Who's got next?
There don't figure to be many openings by the time the NFL's annual Black Monday rolls around on Jan. 9, but that may play into the hands of the candidate cycle this time around. There are some familiar names on the list — Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore — but the door could be open for some fast risers in the coaching ranks, too.
San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans tops the list as one of the hottest coaching candidates this hiring cycle, with his defensive unit the best in the NFL this year, improving on one of the league's best units from a year ago. On the offensive side of the ball, there are some familiar names who could, potentially, land a head-coaching gig after years of interviews and questions: Moore and Bieniemy both top that list.
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While many will interview this hiring cycle, here are seven prime candidates to fill the jobs that will come open in the coming weeks. Here's who they are:
NFL head coaching candidates
DeMeco Ryans
Current position: Defensive coordinator, 49ers
Ryans is sure to be at the top of the list for any number of teams who may be looking for a new voice.
Though he has just two years as a defensive coordinator, it's been two sensational years for the 49ers D: San Francisco ranks first in points allowed and third in yards in 2022, building on a stellar 2021 season that saw the 49ers reach the NFC championship game.
Ryans also has the benefit of being a former player, a trait that's grown increasingly common in the coaching ranks over the last five years or so.
Eric Bieniemy
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Chiefs
What else can be said about Bieniemy? He's long been Andy Reid's second in command and has interviewed numerous times for head coaching gigs through the years.
It's unclear exactly why Bieniemy hasn't landed a job yet, but he'll keep popping up on these lists until he ends up with one.
Ben Johnson
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Lions
Ben Johnson has turned the Lions into a multi-faceted offensive attack, and most of that work happened well before first-round pick Jameson Williams took the field this year.
The Lions have fostered one of the league's best passing attacks, and that's with Jared Goff as their quarterback and without a true No. 1 target for most of the season. Couple that with their top-10 rushing attack and a creative gameplan and Johnson is going to get true head coach consideration soon.
Ken Dorsey
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Bills
The NFL is always going to be high on coordinators and assistants who help develop young quarterbacks, and Dorsey fits both. He's been with the Bills since 2019, Josh Allen's second year, when he was the QBs coach. With Brian Daboll taking the job with the Giants, Dorsey has had a single year as the OC in Buffalo, but has produced similar results.
Buffalo's offense ranks in the top five in both yards and points and has scored 24 points or more in 11 of 16 games this season. That'll play.
Jonathan Gannon
Current position: Defensive coordinator, Eagles
Gannon was a hot commodity in the last hiring cycle, interviewing with the Vikings, Broncos and Texans for their head coaching vacancies. While he was passed over, it might have been for the best for Gannon, who has helped engineer one of the league's best defenses this season.
Lou Anarumo
Current position: Defensive coordinator, Bengals
The oldest on the list (56), Anarumo has been a long-time defensive assistant in the NFL and has been a coordinator with the Bengals since 2019, helping build their defense into one of the league's best in 2022.
Anarumo's best window for a head coaching position may be now, with the Bengals still on the ascent and coming off his best season as a coach.
Kellen Moore
Current position: Offensive coordinator, Cowboys
With the NFL still looking to cash in on the young, innovative mind train, it's only a matter of time until Moore gets serious consideration as a head coaching candidate. During the 2022 hiring cycle, he interviewed with the Broncos, Dolphins, Jaguars and Vikings for their openings, eventually settling back with the Cowboys as their OC.
With Dallas staying afloat earlier in the season thanks to a stellar defense, the job that Moore did with Cooper Rush during Dak Prescott's five-game absence shouldn't be overlooked.
Others
- Don "Wink" Martindale has done a tremendous job with the Giants defense after his surprising split with the Ravens last offseason. Maybe this year was what he needed to take the next step up the coaching ladder.
- The Buccaneers offense took a step back this year under Byron Leftwich, but he may get some phone calls this offseason. After he interviewed with the Jaguars and came oh-so-close to an agreement, he landed back in Tampa Bay this year.
- Dan Quinn is still highly respected around the league, and after interviewing with the Broncos last hiring cycle, he could find himself back in the mix again.
- It seems like Sean Payton is destined to coach in the NFL again. Whether that's with the Saints or somewhere else remains to be seen.
