Some people feel they get another year older on their birthday.
Some get that feeling at the start of a new year.
For me it happens when the Cleveland Browns fire another coach. It happens so often it feels like an annual event that can be marked on the calendar in late December or early January.
It doesn't matter who owns the franchise. Art Modell fired seven coaches, including Hall of Famer Paul Brown and future Hall of Famer Bill Belichick.
The Lerner family parted ways with four coaches and might have made it five if Randy Lerner had stayed around through the end of this season.
Instead, new owner James Haslam III will do the dirty deed next week when, as is widely expected, he fires Pat Shurmur. Haslam and CEO Joe Banner are also expected to part ways with general manager Tom Heckert.
The signs are written all over Shurmur's demeanor. There are times when he's short with a reporter's question. He says he doesn't read or listen to the criticism directed his way, but his actions prove otherwise.
Each time a coach is fired, the inevitable question about continuity arises. Winning franchises like the Pittsburgh Steelers have it - three coaches since 1969. The Browns clearly haven't had that luxury since Blanton Collier retired after the 1970 season.
Shurmur had no chance once Lerner announced his plans to sell the franchise to Haslam last July. Haslam officially assumed the reins in mid-October, at which time he announced his decision to stay with Shurmur through the end of the season.
Shurmur had to know that his future with the Browns was bleak from the time training camp opened. He could have done something about it by leading the way to nine or 10 wins and a playoff berth, but that was an impossibility because of widespread youth and inexperience that sentenced the Browns to their 12th losing record in the last 14 seasons.
Did Shurmur get a fair shake? The quick answer is no. He was saddled with a poor roster when he replaced Eric Mangini after the 2010 season. Matters were made worse when the lockout of players by NFL owners wiped out the entire offseason.
First-year head coaches had their hands tied from the outset. Shurmur's case was worse because of the turnover of talent that had to begin taking place to make up for the mess he was left by Mangini.
Colt McCoy, who was to be the starting quarterback in 2011, conducted offseason practices near his home in Texas. Those "Camp Colts" were a nice gesture by the players who attended the workouts, but it was more window-dressing than anything else. Players need coaches on the scene to install systems and make improvement through mind-numbing repetitions.
Shurmur had the benefit of a more stable situation this year. A full offseason of work allowed him a chance to install every aspect on the offensive and defensive sides and begin the critical learning period that was so important with the youngest roster in the NFL.
The season went kind of like expected - bad start, then signs of improvement. Cornerback Joe Haden did Shurmur no favor when he was suspended four games (weeks two through five) for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. His absence, along with some early-season injuries, put Shurmur in a hole.
Since losing their first five games, the Browns have won five of the next nine. A recent three-game winning streak put their record at 5-8 with an outside chance at making the playoffs.
What hopes Shurmur had of a miraculous finish vanished with consecutive losses to Washington and Denver. Now comes a pride game and a rare chance to sweep the Steelers to finish the season.
After that it could be a matter of hours before Shurmur gets the news he knows is coming. Sometime next month the Browns will introduce the 14th head coach in team history, excluding interim coaches. Shurmur will go on to coach elsewhere, unless he decides to take some time off and enjoy the financial fruits of being a NFL head coach.
It's a decision that has to be done. A new owner will want his people in high places, and Shurmur clearly doesn't fit the mold.
Good guy but miscast as a head coach - that's the best way to describe Shurmur. He appears to lack the leadership skills necessary to be successful. The lack of energy on the sideline stands out. Even after a win, Shurmur has a look of defeat on his face.
Maybe Shurmur simply needs another chance in another city. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
As much as you hate to see someone lose his job, it's obvious that it's not working in Cleveland. Sadly, it's time for another change.