I have a big fear that Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will be named a NFL head coach next year. “Coach Chud” and Mike Shula did a great job with Cam Newton and the whole offense. So I decided to compile a list of potential new head coaches in the NFL for the 2012 season.

First lets look at the NFL teams likely or possible hiring a new head coach in the NFL for the 2012 season. The Indianapolis Colts took a nose dive without Peyton Manning and Jim Caldwell may pay the price. We know the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs have already fired their coach in 2011. I think only the Chiefs may keep their current coach who is Romeo Crennel but that is not a given.

Other NFL teams who may make a change include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers. There is an outside chance of the New York Giants, New York Jets and or the Philadelphia Eagles making a coaching change.

Here is who I think belongs on the list of likely new head coaches of NFL teams in 2012. I will also mention if I think a particular coach is a good fit with a particular team.

Potential New NFL Head Coaches in 2012

Jon Gruden

Jon Gruden is almost certainly going back into coaching in 2012 and has an escape clause in his ESPN contract to do just that. Gruden will go with a team with a good quarterback and that means the San Diego Chargers or the St. Louis Rams. My bet will be Gruden will go with the Rams for the chance to work with Bradford or Luck. Look for the Dolphins to make a huge run at Gruden though.

Rob Chudzinski

Not quite sure “Coach Chud” will be offered a NFL head coaching job in 2012. He may well be offered an assistant head coach/offensive coordinator job though. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers make the most sense to offer Chudzinski a head coaching job. It would hurt a division rival and let Chud work with Josh Freeman.

Vic Fangio

Vic Fangio has done a good job with theSan Francisco49ers defense and has lots of experience including with the Carolina Panthers. I don’t know if he gets an offer unless the 49ers make a deep run but he could be considered a potential new NFL head coach in 2012. Fangio would make a good fit with the New York Giants if they are looking to fire their coach.

Pete Carmichael Jr

.                                                                                                                                                                                             Carmichael has been learning under Sean Payton as the Saints offensive coordinator. Some team may hope he can inject some offensive magic with their offense and give Pete a chance.

Joe Philbin

Joe Philbin has done an excellent job as offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. Philbin has experience in coaching all aspects of an offense and in an offensive driven NFL he is a potential new head coach in 2012.

Winston Moss

Moss will get a look as a potential new head coach in 2012. Currently the assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach of the Packers, Moss has been talked about for some time as an up and comer.

Mike Zimmer

Zimmer will get his shot and probably this year with the large amount of NFL teams looking for a new head coach. Zimmer became a fan favorite of some while on “Hard Knocks” as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator a while back.

Perry Fewell

Perry Fewell was actually my choice to replace John Fox with the Panthers but of course I love Ron Rivera now. Fewell may well replace Tom Coughlin and stay with the Giants if they make a change.

Brian Billick

The Dolphins want a “Name” coach and probably won’t get Gruden and I don’t think Cowher is coming back to coaching. Billick has a ring and a strong desire to coach again and I think he will be with the Dolphins if he does.

Jeff Fisher

Fisher will coach in the NFL in 2012 if he wants to.Miamiand Washington would be the frontrunners to offer Jeff Fisher a head coaching job if he wants to coach again.

Steve Smith has found the fountain of youth with Cam Newton as the quarterback. At 32 years old Steve Smith is having one of his best seasons in the NFL. 10 games into the 2011 NFL season Steve Smith has 56 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns. The amazing thing is in a era of dunk and plunk passing Steve Smith is averaging 17.7 yards per catch, over three yards higher than his career average.

Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has opened up the playbook and lets Cam Newton throw the ball all over the yard. Steve Smith gets very few bubble screens thrown his way these days. The fact that Chud has been flexible and uses some plays that Cam Newton used in college, makes the whole offense more successful.

Steve Smith has found the fountain of youth but Cam Newton is supplying the water for the fountain! I long said Steve Smith was a Hall of Fame wide receiver if he had played with a great quarterback. Now Smith and Cam Newton are a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

I fear Steve Smith may have a bit of a fall off for the rest of the season. Defenses KNOW they have to stop Steve Smith. The rest of the receivers are decent but they don’t scare defensive coordinators like Smith does.

The fact that Cam Newton is such a great running quarterback will help Steve Smith though. Few wide receivers ad lib and get open better than Smith and Newton’s scrambles allow him to that.

My only problem with the Panthers offense is that Stewart and Williams need more carries. If the safeties are scared of the run that limits double teaming of Steve Smith. Of course the tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey help Steve Smith when they are playing their best, as well.

Steve Smith’s fountain of youth may run dry any season now because skills diminish quickly at his age. But few people work harder than Steve Smith and few are as hungry for the Super Bowl ring. I feel the Panthers will compete for a Super Bowl in 2013, I just hope Smith is still on the roster to enjoy it.