Pat Shurmur - Pro Football Rumors

Bears Seek To Interview McDaniels, Shurmur

January 1st, 2018 at 8:22pm CST by Micah Powell

After the firing of head coach John Fox Monday morning, the Bears were expected to look for an offensive-minded coach to take over the role in 2018.

They began the process Monday night, requesting interviews with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (Twitter link).

McDaniels is the longtime Patriots offensive coordinator who has called the shots for seven top-five scoring offenses during his tenure with the team. He also has head-coaching experience, leading the Broncos for parts of two seasons in 2009-10. McDaniels is already being sought by a bevy of teams and will certainly be a splash for the Bears.

The Bears have plenty of familiarity with Shurmur, who has been with division rival Minnesota for each of the last two seasons. Under the veteran coach’s direction, Minnesota locked up the No. 2 seed in the postseason while fielding a top-10 scoring offense. Even more impressive is that the unit accomplished the feat without its starting quarterback Sam Bradford or rookie sensation running Dalvin Cook, who were both lost early in the season to injuries. Like McDaniels, Shurmur has already garnered interest from a number of teams.

Either coach would certainly benefit rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who general manager Ryan Pace said will have a say in the team’s head-coaching decision. McDaniels has worked with Tom Brady for much of his career and also helped groom Jimmy Garropolo in New England. Shurmur’s offense has also helped veteran signal-caller Case Keenum produce a breakout year in 2017.

Should they decide against an offensive mind, the Bears might look in house at defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Whoever receives the job is likely to sign a four-year deal to match the extension Pace received earlier in the days.

Cardinals, Lions Request Interviews With Vikings’ Pat Shurmur

January 1st, 2018 at 12:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Cardinals and Lions came out of Monday morning with coaching vacancies, and the architect of the Vikings’ offense is on the teams’ list.

The Vikings have a first-round bye, and that’s opened the door for the Cardinals and Lions to submit requests to interview Pat Shurmur for their HC positions, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report (Twitter links).

Shurmur’s work in helping the Vikings be an upper-echelon offense despite the keys being in journeyman Case Keenum‘s hands this season undoubtedly made the second-year Minnesota OC an attractive HC candidate.

The 52-year-old Shurmur has two years of head-coaching experience as well, leading the Browns from 2011-12. He’s been an OC with the Rams and Eagles as well and is only in his first season as the Vikings’ full-time offensive leader. Norv Turner‘s departure midway through last season resulted in Shurmur becoming the Vikes’ interim OC. Minnesota took the interim tag off that label after 2016, and the Keenum-piloted Vikings are one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LII.

Gruden, Shurmur, McDaniels and Reich Expected To Receive HC Interest

December 28th, 2017 at 11:19am CST by GregGoldstein

The league is expecting potentially double-digit head coaching jobs to open up this offseason. With so many openings that might become available, you can expect to see a number of offensive-minded head coaches get interviews with the way the current NFL is going. With that being said, current offensive coordinators Pat Shurmur, Josh McDaniels and Frank Reich expect to “draw the most interest” of the league’s highly regarded offensive minds, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Tomasson also mentions former Super Bowl winning coach and longtime ESPN analyst Jon Gruden as part of that group as well.

Gruden, 54, is clearly the biggest name on this list because of his media personality and previous success in the league. The former head coach won both in Oakland and Tampa Bay, posting six seasons of above .500 football during his 11 year tenure from 1998-2008. Teams have tried a number of times to snag him from the broadcaster’s booth over the years, but with no success. However, Gruden appears more intent to return to coaching this offseason and seemingly could be had if the right opportunity presented itself.

Shurmer, 52, was a head coach once before, guiding the Browns to a 9-23 record in two seasons in Cleveland. However, he’s had a ton of success with the Vikings since he became their offensive coordinator in 2016. Specifically this season, he’s helped Case Keenum come from relative obscurity to leading one of the best team’s in football.

McDaniels, 41, was also a head coach for two seasons, leading the Broncos to a .500 record in 2009, before being fired midseason the next year after going 3-9 in his first 12 games. Since latching on with the friendly confines of New England once again, McDaniels is hoping that his second foray as a head coach will go better than his first. The current Patriots offensive coordinator is clearly a smart offensive mind that should be sought after by any organization looking to develop a young quarterback this offseason.

Reich, 56, is the only member of this group who has no previous head coaching experience. However, his two-year tenure with Eagles QB Carson Wentz has demonstrated the former quarterback’s ability to lead an offense. In his second year at the offensive controls in Philadelphia, the team has seen better improvements in every area of the game, with him showing a clear aptitude to use a variety of different players effectively throughout a game.

