Back once more with my annual listing of head-coaching candidates for this yr’s hiring cycle.
We know that at the least two groups will likely be interviewing coaches for his or her high job at yr’s finish, with the Colts and Panthers at the moment housing interims. Jeff Saturday and Steve Wilks cannot simply be handed the everlasting job with their respective groups, so interviews should happen in Indianapolis and Carolina.
Elsewhere, the Denver Broncos appear certain to open at yr’s finish. The Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans is also in search of new head coaches. And there’s all the time the potential for a shock firing or retirement.
Below is an inventory of coaches I imagine will (or ought to) get head-coaching interviews throughout this cycle, together with highlighting 10 of the highest names (in no explicit order). One factor to bear in mind on this listing — in addition to the GM listing that can seem subsequent week — is that groups not often rent a coach from a group that is coming off a dropping season. I believe that is ridiculous as a result of there are nice coaches on groups that may be dropping for myriad circumstances. So there will likely be loads of names on these lists of individuals on groups at the moment under .500.
Lou Anarumo, Bengals defensive coordinator: The 56-year-old Staten Island native has Patrick Mahomes’ quantity. In their three conferences, Anarumo’s protection has held Mahomes to those second-half numbers: 0 touchdowns, two interceptions, a 54.5 passer ranking and three losses. Mahomes within the second half in opposition to everybody else within the league since 2020: 59 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, 106.4 passer ranking.
Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator: The longtime Chiefs OC has in some way gotten handed as almost two-thirds of the league has modified coaches over the previous three seasons. He’s on a one-year cope with the Chiefs and he is hopeful that is lastly the yr. Without a top-three receiver within the league, Bieniemy has been in a position to remodel this Chiefs offense with Andy Reid and Mahomes to maintain it as one of many league’s finest.
Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator: We took a have a look at Frazier’s bona fides a pair weeks in the past. Buffalo has the league’s second-best scoring protection via 15 weeks of the season. Frazier’s prepared for his second shot at a head-coaching gig.
Jonathan Gannon, Eagles defensive coordinator: A finalist for the Texans gig a yr in the past, Gannon has a protection rating within the high three in yards allowed, passing touchdowns allowed and interceptions. Since the Week 7 bye, no group has generated extra strain on go performs than the Eagles.
Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator: Moore had numerous buzz final yr however did not land a head gig. This yr he has the Cowboys offense buzzing once more regardless of deficiencies on the broad receiver place. He was the voice in Cooper Rush’s ear when the backup went 4-1 whereas Dak Prescott was injured.
Sean Payton, former Saints head coach: Payton has clearly said his intentions of returning to the sidelines. He’ll solely take a job the place he has a quarterback or the flexibility to go get one. Seeing the Saints disintegrate after his departure solely drove up his asking value.
Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator: The Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator with the Seahawks and almost Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Falcons, Quinn has had a top-seven scoring protection in his two seasons with the Cowboys. No group has extra takeaways than Dallas this season.
DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator: His gamers can nonetheless bear in mind his Pro Bowl-playing days. At 38, Ryans is likely one of the hottest teaching candidates. He’s climbed the ladder at San Francisco and has the 49ers protection profitable video games.
Shane Steichen, Eagles offensive coordinator: Steichen calls video games by holding the protection off steadiness. I realized extra about him on this nice Conor Orr piece this week, and groups with vacancies will wish to speak with the offensive play-caller of the 13-1 Eagles.
Steve Wilks, interim Panthers head coach: If Wilks can get the Panthers into the playoffs after taking up a 1-4 group that traded Christian McCaffrey, the job ought to clearly be his. One might make a stable argument he is already executed sufficient to earn the everlasting gig. He’s made the Panthers a troublesome out every week and gamers observe his management.
The relaxation: Packers particular groups coordinator Rich Bisaccia; Titans DC Shane Bowen; Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown; Bengals OC Brian Callahan; Bills OC Ken Dorsey; Broncos DC Ejiro Evero; Lions DC Aaron Glenn; Raiders DC Patrick Graham; Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh; Cardinals DC Vance Joseph; Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich; Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo; Rams DC Raheem Morris; former Texans head coach Bill O’Brien; former Colts head coach Frank Reich; former Stanford head coach David Shaw; Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo; Seahawks OC Shane Waldron; Bills defensive position coach Eric Washington.
