Three coaches lose jobs

Lofty expectations did in Eric Mangini and Romeo Crennel, as their teams' seasons crumbled from high hopes to demoralizing finishes.

Little was expected of the Detroit Lions, though nor was the worst season in NFL history. That cost Rod Marinelli his job, too.

"You can't go 0-16 and expect to keep your job," Marinelli said.

Now two interim coaches who breathed some life into downtrodden clubs - the Rams' Jim Haslett and the Raiders' Tom Cable - await word on their fates.

Three NFL clubs fired coaches Monday, less than 24 hours after the regular season ended. Out were Marinelli, the New York Jets' Mangini and the Cleveland Browns' Crennel.

Only Mangini's firing came as a bit of a surprise. The Jets harbored Super Bowl aspirations after an 8-3 start that followed an off-season spending spree, including the trade for Brett Favre. But they didn't even make the playoffs, losing four of their last five games.

The Browns' search to replace Crennel is already off to a disheartening start: Bill Cowher told owner Randy Lerner on Saturday that he doesn't intend to coach in 2009.

Three coaches were fired during the regular season: Mike Nolan in San Francisco, Scott Linehan in St. Louis and Lane Kiffin in Oakland.

Mike Singletary replaced Nolan and will be retained after the 49ers went 5-4 in their final nine games.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insists Wade Phillips will return as coach after Dallas, a preseason Super Bowl favorite, failed to make the playoffs - and was eliminated in humiliating fashion in Sunday's 44-6 loss to Philadelphia. Phillips vowed Monday to do things differently.

2010 Pro Bowl in Miami: The Pro Bowl will be played one week before the Super Bowl in 2010, and both games will be staged in Dolphin Stadium, a person directly involved in the decision told The Associated Press on Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL has not announced the move.

The Pro Bowl has been held in Honolulu since 1980, and it's probable that the game will return to Hawaii after 2010, although not on the permanent basis as has been the case over the last three decades.

Around the league: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not stay in a hospital overnight after receiving a concussion Sunday against Cleveland, but it was uncertain if he will practice this week. ... An extradition hearing has been scheduled for a former NFL player accused of child rape. Danny Villa, who played offensive line in the NFL for 12 seasons, was ordered held on $50,000 bail Monday pending the Jan. 6 hearing in Tucson, Ariz.

Massachusetts authorities want him returned to the state to face three counts of rape of a child over 14 and three counts of enticing a minor.