Analysis: Owners go easy on coaches after losing seasons

Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano (L) waits on the sidelines with quarterbacks coach David Lee (C) and quarterback Chad Henne during a timeout against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter of their NFL game in Miami, Florida December 19, 2010.

MIAMI (Reuters) - It was expected to be "Black Monday" with the NFL's traditional culling of coaches marking the end of the regular season and death of playoff dreams for many teams.

But apart from the Cleveland Browns firing Eric Mangini on Monday after a dismal 5-11 season, it was a day of deliberation and even confirmation rather than termination.

The unusually low level of firings could indicate that NFL owners are moving toward patience as a virtue or it might reflect the economic uncertainty in the league caused by the absence of a new collective bargaining agreement.

Indeed, the labor negotiations were the first item on the agenda on Monday as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his confidence that a deal with the players' union could be reached.

Those expecting a bloodletting had their eyes set on the New York Giants after they failed to make it to the playoffs for the second straight season, raising questions about the future of their Super Bowl winning head coach Tom Coughlin.

But Giants co-owner John Mara said the 64-year-old Coughlin would return next season for the final year of his contract.

"I was very disappointed about the way our season ended but that doesn't mean you blow the organization up or change coaches," Mara told WFAN radio on Monday.

The Minnesota Vikings, who endured a nightmare 6-10 season that fell short of expectations, decided to put their faith in Leslie Frazier by removing the interim tag from his title after he won three of six games since stepping in.

"Leslie is well respected by our players, coaches and front office staff," said Vikings owner Mark Wilf.

Jack Del Rio enjoyed that kind of respect at Jacksonville but his position had been brought into question after the team's inconsistent season.

In eight seasons with the franchise Del Rio has only twice made the playoffs, but he will be back for a ninth campaign according to Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver.

"I had to reflect and say am I better off to blow this thing up and start over again with the coaching staff?" Weaver said to reporters. "I've made bad decisions in my life but I wouldn't be sitting her if I didn't make a lot more good ones than bad ones."

'POSITIVE EXPERIENCE'

According to some reports, Dallas Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett, who went 5-3 record after taking over for Wade Phillips, will return for another season, but team owner Jerry Jones has yet to confirm that.

"I'm pleased we have had a positive experience since we've made the change and it does help me look at what Jason is about," Jones told reporters.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross did not watch his team's abysmal 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday that left the team with a 7-9 record for the season.

Many Dolphins fans are clamoring for change, largely due to the team's 1-7 home record, but Sparano enjoys the support of his players and has a meeting with Ross scheduled this week.

Given the way the Dolphins have structured their staff, with Sparano one of several appointments made by consultant Bill Parcells three years ago, it may take a massive overhaul to bring in a new coach -- a potential deterrent to change.

Sparano was giving little away about when or where he will meet with Ross or what they will discuss.

"That's going to be between me and Mr. Ross. I'm not going to get into any of that," Sparano said on Monday.

There was change in Houston, but it did not involve Texans head coach Gary Kubiak being fired.

The Texans (6-10) lost eight of their last 10 games and on Monday removed defensive coordinator Frank Bush, linebackers coach Johnny Holland and his assistant Robert Saleh.

But Kubiak survived after being told by owner Bob McNair he would be given a sixth season.

"I appreciate Bob's confidence in me. We visited today and decided on a new direction. I know I have a lot of work to do," he said.

Wade Phillips, who began the season as the Cowboys head coach, is tipped to become Kubiak's new defensive coordinator.

There is still plenty of time for coaches to be given their marching orders -- even making the wildcard round of the playoffs is not always a guarantee of survival -- but so far franchise owners appear in generous moods.

(Editing by Frank Pingue)