Front office executive

SCOTT PIOLI, New England Patriots VP / player personnel

The son-in-law of Bill Parcells has been Bill Belichick's right-hand man for nine seasons, making them the longest-running personnel director-head coach tandem in the NFL. He got his start in Belichick's personnel department with the Browns in 1992. Pioli defers to Belichick with the Patriots, yet was named NFL Executive of the Year on two occasions. He assembled the scouting department in New England but never hired a coach.

RICH McKAY, Atlanta Falcons president

The son of coaching legend John McKay, he has a wealth of experience in the NFL in executive positions with Tampa Bay and Atlanta and has served on the league's competition committee for 15 years. Was the architect of the Tampa Bay resurgence under former coach Tony Dungy. For four years, he held the dual role with Atlanta as general manager but separated this season to oversee all business operations.

TOM HECKERT, Philadelphia Eagles GM

Son of 1980s-era Browns scout Tom Heckert Sr., he was promoted to Eagles GM in 2006 after working his way up from scouting. Began as a scout with Miami. He defers to coach Andy Reid on all personnel matters and could have been the scapegoat had the Eagles not made NFC playoffs.

Head coach

ERIC MANGINI, former New York Jets coach

Fired on Monday as Jets coach after team lost four of last five games and missed AFC playoffs. Was 23-26 in three seasons and won 10 games twice.

JOSH McDANIELS, Patriots offensive coordinator

Canton native who has learned under Belichick's wing since 2001. His stock soared since succeeding Charlie Weis in 2005 as New England coordinator.

JASON GARRETT, Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach /offensive coordinator

Once seen as the heir apparent to Cowboys head coach job, his stock tumbled with the team's offensive decline this year. Was considered a candidate to be Browns coordinator in 2007, but was denied permission to interview by Miami and then was released to join the Cowboys.

STEVE SPAGNUOLO, New York Giants defensive coordinator

Considered a hot candidate for any vacancy, he has one Super Bowl win on his r?sum? and could repeat in '08. Mentored for seven seasons under Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson before breaking out on his own last year.

JIM SCHWARTZ, Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator

Yet another branch from the Belichick tree, he started as an entry-level scout with the Browns in 1993 and then moved with the team to Baltimore. He has been with the Titans for 10 seasons, the past eight as coordinator.

REX RYAN, Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach / defensive coordinator

Son of former NFL defensive guru Buddy Ryan, he has been with Ravens since 1999 and stayed on as coordinator after Brian Billick was fired. He arguably has had the most talent to work with among defensive coaches, and he has not failed to maximize it.

- Tony Grossi