The NFL Coaching Chopping Block

The 2013 NFL regular season is officially in the books.

While 12 teams are preparing to begin the playoff race to the Super Bowl in New York City in February, at least six are preparing to look for new head coaches.

The firings began on December 6, when the Houston Texans fired head coach Gary Kubiak after the Texans played most of they year like they were still an expansion team. Word is Houston has already interviewed former bears coach Lovie Smith and is expected to bring in the likes of Ken Whisenhunt and Penn State coach Bill O'Brien.

Yesterday began another round of firings with the Cleveland Browns axing first year coach Rob Chudzinski almost immediately after the Browns lost to Pittsburgh. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Browns might be interested in Denver's Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase.

Today the bulk of firings was announced with Mike Shanahan losing his job with the Washington Redskins.

The Minnesota Vikings followed suit by cutting ties with Head Coach Leslie Frazier this morning. The Vikes are reportedly also taking a look at Adam Gase from Denver.

The Detroit Lions followed a disappointing season by firing Head Coach Jim Schwartz. Schwartz was let go after the Lions failed to make the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also fired Head Coach Greg Schiano and General Manager Mark Dominik. This move has a bit of a local tie-in as the Bucs' tight end coach is Brian Angelichio, a graduate of Ilion High School. Because assistant coaches fates are usually tied to the Head Coach that hired them, it will be interesting to see where Angelichio winds up.

A few other teams Head Coaching spots remain up in the air including the Cowboys, Raiders, Dolphins, Titans and Giants.

The New York Jets have announced that Head Coach Rex Ryan will be coming back to coach another year.