NFL coaching carousel: Find out who could be going where

Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy (right, with Peyton Manning) is getting lots of interest from NFL teams with head coaching vacancies. (Photo: Byron Hetzler, USA TODAY Sports)

Tags
  • Norv Turner
  • Lovie Smith
  • Bruce Arians
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • National Football League
  • Mike Ditka
  • Chip Kelly
  • Chan Gailey
  • Andy Reid
  • Chuck Pagano
  • Pat Shurmur
  • Chicago Bears
  • Bill O'Brien
  • San Diego Chargers
  • Mike McCoy
  • Ken Whisenhunt
  • Mike Nolan
  • Mike Sullivan
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Romeo Crennel
  • Greg Roman
  • Josh McDaniels
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Philadelphia Eagles

    Now that we know which seven NFL head coaches didn't survive the New Year, the focus has shifted on the potential dozens of candidates who could be in line to replace them.

    With reports, rumors and additional information coming in rapidly, we'll be keeping track of it all in one place here. Check back regularly for the latest updates of who's on and off the 2013 NFL coaching carousel.

    GARAFOLO: Andy Reid to interview with Chiefs

    Arizona Cardinals

    Replacing: Ken Whisenhunt

    In the mix: Andy Reid, Ray Horton, Mike McCoy, Lovie Smith

    The latest: After early reports that the team was close to hiring former Eagles coach Andy Reid, the Arizona Republic now says that it's not quite a done deal. Reid will interview with the team Thursday, a day after meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs. Team president Michael Bidwill also interviewed Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton for the position Tuesday and is scheduled to meet with Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy in Denver this weekend. An NFL Network report listed the Cardinals as one of two teams that former Bears coach Lovie Smith would be most interested in leading.

    Buffalo Bills
    Replacing: Chan Gailey

    In the mix: Ken Whisenhunt, Ray Horton, Hue Jackson, Lovie Smith, Doug Marrone

    The latest: Bills execs will fly to Arizona this week to interview recently fired Cardinals head coach Whisenhunt as well as his former defensive coodinator Ray Horton for their vacant head coaching job. A source also told USA TODAY Sports that Bengals assistant Hue Jackson will also speak to the Bills next week after his team's wild card game this Saturday against Houston.

    An NFL Network report listed Buffalo as the other team Smith has the most interest in, while ESPN is saying that Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone will also interview with the Bills.

    Chicago Bears
    Replacing: Lovie Smith

    In the mix: Mike McCoy, Joe DeCamillis, Mike Sullivan, Keith Armstrong, Tom Clements

    The latest: A variety of reports all indicate that the Bears have focused their initial search on a variety of current NFL assistants. McCoy, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan and Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong and Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis will reportedly get interviews. The Chicago Tribune reports that the team would also like to interview Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements.

    MIKE DITKA: Firing Lovie Smith was 'stupid'

    Cleveland Browns
    Replacing: Pat Shurmur

    In the mix: Chip Kelly, Doug Marrone, Bill O'Brien, Ray Horton

    The latest: The Browns were one of several teams set to interview Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter this week until Koetter opted to sign a two-year contract Wednesday to remain in his current job. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also confirmed Monday he'd be staying with New England in that role, leaving the Browns looking at college coaches for the time being. Oregon's Chip Kelly is reportedly the team's top target, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, but he likely won't even address NFL rumors until his team is done with the Fiesta Bowl.

    Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone will reportedly interview in Cleveland this week while Bill O'Brien remains a potential longshot target. The Browns could also be a third team to interview Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

    Kansas City Chiefs
    Replacing: Romeo Crennel

    In the mix: Andy Reid, Keith Armstrong

    The latest: Reid will interview for the Chiefs head coaching job in Kansas City Wednesday while Armstrong will interview with the team at a future time. The Chiefs met with Koetter Tuesday, but his re-signing with the Falcons now takes him out of the running.

    Philadelphia Eagles
    Replacing: Andy Reid

    In the mix: Chip Kelly, Bill O'Brien, Greg Roman, Bruce Arians, Mike McCoy, Mike Nolan, Keith Armstrong

    The latest: As USA TODAY Sports' Mike Garafolo noted, "Lurie is saying he's looking for an innovative coach who's ahead of the game and knows where the league is trending." This certainly makes Kelly the team's ideal candidate, with a number of other top coordinators likely in the mix. One of them, Denver's Mike McCoy is reported to be interviewing with the team this weekend.

