If Giants and Jets hire new coaches, who are top candidates?
Head coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants looks on after a game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Credit: Jim McIsaac
With the Jets and Giants careening toward the end of the season with losing records and facing a month’s worth of games with no playoff implications, the talk increasingly will turn toward what comes next. And if both teams keep losing, each could have a new head coach in 2015, something that hasn’t happened since 1997, when Bill Parcells took over the Jets and Jim Fassel became the Giants’ sideline boss.
It’s hard to see the Jets not moving on from Rex Ryan after a 2-9 record punctuated by a pathetic effort in last Monday’s 38-3 loss to the Bills in Detroit. And although the Giants might be reluctant to part ways with two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin, who could wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a continued meltdown despite a much softer schedule to end the season could prompt a change.
Now on to the more important question if changes are made: Who’s next?
Here’s a look at the men who will be in play for head-coaching gigs in 2015:
Jim Harbaugh, 49ers head coach: He has one year left on his contract, but continued friction between Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke is expected to wind up with Harbaugh leaving the team. Draft-choice compensation would be involved because he still would be under contract, but any team interested in his services would gladly part ways with a pick or two to get one of the league’s top coaches. The Jets ought to be very interested, but they might get competition from the Raiders. Harbaugh has coached in the Bay Area since his days at Stanford, so a move to the Raiders wouldn’t uproot his family.
Bill Cowher, CBS analyst: The former Steelers head coach resigned after the 2006 season, citing some coaching burnout and a desire to spend more time with his family. Cowher, 57, has not shown any serious interest in returning to the sideline, although he has been mentioned as a potential successor to Coughlin. Even so, it’s not certain that the Giants would be willing to risk hiring someone who hasn’t coached in nearly a decade.
Jon Gruden, ESPN analyst: Gruden, 51, won a Super Bowl title in his first season with the Bucs in 2002 after essentially being traded from the Raiders for a package of draft picks. Gruden, fired after the 2008 season, has gone on to the lead analyst job at ESPN and covers Monday Night Football games. He has been approached for coaching vacancies in recent years, choosing each time to remain in television. It’s uncertain whether Gruden will take a coaching job this time around, but people close to him say he is willing to return to the NFL if the right opportunity comes along.
David Shaw, Stanford head coach: Shaw took over the Stanford program in 2010 after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator under Harbaugh. The former Stanford receiver has continued the program’s excellence and is widely regarded as a future NFL head-coaching candidate.
Adam Gase, Broncos offensive coordinator: Peyton Manning has been a big supporter of Gase, who has called plays the last two seasons in Denver. At 36, he’s a very young candidate, but he’s expected to be in play for a head-coaching job in 2015. The Browns and Vikings expressed interest last year, but Gase turned down all head-coaching interviews to get one more year of experience in Denver.
Todd Bowles, Cardinals defensive coordinator: Bowles, a former NFL defensive back, has interviewed for seven NFL head-coaching positions and is widely believed to be in line for a top job in 2015. He has done a terrific job with a Cardinals defense that has overcome injuries and a roster transition.
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame head coach: One of the top college coaches since his days at the University of Cincinnati, Kelly has been mentioned in connection with the Giants’ job. He might be more comfortable in the college ranks but has drawn interest from other NFL teams, including the Eagles and Browns.
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator: Has done terrific work, taking over last year for Gus Bradley and helping the Seahawks win the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history with the renowned “Legion of Boom” defense. Was a candidate in Cleveland before the Browns settled on Mike Pettine.
Kyle Shanahan, Browns offensive coordinator: Son of former Broncos and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, Kyle has emerged from his father’s shadow after taking over the Browns’ offense this year. Has done yeoman work with journeyman quarterback Brian Hoyer, who beat out rookie Johnny Manziel in training camp.
Hue Jackson, Bengals offensive coordinator: Jackson did an impressive job in 2010 as the Raiders’ interim head coach and was tabbed as head coach in 2011 but lasted only one season. He’s a highly respected coach who has done a good job with Andy Dalton in Cincinnati.
Darrell Bevell, Seahawks offensive coordinator: Credited with developing third-round quarterback Russell Wilson, who has blossomed into one of the league’s top players.
Pep Hamilton, Colts offensive coordinator: Was Andrew Luck’s offensive coordinator at Stanford and jumped to the Colts in 2013 to take the same position. Has been a major contributor in Luck’s development.
Greg Roman, 49ers offensive coordinator: Will be considered for the 49ers’ head-coaching job if the team parts ways with Harbaugh.
Vic Fangio, 49ers defensive coordinator: Has done an excellent job with the 49ers’ defense under Harbaugh. Also a consideration to replace Harbaugh if the 49ers stay in-house.
Others to watch: Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, the former Jaguars head coach; Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the former Chiefs head coach; Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, the former Texans head coach; Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo; Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.
Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”
