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With the end of the NFL season upon us, that means the league’s annual coaching purge is about to shift into high gear. When the season kicked off in September, 32 head coaches were roaming the NFL sidelines, but not all of these guys are coming back in 2021.
In fact, we already know three coaches who will definitely not be returning and these are Bill O’Brien, Dan Quinn and Matt Patricia, who were all laid off during the season. Three in-season layoffs was the highest number the NFL has seen since 2010, when four coaches were laid off.
As the 2021 offseason approaches, there could be as many as six teams looking for a new coach and that number could increase even more if we see any surprise moves. We’ll be keeping up with all the latest news as the teams begin their search for the right coach. To stay on top of the latest layoffs, rumors, and hires, be sure to keep an eye out for the Coach Tracker below.
Fired: Bill o’brien
Hiring: To be determined
O’Brien was the first coach to be fired this season and that decision came in October when the Texans decided to give him a pink slip after a 0-4 start that included losses to the Chiefs, Steelers and the Ravens. Since then, the Texans have hired a research firm to help them find their new coach. According to ESPN.com, the research firm recommended Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as someone Houston should consider hiring. Houston is also believed to have an eye on Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Although the Texans have not officially interviewed any of these candidates, they have conducted at least two interviews and these have come with former NFL head coaches Marvin Lewis and Jim Caldwell. The Texans also have an open GM job and the belief is that they will fill that role before hiring a new coach.
Fired: Dan Quinn
Hiring: To be determined
Since Dan Quinn’s dismissal in October after a 0-5 start, the Falcons have been playing things close to the vest about who they might hire next. Since Quinn’s departure, the team have officially interviewed only one candidate and that is interim coach Raheem Morris. According to NFL.com, the Falcons also appear to have an eye on defensive coordinators Todd Bowles (Buccaneers) and Brandon Staley (Rams) as well as Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. While the Falcons have yet to set up an interview with any of these three, they have set up two interviews for Monday. One of those talks will be with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, while the other will be with Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The Falcons will also be in the market for a GM after sacking Thomas Dimitroff.
Fired: Matt patricia
Hiring: To be determined
The Lions gave the NFL a Thanksgiving surprise when the team decided to fire Patricia just two days after their 41-25 loss to the Texans on Turkey Day. Since the dismissal, the Lions have only conducted one interview and it took place in late December with former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. According to Fox Sports, the Lions will be interested in speaking to several candidates, including interim coach Darrell Bevell, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The Lions should also take a look at Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, according to Jason La Canfora, a CBS Sports NFL insider.
Fired: Adam gas
Gase tried to save his job with two big wins over the Rams and Browns at the end of the season, but that wasn’t enough to convince the Jets to keep him. Gase was fired on Sunday after just two seasons with the team where he went just 9-23. With Gase out, don’t be surprised if the Jets are watching the college ranks. When the job opened two years ago, they interviewed several varsity coaches before hiring Gase and it won’t be surprising that they are interviewing several other candidates from the varsity ranks this time around. Jason La Canfora, an NFL insider from CBS Sports, reported that the team may eventually show interest in Northwestern’s Pat Fiztgerald and Florida’s Dan Mullen. The Jets could also come after Marvin Lewis over his ties to current New York general manager Joe Douglas. Douglas also loves Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and it won’t be surprising if he contacts him. Two other names to watch are offensive coordinators Brian Daboll (Bills) and Arthur Smith (Titans)
Fired: Doug Brown
When the Jaguars fired general manager Dave Caldwell in November it seemed like it was only a matter of time before they fired Marrone and that is exactly what happened on Monday. Marrone was sacked in Jacksonville after a season where the Jaguars finished 1-15 to win the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jason La Canfora, an NFL insider from CBS Sports, previously reported that if Marrone was fired , the Jags are said to be seriously considering hiring former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. According to NFL.com, Meyer and current OSU coach Ryan Day will both be considered for the vacant Jaguars job. One thing to remember about this position is that it is one of the most attractive in the NFL. Not only is Jacksonville the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, the Jags also have plenty of room for next season, which means a new coach – and a new general manager – could shake things up. quickly.
Fired: Anthony lynn
The Chargers have won their last four games of the season, but that wasn’t enough to save Lynn’s job. While Lynn led this team to the playoffs in 2018, the past two seasons have not been kind to the Chargers head coach. Not only has he been 11-21 in the past two years, the Chargers have also had the most one-scoring losses in that span and many of them have come from questionable late-game coaching. With Justin Herbert on the roster, it will be a highly coveted job and one name to watch is Brian Daboll. The Bills offensive coordinator went to high school with Chargers general manager Tom Telesco and it will not be surprising Telesco contacts in the near future.
Coaches should return
Zac Taylor: While the Bengals are expected to make multiple changes to their coaching staff this offseason, Taylor won’t be one of them. Not only does he have a close relationship with Joe Burrow, but he also has a victory over the Steelers under his belt, which means a lot to Cincinnati. Basically, Taylor is definitely going to have at least a year older to figure things out.
Doug Pederson: Despite a lousy season, Pederson is expected to keep his job. According to ESPN.com, Pederson will meet with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie on Tuesday and at that meeting they will talk about their vision for 2021. One of the main topics will likely be Carson Wentz, who apparently doesn’t want to. be in Philadelphia more. ESPN reported that Wentz demanded a swap and a big reason for that is due to his fractured relationship with Pederson.
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