Fox Sports' John Czarnecki reports the most likely NFL head coaches to be fired after this season are Dom Capers (Houston), Mike Martz (St. Louis), Norv Turner (Oakland), and Mike Tice (Minnesota). Dick Vermeil (Kansas City) reportedly told the Chiefs on Saturday that he will retire after the team ends its season. Two other head coaches, Jim Haslett (New Orleans) and Mike Sherman (Green Bay), could be fired. Detroit fired its head coach, Steve Mariucci, earlier this season. That's a total of eight potential openings. The top name out there is Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz, who would be a natural in Green Bay. But there's a good chance, too, that Houston owner Bob McNair will make a run at Ferentz. Ferentz, who earns $1.6 million with the Hawkeyes, hasn't made a decision about making himself available for the NFL, but some believe he may entertain the right offer now that his son is graduating from high school. He could be a package deal with top personnel men like Scott Pioli (New England) or Phil Savage, who appears willing to seek a settlement to escape the Browns because they are taking away his authority over contracts and the salary cap. Both Pioli and Savage are friends with Ferentz. The Vikings are interested in hiring a strong personnel man, and Pioli and Philadelphia's Tom Heckert, Jr. have been mentioned for this job. Savage would have an interest, too, if he comes free. Heckert has been linked with Eagles OC Brad Childress. The top hometown name in Houston is Broncos OC Gary Kubiak, although there are rumblings that Dan Reeves may want to come out of coaching retirement. McNair would like to make a big splash, but it doesn't sound like USC HC Pete Carroll has any interest. In St. Louis, the Rams are looking for a defensive coach, and Washington DC Gregg Williams and Chicago DC Ron Rivera are in the mix. Williams and former Cleveland HC Butch Davis will be considered strong candidates in Kansas City. Chiefs OC Al Saunders is hoping that Lions GM Matt Millen has an interest in him because his contract is up in Kansas City, and GM Carl Peterson apparently will bypass him despite Vermeil's strong endorsement. No one really knows what Raiders owner Al Davis is going to do, but two names to consider are Baltimore OC Jim Fassel and Fresno State HC Pat Hill, two men who wouldn't say no to NFL head-coaching jobs, in spite of salaries and lack of personnel control.