First Ryan, now other leading candidates wait

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First Ryan, now other leading candidates wait image

Rex Ryan was in contention for jobs in Atlanta and San Francisco, but it was Buffalo who sealed the deal to make the fist new head coaching hire of the 2015 offseason. The two sides are now only hammering out contract details.

As many as 20 men have interviewed for head coaching jobs throughout the league, but the leading candidates for positions with the Bears, Jets, 49ers, Raiders and Falcons will soon begin separating themselves, if they haven't already.

Dan Quinn, Seahawks DC

Quinn is said to be the frontrunner for the Jets job after Doug Maronne reportedly "bombed" his interview. He's also a reported finalist for the Falcons. 

Quinn, of course, is chasing another Super Bowl title with the Seahawks so it wouldn't be a surprise if this takes a little longer to develop.

Todd Bowles, Cardinals DC

Todd Bowles was a hot NFL head coaching prospect last year, and now he's a must-hire for somebody. 

The Cardinals defense was too good, his leadership is too well respected by his players and his momentum is too strong to stop now. 

The Falcons and Bears likely both have him high on their respective lists, but the 49ers could be a big play, as well. Atlanta just restructured its front office. That surely slowed the hiring process. Things should pick up quickly now and Bowles is in the mix. 

Adam Gase, Broncos OC

Adam Gase has had it good, working with Peyton Manning. But as Manning's career comes close to an inevitable end, Gase has to play beyond coaching him.

He has shown his versatility this year, too, switching Denver from a Manning-first offense to one focused on the ground game and C.J. Anderson.  

The 49ers and young quarterback Colin Kaepernick might be the ideal fit. 

Mike Shanahan, former NFL coach 

Mike Shanahan is only a year removed from a head coaching job, and is apparently ready to jump right back in. He and son Kyle Shanahan, who left his post as the Browns' offensive coordinator, are said to be a package deal.

Kyle Shanahan could be a head job candidate on his own, though, too. Mike Shanahan interviewed in Oakland, and the Bears and 49ers are said to be interested. 

He has something none of the others in the field possess: three Super Bowl rings. 

Teryl Austin, Lions DC

Teryl Austin has coached defensive backs most of his career and this year was his first as a coordinator.

Still, Lions coach Jim Caldwell believes his guy is ready and is campaigning on Austin's behalf. 

The Falcons may like what they are hearing.

 

Jack Del Rio, Broncos DC

This isn't his first ride, so Jack Del Rio knows what it takes to land a job. 

He seems to be most intrigued by the Raiders. Oakland has a nice, young QB in Derek Carr, a terrific linebacker in Khalil Mack and more optimism than we've seen in a while. Perhaps Del Rio can keep it going. 

Doug Marrone, former Bills coach

Doug Marrone didn't get the Bills into the playoffs, but he did enough there to make himself a desirable candidate after opting out of his Bills deal. 

Marrone is said to have "bombed" his interview with the Jets. Even if it's true, it surely doesn't rule him out of other possibilities in Chicago and Atlanta, specifically. 

Pat Shurmur, Broncos OC

Questions persist about whether the Eagles offense is sustainable and can hold up through a postseason run. One thing for sure is that it is a nightmare to deal with, and Shurmur is a part of the reason why. 

Shurmur, who has also coached under Andy Reid, was the Browns head coach for two seasons before being fired. As unstable as the Browns are, that is no indictment on him, but did go only 9-23. 

That's not the direction Oakland wants to go in, but they do have him on their list of candidates. 

Others to watch:

In no particular order, these are more candidates who could jump up and grab one of these jobs. Whether it's a former player like Frank Reich who has risen in popularity in the coaching ranks, or Vic Fangio who has gotten support internally from the 49ers, no one here should be overlooked:

— Josh McDaniels, Patriots' offensive coordinator 

— Frank Reich, Chargers' offensive coordinator

— Jim Mora, UCLA head coach

— Eric Mangini, 49ers' tight ends coach 

— Pep Hamilton, Colts' offensive coordinator 

— Anthony Lynn, Jets' running backs coach 

— Scott Linehan, Cowboys' passing game coordinator 

— Hue Jackson, Bengals' offensive coordinator 

— Vic Fangio, 49ers' defensive coordinator 

— Darrell Bevell, Seahawks' offensive coordinator 

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