Since the end of the regular season, seven teams have gone looking for a new head coach. All but two have been filled.
Buffalo Bills: Rex Ryan
New York Jets: Todd Bowles
Oakland Raiders: Jack Del Rio
San Francisco 49ers: Jim Tomsula
Chicago Bears: John Fox
This will be the third head coaching gig for Fox. This will be the second head coaching gigs for Ryan and Del Rio. Ryan is about two weeks removed from his last job. Del Rio is four years removed. Bowles has been ready for his own team for several years. He's paid his dues and earned his shot. Going from a character like Ryan to the calm Bowles will be quite a change for everyone involved with the Jets. Tomsula might be the most surprising hire of the offseason. Outside of one game as the 49ers interim head coach in 2010, he's spent everyone of his seven years in the NFL as a defensive line coach. In some ways this hire reminds of the Pittsburgh Steelers hiring of Mike Tomlin in 2007. Tomlin had a single year as defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Prior to that, he'd spent seven years in the NFL as a defensive backs coach. Both have an engaging, even electric, personality. You notice when they enter the room. Both were going to be head coaches one day. It just happened a little earlier than many expected. It worked out fine for the Steelers. It could work out fine for the 49ers. Tomsula already has the support and respect of the players. That's a great first step.
Still looking:
Atlanta Falcons
reported interviews:
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordiantor
Doug Marrone, former Bills head coach
Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator
Keith Armstrong, Falcons special teams coordinator
Some talking heads have said that Quinn is the Falcons first choice. They just have to wait for the Seahawks' season to end. Maybe it ends tomorrow. It will definitely end by February 1. Will the Falcons wait that long? Hired coaches are putting their staffs together now. They are depleting the pool of assistant coaches each day.
Denver Broncos
reported interviews:
Adam Gase, Broncos offensive coordinator
Vance Joseph, Bengals defensive backs coach
The Broncos made a late arrival to this offseason's head coaching search. It's been reported that Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak will interview this weekend. Former Bills head coach Doug Marrone was supposed to come in for an interview as well but backed out pending the outcome of the Kubiak interview. Seems like a strange move but Marrone has about 4 million reasons from the Bills to be selective about his interview choices. Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin may also get some attention from the Broncos.
This year's coaching search has taken longer the most in recent memory but they are finally falling into place.
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