Last year, seven NFL teams opted to make a head coaching change. Sean Payton stepping away from the Saints created nine full-time vacancies available this year.
Listed below are the head coaching candidates that have been linked to each of the teams with vacancies, along with their current status. If and when other teams decide to make head coaching changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here is the current breakdown:
Updated 2-7-22 (1:45pm CT)
Chicago Bears
- Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator (Saints): Interview canceled
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/22
- Jim Caldwell, former head coach (Lions): Conducted second interview 1/25
- Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/16
- Matt Eberflus, defensive coordinator (Colts): Hired
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/14
- Leslie Frazier, defensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/15; hired by Broncos
- Byron Leftwich, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Doug Pederson, former head coach (Eagles): Interviewed 1/12
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): To conduct second interview 1/26; remaining in Dallas
Denver Broncos
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/20
- Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/19
- Luke Getsy, quarterbacks coach (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/13
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): Hired
- Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach (Patriots): Interviewed 1/19
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/18
- Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator (Rams): Finalist
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Finalist
Houston Texans
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): Conducted second interview 1/31; finalist
- Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Conducted second interview 1/29; finalist; Informed by Texans he won’t be hired
- Joe Lombardi, offensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach (Patriots): Mentioned as candidate
- Josh McCown, longtime NFL QB: Conducted second interview 1/28; finalist; considered out of running?
- Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator (Rams): Conducted second interview 1/31; expected to be hired by Vikings
- Lovie Smith, defensive coordinator/associate head coach (Texans): Hired
- Hines Ward, wide receivers coach (Florida Atlantic): Interviewed 1/15
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Rich Bisaccia, former interim head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/31
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/3
- Jim Caldwell, former head coach (Lions): Interviewed 1/4
- Matt Eberflus, defensive coordinator (Colts): Completed second interview 1/20; hired by Bears
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): Conducted second interview 1/27; hired by Broncos
- Byron Leftwich, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Conducted second interview 1/25; expected to bow out?
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/7
- Bill O’Brien, former head coach (Texans): Interviewed 1/13
- Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator (Rams): Team wants to interview; interview delayed
- Doug Pederson, former head coach (Eagles): Hired
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Declined early interview; remaining in Dallas
Las Vegas Raiders
- Rich Bisaccia, interim head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/19
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/28
- Jim Harbaugh, former head coach (49ers): Mentioned as candidate; early frontrunner?
- Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach (Patriots): Interviewed 1/25
- Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator (Patriots): Hired
- DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview expected
Miami Dolphins
- Thomas Brown, running backs coach/assistant head coach (Rams): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator (Bills): Second interview expected; viewed as favorite?; hired by Giants
- Leslie Frazier, defensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/16
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/21
- Mike McDaniel, offensive coordinator (49ers): Hired
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Conducted second interview 2/5
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/20; remaining in Dallas
Minnesota Vikings
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/21
- Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/20
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Mentioned as candidate
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Giants): Conducted second interview 2/1
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/16; hired by Broncos
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Interviewed 2/2; to stay at Michigan
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/19
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Conducted second interview 1/31
- Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator (Rams): To be hired
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/19; remaining in Dallas
- DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/23; declined second interview
New Orleans Saints
- Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator (Saints): Hired
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 2/6
- Pete Carmichael, offensive coordinator (Saints): Declined interview request
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 2/1
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 2/2
- Byron Leftwich, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interview requested; granted permission
- Doug Pederson, former head coach (Eagles): Interviewed 1/30; hired by Jaguars
- Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator (Saints): Interviewed 2/3
New York Giants
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/23
- Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator (Bills): Hired
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/27
- Leslie Frazier, defensive coordinator (Bills): Conducted second interview 1/28
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/26
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/24; remaining in Dallas
Whatever way the Jags decide to go, we all know it’ll be the wrong decision! Abject mess of a franchise.
The Jags are only 1 owner 1 GM 12 coaches and 55 players away from being competitive so there’s still reason to be optimistic.
The Colts would disagree with you, but I digress. The Jags are a playoff team next season!!!!!!!!
Very creative.
too funny
Bears fans need a new HC and GM. As if we haven’t been punished enough this year, The only game on here is the Bears and Giants. Which is like watching the Helen Keller School play The Hadley Institute in a game where the batteries in the Beeper ball went dead. A bunch of people running around and into each other with no actual sense of direction.
