Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Another Stab At Predicting The Head Coach Churn

We’re entering the third week of the annual head coach churn. In-person interviews with currently employed coaches begin this week. Here’s a stab at who lands where. 

Jobs already filled:

New England Patriots
Jerod Mayo

Las Vegas Raiders
Antonio Pierce

The guesses:

Carolina Panthers
Mike Vrabel, former Tennessee Titans Head Coach

This job is the most difficult to predict. It’s difficult to predict because I’m not sure any of the potential candidates will want to work for owner David Tepper. Being around this guy sounds like a nightmare. There’s only 32 NFL head coaching jobs. Even with an ass like Tepper as owner, every job will be in demand. Mike Vrabel is a terrific coach. Tepper’s immense amount of cash gets the deal done. If Vrabel isn’t interested in dealing with a nightmare owner, I like Tampa Bay Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales for this job. 

Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Head Coach

If Jim Harbaugh jumps to the NFL, it feels like the Chargers are the team. If Harbaugh stays at Michigan, I’m probably leaning Mike Vrabel for the Chargers. 

Atlanta Falcons
Bill Belichick, former New England Patriots Head Coach

The Falcons appear to have finalists. Bill Belichick has had two interviews. Brian Callahan, Ejiro Evero, and Jim Harbaugh have their second interviews scheduled. Belichick must be the target. 

Washington Commanders
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator

I’ve felt since last year’s coaching churn that Ben Johnson was going to get a head coach opportunity as soon as he wanted one. He decided that he wasn’t ready last season. If he decides that he’s ready this season, he gets one of these jobs. All signs seem to point to Washington as the team. 

Tennessee Titans
Brian Callahan, Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator 

I was a day late in posting this prediction. Brian Callahan was named the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans yesterday. This was the second year of being a very in-demand head coach candidate. Atlanta and Carolina requested second interviews. It felt like he was getting one of these jobs. The Titans probably decided that they couldn’t let him leave the building. He didn’t. 

Seattle Seahawks
Raheem Morris, Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator

Predicting Dan Quinn to the Seahawks is too easy. I feel like this is the year that Raheem Morris gets another shot at leading a team. He’s one of five candidates with a second interview scheduled for this job.

Raheem Morris
Dan Quinn
Ejiro Evero
Patrick Graham
Mike Kafka

It’s interesting that all but Kafka are defensive coordinators. 






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