We’re halfway through December, so you know what season it is. That’s right, kids! Happy NFL coaching-cycle season to all those who celebrate.
Coaching carousel is actually a better term, since the merry-go-round after round of interview requests, interviews, second interviews, courtesy interviews and Rooney Rule interviews often creates a circus atmosphere.
Besides, “coaching cycle” sounds more like another term for the spin bike pedaled by Peloton instructor Cody.
Before we gather around the coaching tree, let’s see what jobs are likely to be available and identify the candidates most likely to fill them. As always, they come from three places: the recycle bin, the coordinator pool and the collegiate ranks. The list is certain to include a handful of buzzworthy young hotshots in the never-ending quest for the “next Sean McVay.”
Remember, there have been at least five head coaching vacancies every year since 2011, a streak that almost certainly will reach a 15th consecutive year this winter.
We are already 40 percent there with the firings of two Brians. The Titans canned Callahan in October and the Giants dumped Daboll in November, replacing them on an interim basis with two Mikes — McCoy in Tennessee and Kafka in New York. Entering Week 15, McCoy and Kafka are a combined 1-9 and are both long shots to stick around.
Other teams shopping in the coaching aisle may include Arizona, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami and Las Vegas. At least one unexpected guest could join the party. Perhaps Mike Tomlin will part with Pittsburgh, or recent playoff failures may catch up with Baltimore’s John Harbaugh or even Buffalo’s Sean McDermott.
Those three and the Browns’ Kevin Stefanski would be at the top of many wish lists if they become available.
Others with NFL head coaching experience who could get a call include Mike McCarthy, Jon Gruden, Kliff Kingsbury, Matt Nagy, Leslie Frazier, Brian Flores, Arthur Smith, Steve Spagnuolo and … wait for it … the 73-year-old Bill Belichick.
That brings us to an intriguing pair of hybrid candidates: currently successful coordinators with NFL coaching gigs on their résumés.
