A number of NFL head coaches are on the hot seat as the regular season enters the stretch run. The pressure on Brandon Staley and Ron Rivera certainly is mounting after the Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) and Washington Commanders (4-7) each slid further away from the playoff conversation after losing winnable games Sunday. And the same can be said for Frank Reich, whose Carolina Panthers (1-9) continue to flounder and got blown out by the Dallas Cowboys.
Over the final seven weeks, owners and team presidents of struggling teams will assess their situations while monitoring the work of the top offensive and defensive coordinators, as well as a few college head coaches. If those teams decide to make a change, they will then form lists of desired candidates to interview.
This year’s crop of head coaching talent is expected to feature a number of familiar names. Some, like Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, have prior head coaching experience. Others, like the Detroit Lions’ Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, are looking to turn impressive bodies of work as coordinators into promotions.
Here’s a rundown of the top potential candidates on teams’ radars, listed in alphabetical order.
The 57-year-old Anarumo directs a defense that was among the league’s stingiest in points allowed in 2021 and 2022, and he is one of the few defensive minds who knows how to beat the Kansas City Chiefs.
Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator, Washington Commanders
Bieniemy left Andy Reid and the Chiefs, who all touted him as a future head coach, to prove he could run his own offense. Now with the Commanders, he turned second-year pro Sam Howell into the NFL’s passing yardage leader at the season’s midpoint. Howell did deliver a stinker Sunday, throwing three interceptions, and the Commanders’ seesaw season of disappointment under Rivera continued. However, front-office members around the league still hold Bieniemy in high regard as an offensive mind and leader.
Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator, Carolina Panthers
People around the league began singing Evero’s praises last season for his work as defensive coordinator in Denver. He joined Reich in Charlotte this offseason but is expected to receive head coaching interest in the coming months.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was Dolphins head coach from 2019 to 2021. (Jamie Sabau / USA Today)
Brian Flores, defensive coordinator, Minnesota Vikings
The former Miami Dolphins head coach is in his first season as leader of the Vikings defense. Directing the most aggressive squad in the league, Flores’ Vikings have steadily improved after a slow start and held foes to fewer than 20 points in five of their last eight games (they gave up 21 in Sunday night’s loss to the Broncos). As a result, Minnesota is 6-5 and in the NFC playoff hunt.
Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator, Detroit Lions
The former All-Pro defensive back has long been viewed as a future head coach and interviewed for positions last season. With the Lions ranking among the best teams in the NFC this season, Glenn will again draw interest.
Jim Harbaugh, head coach, University of Michigan
The former NFL quarterback and San Francisco 49ers head coach had interest in the Vikings job in 2022 but never received an offer and remained at his alma mater. Several NFL teams are expected to pursue him this offseason, and it’s believed Harbaugh has interest in at least a couple of those potential openings.
Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions
The 37-year-old Johnson turned heads last season when, as a rookie play-caller, he helped the Lions’ offense develop into a top-five unit. Johnson withdrew his name from consideration from head-coaching opportunities last offseason to remain with the Lions and now his offense is even better. The Lions are 8-2 after Sunday’s comeback victory over the Bears and his phone will most certainly ring again this offseason.
GO DEEPER
How Lions OC Ben Johnson stayed one step ahead of Chargers’ Brandon Staley
The former Utah quarterback helped Jalen Hurts develop into a top-flight QB while serving as his Eagles position coach. Now in his first season as offensive coordinator, Johnson has Philly’s offense ranked among the top three in the league in yards and points.
Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator, L.A. Chargers
Moore drew head coaching interest while offensive coordinator of the Cowboys. This offseason he joined the Chargers, who continue to struggle in late-game situations, placing Staley’s job security in doubt. Moore, however, remains an intriguing potential head coaching candidate in the eyes of the NFL’s highest-ranking talent evaluators.
Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator, L.A. Rams
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, Atlanta Falcons interim head coach and longtime defensive coordinator helped the Rams win the Super Bowl to cap the 2021 season and has drawn interest from teams in recent years. He’s expected to again interview for positions this offseason.
Antonio Pierce, interim head coach, Las Vegas Raiders
The former Pro Bowl linebacker and nine-year veteran guided the Raiders to back-to-back wins after taking over for the fired Josh McDaniels. They lost 20-13 to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but Pierce has a shot at the permanent head coaching job if the Raiders can finish strong in the final weeks.
At 7-3, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and the Cowboys are one of the NFC’s top teams. (Jason Parkhurst / USA Today)
Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator, Dallas Cowboys
Quinn was the Falcons’ head coach for five-plus seasons, with one Super Bowl appearance. His Cowboys units have ranked among the best in the league the last three seasons and this year rank top five in yards, points and third downs.
Steve Wilks, defensive coordinator, San Francisco 49ers
The longtime coordinator is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in the game, and many believed he deserved the Panthers’ head coaching job after turning that team around as the interim last season. A deep playoff run for the 49ers could translate into a head coaching job for Wilks.
Bonus: Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator, Houston Texans
He’s in just his first season as a play-caller, so it may be a bit premature, but Slowik will receive some consideration for head coaching positions this hiring cycle. Everybody is looking for the next bright offensive mind, and the 36-year-old Slowik — the latest impressive Mike Shanahan/Kyle Shanahan disciple — fits the bill because of his success with C.J. Stroud and the surprisingly competitive Texans. He’s also the son of former NFL defensive coordinator Bob Slowik. Bobby Slowik likely will have to wait at least another cycle to actually land a head coaching gig, but Kyle Shanahan’s former right-hand man in San Francisco following Mike McDaniel’s departure is coming.
(Top photo of Brian Johnson, Ben Johnson, Steve Wilks: Mitchell Leff, Mike Mulholland, Michael Zagaris / Getty Images)
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2023-11-20 12:58:18
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