NFL Head Coaching Carousel

It sure is nice not having the Minnesota Vikings involved in this year's head coaching search. The whole process is nerve-wracking. It feels like it takes forever and this year has taken longer than most. With John Fox and the Denver Broncos going their separate ways yesterday the coaching vacancies increased by one. There are more vacancies now than there were on the so-called Black Monday. There are six. Only one of this year's head coaching openings has been filled. The Buffalo Bills hired recently fired New York Jets coach Rex Ryan on Sunday. Maybe the rest of the coach-team pairings will start falling into place this week. The addition of Fox to the available coaches pool might have scrambled things a bit. Here's a look at the head coaching carousel:

Buffalo Bills: hired Rex Ryan
I really thought that Ryan would find his new coaching job in Atlanta. A place with a defense that he could fix and an excellent, young quarterback that can win. Ryan never had that quarterback in New York and that was a big reason why he was looking for a new job. Instead, he's the Bills coach. A team with a strong defense and looking for a quarterback. Sounds familiar. At least Ryan knows the division well.

New York Jets
reported interviews:
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator
Todd Bowles, Cardinals defensive coordinator
Sean McDermott, Panthers defensive coordinator
Doug Marrone, former Bills coach
Tom Cable, Seahawks offensive line coach
Frank Reich, Chargers offensive coordinator
It would be a riot if Marrone is hired. Basically, the Jets and Bills would trade coaches. It sounds like Quinn is the front-runner. That would be an excellent hire. Especially if he brings in Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator as some have reported.

Atlanta Falcons
reported interviews:
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
Mike Shanahan
Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator
Todd Bowles, Cardinals defensive coordinator
Vic Fangio, 49ers defensive coordinator
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Falcons have narrowed their search to Quinn and Bowles. Both are excellent choices. Bowles, in particular, has paid his NFL dues and deserves a shot.

San Francisco 49ers
reported interviews:
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
Mike Shanahan
Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator
Todd Bowles, Cardinals defensive coordinator
Vic Fangio, 49ers defensive coordinator
It's been reported that the 49ers have interest in Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase. I've felt from the beginning that Shanahan as head coach, Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator, and retaining Fangio as defensive coordinator would he a terrific path for the 49ers to take. It's not a realistic path as the younger Shanahan probably wants to accomplish coaching goals on his own. Fangio is probably looking elsewhere as well.

Oakland Raiders
reported interviews:
Pep Hamilton, Colts offensive coordinator
Todd Bowles, Cardinals defensive coordinator
Tony Sparano, Raiders interim coach
Mike Shanahan
Jack Del Rio, Broncos defensive coordinator
Darrell Bevell, Seahawks offensive coordinator
Eric Mangini, 49ers tight end coach
Pat Schurmur, Eagles offensive coordinator
It really sounds like this is Del Rio's job.

Chicago Bears
reported interviews:
Adam Gase, Broncos offensive coordinator
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator
Todd Bowles, Cardinals defensive coordinator
The Bears recently hired Ryan Pace as their new general manager. That should probably pick up the Pace(Ha!) of the coaching search. I thought that this could be a spot for former Bills coach Doug Marrone. I've seen some mention that there is a connection between new GM and potential new coach.

And now, the Denver Broncos are looking for a coach.

Bowles has interviewed with every team with an opening. Quinn has interviewed with nearly every team. That sort of demand usually means that each will be hired by some team.

If the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl, Quinn can't be hired until the big game ends. Teams don't like to wait that long. The new coach still has to put a staff together which is made even more difficult if they are the last to do so.

It sure is nice not to be involved in this coaching dance.