Eastern’s prowess in the NFL took a hit during the Winter Break.

For starters, former Eastern quarterback Mike Shanahan was fired by the Denver Broncos.

While the Broncos faded down the stretch during the season, Shanahan built a program with the Broncos that included Super Bowl Championships in both the 1998 and 1999 campaigns.

So Eastern’s ‘cradle of head coaches’ will have to wait a while, at least until Shanahan is offered a job, and he will be.

But there have also been reports that Shanahan might take a year off and wait, which is fine. And there are also rumors that he could somehow end up with the Cowboys and end up with another former Eastern quarterback – Tony Romo.

Former Eastern assistant coach and player Randy Melvin was also fired at the end of the season. Melvin, the defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns, was fired along with the rest of the personnel after a disappointing 4-12 season. Additionally, former Eastern quarterback Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints underachieved to an 8-8 record and finished in last place in the NFC South.

Fortunately, Brad Childress and Mike Heimerdinger made notice by making it to the postseason.

Childress, an Eastern graduate, avoided a late December collapse as the Minnesota Vikings head coach by making the playoff, but the Vikings lost in the first round.

Heimerdinger, is working miracles though, as the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator.

The Titans scored more than 74 points than last season, and the Titans sported the NFL’s best record. Heimerdinger, in his first season back with the Titans, has helped them convert 62.2 percent of their red-zone opportunities after converting 36.3 percent last season.

Heimerdinger was inducted into Eastern Hall of Fame this past fall and has made the Titans a team feared in the NFL.

But unfortunately, the Titans lost on Saturday.

“He has made a big difference with his play-calling, his choice of plays, and also his demeanor,” Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt told to The Chicago Tribune. “The expectation level is up on offense. You can see it in practice and in games. The offense is just more efficient. He has done a heck of a job.”

Dan Pompei, the NFL beat writer for The Tribune, thinks that Heimerdinger could be offered a job.

And it would be nice to have another cradle of coaches for Eastern again. And if Shanahan gets a job, there could be a total of four. Then Eastern would be truly distinct.

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.