As of today, only two teams have fired their head coaches, and we can expect several more to do so this offseason. For the past several years, I have argued that the most important thing a team can have is a good offensive playcaller and coaching staff. Guys like Andy Reid, Sean McVay, and Kyle Shanahan run excellent offensive schemes, and their teams consistently are contending for Super Bowls.
While we may not know which teams will have open coaching jobs this offseason, we do know who the top candidates are to take over new roles. But first, I want to talk about what I am looking for in NFL coaching candidates.
- Play calling ability (preferably on offense)
- Young with a willingness to adapt to NFL changes
- History of player development at key positions (QB, OL, EDGE)
- Willingness to take risks and be aggressive
- Strong connections to build a staff of coordinators and position coaches
- On the same page about franchise development with the GM
Hiring a coach is a franchise-altering decision, and getting it right is essential to the team’s success. In my opinion, the most important thing is that the coach and GM are aligned on how they think the franchise should move forward. If there is a clash between the head coach and the GM, it is felt throughout the organization and has significant adverse effects on the team. While coaching interests vary across teams, today I want to review my top 10 candidates in this year’s cycle.
College Coaches
Lincoln Riley – USC HC
This is a name I will never let go of, and I have had Riley listed among the top NFL coaching candidates for the past five years. At both Oklahoma and USC, Riley has been known as somewhat of a “QB whisperer,” having developed guys like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams. During his time as a college head coach, Riley has been known for his high-scoring offenses, and I am confident his success would carry over to the NFL. With a good defensive coordinator, I think Riley could completely change the trajectory of a franchise.
Steve Sarkisian – Texas HC
Sark has had a long career as a successful offensive playcaller and has NFL experience, serving as the Falcons’ OC from 2017-2018 under Dan Quinn. Sark did a good job in Atlanta and helped lead the offense during Matt Ryan’s MVP season. Now, as the coach at Texas, Sark has run one of college football’s best offenses and has pushed the Longhorns to new heights.
Will Stein – Oregon OC/Kentucky HC
It is doubtful that Stein will be hired in this coaching cycle, as he was just hired as the head coach at Kentucky after a very successful career as the OC at Oregon. Stein has helped develop Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, and Dante Moore over the last three years with the Ducks. He has led some of the nation’s most successful offenses and runs a scheme that I think would translate seamlessly to the NFL. I may be a year or two early, but I believe Stein could very well have a future in the NFL.
Second-chance candidates
Kliff Kingsbury – Commanders OC
A very similar candidate to the aforementioned Riley, Kingsbury has also been labeled a “QB whisperer,” with the most recent example being Jayden Daniels. Kliff has worked with several of the same QBs Riley worked with, as well as Patrick Mahomes, during his time with Texas Tech. Kingsbury has experience as a head coach with the Cardinals, where he had some success, but late-season collapses caused Arizona to move on. Kliff has revamped the Commanders’ offense and played a significant role in the team’s run to the NFC Championship Game last season. His skill at calling plays makes him an interesting candidate, and I think he deserves another shot as an NFL HC.
Robert Saleh – 49ers DC
Just one year removed from being fired from the Jets HC job, Saleh will be one of the top names to watch in this year’s coaching carousel. The Jets sputtered under Saleh, but it was clear that his plan for the team was not aligned with ownership and management. Saleh runs one of the best defenses in the NFL, with a pure 4-3 scheme that has been successful everywhere he has been. In New York, he was tasked with developing a raw young QB in Zach Wilson, but I think if he is hired by a team with a somewhat established offense, he could be a game-changer for years to come.
Brian Flores – Vikings DC
Flores was one of the best coaches in the NFL when he was with the Dolphins, but was yet again the victim of having interests that were not aligned with management and ownership. The strained relationship between Flores and the staff above him led to his dismissal, and a scandal ensued in which Flores alleged that the Dolphins asked him to “throw” games to improve their draft position. This is a situation you can look into yourself, but regardless of that, Flores is one of the best defensive minds in football, and his scheme, combined with respect from his players, will get him a lot of interest.
Some new guys to watch for
Joe Brady
Brady has been a riser lately since taking over as the OC in Buffalo, helping develop Josh Allen and build one of the NFL’s best offenses. Brady was also the OC for LSU in 2019, with Joe Burrow, when they won the National Championship and had nearly 40 players drafted into the NFL. That LSU team was arguably the best in the history of college football, and now, with his success in Buffalo, Brady is a proven playcaller who should be a significant talking point in this coaching carousel.
Klint Kubiak
Maybe a year early on Kubiak, who people will want to see have another year under his belt as a coordinator, but there is no doubt that NFL coaching runs in his blood. His father, Gary, coached for the Texans and Broncos and was widely regarded as one of the NFL’s better offensive play callers. Kubiak did a good job with the Saints’ offense last year and has been even better in Seattle, where he has elevated their offense with new QB Sam Darnold.
Mike Kafka
Kafka was slated to be the next in line to be the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator following the team’s incredible run with Eric Bienemy. However, because EB was not hired for an HC role, Kafka was selected by the Giants before the HC role became available to him. In New York, Kafka has done a solid job calling plays and, since Brian Daboll’s departure, has served as interim head coach. Kafka has received HC interviews in the past and could even keep the job in New York.
Davis Webb
I am probably a year or two early on Webb, who is only 3 years removed from his retirement as an NFL quarterback. Webb is the pass game coordinator and QB coach for the Broncos under Sean Payton and has played a significant role in the development of young QB Bo Nix. Webb has received high praise from other NFL coaches and is well known for his feel for the game and knowledge. He is one of the best young minds in the NFL and could be a substantial addition for a team looking to be aggressive in the coaching market this offseason.
