NFL Coach of the Year.. Top 5 Candidates

There are 32 head coaching jobs in the NFL. I can name you about 3 or 4 people that will not recieve NFL Coach of the Year (Rod Marinelli, Herman Edwards, Mike Holmgren and Tom Cable). However, there are more then five qualified candidates out there to earn the distinction of the top coach in the National Football League. Here's a list of the five coaches (and why) they are in my five.

1. Mike Smith-Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were a disgraced franchise after last season. The Dirty Birds still had a cloud over their team called Michael Vick. Bobby Petrino had essentially embarrassed the franchise with the way he left and headed to greener pastures in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Enter a new front office, and a new head coach that most people had probably never heard of in Mike Smith. The first year man in Atlanta has done an excellent job of getting this franchise into the playoffs. Granted, Michael Turner is a talent, but Matt Ryan was an unknown and the wide recieving core had been a non factor headed into this season. Also, factor in that the Falcons play in one of the toughest divisions in football in the NFC South.

2. Tony Sparano-Miami Dolphins. If you read my post on the possibilities for the Most Valuable Player of the National Football League, you'll know how valuable I thought Chad Pennington was in a 1-15 turnaround of the Miami Dolphins. If you give Pennington credit, I think you may have to give Dolphins first year man, Tony Sparano equal if not more credit then Pennington. The Dolphins were 1-15 last season. They were 1 loss away from setting the record of 0-16. Sparano (and the front office that includes Bill Parcells) has this team one win away from a divisional title. I realize the AFC East is Brady-less right now but even if I told you that the Patriots would not have Tom Brady for the season, I dont think most people would have picked the Dolphins to win the division. Sparano deserves major credit for the turnaround that is going on in South Beach.

3. John Harbaugh-Baltimore Ravens. Similar to the Atlanta Falcons (except Steve McNair or Kyle Boiller were not involved in dog fighting rings, and their coach didn't jettison off to the SEC {he was fired instead}. Rookie head coach and rookie quarterback may be the new trend in the NFL. Obviously, that defense is still pretty good. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis are still probably two of the best NFL defensive players that exist, but the Ravens also have recieved key contributions from non household names such as LaRon McClain, Willis McGahee and Ray Rice. The Ravens were certainly not considered a playoff contender by most.

4. Bill Belichick-New England Patriots. No Tom Brady, no running game, you would think no chance for the Patriots. This proves that a good head coach can do wonders, and Bill Belichick is not just a good head coach, he is a great head coach. Maybe the greatest of all time. I think most people thought like me once Brady went down, "The Patriots have no chance." That has proven to be false. When you have been winning with people like Matt Cassel and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, you have to give that guy some props as a coach of the year candidate.

5. Lovie Smith-Chicago Bears. The Bears have a shot at the playoffs. If you thought that was going to happen at the beginning of the year you are a die hard Chicago sports fan, or just a poor misguided soul. But, if you are a Bears fan, you are probably both. Lovie Smith has done a great job. The Bears have a very good running back in Matt Forte, but they still have no solid passing game. Kyle Orton is servicable at best, but the Bears have nothing to speak of at the wide recieves position. The Bears are almost similar to the Ravens but I'd take Flacco over Orton. With that being said, I'd still take Harbaugh as my coach of the year over Lovie. But you have to give the Texan credit for what he's done this season.

My choice for Coach of the Year is......Bill Belichick. What Belichick has done this year without Brady at quarterback is nothing short of spectacular. This would be like Don Shula winning with the Dolphins back up to Dan Marino. Even though I consider myself a major sports guru, I don't even remember who Marino's back up was during his prime. Belichick has also been coaching a banged up defense all year to add onto the problems. For a guy who has the personality of a Klondike bar, he is probably one of the top 5 coaches in NFL history. Bill Belichick, NFL Coach of the Year in 2009.

Honorable Mentions: Tom Coughlin-New York Giants, Jon Gruden-Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jeff Fisher-Tennessee Titans