HEADLINES

Mike Siravo

NFC Coaching Updates: Commanders, Vikings, Giants

February 24th, 2023 at 10:02pm CST by Ely Allen

Confirming early rumors from this week that Stanford quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard could be finding his way onto Eric Bieniemy‘s new offensive staff in Washington, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported that the Commanders are working toward an agreement to likely make Pritchard the team’s new quarterbacks coach. The quarterbacks coaching position is currently occupied by last year’s position coach, Ken Zampese, but Fowler speculates that Zampese may stay on with the Commanders in a different role.

On the other hand, the team is parting ways with senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. Hostler has been in Washington for the past three years and has an extensive history as a position coach in the NFL for several franchises, even serving as offensive coordinator for the 49ers back in 2007. Also expected to leave is wide receivers coach Drew Terrell. Terrell was a candidate for the Cardinals offensive coordinator position that was awarded to Drew Petzing, but after missing out, is still a strong candidate in Arizona for the role of pass-game coordinator.

Here are a few other coaching updates from around the NFC:

  • The Vikings announced three staff updates today, according to Vikings staff writer Craig Peters. Minnesota hired two defensive staffers with past ties to new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Mike Siravo was hired as the team’s new inside linebackers coach. Siravo worked as a graduate assistant at Boston College when Flores was there as a linebacker. Since then, Siravo has been a longtime follower of former Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, working with him at Temple, Baylor, and Carolina. He most recently held the position of defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach for the Panthers. Lance Bennett has been hired as a defensive quality control coach for the Vikings. Bennett previously worked under Flores in Miami as an assistant to the head coach. Lastly, on the offensive side of the ball, Grant Udinski has been promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach. Udinski spent last season in the role of assistant to the head coach/special projects.
  • The Giants are expected to make an addition to their coaching staff, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Former Panthers assistant head coach on offense Jeff Nixon is expected to be hired in the role of running backs coach in New York. If true, Nixon would be taking the role over from DeAndre Smith, who departed for the same position in Indianapolis today. Nixon likely hopes the Giants will find a way to bring back star running back Saquon Barkley, who is set to hit free agency this offseason.

Panthers Eyeing Phil Snow For DC Role

January 9th, 2020 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Matt Rhule‘s move from Waco, Texas, to Charlotte will likely result in another coach making the same trip. Rhule has identified Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow for the same role with the Panthers, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets.

This prospect surfaced earlier this week, when it looked like the Giants were the better bet to hire Rhule. But now, it will be the Panthers who will be expected to bring the 64-year-old Baylor DC to head up their defense.

Snow has served as defensive coordinator for eight college programs dating back to the early 1980s. He’s been DC at UCLA, Washington, Arizona State and worked with Rhule as the Temple and Baylor defensive boss. Baylor’s defense ranked 19th nationally this past season. In Rhule’s final season at Temple, in 2016, the Owls’ defense ranked third nationally.

Snow first became a Division I-FBS defensive coordinator with Boise State in 1983. His NFL experience came on Steve Mariucci and Rod Marinelli‘s Lions staffs from 2005-08. He served as Marinelli’s linebackers coach from 2006-08.

In addition to Snow, Rhule has been linked to Lions quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan as his offensive coordinator. That move also is not yet official. Baylor linebackers coach Mike Siravo is also a candidate to join Rhule’s defensive staff in Charlotte, per Person.