Annual Head Coach Churn Continues

The annual head coach churn continues, five of the 10 teams with a head coach vacancy have now found their coach. The Baltimore Ravens announced former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their new head coach. It follows the Ravens pattern of hiring rising coordinators. In 1999, they hired Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick. He led the Ravens to a Super Bowl win. In 2008, the Ravens hired Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator. He led the Ravens to a Super Bowl win. Now’s Jesse Minter’s turn. It’s a return to Baltimore as he joined the Ravens in 2017 as a defensive assistant. In 2019, he was promoted to assistant defensive backs coach. He finished his time on Harbaugh’s staff in 2020 as the defensive backs coach. 

Unless another team shocks the league with a late firing, half of the teams in the annual head coaching churn have found their coach.

New York Giants: John Harbaugh

Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski

Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley

Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh

Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter

Pittsburgh Steelers: ?

Cleveland Browns: ?

Las Vegas Raiders: ?

Arizona Cardinals: ?

Buffalo Bills: ?

Here are some guesses at the hires for the remaining vacancies:

Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Shula

Cleveland Browns: Grant Udinski

Las Vegas Raiders: Klint Kubiak

Arizona Cardinals: Matt Nagy

Buffalo Bills: Brian Daboll

Current Interview Requests for the remaining vacancies:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ejiro Evero - Panthers DC

Brian Flores - Vikings DC

Jeff Hafley - Packers DC

Klay Kubiak - 49ers OC

Jesse Minter - Chargers DC

Nate Scheelhaase - Rams passing game coordinator 

Chris Shula - Rams DC

Anthony Weaver - Dolphins DC

Anthony Weaver is the only candidate to have a second interview scheduled. Chris Shula probably joins him after the Rams play in the NFC Championship game. 

Cleveland Browns 

Todd Monken - Ravens OC

Aden Durde - Seahawks DC

Dan Pitcher - Bengals OC

Tommy Rees - Browns OC

Jim Schwartz - Browns DC

Mike McDaniel - former Dolphins head coach

Jesse Minter - Chargers DC

Nate Scheelhasse - Rams passing game coordinator

Grant Udinski - Jaguars OC

It appears the finalists for the Browns job are Todd Monken, Nate Scheelhasse, Jim Schwartz, and Grant Udinski. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Vance Joseph - Broncos DC

Klint Kubiak - Seahawks OC

Klay Kubiak - 49ers OC

Davis Webb - Broncos QB coach

Matt Nagy - Chiefs OC

Jeff Hafley - Packers DC

Jesse Minter - Chargers DC

Nate Scheelhasse - Rams passing game coordinator

Joe Brady - Buffalo Bills OC

Ejiro Evero - Carolina Panthers DC

Mike LaFleur - Los Angeles Rams OC

Mike McDaniel - former Miami Dolphins head coach

Chris Shula - Los Angeles Rams DC

Kevin Stefanski - former Cleveland Browns head coach

The Raiders interviewed both Kubiaks. I’m guessing that Klint is closer to a head coach opportunity than Klay. At this point, Ejiro Evero is the only candidate to get a second interview. I’m guessing that playoff commitments are keeping Klint Kubiak, Chris Shula, Mike LaFleur from that second interview. 

Arizona Cardinals

Vance Joseph - Broncos DC

Robert Saleh - 49ers DC

Anthony Weaver - Dolphins DC

Klint Kubiak - Seahawks OC

Thomas Brown - Patriots passing game coordinator 

Matt Nagy - Chiefs OC

Raheem Morris - former Falcons head coach

Jeff Hafley - Packers DC

Arthur Smith - Steelers OC

Anthony Campanile - Jaguars DC

Joe Brady - Bills OC

Anthony Campanile is the only candidate with a second interview scheduled. 

Buffalo Bills

Lou Anarumo - Colts DC

Joe Brady - Bills OC

Brain Daboll - former Giants head coach

Mike McDaniel - former Dolphins head coach

Anthony Lynn - Commanders run game coordinator

Grant Udinski - Jaguars OC

Anthony Weaver - Dolphins DC

This just feels like it’s heading to Brian Daboll. 

