Jeff Fisher was fired by the Rams on Monday, three days before he was set to possibly become the losingest NFL head coach of all time.
The final straw was the Rams' worst loss in their first season in Los Angeles — a 42-14 beatdown by the Falcons. That final score and opponent are great places to start when considering coaching candidates to replace Fisher.
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Sunday's blowout served as further proof of Los Angeles' offensive ineptitude despite back-to-back first-round draft picks in running back Todd Gurley and quarterback Jared Goff at its disposal.
It also was a reminder that, when it comes to finding someone to get the most out of Gurley and Goff's combined potential, Atlanta might have the best answer.
— Kyle Shanahan, offensive coordinator, Falcons: He's done incredible work with another lanky pocket passer, the 6-4, 217-pound Matt Ryan. That lines up with what the 6-4, 215-pound Goff has the ability to do as an NFL franchise QB.
Shanahan also has aced working with two talented, versatile backs in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. He could do anything with Gurley. With a unique playmaker in wide receiver Tavon Austin, who Shanahan could use like Taylor Gabriel and Mohamed Sanu, there would be nothing "middle-school" about a suddenly dynamic attack. This is an ideal kind of recency bias. For what it's worth, Shanahan, 36, is the same age as his father Mike was when he was hired to coach the Los Angeles Raiders in 1988.
— Anthony Lynn, offensive coordinator, Bills: Ever since he took over for Greg Roman, there's been more energy around Buffalo's offense. He can do the job to resurrect Gurley, just like how he's getting a second burst out of LeSean McCoy. Lynn also would install more of an aggressive, downfield passing approach for Goff.
— Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator, Patriots: Forget what he has done with Tom Brady on two separate stints. It's what he has done lately with youngsters Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett that should be most appealing for the Rams to pair him with Goff. Forget that he once worked for the Rams in St. Louis and burned out as the Broncos' head coach. He's now older, more savvy and ready to take control of another team. He can bring the same type of flair Shanahan can.
— Harold Goodwin, offensive coordinator, Cardinals: He is Bruce Arians' trusted right-hand man, and his players in Arizona love working and playing hard for him. He would be a great, patient teacher for Goff and could get the best out of Gurley, a la David Johnson. It doesn't hurt that Goodwin comes from a division rival and knows what it takes to win in the current NFC West.
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— Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator, Lions: On a team needing more of a defensive-based turnaround, his coordinator counterpart, Teryl Austin, will be the hotter candidate. Cooter, however, has gained the buzz to match his remarkable, mid-career work with Matthew Stafford. Sure, he's young at age 32, but Cooter can grow with Goff and get him to be a more comfortable, efficient passer right away.
— Edgar Bennett, offensive coordinator, Packers: Bennett has done well to help rev up the Green Bay attack this season, bringing innovation to both the backfield and the passing game to boost the creativity of Mike McCarthy. The former NFL running back has the perfect blend of a player's mind and a coach's discipline.
— David Shaw, head coach, Stanford: There have been multiple good opportunities for him to leave the Cardinal for the NFL, but he has remained content with his solid, steady gig. For those pipe-dreaming about L.A. getting Jim Harbaugh, this is more realistic.
Shaw has a solid pro offensive profile, from Andrew Luck to Christian McCaffrey, and also has several years of experience as an NFL assistant. He's a much longer shot, but he can't be ruled out for an in-state move.
