New Head Coaches 2016 Early Predictions

[Mitch]

1. Dolphins---make a trade with New Orleans for Sean Payton. The ownership is willing and eager to get the franchise back on the right track.

2. Colts---Mike Shula (OC Panthers). A good fit for bringing QB Andrew Luck back to prominence, and thus furthering the Shula legacy with the Colts.

3. Jaguars---this is somewhat of a hunch, but even though Gus Bradley has made some strides, they want an offensive minded HC to take Blake Bortles to the next level and they zero in on Auburn's Gus Malzahn who is widely regarded as one of the best Xs and Os coaches in the nation.

4. Titans---they see a semblance of Tom Brady in Marcus Mariota and thus they would like to pair Mariota with Josh McDaniels (OC Patriots).

5. Browns---they need a no-nonsense offensive-minded HC who can hold Johnny Manziel accountable, so they tab Doug Marrone (OL Jaguars), who led Buffalo to a 9-7 record in his first season, but opted out of his contract when ownership was changing.

6. Giants---it appears that it is time for a change and with Peyton Manning's strong endorsement, they hire Adam Gase (OC Bears) to run the show and Eli Manning's offense.

7. Saints---while this may come as a surprise to some, the Saints are excited to tab Baylor's Art Briles as the new head coach who will try to bring his high flying brand of offense to the NFL.

8. 49ers---they had success tapping into the coaching staff in Palo Alto before and now they do so again by handing the reins over to David Shaw.

On the bubble:

9. Eagles---Chip Kelly. Right now it appears he is going to get one more year to make things right, but the fans are restless and highly disgruntled.

10. Bucs---Lovie Smith. The Bucs made some progress this year, but knowing Jason Licht, if he has an offensive-minded HC candidate he really likes, particularly in wanting to develop Jameis Winston, then Licht might make his move now, rather than later.

11. Lions---Jim Caldwell. The way Caldwell got the team to rebound after such a poor start likely buys him another year.

12. Chargers---Mike McCoy. If they move to LA, they may want a fresh start with a new HC.

 

[Capital Card]

Despite their horrid (awesome!!!) season, it seems WAY too early for SF to make a change.

 

[Dback Jon]

Despite their horrid (awesome!!!) season, it seems WAY too early for SF to make a change.

It's the York family. They ran off Harbaugh. Nothing logical about them.

 

[NJCardFan]

The Philly media is making a point of reminding everyone that this was Kelly's first losing season but IMO what he's doing to the Eagles is similar to what Buddy Ryan did here.

 

[Brak]

NFW that David Shaw leaves Stanford for Santa Clara! Not after what happened to his pal Harbaugh there. He's got one of the best college gigs in the country, and will only make the jump for the "right" opportunity - and Santa Clara is NOT a desirable destination for ANY much-wanted coach. Could he wind up elsewhere? Maybe, but I predict not for at least another year, maybe longer, if ever.

 

[Dan H]

Indy media has been floating a rumor about Nick Saban.

 

[Mitch]

Despite their horrid (awesome!!!) season, it seems WAY too early for SF to make a change.

Jim Tomsula is a great guy and a player's type coach. He made the gutsy call to sit Kaepernick and go with Gabbert---and that has won him some additional favor points. But, has it bought him another year? Perhaps. Yet, based on recent performances and the York's fickle nature, if the Yorks can land David Shaw this year, Shaw's power football philosophy jives very well with the 49ers' FO.

 

[Mitch]

It's the York family. They ran off Harbaugh. Nothing logical about them.

Exactly.

 

[Proteus]

The Philly media is making a point of reminding everyone that this was Kelly's first losing season but IMO what he's doing to the Eagles is similar to what Buddy Ryan did here.

Could Kelly just lose his player personnel authority rather than his head coaching job?

 

[Mitch]

The Philly media is making a point of reminding everyone that this was Kelly's first losing season but IMO what he's doing to the Eagles is similar to what Buddy Ryan did here.

Good points---what Jeff Lurie is having to cope with in Philly is the ugly perception of many of Chip Kelly's moves. The irony is that he trades Shady McCoy for Kiko Alonzo---then he signs DeMarco Murray---and sits Murray on the bench---and one has to wonder whether Kelly will try to re-sign Sam Bradford, or has Kelly seen enough of him to want to go in another direction? And as someone who is an objective onlooker, Shady McCoy is a much better fit for Kelly's system than DeMarco Murray. And what defensive player would want to play for Kelly? His defenses are on the field all the time---which is especially demoralizing after a 3 and out and literally 2 minutes of rest on the sidelines.

 

[Mitch]

NFW that David Shaw leaves Stanford for Santa Clara! Not after what happened to his pal Harbaugh there. He's got one of the best college gigs in the country, and will only make the jump for the "right" opportunity - and Santa Clara is NOT a desirable destination for ANY much-wanted coach. Could he wind up elsewhere? Maybe, but I predict not for at least another year, maybe longer, if ever.

I think you might be under-estimating Shaw's affections for Harbaugh. That said, if Shaw loves the Bay area and the 49ers give him the money and the autonomy he would want---he could hop on their offer. Shaw was an NFL assistant for many years---he knows how things work.

 

[Mitch]

Indy media has been floating a rumor about Nick Saban.

If Saban were to come out, Indy would be attractive because of Andrew Luck, no question. But, man, could you imagine him working for or with Jim Irsay?

 

[Mitch]

Could Kelly just lose his player personnel authority rather than his head coaching job?

At this point Kelly would ask to move on of he were stripped of his PP authority----which is what it might come down to.

