NFL Coach Carousel
Top 5 and bottom 5 hires
This offseason was a particularly fascinating coach hiring cycle, with coach of the year and Super Bowl winners getting fired and elite units needing coordinators. Rather than share thoughts on every single hire, I instead decided to rank my top 5 favorite hires, and bottom 5 least favorite from across the league. If you don’t see your coach on here, it means I neither loved nor hated the choice. Please let me know where I’m right and wrong! Without further ado.
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Favorite Hires
Klint Kubiak, Raiders Head Coach
The belle of the ball this coaching cycle, whoever got Kubiak was pretty much a lock for the top spot and I love his fit in Vegas. Klint is a proper guru, as I don’t think I have seen a coach set up easy, high percentage plays at this rate since Kyle Shanahan came on the scene. His off tackle runs and heavy play action will be poetic with Bowers and Jeanty, and he’s got the experience to change the culture of this team as well. Fully endorse!
Brian Daboll, Titans Offensive Coordinator
Robert Saleh, Titans Head Coach
I put these two together, because it might be the most excited I’ve ever been about an offensive/defensive combo. Daboll’s GM in New York refused to give him any of the players that he wanted, but I still love his concepts. Meanwhile, Saleh reminds me of what Stefanski could be if he wasn’t so weak and scared all the time. They both have a highly successful system, but one that is rigid and requires very specific personnel. While Kevin has chickened out, changing his style and then giving up play calling duties entirely, Saleh has stood his ground and demanded what he needs. This team is going to do big things someday.
Mike McDaniel, Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Mike had worn out his welcome in Miami, but I still love his play calling. He uses slants and screens better than anyone to get his playmakers in space, and people forget that he’s only a couple of years removed from an offense than put up 400 yards and 30 points per game. Now with LA’s offensive talent and Jim as the head coach, I think Mike thrives.
Declan Doyle, Ravens Offensive Coordinator
I had Declan as a sleeper head coach candidate this year, so Baltimore stealing him away as OC is a great move. Just as the current NFL is dominated by Shanahan disciples, it’s only a matter of time before the Ben Johnson tree begins to have the same prestige. Doyle is the first step in that process.
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Least favorite hires
Matt Nagy, Offensive Coordinator Giants
I love how no matter how bad the Chiefs offense looks Nagy still gets more offers, despite the fact that he hasn’t even called plays since 2021. As soon as the Giants go down, I expect Nagy to panic and overthink it and fail to execute just like he did in Chicago. With the young offensive talent that New York has this was a missed opportunity.
Sean Mannion, Eagles Offensive Coordinator
Philly was begging anyone with even a little bit of success to take this job, only to be rejected by all of them and go with a guy with basically no experience. I don’t think that Mannion will be a good fit with Jalen Hurts, and I wish that they would have prioritized the run game with this hire rather than going with a QB coach. This is nothing short of a disaster for the Eagles.
Jon-Eric Sullivan, Dolphins General Manager
Jeff Hafley, Dolphins Head Coach
Call me crazy, but if I was going to to take my GM and HC from the same franchise, I would want that franchise to have made it past the divisional round at least once in the last half decade. Guess I am just old fashioned that way! Miami raided the Packers’ staff as if they were some juggernaut, which they are not. Weird move.
Drew Petzing, Lions Offensive Coordinator
As the Field Yates to my Matt Miller, my inked out king, my GOAT foodie, Josh Pranger pointed out, I already “Invented the first ever automatic RPG and launched it directly at his face” regarding this hire, so rather than rehash it I will just link my previous article. However, I do want to add the below piece of new information to the argument as well.