NFL Recommends Coaching Candidates

December 21st, 2017 at 12:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Each year, the NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel releases a list of candidates for head coaching jobs. According to Mike Lombardi of The Ringer (Twitter link), that list includes:

Dan Campbell (Assistant Head Coach/TE coach, Saints)
Jim Bob Cooter (Offensive Coordinator, Lions)
John DeFilippo (Quarterbacks Coach, Eagles)
George Edwards (Defensive Coordinator, Vikings)
Josh McDaniels (Offensive Coordinator, Patriots)
Matt Nagy (Offensive Coordinator, Chiefs)
Matt Patricia (Defensive Coordinator, Patriots)
Jim Schwartz (Defensive Coordinator, Eagles)
Pat Shurmur (Offensive Coordinator, Vikings)
Dave Toub (Special Teams Coach, Chiefs)
Steve Wilks (Defensive Coordinator, Panthers)
Mike Vrabel (Defensive Coordinator, Texans)

McDaniels, of course, comes with previous head coaching experience. He was probably too young to handle those responsibilities in Denver, but he has reasserted himself as an offensive wunderkind. Both McDaniels and Patricia will be hot candidates for head coaching jobs this year, so the Patriots may have to make serious changes on the coaching staff.

There is some overlap with the list of minority candidates recommended by the Fritz Pollard Alliance, though Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Titans offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie did not make the cut on this list. Austin received head coaching interviews in each of the last two offseasons, so he seems likely to garner some consideration this time around.

North Notes: Browns, Bears, Fox, Vikings

December 10th, 2017 at 2:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

New Browns general manager John Dorsey has a plan to turn around the winless Cleveland franchise, and given the club’s lackluster history with quarterbacks, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Dorsey’s first order of business will be finding a long-term answer under center, as Pat McManamon of ESPN.com writes.

“This is a quarterback-driven league,” Dorsey said Friday. “We all know that, and we all know to succeed and go a little bit further and further and further that you need one of those guys.

“I want to understand from a coaching perspective how they see [quarterbacks],” Dorsey said. “I want to see how the personnel staff sees it. I want to sit down with the head coach and see how he sees it. Let’s begin to build a plan moving forward and identify.”

Here’s more from the NFL’s two North divisions:

While the Bears are currently putting together a winning performance against the Bengals, most observers believe Chicago’s coaching staff will be let go following the conclusion of the regular season, and that’s the feeling within the building as well, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link). Not only has Bears head coach John Fox “accepted his fate” and recognized that he’ll likely be fired once the 2017 campaign ends, but many Chicago assistants are cognizant that they’ll be let go, too. At present, the Bears are last in the NFC North with a record of 3-9.
Pat Shurmur is generating “a ton of interest” as a head coaching candidate, so the Vikings could soon be searching for a new offensive coordinator, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. Shurmur has head coaching experience, as he lead the Browns from 2011-12 and also served as the Eagles’ interim head coach at the tail end of the 2015 season. Running an offense with journeyman Case Keenum under center, Shurmur has led Minnesota to a No. 8 ranking in offensive DVOA, so it’s no surprise that other teams around the NFL have taken notice of his efforts.
Despite previous reports that Lions head coach Jim Caldwell recently signed a contract extension, his deal in fact only runs through the 2018 campaign (with an option for 2019). Therefore, Caldwell’s pact likely won’t play any role in whether Detroit general manager Bob Quinn retains Caldwell after the current season.

Vikings To Retain OC Pat Shurmur

January 8th, 2017 at 4:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings plan to remove the interim label from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, a source tells Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, meaning Shurmur will return as the club’s play-caller in 2017. Shurmur was elevated from tight ends coach to interim OC when Norv Turner resigned his position on November 2.

After Shurmur took over as the offensive coordinator, Minnesota averaged 332 yards per game in nine contests, an improvement over the 293 yards per game the club averaged under Turner. Sam Bradford, too, played relatively well under Shurmur, posting the all-time NFL record for completion percentage while (admittedly) throwing to an extremely short average depth of target. By weighted DVOA — which places more emphasis on more recent games — the Vikings actually (slightly) regressed under Shurmur, as they finished 27th in wDVOA as opposed to 26th in straight DVOA.

Shurmur, 51, has been an NFL coach since 1999, and is now on his third stint as a coordinator. Previously a play-caller for both the Rams and Eagles, Shurmur also served as head coach of the Browns from 2011-12, and had a short tenure as the Eagles’ interim head coach at the tail end of the 2015 campaign.

Norv Turner Resigns As Vikings OC

November 2nd, 2016 at 9:51am CST by Zachary Links

Surprising news out of Minnesota as Norv Turner has resigned as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator. The team announced that Pat Shurmur is taking over as interim offensive coordinator. The exact circumstances of Turner’s departure are not immediately clear. Turner has released the following statement:

“I have tremendous respect for [head coach] Mike Zimmer, our coaching staff, and our players and at this time I think it is in the best interest of the team to step down. I thank the Wilf family for my time here in Minnesota and want to see our players and coaches achieve success.”

The Vikings got off to a hot 5-0 start this year which was extra impressive considering the team’s unusual situation at quarterback. Since then, however, the Vikes have dropped their last two games. While Minnesota sits atop the NFC North, they have gotten there thanks in large part to their defense. Offensively, the team has left much to be desired in its seven games this season. Currently, the Vikings have the fifth-worst passing yards per game average in the league (221.4). Meanwhile, their running game (mostly without Adrian Peterson) has amassed just 71.9 yards per game, the second-worst average in the NFL.