He’s Back*

The Minnesota Vikings and defensive coordinator Brian Flores have agreed on a new contract. Despite repeated attempts over the past year by the Vikings at an extension, the three-year contract Flores signed in 2023 expired last week. Each offseason since has been a wait-and-see as to whether another team would hire him as their next head coach. Through two weeks, this offseason has been no different. Flores is deserving of a head coach opportunity. Selfishly, I hope that teams continue being stupid. 

In a statement released by the team, head coach Kevin O’Connell had this to say about his defensive coordinator:

"Brian has a unique ability to connect with players, understand their skill sets, and put them in positions to maximize their impact on the field. The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I've really valued the relationship we've built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment and high standard will continue to be critical to our success."

Brian Flores has been an outstanding defensive coordinator for the Vikings. He even had positive results that first season in 2023 with a serious talent void. He’s overseen a rebuild and crafted a defense that consistently wrecks the plans of opposing offenses. Again, Flores has earned a head coach opportunity. A robust 10 teams started this offseason looking for a new head coach. Only two of those teams have brought him in for an interview: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. His only other interview this offseason was with the Washington Commanders for their defensive coordinator position. That was troubling and puzzling for many Vikings fans and beat writers. It’s why there was such relief with yesterday’s news that Flores was signing a new contract with the Vikings. 

Flores is Back*

However, Flores could still get one of the available head coach jobs. Initially, there were 10 head coach vacancies. Four have been filled. Two of the remaining six vacancies are the Steelers and Ravens. Flores might still be in the mix for each. Despite agreeing to the new deal, Flores could still leave for a head coach opportunity. 

Perhaps I’m just being optimistic but I don’t think Flores agrees to this new contract if he really felt like he had a shot at one of the available jobs. After a few years of wading through the league’s annual head coach churn, he’s probably gotten use to being shunned. Teams have essentially been “blackballing” Flores since he was fired by the Miami Dolphins and filed a lawsuit against the NFL as well as the New York Giants, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos for racist hiring practices. The legal proceedings surrounding the lawsuit have been bouncing around the courts since 2022. It’s must be tough for many of the owners to hire a coach that’s suing the league and three of their rich friends. Criticism from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagavailoa over his style of coaching probably didn’t help things. Getting one of the league’s 32 head coach positions is always a challenging task in the best of circumstances. Since 2022, Flores’ circumstances haven’t been remotely close to the best. It’s an unfortunate situation for an outstanding football coach. Until a team finally pulls their head from their posterior, it appears Flores remains in Minnesota. That’s a very good thing for the Vikings. 

New Minnesota Vikings Coaches?

Brian Flores deserves another shot at being a head coach of a team. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, I don’t want to see him get one. If I had my way, Flores would be the Vikings defensive coordinator for as long as he’s able to coach. It’s selfish but Flores coordinating the Vikings defense is so comforting. 

Looking at things realistically rather than selfishly, I believe that Brian Flores will be the Vikings defensive coordinator for at least another season. With a robust 10 head coach vacancies, it’s insane that he’s only had two interviews. The first was with the Baltimore Ravens. The second was with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Those are two of the league’s most stable franchises. The Ravens parted ways with Jim Harbaugh after 18 years of sustained success and a Super Bowl title. Mike Tomlin stepped away from the Steelers after 19 years of sustained success and a Super Bowl title. My hunch is that each team is going to choose a coach that fits the mold of their previous successful choices. The Ravens won a Super Bowl with a rising first-time head coach in Brian Billick. They repeated that success with Harbaugh. The Steelers have been making strong head coach choices since 1969. It’s a ridiculous run. In 1969, the Steelers hired a rising first-time head coach in Chuck Noll. 4 Super Bowl titles. He held the job for 23 years. In 1992, the Steelers hired rising first-time head coach Bill Cowher. 2 Super Bowl appearances, 1 win. He held the job for 15 years. In 2007, the Steelers hired rising first-time head coach Mike Tomlin. 2 Super Bowl appearances, 1 win. He held the job for 19 years. That successful 57-year run with only three head coaches is truly ridiculous. It can be considered a strong move to stick with a successful process. For that reason, I’m of the opinion that the Ravens and Steelers will each go with a rising first-time head coach. I have the Ravens hiring Joe Brady. I have the Steelers hiring Chris Shula. Unless new entrant Buffalo Bills in the annual head coach churn bring him in for an interview, I believe that Flores returns to the Vikings. 

