Numerous NFL teams are aiming to find the next Sean McVay when they look for a new head coach. McVay, who made history as the youngest coach following the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, was hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 at the age of 30. Under his leadership, the Rams have secured a Super Bowl title, four NFC West championships, six playoff appearances, and seven winning seasons over eight years.
Among the 14 coaches in the playoffs, nine share a similar background to McVay, being hired from coordinator or assistant roles with their first teams. The remaining five coaches have prior head coaching experience. McVay, for example, was previously the offensive coordinator for Washington before being hired by the Rams.
Coaches like Sean McDermott (Bills), John Harbaugh (Ravens), DeMeco Ryans (Texans), Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Dan Campbell (Lions), Nick Sirianni (Eagles), Kevin O’Connell (Vikings), and Matt LaFleur (Packers) all started as coordinators or assistants before taking on their current head coaching positions. Notably, Harbaugh and Tomlin have each won a Super Bowl and have been with their respective teams for over 15 years.
As the NFL faces five job openings, including the Jets, Bears, Saints, Patriots, and Jaguars, numerous assistants and coordinators are expected to be considered alongside former head coaches like Mike Vrabel, Ron Rivera, Robert Saleh, and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Several top candidates seeking their first head coaching opportunities include:
– Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator who has led a prolific scoring unit.
– Liam Coen, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has overseen improvements in the team’s offensive performance.
– Joe Brady, who has helped guide Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen to a successful season.
These coaches represent a new wave of talent potentially poised to make their mark in the NFL coaching ranks.
The Bills wrapped up their season ranking 10th in total yards and an impressive second in scoring with an average of 30.9 points per game. At just 35 years old, Brady’s star has been on the rise ever since his assistant coaching role at LSU in 2019, where he played a part in Joe Burrow’s stellar performance and the team’s record-breaking offense that led them to a national championship victory. While his stint as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers didn’t yield much success, Brady’s work with the Buffalo Bills has garnered significant attention, making him a sought-after name in this year’s coaching cycle. The New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New Orleans Saints have already expressed interest in interviewing Brady for potential coaching roles.
Kellen Moore, who spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys before moving on to the Los Angeles Chargers, made a significant impact in Philadelphia this season. He played a key role in guiding Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the Eagles to a second-place finish in rushing yards in the NFL. However, this success came at the expense of their passing game, which ranked 29th in the league. Despite this imbalance, the Eagles managed to secure wins without heavily relying on their passing attack. Moore, now 36 years old, previously had a career as a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. He is anticipated to interview with the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars for potential coaching opportunities.
Josh McCown, a 45-year-old former NFL quarterback, has played a pivotal role in quarterback Sam Darnold’s remarkable resurgence while serving as a positional coach in Minnesota. Under McCown’s guidance and that of head coach Kevin O’Connell, Darnold has evolved into a top-tier starting quarterback. McCown boasts an extensive NFL career, starting in 76 games over 16 seasons with nine different teams. Prior to his role with the Vikings, he also coached in Carolina. McCown is expected to interview for coaching positions with the New York Jets, a team he previously played for in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Aaron Glenn, Detroit’s defensive coordinator, delivered a standout performance in the final game of the regular season, where the Lions’ defense dominated against the Vikings to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Glenn, aged 52, who had a 15-season NFL playing career, has been coaching since 2014 and held coordinator positions for four years. He is set to interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets, who drafted him in the first round back in 1994. In 2023, Glenn also interviewed with the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans for coaching roles.
Anthony Weaver saw success in his inaugural season as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, propelling the team to a fourth-place ranking in defense after spending