Turner was in his third season as Minnesota’s OC. Over the years, Turner has built up quite the resume including head coaching stints with the Redskins, Raiders, and Chargers. While Turner has taken criticism from Vikings fans for his play calling, one has to wonder how different things might be if the team was at full strength. After all, this a club that has lost its top quarterback, top running back, and two starting tackles. Before those injuries, the team also saw veteran lineman Phil Loadholt retire.

Before today’s sudden promotion, Shurmur was serving as the Vikings’ tight ends coach. Shurmur served as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator from 2013-2015, so he has a history with quarterback Sam Bradford.

NFC Notes: Vikes, Turner, Redskins, Giants

July 8th, 2016 at 10:30am CST by Connor J. Byrne

With former Rams and Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur now on the Vikings’ staff as the tight ends coach, O-coordinator Norv Turner‘s job could be in jeopardy if Minnesota’s attack doesn’t improve this season, writes Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune. The Vikings’ Turner-led offense ranked just 27th and 29th over the previous two seasons, and the latter finish came despite excellent production from running back Adrian Peterson. One way Turner could help his cause is to involve receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the game plan, Souhan offers. Patterson – a first-round pick in 2013 – racked up just two targets and two carries under Turner last season. He was at his most productive as a rookie in Bill Musgrave‘s 13th-ranked offense, with 45 catches on 78 targets, 469 yards and seven total touchdowns (four receiving, three rushing).

Vikings Hire Pat Shurmur As Tight Ends Coach

January 25th, 2016 at 1:43pm CST by Dallas Robinson

MONDAY, 1:43pm: The Vikings have confirmed Shurmur’s hiring, announcing that he will serve as the team’s new tight ends coach. Kevin Stefanski, who previously held that role, will shift over to replace Kirby Wilson as the club’s running backs coach.

SATURDAY, 9:45pm: It’s unclear what Shurmur’s role will be, as head coach Mike Zimmer still needs to sort out his coaching staff, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. But the hire won’t lead to any other staff changes, per Goessling.

9:33pm: The Vikings have hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, reports Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link). There’s no word as to Shurmur’s title in Minnesota, but it’s worth noting that the only vacant job on the Vikings’ staff is running backs coach.

Shurmur, 50, acted as Philadelphia’s interim head coach for the final game of the season following the dismissal of Chip Kelly, and then received an interview for the full-time job. That position went to Doug Pederson, however, and though Pederson expressed some interest in retaining Shurmur, the Eagles ultimately hired former Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich as their new OC.

After being released from his Eagles contract, Shurmur immediately generated interest around the league. The Rams, whose offense Shurmur coordinated from 2009-10, requested permission to interview him for a role (reports varied as to whether that role was OC or passing game coordinator). Meanwhile, two mystery clubs, in addition to the Vikings, were reported on Thursday to have interest in pursuing Shurmur, who ultimately interviewed with Minnesota on Friday.

Shurmur’s NFL experience dates back to the 1999 season, when he entered the league as an assistant with Philadelphia. His most prominent job was acting as the Browns’ head coach — he lasted just two seasons (2011-12), posting a record of 9-23 during that time.

Vikings To Interview Pat Shurmur

January 21st, 2016 at 12:58pm CST by Luke Adams

12:58pm: Goessling’s tweet identifying the Ravens and Panthers as potential suitors for Shurmur has been deleted, and his story on the topic simply says that two unidentified teams – in addition to the Rams and Vikings – may have interest in Shurmur. So it’s not clear whether or not Baltimore and Carolina are, in fact, those two teams.

12:48pm: With Frank Reich and John DeFilippo having been hired as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach respectively, it appears former OC Pat Shurmur won’t be retained by new head coach Doug Pederson. Shurmur is drawing interest from other teams though. In addition to receiving an interview request from the Rams for their passing-game coordinator job, Shurmur has generated interest from the Vikings, Ravens, and Panthers, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Vikings are set to interview Shurmur this week, which is interesting, since the only current opening on Minnesota’s staff is at running backs coach. Since getting his first NFL coaching job in 1999, Shurmur has never coached running backs, so it’s not clear if that’s the role the Vikings have in mind for him, or if the team would plan to create a new position. The interview will take place on Friday, per Goessling (Twitter link).

Shurmur, who served as the Eagles’ interim head coach in Week 17 after Chip Kelly‘s dismissal, was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2015. Previously, he spent time as the Browns’ head coach (2011-12), the Rams’ offensive coordinator (2009-10), and the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach (2002-08) after initially coaching tight ends and offensive linemen in Philadelphia.

Although the Eagles struggled as a team in 2015, Shurmur’s offense ranked a respectable 12th in yards per game (364.4), landing in the top half of the NFL in terms of both passing and rushing yardage. However, for the third straight year under Kelly and Shurmur, Philadelphia finished last in the league in time of possession due to the fast-paced nature of the offense.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.