I saw the Giants had more turnovers than completed passes, racking up -10 yards passing. Awful game. How Judge hasn’t been fired is puzzling.
I’d like to see Leftwich, but I predict Pederson brings his visor to Jacksonville.
Pederson would be the safest bet.
All 14 attempts by SB winning coaches to get a ring with a second team have failed so Pederson would have to overcome that jinx. His success with the Eagles occurred because their OL allowed them to dominate time of possession frequently but most of the teams making coaching changes need major upgrades to their OL before they will be competitive.
Caldwell would a better choice. He did a great job changing the culture of the Lions for the better and improving Matt Stafford’s performance, once he replaced Lombardi. He also improved their performance the first year instead of the typical pattern of getting worse before getting better. Like the Jags, the Lions needed to hire an adult to create a professional environment. Some Lions fans actually still complain that he was fired. Can’t think of another coach in the last 40 years of Lions history that left that impression.
Wayne Fontes???
I say Kellen Moore. He has been super good in Dallas. Also Hackett cause I’m a Packer fan and of course he’ll be hired by another team cause that’s just our luck
I’m sure some of these names are on the Bear’s list as well.
Its been nearly an hour and Nagy still has not been fired.
In my mind as he entered the locker room he is handed his luggage, a ticket back to Midway on Southwest and a note stating his stuff will be mailed to his home address.
harbs is so toxic it might just work
He’s not going anywhere. He’s happy running the show at Michigan. Toxic is also the wrong description. He works with old school intensity which just don’t play anymore in the NFL. My definition of toxic is an office politician tearing down others to gain power or someone like Utban Meyer who belittles everyone around him. That’s not Harbaugh. He’s been called weird, intense, and he’s definitely blunt but he’s certainly not a politician.
Kind of surprised the Bears aren’t even talking to Harbaugh, especially since he’s a former player.
I seem to recall Ditka benching Harbaugh after a game where he blew a 20 point lead. I think the Bears realize his price would exceed what they are willing to pay which is why their interest is lacking.
Fair enough. I just figured with him having a connection to the team they’d at least kick the tires.
If Wilbon had a say they’d be offering Harbaugh the moon, and a lifetime supply of Khakis.
What happened to Terryl Austin? When he was Detroit’s DC he was mentioned every year for HC openings, now he’s in the weeds in Pittsburgh.
Perhaps he was seen in the company of Susan Lucci. (This is a somewhat obscure reference but I hope someone sees the joke).
Is this a “has played the same role for 30 years” joke?
I think its a “always nominated for a daytime Emmy for playing the same role but didn’t win for 30+ years” joke.
I hope the Dolphins find an excellent offensive minded head coach. I am not heartened by the fact that they are interviewing defensive coordinators for their HC position. I wouldn’t mess with the defensive scheme. It is the strength of the team and very entertaining.
We’ll, firing the defensive-minded head coach who implemented the defensive scheme would probably qualify as messing with the scheme.
I was hoping the Bears would go after Moore from the Cowboys.. Unfortunately with TED still there the bears will repeat the never ending gobstoper of picking the same type of personal over and over again and expecting a different result . . The bears also need to look at getting some people in place who no what talent is .. Without better drafts the Bears will stay the Bears and have one decent season every 5.1
While the Bears and Vikings re charge, watch the Lions get competitive. Lots of the right things going on there.
What is the success rate of Bill Bellichek’s former coaches? Flores seemed to be the most successful. Patricia was terrible, as was Judge. McDaniels was terrible his first go around. BOB was fine for a couple of years but he had experience after the patriots.
I just wonder if a guy like Mayo may not make it on his own without some non-patriot experience
The WSJ has created the most definitive NFL coaching tree. It’s so intricately complex you may find yourself spending hours exploring various connections between past and present. link to graphics.wsj.com
welp if the dolphins grab a oc for a hc they need to ensure he calles the plays cuz he will have a better chance of staying around and succeeding.
I don’t know why some fans think offensive play calling is some mystical science. Actually a fairly intelligent chimpanzee could handle the job adequately. It really comes down to doing most what you do best and getting the ball into the hands of your best player as much as possible. It’s not rocket science.
