For a good while, hiring away one of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's assistants was viewed as a wise move.
Maybe that trend is forcing some to think twice.
True, Shanahan's coaching tree already extends well beyond a handful of squads who absorbed an assistant or two over the years. Yet there are three former Niners coordinators who gained notoriety under Shanahan before heading out on their own in an attempt to establish their own brand.
Understandably, the pathways for Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh, Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans and Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel have varied greatly.
But those paths have more or less aligned in parallel five weeks into the 2026 season—miserable campaigns at the head of their respective units.
Those miserable campaigns are lighting up the fire underneath every coach's seat.
Robert Saleh, Mike McDaniel and Demeco Ryans face varying levels of the hot seat
Demeco Ryans
Entering year four, it'd be understandable why there's frustration with Ryans following a 1-4 start to the season, particularly in what should again be a weak AFC South. Sure, Tennessee notching a mere three points in Week 5 helps the numbers look better, as well as netting the Texans their first win of the season.
But Ryans' defense in Houston appears to be a shell of what was a year ago, and his squad seemingly found unique ways to lose in the prior four weeks.
Astonishing.
ESPN's Dan Graziano suggested Ryans' hot seat wasn't cooking just yet despite the four losses to open up the year, and the former San Francisco defensive coordinator at least has three prior above-.500 campaigns in Houston under his belt now.
But, if things continue for the Texans as they have, perhaps it'll be time to preheat Ryans' seat a little.
Hot-seat verdict: Cold (but reading the instructions for turning it on)
Robert Saleh
The gap between Ryans and Saleh is significant, particularly after the former took down his predecessor in Week 5's 26-3 embarrassment. Whereas Ryans has three prior years of success to hang his hat on, Saleh has made arguably the worst possible impression in his first year as Titans head coach.
In many ways, Saleh's to-date failures in Nashville are mirroring his prior failures during his first run as a head coach, back with the New York Jets. Only this time, Saleh's winless Titans can't point the finger at quarterback Aaron Rodgers getting in the way of, well... everything.
It doesn't help Tennessee already has a history of giving coaches and front office types a quick boot (just ask now-New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel or former 49ers director of player personnel, Ran Carthon).
"We're in game five of year one," Saleh said after the loss to Houston. "I get it. It hasn't been good."
At this rate, it's possible a year-one-and-done scenario plays out.
Hot-seat verdict: Burners are on and starting to sizzle
Mike McDaniel
Unlike the rebuilding Titans (at least Saleh has an excuse there), the Chargers were supposed to be in the thick of the postseason picture, competing with division rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos for the AFC West crown.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh's decision to add McDaniel to his staff as offensive coordinator after the latter's disastrous flameout with the Miami Dolphins was finally going to be the move that got the Bolts offense into a realm it hadn't seen, previously, with quarterback Justin Herbert under center.
Right? Right?
Well, no. Nothing of the sort.
Sure, the winless Chargers can blame some of their woes on yet another rash of injuries to both their offensive line and wide receiver corps. But the disconnect between McDaniel, Herbert and the offense is palpable, and the league's third-worst scoring offense has been nothing short of embarrassing.
Harbaugh remains defensive of McDaniel at this point. But, with challenging games against the Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Texans and Baltimore Ravens looming over the next five weeks, it's nearly impossible to envision a scenario without massive changes if things continue along the same trajectory.
Hot-seat verdict: It's burning
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