While Brian Flores staying in Minnesota is a wonderful thing it will probably come with a shake-up of the defensive coaching staff. Pass game coordinator Daronte Jones is getting significant attention for available defensive coordinator jobs. He’s interviewed or has had interview requests with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers. He’s also the top internal candidate for the Vikings if Flores left for a head coach job. He’s going to be a defensive coordinator next season. He’s earned it and he’s ready for it. If it’s not in Minnesota, that opportunity is going to be somewhere else. The Vikings have already lost rising safeties coach Michael Hutchings. He went back to college as the defensive coordinator at Cal. There could be a coaching void in the Vikings secondary. I have a candidate for that role. He’s also familiar with Flores. Gerald Alexander. I became aware of his coaching talents when he coached Cal’s secondary from 2017-19. That three-year stretch was the start of a stream of Golden Bear defensive backs into the NFL. He left Cal in 2020 for the defensive back job with the Miami Dolphins under Flores. Since 2022, Alexander has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, and a return to the Steelers last season. Not only did he work with Flores in Miami, he also moved to Pittsburgh with him in 2022. I’ve liked Gerald Alexander as a Vikings coach since he left Cal for the NFL. He’s terrific defensive back coach. And Flores is very familiar with him.

The Vikings also have a significant vacancy on offense. It’s been said by a few coaches that the most important hire a head coach can make is the offensive line coach. Chris Kuper has been coaching the Vikings offensive line since Kevin O’Connell was hired in 2022. It hasn’t been a very efficient group. O’Connell must get his second attempt at an offensive line coach right. I have no idea about the rising offensive line coaches around the league. I do know of one accomplished coach that’s currently available. Dwayne Ledford. He’s been coaching the offensive line with the Atlanta Falcons since 2021. He coached at the college level from 2008-2020. Over his five years with the Falcons, he’s established himself as one of the best offensive line coaches in the league. The Vikings desperately need one of the best offensive line coaches in the league. 

If the Vikings can keep Brian Flores, hire Gerald Alexander, and Dwayne Ledford, it would be an outstanding start to the offseason. 

Head Coach Churn Continues

On the day the Buffalo Bills joined the teams looking for a new head coach, two of those teams found their new head coach. The Bills stunned many when they fired Sean McDermott. It can be a handicap to join the process a couple weeks after the other teams. Perhaps the Bills did so with a coach in mind. Brian Daboll? Who knows? This year’s version of the annual head coach churn includes 10 teams. There was a time when it looked like this could be a light year. That didn’t last long as 10 is a hefty number. 

The Buffalo Bills are now looking for a new head coach. As that happened, the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans found their new head coach. The Dolphins hired former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The Titans hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. There’s a lightly held belief that teams often hire the opposite of the coach that was fired. That’s actually the case with these two teams. The Dolphins replaced offensive-minded Mike McDaniel with defensive-minded Hafley. The Titans replaced offensive-minded Brian Callahan with defensive-minded Saleh. I saw a rumor that McDaniel could be Saleh’s offensive coordinator. 

Two weeks into the offseason and 40% of the 10 head coach vacancies have been filled.

