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Here are the NFL coordinators and assistants primed to be head coaching candidates soon.
Every year, we get a breakout offensive or defensive coordinator that shoots to the top of every moribund franchise’s want list as a head coaching candidate. In 2022, then-Ravens’ defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald flipped a Ravens’ defense around that led to him getting a head coaching job after the 2023 season. Houston Texans OC Bobby Slowik graduated from the school of Kyle Shanahan and turned a baseless offense with a rookie QB into one of the most fun offenses we saw in the NFL last year.
This year is bound to be the same, coaches from every branch and school of thought are ready to take the mantle as the next hotshot coordinator to get looks from every GM in the world. There are the obvious Ben Johnson’s and Slowik’s of the world, but there are plenty more guys who could get their shot at an NFL franchise coming soon. Here are some who got next as NFL hotshot head coaches.
Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson was the big coordinator name to go and get this cycle, having interviewed with the Steelers, Saints and Falcons. He eventually followed his coworker Raheem Morris to Atlanta, where he gets to work with a dynamic, explosive group of skill guys and a QB who can get them the ball.
The reason why I’m so high on Robinson is that he is from the McVay tree from around the time when McVay started to diversify his offense. A lot more gap scheme runs, pistol offense and hi-lo’s with QB Matthew Stafford. The pistol and gap scheme runs are concepts that I think will come back en vogue in the NFL in 2024, so getting a coordinator who is already ahead of the schematic curve will do wonders for whoever gets him post-Atlanta.
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Anthony Weaver, Miami Dolphins
The Mike MacDonald tree has sprouted its’ first offshoot. Weaver, a defensive line coach under MacDonald, now goes to Miami to coach a Dolphins team that’s full of talent, but clearly was missing something from the Fangio defense. Where Weaver will have the same coverage disciplines as MacDonald does, I think what he’ll have more of a chance to do is get creative with his man coverage. Jevon Holland is an incredibly versatile safety, Jalen Ramsey is still Jalen Ramsey and with a middle linebacker he can trust in Jordyn Brooks, Weaver has the potential to take this Dolphins’ defense to the next level.
Coming from MacDonald’s coaching tree, he should get a lot of looks going into this upcoming season to be a head coach from the defensive side of the ball. Everyone is looking for the next big thing, and he could be it.
Ryan Nielsen, Jacksonville Jaguars
I’m honestly surprised that Nielsen hasn’t had more head coaching interviews at this point. After coming from New Orleans to coordinate the Falcons’ defense, he turned Atlanta into a group that finished top ten in EPA/play allowed despite the offense being horrible. He now goes to Jacksonville, where he meshes his four down front, man coverage heavy defense with a team that needs a lift defensively.
The reason I’m so high on Nielsen is because of the high level of play he can get out of his stars. Safety Jessie Bates had one of the best years of his career in Nielsen’s defense, and as DL coach in New Orleans he always had that group playing to their best. Now, he gets to work with one of the best pass rushers in the league in Josh Hines-Allen, and a defense that has talent in important spots. He’s sure to get some interviews next offseason.
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Jeff Ulbrich, New York Jets
Three straight defensive coordinators on this list, because defense rules. Ulbrich is on this list because he’s the co-architect of what could be the best defense in the league in 2024: the New York Jets. With an attacking style of play up front and physical secondary play, Ulbrich’s defenses always set the tone. However, it’s the play he’s gotten out of unheralded guys that has him near the top of the list. Quincy Williams turned into a Pro Bowl linebacker with Ulbrich. Bryce Huff became a star under his tutelage and the secondary hasn’t fallen off despite what is assumed to be inevitable drop off in defensive quality.
In addition, Ulbrich just coached the Senior Bowl in 2024, and while that’s not a major barometer of instant NFL success, it shows how high both the Jets and the NFL view Ulbrich. If the Jets live up to their massive defensive potential, he’ll be a head coach next year if he wants to be.
Frank Smith, Miami Dolphins
Frank Smith is another interesting case. As technically the offensive coordinator of one of the most explosive offenses we’ve ever seen, he should be getting a lot more attention than he does, correct? Well, he doesn’t call plays, Mike McDaniel still does that. However, Smith can still throw his hat in the ring for a head coaching job due to his experience working with run games and along the offensive line. Before Miami, he was in Los Angeles as the run game coordinator for the Chargers, and you can see how creative and wild the Dolphins run game can get when everything is hitting just right. As the NFL leans more on the run game to get teams out of 2-high shells, Smith should get more looks because the Dolphins’ run game is one of the coolest in the league.
The worry is that McDaniel has all the juice in playcalling, but Frank Smith is next up for a Shanahan tree guy getting a head job.
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Christian Parker, Philadelphia Eagles
The only coach on here without an official offensive or defensive coordinator title, Parker currently assumes the role of passing game coordinator and DBs coach in Philly. However, those among league circles have him pinned as the next big defensive name to emerge. He’s done masterful work with his DBs, coaching Pat Surtain II in Denver to being the best corner in football and perennial Pro Bowler Justin Simmons. He’s widely known as one of the best DB coaches in the league, and will more than likely be a DC next season.
However, if there’s one thing we know about the NFL, fast risers get the head gig quickly, and Parker could be the splash name a team goes for next coaching cycle.
