The Job Front

By BILL PLASCHKE

Dec. 14, 1995 12 AM PT

The possible status of some of the NFL coaches who are under fire:

FEELING A PUSH

Dennis Green, Minnesota Vikings. His off-field troubles might require a playoff appearance in exchange for another season.

Dave Shula, Cincinnati Bengals. The leaguewide perception is that Ki-Jana Carter’s injury saved him. But since when has owner Mike Brown done what anybody else thinks?

Rich Kotite, New York Jets. Who in his right mind would fire a coach after his first season? Last year, Jet owner Leon Hess did.

Marty Schottenheimer, Kansas City Chiefs. If his team collapses, he will give boss Carl Peterson the excuse he was looking for.

HALFWAY OUT THE DOOR

Wayne Fontes, Detroit Lions. He should make the playoffs, but what if the car king suddenly decides he wants more?

Barry Switzer, Dallas Cowboys. Super Bowl or busted.

Dan Reeves, New York Giants. The way he has acted lately, he would be relieved if he was relieved.

Ted Marchibroda, Indianapolis Colts. If his team isn’t working in January, neither will he.

Bill Parcells, New England Patriots. Owner Bob Kraft would never fire him. Not that he would ever get a chance. A resignation waiting to happen.

Don Shula, Miami Dolphins. Believe it. Only a legendary finish can save this legend.

WRAP ‘EM UP, TAKE ‘EM TO THE CURB

Buddy Ryan, Arizona Cardinals. This “winner in town” has gone 12-18 since his blustery arrival last season while alienating most of the community. Those get-tough tactics will have better luck on a horse farm.

Bill Belichick, Cleveland Browns. Belichick, 36-44 in five years, said owner Art Modell “promised” that he would remain the coach when the team moved to Baltimore. We all know about Art Modell and promises.

Sam Wyche, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only hasn’t this guy coached winning football--23-39 in four seasons--but he can’t even sell tickets. Not like Steve Spurrier.

Jim Mora, New Orleans Saints. Five victories in last seven games can’t make owner Tom Benson forget that he has been reduced to selling hot dogs at half price. Ten years with no playoff victories is enough.

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Bill Plaschke

Bill Plaschke, an L.A. Times sports columnist since 1996, is a member of the National Sports Media Hall of Fame and California Sports Hall of Fame. He has been named national Sports Columnist of the Year nine times by the Associated Press, and twice by the Society of Professional Journalists and National Headliner Awards. He is the author of six books, including a collection of his columns entitled “Plaschke: Good Sports, Spoilsports, Foul Balls and Oddballs.” Plaschke is also a panelist on the popular ESPN daily talk show, “Around the Horn.” He is in the national Big Brothers/Big Sisters Alumni Hall of Fame and has been named Man of the Year by the Los Angeles Big Brothers/Big Sisters as well as receiving a Pursuit of Justice Award from the California Women’s Law Center. Plaschke has appeared in a movie (“Ali”), a dramatic HBO series (“Luck”) and, in a crowning cultural moment he still does not quite understand, his name can be found in a rap song “Females Welcome” by Asher Roth.

The Job Front

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