Queue up the annual NFL coaching carousel
Offensive-minded coaches all the rage due to success of Rams, Chiefs, Saints
CURRENT NFL HEAD COACHES Mike McCarthy, Packers: It has been a difficult season in Green Bay, and a second straight non-playoff year for the Packers — this one with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the lineup for every game — could cost McCarthy his job. McCarthy has made a series of questionable in-game coaching decisions lately, and there is a sense that he should have more than one Super Bowl triumph with Rodgers as his quarterback. A parting might end up being good for everyone, and McCarthy probably would be in demand elsewhere.
John Harbaugh, Ravens: Harbaugh is another Super Bowl-winning coach who may be wearing out his welcome after a long stay. The Ravens have climbed back into AFC playoff contention with prized rookie Lamar Jackson filling in at quarterback for the injured Joe Flacco. But if the Ravens miss the post-season again, Harbaugh almost certainly is gone. Owner Steve Bisciotti said after last season that he considered firing Harbaugh then, after all. But, like McCarthy, Harbaugh would be an attractive option for other NFL teams if he’s available, given his success for much of his tenure in Baltimore. FORMER NFL HEAD COACHES Bruce Arians, former Colts and Cardinals coach: Arians walked away from the Arizona Cardinals after last season. He has said publicly that he would come back to coach the Browns. He would not be a bad choice in Cleveland, where the priority will be hiring a coach to oversee the development of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Jack Del Rio, former Jaguars and Raiders coach: He was fired by the Raiders after last season. And his work in Oakland is looking better and better in retrospect, considering what’s happening with the Raiders this season with Jon Gruden in charge.
Hue Jackson, former Browns coach and current Bengals assistant: He landed in Cincinnati, working once more for Coach Marvin Lewis, after being fired by the Browns. The Browns were historically bad on his watch in Cleveland. But it remains up for debate how much of that was Jackson’s fault, and he would be a candidate for Bengals owner Mike Brown if Lewis does not remain in place for another season. NFL ASSISTANT COACHES
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator: Some might believe he might be disqualified by what happened last off-season when he agreed to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, only to change his mind after the Super Bowl and remain in New England. But the Colts, after turning to Frank Reich, have fared well, and there are some teams that still consider McDaniels a viable candidate. It’s unlikely a team would wait for him if the Patriots reach another Super Bowl, but if he’s available earlier and willing to leave New England, he just might land a job. John DeFilippo, Vikings offensive coordinator: Every team is looking for the next young offensive genius in the mould of the Los Angles Rams’ Sean McVay and the Chicago Bears’ Matt Nagy. DeFilippo could be next in line. He was the quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia under Reich and head coach Doug Pederson before moving to Minnesota this season. The Vikings have had an uneven season after spending big money to land quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. But DeFilippo remains a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he certainly will receive consideration for head coaching vacancies.
Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator: The former NFL running back succeeded Nagy as the offensive coordinator in Kansas City and has helped the Chiefs’ offence to become more dynamic than ever with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Yes, it is coach Andy Reid’s offence. But the fact that it was Reid’s offence when Nagy was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator hasn’t prevented Nagy from having success as a head coach this season in Chicago after his tutelage under Reid.
Pete Carmichael Jr., Saints offensive coordinator: Coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees receive plenty of credit for the offensive success in New Orleans, and rightfully so. But there is enough credit to go around when things are going as well as they are for the Saints this season. Carmichael deserves some of it, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he ends up with a head coaching job.
Matt LaFleur, Titans offensive coordinator: He was McVay’s offensive coordinator last season with the Rams before moving on to the Titans to have more autonomy in running an offence. Count on LaFleur being an NFL head coach someday, whether it happens this off-season or not. Zac Taylor, Rams quarterbacks coach: Taylor is only 34. But a team seeking the next McVay might eye McVay’s coaching staff. Is McVay old enough to have a coaching tree?
Brian Flores, Patriots linebackers coach: Flores doesn’t have the title of defensive coordinator but has been the Patriots’ defensive play-caller. He has a good reputation around the league. But it’s unclear how much the struggles this season in Detroit of Matt Patricia, the Patriots’ defensive coordinator until leaving to become the head coach of the Lions, will affect the perception of Flores as a head coaching candidate. It is always, in the final analysis, coach Bill Belichick’s defence.
Dave Toub, Chiefs special teams coordinator: NFL owners and general managers don’t generally regard special teams coaches as head coaching candidates. But Toub has broken through
that barrier to get into the head-coaching interviewing circuit, and his time to land a job could be coming. Vic Fangio, Bears defensive
coordinator: It’s not exactly a great season for NFL defences, and defensive coordinators will not be in high demand for head coaching jobs. But Fangio has done a very good job in Chicago, so he could be the exception. COLLEGE COACHES
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma: He has said that he’s not interested in jumping to the NFL. If that were to change, he would become the No. 1 target of just about every team with a head coaching vacancy. His offence is that good. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: The Wolverines’ lopsided loss to Ohio State has some wondering whether Harbaugh will contemplate a departure from Michigan to return to the NFL. If that ever happens, he would be welcomed back. He has not been able to transform Michigan into a national title-calibre team, and he eventually wears out his welcome wherever he goes. But he was a very good coach in San Francisco while that lasted, and perhaps someday he will want to return to the NFL to try to get the Super Bowl title that eluded him.
Kliff Kingsbury, former Texas Tech coach: Being fired by Texas Tech is opening up some job opportunities for Kingsbury both in the NFL and throughout the college ranks. Kingsbury would be most in demand in the NFL as an offensive coordinator candidate. But it’s not out of the question that he could get a head coaching interview or two.