Let’s see if the New York Jets can not handle the hiring of Rex Ryan in a way that’s very….non New York Jets like. What they did in firing Ryan showed NO CLASS AT ALL. (Seriously, that bit with his agent, very low blow)
So let’s look ahead.
Mike Shanahan, former Head Coach Denver Broncos, Washington
Domino theory here. If the Bears can’t shop Jay Cutler, then a reunion with Shanahan could be in the cards. Also, Cutler is radioactive right now so it’s going to be very hard for the Bears to jettison him. Back to Shanahan, It’s been a poorly kept secret for awhile that Shanahan wants to get back into coaching. Then he went through the ESPN “Car Wash” of media appearances, which served as his stump speeches in the campaign for a NFL head coaching job.
Doug Marrone, former Buffalo Bills Head Coach
Opted out of Buffalo after just two seasons, has been linked as a front-runner for the New York Jets job.
Pep Hamilton, Offensive Coordinator, Indianapolis Colts
Has lost some of his luster given how badly the OL has degenerated, but everyone with Stanford and Denver Broncos ties is labeled like Hansel in the comedy Zoolander, “he’s so hot right now.”
Darrell Bevell, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
Look what he did with Russell Wilson- nobody expected that. One of many reasons he’s become a hot coaching commodity.
Todd Bowles, Defensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals
Really wants a head coaching opportunity, even though he just signed an extension, with a raise in November. So he’ll have to be bought out. He’s done such a great job with the Cardinals defense that Arizona somehow reached the playoffs, despite being on their fourth quarterback.
Quoting Wally the Defensive Coordinator in “Necessary Roughness” (Robert Loggia’s character) “if you’re going to build an offense around a guy who throws like Edward Scissorhands, then you’re going to have to play a helluva lot of defense.”
Bowles’ being a very good personnel guy, makes him this offseason’s hottest thing. Make it happen New York Jets, this is your best case scenario.
Dan Quinn, Defensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
Last year, he could have landed a job, if he wanted. However, he declined to even interview for the Cleveland Browns job. His predecessor, Gus Bradley was given a head coaching gig in Jacksonville. This year, people are in his ear saying it’s time. Got to sell when your stock price is still high, right? Has interviewed with the Niners and New York Jets; Falcons interview is scheduled.
Chicago Bears Head Coaching Candidates
New York Jets Head Coaching Candidates
Oakland Raiders Head Coaching Candidates
San Francisco 49ers Head Coaching Candidates
Atlanta Falcons Head Coaching Candidates
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2