20 head coaching possibilities for 2016

Sep 25, 2014; New York, NY, USA; San Fransisco 49ers tight end coach Eric Mangini waves to the fans before the game between the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via USA TODAY Sports

Eric Mangini

Currently –  defensive coordinator 49’ers

Mangini has been an NFL coach since 1996 and has coached on both sides of the ball. He also made his name under Bill Belichick but his time with the New York Jets was marred by his accusations of cheating by the Patriots, specifically video taping signals during games. This led to an investigation of the team and the Patriots were found to have taped games costing them dearly.

Mangini left the Jets after three seasons as head coach and was hired to coach the Browns in 2009. He was fired after the 2010 season and didn’t coach for three years after. He joined the 49ers as a tight ends coach in 2013 and was promoted to DC prior to the start of the 2015 season.

Mangini has the coaching skills to be a head coach but he has left a bitter taste with some organizations. There has been talk or at least rumors that he could come back into play this season despite the poor showing of the 49’ers defense this year. He has ties to Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum.

Next: Scott Linehan