Head Coach Churn

New York Giants

Hired: John Harbaugh

Fired: Brian Daboll

Atlanta Falcons

Hired: Kevin Stefanski

Fired: Raheem Morris

Miami Dolphins

Hired: Jeff Hafley

Fired: Mike McDaniel

Tennessee Titans

Hired: Robert Saleh

Fired: Brian Callahan

Arizona Cardinals

Fired: Jonathan Gannon

Baltimore Ravens

Fired: John Harbaugh

Cleveland Browns

Fired: Kevin Stefanski

Las Vegas Raiders

Fired: Pete Carroll

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Stepped Away: Mike Tomlin

Buffalo Bills

Fired: Sean McDermott

Here are some guesses at the head coach hires of the six teams still looking.

Arizona Cardinals: Klint Kubiak

Baltimore Ravens: Joe Brady

Cleveland Browns: Grant Udinski

Las Vegas Raiders: Matt Nagy

Pittsburgh Steelers: Anthony Weaver

Buffalo Bills: Brian Daboll

It’s probably a bit early for the 30-year old Grant Udinski. He’s been a non-play calling offensive coordinator for a single season. Just like when the Pittsburgh Steelers hired a too-young Mike Tomlin in 2006, I can see Udinski wowing the Cleveland Browns decision-makers. He’s apparently impressed enough for a second interview. Placing Anthony Weaver with the Pittsburgh Steelers might be as much about keeping Brian Flores in Minnesota. Still, Anthony Weaver feels a lot like the last three head coach decisions of the Steelers. Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin were young, on-the-rise defensive coaches when the Steelers hired them. Much like Weaver. I can see it. 

The NFL’s annual head coach churn continues. 

And Then There Was 10

Just when we were getting comfortable with a robust nine head coach vacancies, one more opened. After Saturday’s stunning loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional playoffs, the decision-makers of the Buffalo Bills decided that Sean McDermott is done. In his nine years as the head coach, McDermott guided the Bills to eight playoff appearances. This year made it six consecutive years that the Bills won at least one playoff game. In 2022 and 2024, their playoff run ended in the AFC Championship game. The only thing that McDermott didn’t accomplish as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills was make it to the Super Bowl. And, of course, win one. When it comes down to it, NFL head coaching success is really only measured by titles. Josh Allen has been one of the league’s best quarterbacks for years. If a coach can’t win the ultimate prize with one of the best quarterbacks, maybe it’s time to find a coach that can. It appears that’s the thinking of the Bills decision-makers. There will now be 10 teams with a new head coach in 2026. 

While the annual head coach churn reached 10 teams, there are presently only eight vacancies. The New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons found their new head coach. Well, each team’s new head coach is actually an old head coach. 

Head Coach Vacancies

New York Giants

Hired: John Harbaugh

Fired: Brian Daboll

Atlanta Falcons

Hired: Kevin Stefanski

Fired: Raheem Morris

Tennessee Titans

Fired: Brian Callahan

Arizona Cardinals

Fired: Jonathan Gannon

Baltimore Ravens

Fired: John Harbaugh

Cleveland Browns

Fired: Kevin Stefanski

Las Vegas Raiders

Fired: Pete Carroll

Miami Dolphins

Fired: Mike McDaniel

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Stepped Away: Mike Tomlin

Buffalo Bills

Fired: Sean McDermott

In just over a week, John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski experienced a firing and a hiring. Mike McDaniel has had a few head coach interviews. Even though he never reached the ultimate game, Sean McDermott had a very successful nine-year run in Buffalo. He’s joining the churn cycle late but he could get some interest from teams looking for a head coach. Maybe Harbaugh and Stefanski won’t be the only head coaches in new places next year. 

Some of the eight teams looking for a new head coach are reaching the finalist stage of their search. There could be more hires this week. 