Dolphins: Kellen Moore
Bears: Brian Daboll
Jags: Byron Leftwich
Broncos: Kevin McConnell
Raiders: Jim Harbaugh
Vikings: Doug Pederson
Giants: Todd Bowles
Texans: Brian Flores
Per reports here in Denver, the Broncos seem to be really high on Dan Quinn. Of course, take that for what it’s worth.
Bieniemy, Daboll and Moore are well positioned in successful organizations so why would they leave for the headache of working for dysfunctional organizations?
Fair point. That may be a contributor to why all of the Belichick Patriots staff that have gone on to be HC’s have failed miserably save for Bill O’Brien and only because he’s near .500 with a couple of playoff wins.
The Broncos better hire an offensive geek cause Fangio is the best defensive geek out there
I’m not sure if this is a joke, but Todd Bowles already flamed out once with a dysfunctional New York franchise. I don’t see how either side would really be interested.
Why isn’t Kellen Moore on the Bears Radar ????
Probably because he’s on every other teams radar. The Bears are not going to enter into a bidding war to replace either Pace or Nagy.
I personally don’t think Moore is head coaching material.
The Broncos should take a flyer on someone, as they aren’t likely to improve with any HC who isn’t the next coming…
Until the ownership issues are resolved once and for all I think the Broncos will be in a state of flux. Patton is the guy for now but how long will he be kept around if things don’t improve?
Denver has said the sale of the team won’t happen until a new coach is hired.
Everyone keeps looking to Belichick’s staff to find the next great coach. Statistically his staff has failed miserably when hired by another to be a HC.
The best is Bill O’Brien with a 52-48 record, Al Groh with a 9-7 record is the only other staff member with a winning record as a HC and Groh worked for him in Cleveland.
8 members of his Patriots staff have gone on to serve as HC either as a hire or an interim with a different team. They have a combined record of 178-256-1.
I think I would pass on hiring one of his staff as HC. The two most recent examples of Joe Judge and Matt Patricia were particularly horrid.
Seems unfair to playoff teams to not wait until the season is over to interview candidates – as you can’t be game planning if you’re on a 3 hour zoom call.
Jags get Brain Daboll
Raiders get Jim Harbough (HC) and Vic Fangio (DC)
Bears get Eberflus
Broncos get Jim Caldwell
Texans get Kellen Moore
Miami gets Eric Beinemy
Giants get Brain Flores
I am surprised by all the interest in Gannon. He continued to go with soft coverage all year and made all QB’s look better for the other teams.
The Rams keep losing coaches. I am guessing one of the current Rams coaches is hired.
New Orleans, you leave Aaron Glenn alone!
I feel like Todd Bowles would be a great fit for Dolphins. Also Quinn to broncos and Flores to raiders
The Broncos are reportedly hiring Green Bay OC Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach.
What’s the deal with the Vikings & Doug Pederson
Pederson has interviewed for HC opportunities with other teams and has long been listed as a “interview requested” relative to the Vikings HC.
While the other interview requested candidates have actually been interviewed, Pederson has not.
So are the Vikings really interested?
Is Pederson interested?
Probably wanting to have a GM on board for this (and other ‘making the choice’ interviews), so maybe he was the early choice fron the beginning and all the other interviews to this point were to find other ‘finalists’.
My predictions for the last few teams:
Dolphins – Kellen Moore
Jaguars – Byron Leftwich
Raiders – Josh McDaniels
Texans – Brian Flores (unless McCown?)
Vikings – Kevin O’Connell
I’d agree with all of those except that Harbaugh is going to the Vikings.
I see that FINALLY Doug Pederson has been dropped from the Vikings Head Coach candidate list.
Since Pederson Actually DID Interview with other clubs, but NEVER interviewed with the Vikings:
Were the Vikings interested or not ?
Was Pederson interested in the Vikings or not?
What is, as had been said, THE REST OF THE STORY ?
It’s looking like these teams don’t want to give their opponents comp draft picks.
Brian Flores is a problem. Maybe his insubordination is the reason he was terminated?
This tracker is awesome, but it’s hard to see where the updates are. Is there a way to redesign or present the info so we can tell what’s new?
The hires thus far are only fueling Brian Flores’ lawsuit. Almost comical that what the NFL is going to investigate is pay for tanking. Maybe next they’ll look into the alleged drinking habits of HOF QB’s