Ken Whisenhunt will draw interest around the NFL if the Steelers don't tab him to be their next head coach -- assuming Bill Cowher leaves. AP
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2) Ken Whisenhunt, Steelers offensive coordinator. Like Rivera, Whisenhunt is personable, even-keeled and respected by his players, and he seems suited to working well with others. A former Falcons tight end, the low-key Whisenhunt has been a nice complement to the emotional Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh. Best of all, they don't just call him 'Whiz' because of his last name. As we saw during the Steelers' Super Bowl run last January, nobody outside of Boise State's Chris Petersen calls a ballsier, more innovative game when it really counts, and that alone makes Whisenhunt a potential Payton clone.

It's no wonder he's being pursued by the Cardinals and Falcons -- you know Atlanta owner Arthur Blank is salivating over what Whisenhunt, who happens to be a native of the city, might do for Michael Vick -- and if the Rooneys don't go after him hard (assuming Cowher leaves, as expected) they'll be making a huge mistake. That said, for all of their endearing qualities, the Rooneys don't pay like the man with the wispy mustache in the Peachtree state.

Most likely destination: Atlanta.

3) Jerry Gray, Redskins defensive backs coach. Yeah, I know. Washington had a rough season. But after five highly impressive years as Buffalo's defensive coordinator, Gray was let go after 2005 and had to go back to being a position coach, so why should logic prevail now? A Jeff Fisher/Gregg Williams protégé, Gray is yet another ex-player who carries himself with authority and is a savvy tactician. He has been impressive in past interviews -- he vaulted himself into the heart of the Cal search in 2001 based on the sheer force of his personality -- and is the type of straight shooter to whom players respond.

Most likely destination: Nowhere. Yet. (Caveat: If Art Shell gets fired, look for Al Davis to come calling, at least for an interview.)

4) Norm Chow, Titans offensive coordinator. This one is so obvious, it's amazing that no one has acted on it. Chow, the quarterback guru who'll be interviewed by the Cardinals, merely played a big role in the development of Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Vince Young. Gee, think he'd have a positive impact on Eli Manning, Daunte Culpepper, Tony Romo or Brady Quinn?

Most likely destination: Oakland, if Shell gets the boot (which, given Al Davis's decision-making style, would likely happen sometime in late February). Or Cleveland, if Romeo Crennel gets canned.

5) Tim Lewis, Giants defensive coordinator. A semi-hot candidate in the past, Lewis doesn't seem to be getting much love this time around, which is too bad. The man is smart -- if anything, it's his awareness of his intelligence (and unwillingness to conceal that awareness) that has turned off some of his current and former colleagues, though none of them question his qualifications. His prickly personality has turned off some players, but he'd be good with the media, would be able to grasp the big picture and would be a commanding presence in the locker room and on the sidelines.

Most likely destination: New York Giants (as head coach), depending on what happens with the GM situation, or somewhere else as a defensive coordinator.

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6) George Stewart, Falcons wide receivers coach. Intense and demanding, Stewart isn't one of those cookie-cutter autocrats who insist upon making people feel his power. Rather, he's a real human being who is honest, decisive and passionate. Think Terrell Owens is uncoachable? Stewart, who brought out the best in Owens without coddling him as an assistant in San Francisco, is proof that he isn't. Any team in need of a culture shock (are you listening, Al?) would be wise to turn to this hard-working motivator.

Most likely destination: Somewhere other than Atlanta (Dallas?), as a position coach, waiting for his chance. Unless, of course, Shell gets fired and Davis makes the smart decision to call.

7) Bobby April, Bills special teams coach. We always hear that special teams are "one-third of the game," but for some reason special-teams coaches seldom, if ever, get considered for head-coaching gigs. April, one of the best at his trade, should be an exception. He's detailed, intense and enthusiastic, and would be an interesting out-of-the-box hire.

Most likely destination: Staying put.

8) Dwaine Board, Seahawks defensive line coach. Perhaps because he is one of the NFL's quietest men, or perhaps because his nickname (dating back to his playing days with the 49ers) is 'Pee Wee,' Board, to my knowledge, has never been mentioned as a prospective head coach. But he is a computer whiz who knows his stuff, is respected by players and has soaked up knowledge from some of the best coaches in the business, a list that includes the great Bill Walsh, George Seifert, Mike Holmgren and Ray Rhodes. Says a front-office employee for one NFC team: "I think he'd shock somebody in an interview."

Most likely destination: Staying put.

9) Ron Meeks, Colts defensive coordinator. Indy assistant head coach/defense Jim Caldwell, who filled in when Tony Dungy took his tragedy-tinged leave of absence in December 2005, is being interviewed by the Cardinals and mentioned as a candidate for other jobs, but the upbeat, intelligent Meeks perpetually gets overlooked. It's been a rough year defensively for the Colts, but Meeks has an understanding of Dungy's Tampa-Two defense and other intricate schemes, and he's a high-energy guy who gets the most out of his players.

Most likely destination: Staying put.

10) Terry Robiskie, Browns receivers coach. Robiskie, technically, is a former NFL head coach -- if you count the three-game interim stint he was given by Daniel Snyder after Turner was fired late in the 2000 season. With his strong-willed personality, passion and grasp of numerous offensive schemes, Robiskie deserves a legitimate chance to show his stuff. He certainly should've been calling plays in Cleveland from the start of Crennel's tenure, instead of the disastrous, over-his-head Maurice Carthon.

Most likely destination: Somewhere else, as an offensive coordinator or position coach for one of the newly hired coaches.