 

[slanidrac16]

Don't ask me why, but I predict Sean Payton to the Cowboys. Jones has already hinted he is disappointed with the job the coaching staff has done this year.

 

[Dback Jon]

Don't ask me why, but I predict Sean Payton to the Cowboys. Jones has already hinted he is disappointed with the job the coaching staff has done this year.

The fault in Cowturd land lies with the GM.

 

[Mitch]

Don't ask me why, but I predict Sean Payton to the Cowboys. Jones has already hinted he is disappointed with the job the coaching staff has done this year.

That's an interesting thought. Not sue, however, if Jerry Jones, because of Romo's injuries, pins this season on Jason Garrett, or that Jones, because of his rift with Bill Parcels, would want to hire a coach from Parcells' coaching tree, whereas the Dolphins certainly would. Not sure either, if Jones would be willing to pony up (pun intended) the draft picks that it would take to acquire Payton.

This may be moot if Drew Brees is accurate in his statement today that he and Payton aren't going anywhere.

 

[kerouac9]

I think you might be under-estimating Shaw's affections for Harbaugh. That said, if Shaw loves the Bay area and the 49ers give him the money and the autonomy he would want---he could hop on their offer. Shaw was an NFL assistant for many years---he knows how things work.

Who has more autonomy than a Top 10 FBS head coach??

 

[Southpaw]

My version;

1. Dolphins---make a trade with New Orleans for Sean Payton. The ownership is willing and eager to get the franchise back on the right track.



This is a lock, but Ross could blow the deal. Does Payton bring Brees with him and give Tannehill to the Saints in the trade?

2. Colts---Mike Shula (OC Panthers). A good fit for bringing QB Andrew Luck back to prominence, and thus furthering the Shula legacy with the Colts.

Rob Chudzinski is the coach in waiting. I don't believge Mike Shula will ever be a successful NFL HC. If he does get the gig, Ken Doqrsey would come with him, unles Rivera offers K D the vacant OC job.

3. Jaguars---this is somewhat of a hunch, but even though Gus Bradley has made some strides, they want an offensive minded HC to take Blake Bortles to the next level and they zero in on Auburn's Gus Malzahn who is widely regarded as one of the best Xs and Os coaches in the nation.\

The Gus Malzahn thing made me upchuck. NFW. I do believe the NFL needs to break the mold, but not this guy. Jax needs another 2 Defensive drafts and an O Line pick. Any new coach will not be anymore successful than Gus. Greg Olsen as OC is good for Bortles and if Gus can keep Olsen they go to the playoffs next year.

4. Titans---they see a semblance of Tom Brady in Marcus Mariota and thus they would like to pair Mariota with Josh McDaniels (OC Patriots).

or Kelly jumps ship with Eagles and reunites with M M.


5. Browns---they need a no-nonsense offensive-minded HC who can hold Johnny Manziel accountable, so they tab Doug Marrone (OL Jaguars), who led Buffalo to a 9-7 record in his first season, but opted out of his contract when ownership was changing.



Doug Marrone is headed to New Orleans with Payton off to Miami. Marrone going to Saints. Pettine's a goner. Jimmy Diesel is a moron and who knows WTH he will do.



6. Giants---it appears that it is time for a change and with Peyton Manning's strong endorsement, they hire Adam Gase (OC Bears) to run the show and Eli Manning's offense.

This makes sense.

7. Saints---while this may come as a surprise to some, the Saints are excited to tab Baylor's Art Briles as the new head coach who will try to bring his high flying brand of offense to the NFL.

Marrone

8. 49ers---they had success tapping into the coaching staff in Palo Alto before and now they do so again by handing the reins over to David Shaw.

David Shaw has vowed to never leave Stanford. How about Kevin Sumlin?

On the bubble:

9. Eagles---Chip Kelly. Right now it appears he is going to get one more year to make things right, but the fans are restless and highly disgruntled.


10. Bucs---Lovie Smith. The Bucs made some progress this year, but knowing Jason Licht, if he has an offensive-minded HC candidate he really likes, particularly in wanting to develop Jameis Winston, then Licht might make his move now, rather than later.

Too soon


11. Lions---Jim Caldwell. The way Caldwell got the team to rebound after such a poor start likely buys him another year.

Caldwell has allready been told to pack by Martha Ford. Unless she expires before he is fired he is done.

12. Chargers---Mike McCoy. If they move to LA, they may want a fresh start with a new HC.

This team needs players. Good landing spot for Kevin Sumlin.

 

[kerouac9]

The Bucs and Licht aren't going to find a better offensive mind than Dirk Koetter, whom they already have on staff.

 

[Southpaw]

The Bucs and Licht aren't going to find a better offensive mind than Dirk Koetter, whom they already have on staff.

Dirk's name is being tossed around for a HC gig. Maybe Detroit is a landing spot for him.

 

[az jam]

Interesting analysis Mitch. The one name missing that I think will get another HC job is Steelers OC Todd Haley.

 

[kerouac9]

Dirk's name is being tossed around for a HC gig. Maybe Detroit is a landing spot for him.

He probably deserves the opportunity, although he might be more of the Wade Phillips/Norv Turner-type in the long run.

I think that a team who picks up Mike Pettine next is going to get a hell of a coach. He'd be a great choice for the Saints, IMO.

 

[az jam]

Additionally don't count out UCLA HC Jim Mora coming back to be a HC in the NFL.

 

[az jam]

Here is one less opening.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Jaguars owner Shad Khan released a statement confirming that Gus Bradley will return as head coach next season.

 

[Southpaw]

Here is one less opening.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Jaguars owner Shad Khan released a statement confirming that Gus Bradley will return as head coach next season.

Good for Gus.