    San Diego Chargers
    Replacing: Norv Turner

    In the mix: Bruce Arians

    The latest: The Indianpolis Colts' offensive coordinator, who led the team during Chuck Pagano's illness this season, is reportedly on the Chargers' short wish list. The team is seeking both a new general manager and coach and may look to hire a general manager who could help with the hiring process first. Arians is unable to interview until next week anyway since his team plays Baltimore in Sunday's AFC Wild Card matchup.

    PHOTOS: NFL coaching candidates

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    Jon Gruden, former Buccaneers head coach: Gruden's name has been floated around for just about every NFL vacancy and high-profile college gig since Tampa Bay fired him after the 2008 season. The ESPN analyst reportedly will speak to teams, and some possible landing spots include Philadelphia and San Diego.  Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports
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    Jim Caldwell, Ravens offensive coordinator: Caldwell took the Colts to the Super Bowl in his first season as head coach. He was promoted to offensive coordinator late in the 2012 season.  Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports
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    Kyle Shanahan, Redskins offensive coordinator: The 33-year-old certainly has had a lifetime of experience under his father and will likely get a head coaching opportunity at some point thanks to his work with the young Skins offense. A team looking for a bright offensive mind (Chicago, Kansas City?) could be the best fit if that time comes in 2013.  Patrick McDermott, Getty Images
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    Joe DeCamillis, Cowboys special teams coach: Even though his unit had several high-profile screwups this season, DeCamillis was courted by the Raiders for their assistant head coaching job last season (the Cowboys denied permission) and might be a darkhorse candidate by some team looking for an unconventional hire.  Brandon Wade, AP
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    Todd Haley, Steelers offensive coordinator: Haley was 19-26 in Kansas City from 2009-2011, guiding the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010.   Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
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    Jack Del Rio, Broncos defensive coordinator: Del Rio was 68-71 from 2003-2011 as Jacksonville's head coach, leading the Jaguars to postseason appearances. His work transforming the Broncos defense into one of the league's best will surely make him a hot candidate.  Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports
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    Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator: McDaniels didn't make it through two seasons as Denver's head coach, returning to the Patriots in 2012. The 36-year-old is still highly regarded, but count him out of the Bears job given his history with Jay Cutler.  Elise Amendola, AP
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    Andy Reid, former Eagles head coach: Reid has indicated that he’d like to coach in 2013 but it might be better for him to take a year off to recharge after a grueling year on and off the field. San Diego would probably be an ideal landing spot for the Southern California native but the Chargers may not have mutual interest.  Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports
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    Mike McCoy, Broncos offensive coordinator: After adjusting his team’s gameplan to suit Tim Tebow (and win) and then revamping for Peyton Manning, the 40-year-old McCoy is one of the hottest candidates out there. He’s never been a head coach, but Chicago has reportedly already requested an interview and several other teams will likely follow.  Byron Hetzler, USA TODAY Sports
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    Lovie Smith, former Bears coach: Smith is out in Chicago after a 10-6 season and may find an organization happy to pursue someone with his career bonafides. Smith would be a bigger name than any of the Bills’ recent hires and Arizona might kick the tires as well.  Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports
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    Doug Marrone, Syracuse head coach: The former Saints offensive coordinator has turned the Orange football program around and is seen as similar to Tampa Bay’s Greg Schiano, who wrapped up his first year in the NFL after bolting Rutgers. With only seven openings, Marrone will have to really wow in interviews to get a job over other potential college guys like Chip Kelly or Nick Saban.  Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports
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    Nick Saban, Alabama head coach: If Saban wins another national title, there’s always a chance that he might decide that he wants another shot at winning a Super Bowl. The former defensive coordinator in Cleveland under Bill Belichick, Saban is likely to at least get a few call from new owner Jimmy Haslam to gauge his interest.  Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports
