hurney, and if Fox is fired, he easily could wind up with another head coaching position quickly.
The Cowher factor plays heavily here. Does the former Steelers coach and superb TV studio analyst want to leave his comfortable gig? Cowher lives in North Carolina and would be a popular choice.
NEWSFLASH! John Fox was just hired by the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, as a magic act to rival the smoke and mirrors of Penn and Teller. Good career move, since his days as a head coach are toast.