Cal’s Coaches

Cal hired former Cal high-effort defensive lineman Tosh Lupoi  as their new head coach just over a month ago. He’s spent the time between then and now coaching the defense of the Oregon Ducks, recruiting for the Golden Bears, and putting together his first coaching staff. It’s been a busy month. No real evidence but I think he likes being busy. As a Cal fan, student, and alumnus since the mid 1970s, I can’t recall greater excitement over a new head coach. Hiring Keith Gilbertson away from Washington in 1992 was a strong move but never really brought anything near this sort of excitement. The most successful Cal coaches of my time were Bruce Snyder and Jeff Tedford. Those hires weren’t door-busters. Lupoi has been. Is it just because he’s a former Golden Bears player? Maybe. I don’t recall this level of excitement when Joe Kapp was hired. He was the last quarterback to take Cal to the Rose Bowl. That’s significant. He was the Cal coach when I was a student. That’s even more significant. In my life with Cal, the coaching thread has been Mike White to Roger Theder to Kapp to Snyder to Gilbertson to Steve Mariucci to Tom Holmoe to Tedford to Sonny Dykes to Justin Wilcox. 10 coaches. Cal football isn’t like Cal Rugby, Cal Swimming, Cal Water Polo, etc. Cal is strong in a lot of things. Since the early 1920s, football hasn’t been one of those things. Excitement around Cal football is a fleeting thing. There’s excitement around Cal football now. That’s a very good thing and it’s due to the return of Tosh Lupoi to Berkeley. And he’s brought some Bears with him. Here’s a look at Cal’s new football coaches. 

Cal’s Coaches

Head Coach: Tosh Lupoi

Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Coach

Nick Rolovich

Offensive Coordinator

Jordan Somerville

Offensive Pass Game Coordinator

Pat McCann

Assistant Quarterbacks Coach

Jeff McDaniels

Running Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator

Keith Bhonapha

Receivers Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator

Ike Hilliard

Assistant Receivers Coach

Geoff McArthur

Tight Ends Coach

Steve Haunga

Assistant Tight Ends Coach

Mike Saffell

Offensive Line Coach

Famika Anae

Defensive Coordinator

Michael Hutchings

Assistant Defensive Coordinator

Ryan Barry

Defensive Pass Game Coordinator

Keith Heyward

Defensive Line/Pass Rush Specialist

Darrion Daniels

Assistant Defensive Line

Eddy McGilvra

Assistant Edge Coach

Lorenzo Alexander

Inside Linebackers Coach

Bob Gregory

Assistant Inside Linebackers

Sione Ta’Ufo’Ou

Defensive Backs/Co-Defensive Coordinator 

Da’Von Brown

Safeties Coach

Connor Boyd

Special Teams Coordinator 

Zach Tinker

It’s an interesting group. One of the interesting aspects of the group is the number of former Golden Bears players. Geoff McArthur and Lorenzo Alexander were teammates of Tosh Lupoi. Bob Gregory was Cal’s defensive coordinator. Mike Saffell played for Cal more recently. The cool thing about Lupoi, McArthur, and Alexander returning to Berkeley is that the trio is among my favorite Cal football players. I’m thrilled with their return. I don’t think I’m alone.

Michael Hutchings is also of personal interest. He left the Minnesota Vikings for the defensive coordinator opportunity with Cal. He’s a coach on the rise. As a Vikings fan, I hated to see him go. As a Cal fan, I love the hire. At 30, he has a lot of coaching in front of him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets head coach interest in a couple years. That would mean that he’s a success at Cal.

Ike Hilliard is of particular interest because of the playing career that he had. Keith Bhonapha is an interest for the running backs he’s coached. 

Welcome to Berkeley for most. Welcome back for the rest. 

Flea Flicker Divisional Round Predictions

It’s the Divisional Round and four teams remain. Here are some guesses at the games. 

Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Bills

The sooner Sean Payton is out of the playoffs the better. He and Aaron Rodgers run 1-2 or 2-1 as the most annoying people in football.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers remarkable run continues.

Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

Pick: Texans

The Patriots remarkable run ends. 

Los Angeles Rams @ Chicago Bears

Pick: Rams

Caleb Williams runs out of miracles. Depending on miracles is never a sustainable way to play.