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    Bill O’Brien, Penn State head coach: O’Brien, the former offensive coordinator in New England, is reportedly high on Cleveland and Philadelphia’s wish lists. Any team who gets him would likely have to pay Penn State a hefty buyout fee to get him out of his contract, which automatically extended to 2020 after the school was hit with NCAA sanctions this summer.  Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports
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    Chip Kelly, Oregon head coach: Kelly has gone to BCS bowls in each of his four seasons leading the Ducks, but many question whether or not his spread-option offense would translate to the NFL. Still, he'll probably get some calls from teams looking to mane a splash.  Scott Olmos, USA TODAY Sports
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    Winston Moss, Packers assistant head coach/linebackers coach: Moss was considered the early front-runner for the Oakland Raiders job last January, which eventually went to Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. He may get a look in Buffalo.  Paul Spinelli, AP
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    Jay Gruden, Bengals offensive coordinator: His brother will get most of the press but Jay Gruden could also be in line for several head jobs after helping mentor the Bengals young offense to two consecutive playoff berths. Cleveland, Buffalo and Philadelphia could all have him on their radar.   Michael Keating, AP
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    Perry Fewell, Giants defensive coordinator: The Giants defense has been maddeningly inconsistent under Fewell, but he could get a look in Buffalo, where he was offensive coordinator for four years and the interim head coach at the end of 2009.  Al Bello, Getty Images
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    Vic Fangio, 49ers defensive coordinator: Under Fangio’s direction, the 49ers defense has become one of the best in the NFL. He’d be a little old (at 54) for a first-time head coaching job but the eastern Pennsylvania native might be an appealing fit to the Eagles, who’ll look to reestablish their defense.  Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images
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    Bruce Arians, Colts offensive coordinator: Arians served as interim head coach while Chuck Pagano was away and the Colts went from 2-14 to the postseason. His work with Andrew Luck this year could make him a good candidate for the Chiefs, who hold the No. 1 pick.  Jamie Squire, Getty Images
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    Kirk Ferentz, Iowa head coach: The Hawkeyes are 100-74 in Ferentz's 14 years at the helm. Rumors have circulated tying Ferentz to the now-vacant Chiefs job.  David Banks, Getty Images
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    Brian Billick, former Ravens head coach: Billick hasn't coached since 2007, but his name always seems to get floated around.  Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports
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    Bob Stoops, Oklahoma head coach: In Norman since 1999, Stoops has no NFL experience and has frequently turned down potential opportunities to make the jump. Only he knows whether his mindset has changed. Stoops did grow up near Cleveland in Youngstown, Ohio, so it would make sense that the Browns might see where his head’s at.  Charlie Neibergall, AP
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    Brian Kelly, Notre Dame head coach: Kelly has never coached in the NFL, and is unlikely to leave South Bend. Still, Kelly has been known to jump ship if a better offer comes up.  Sue Ogrocki, AP
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    Mike Zimmer, Bengals defensive coordinator: Now in his fifth season in Cincinnati, Zimmer was a candidate to get his first head-coaching job in both Indianapolis and Tampa Bay last year. Zimmer’s proven NFL pedigree could put him in the running somewhere like Buffalo.  Michael Keating, AP
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    Mike Holmgren, former Browns president: Holmgren, who hasn't coached since 2008, has left the Browns organization and will probably get a call for some team looking to make a safe hire.  Mark Duncan, AP
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    Rick Dennison, Texans offensive coordinator: The former Broncos player and assistant was among the early names for Denver’s vacancy two years ago and may get some attention depending on how the Texans’ playoff run ends up.  Jack Dempsey, AP
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    Bill Cowher, former Steelers head coach: Cowher has been out of coaching since 2006, but his name will probably come up for the Eagles job.  Nick Ut, AP
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    Mike Nolan, Falcons defensive coordinator: Nolan was 18-37 in three and a half years as the 49ers head coach but could get another opportunity somewhere due to his guiding of the Falcons defense.  Greg Trott, Getty Images
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    Dirk Koetter, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator: The former Arizona State head coach has made a nice transition as an NFL offensive coordinator since 2007 and his work in helping the Falcons achieve an NFL best 13-3 record will draw some looks. Philadelphia, Kansas City and Cleveland may look closely at him.  Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
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