The phrase “opposites appeal to” has generally been utilized in reference to the courting world, nevertheless it additionally applies to NFL head-coaching searches. Through the years, NFL groups have proven a observe file of focusing on head-coaching candidates with backgrounds reverse these of the coaches they fired. Within the spirit of that concept, CBSSports.com explores what that candidate would appear to be in every teaching search.
The pattern lately has been hiring younger offensive minds who could have shared a cup of espresso with Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan, so groups could overcorrect this offseason.
The New York Giants are finalizing a take care of former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, which is a singular case. Apart from a 12 months as defensive backs coach with the Eagles, Harbaugh’s complete NFL teaching résumé got here on particular groups, a section of the sport usually underrepresented in head-coaching searches. The Giants fired Brian Daboll, a former offensive coach and first-year head coach, to rent a veteran head coach with some defensive expertise, so the “opposites appeal to” concept is already being affirmed on this teaching cycle.
Here’s what that may appear to be for every of the opposite eight teaching vacancies:
Be aware: These will not be teaching predictions however reasonably an experiment. For real-time developments, CBSSports.com has stay updates, together with a tracker of head coach and normal supervisor interviews.
Jonathan Gannon ➡︎ Arthur Smith
Earlier place (Smith): Steelers offensive coordinator
When Arizona final carried out a head-coaching search, it employed a first-year coach with a defensive background. Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Smith are two candidates who match the factors of the experiment, and each have interviewed.
Smith beforehand served because the Falcons‘ head coach and garners important respect throughout the league. Nagy’s tenure in Chicago ended unceremoniously, however he’s getting a second likelihood to interview with groups.
Raheem Morris ➡︎ Klint Kubiak
Present place (Kubiak): Seahawks offensive coordinator
The Falcons fired Raheem Morris, who not solely had earlier head-coaching expertise but additionally served because the group’s interim coach in 2020. He had additionally been Tampa Bay’s head coach from 2009-11. Morris spent 24 consecutive seasons within the NFL, except one 12 months as Kansas State’s defensive coordinator.
A primary-year offensive head coach can be the alternative of the coach Atlanta fired. Kubiak is the solely candidate linked to the Falcons who suits that description. The son of Gary Kubiak has been an offensive coordinator with the Vikings, Saints and now the Seahawks. He has orchestrated an offense that enabled Jaxon Smith-Njigba to steer the league in receiving, with veteran Sam Darnold serving because the facilitator.
The Steelers have reportedly requested to interview Kubiak’s brother, Klay, who’s at the moment the 49ers‘ offensive coordinator.
John Harbaugh ➡︎ Kevin Stefanski
Earlier place (Stefanski): Browns head coach
Baltimore has not made a head-coaching rent in 20 years, making this projection harder. John Harbaugh was new and thrilling when he was employed in 2008, however the franchise could also be looking for a recent begin after a state of affairs that had grown stale.
Within the spirit of the train, the parameters point out Baltimore can be on the lookout for a retread offensive thoughts. The Ravens have interviewed 4 candidates who match that standards: former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Stefanski. Stefanski served six years as Browns’ head coach and has sturdy familiarity with the division.
Kevin Stefanski ➡︎ Jim Schwartz
Earlier place (Schwartz): Browns defensive coordinator
There have been rumors about possession’s want to maintain Schwartz in some capability, whether or not by selling him to move coach or by hiring a younger offensive coach open to defensive enter whereas constructing his first employees.
Reviews point out Schwartz will obtain a second interview with the Browns, which suggests he has a authentic alternative to exchange Stefanski, who was a first-year offensive head coach when Cleveland employed him.
Pete Carroll ➡︎ Mike LaFleur
Present place (LaFleur): Rams offensive coordinator
The Pete Carroll period lasted one season in Las Vegas. Carroll, a former defensive coordinator for the Jets and 49ers, logged 28 years of head-coaching expertise with the Jets, Seahawks, Raiders and USC.
Las Vegas has been linked to 10 candidates, together with Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Rams passing recreation coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and LaFleur. LaFleur is the youthful brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. He’s in his third 12 months as offensive coordinator underneath Sean McVay and beforehand held the identical position with the Jets.
Mike McDaniel ➡︎ Robert Saleh
Present place (Saleh): 49ers defensive coordinator
Miami gambled on an offensive-minded coach related to Shanahan and determined to maneuver on after 4 seasons.
The one candidate who has interviewed and meets the factors — a veteran head coach with a defensive background — is Saleh. Satirically, Saleh and Mike McDaniel beforehand served collectively on Shanahan’s employees. The previous Jets head coach has drawn reward for his work with a revamped 49ers protection.
Mike Tomlin ➡︎ Brian Flores
Present place (Flores): Vikings defensive coordinator
Pittsburgh and head coach Mike Tomlin parted methods after 19 seasons. The Steelers needs to be on the lookout for an skilled head coach with an offensive background. Nevertheless, the one candidate with prior NFL head-coaching expertise is Flores, who served because the Dolphins’ head coach from 2019-21 and extra just lately labored because the Steelers’ senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022.
The Steelers have had three head coaches in practically six many years. Every had a defensive background, so it stands to motive the franchise could once more search a defensive coach who will convey a bodily fashion in keeping with its established tradition.
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Brian Callahan ➡︎ Vance Joseph
Present place (Joseph): Broncos defensive coordinator
Buzz out of Nashville suggests the Titans are on the lookout for an offensive-minded head coach to work with final 12 months’s No. 1 general decide, Cam Ward. Tennessee just lately fired first-year offensive-minded head coach Brian Callahan, so a veteran head coach on the opposite facet of the ball would match the factors.
The group has interviewed 5 coaches who meet that description: Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. Joseph served as Denver’s head coach from 2017-18.
