“Is it better to be a passenger in an Aston Martin? Or to be driving a Yugo?”
This is just an analogy to describe what many fired head coaches, offensive and defensive coordinators are thinking as they get interviewed for head coaching vacancies in the current NFL coaching carousel. What the analogy entails is, “Is it better to be a coordinator of a playoff contending squad or the head coach of a not very good one?”
As the interviewing processes rage on, here are some potentially good coach-to-team combinations that could work in the 2024 NFL next season.
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Jim Harbaugh to the LA Chargers
Fresh off of bringing the College Football Playoff Championship trophy to the University of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh would be a solid candidate to be an NFL coach. It’s not like this would be his first rodeo; he was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014 whereupon he saw three consecutive appearances in the NFC Championship Game and a Super Bowl trip.
If the Los Angeles Chargers are able to enlist Harbaugh’s services, this could spark an immediate reversal of fortune from this past regular season. Plus, Los Angeles currently the 5th overall pick in the upcoming draft. But only time will tell if he decides to return to the pros or stay in Ann Arbor.
Mike Vrabel to the Atlanta Falcons
After six seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Mike Vrabel has now found himself without a gig. But that might not last very long, since Vrabel took the Titans to the playoffs in three of those six seasons. As a candidate on many a team’s radar, the Atlanta Falcons ought to consider interviewing him for the job. The Falcons are a much better team than their three straight 7-10 outings would suggest and bringing in Vrabel will prove it.
Trusting the helm to him, not only to better utilize their offensive weapons like Kyle Pitts and Drake London, but also bolster the defensive front. In a shaky NFC South division, Atlanta is one hire away from potentially dominating the pack. But they better quickly before someone gets to Vrabel first.
Ben Johnson to the Seattle Seahawks
The current offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions has played a vital role in this much improved team. Ben Johnson has guided quarterback Jared Goff to a career resurgence and has orchestrated an offense that many have come to fear. With Detroit boasting their first playoff win since 1992 (the then longest-drought in NFL history), many teams have eyed Johnson as their next head coach.
The Seattle Seahawks would make a fine destination for a first year head coach. With impact players on both sides of the ball and former head coach Peter Carroll acting as an advisor, Johnson could work his magic to bring Seattle back into playoff contention just as they were last year.
Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have officially begun a new chapter following the release of head coach Ron Rivera. With new management and the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, owner Josh Harris is looking to get the rebuild up and running. Washington still has lots of pieces missing from their puzzle and hiring a new head coach will not be the solution to every problem they’re facing. Now, who will be the new head coach of the Commanders?
Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, looks like a good option. It may sound blasphemous to the Dallas Cowboys for someone important like Quinn to take a job with a division rival. Well, it does sound blasphemous, but hold on. Quinn turned the Cowboys’ defense into a nightmare for offensive coordinators in the past two regular seasons. Plus, he has head coaching experience under his belt, coaching the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl trip in 2016. Hopefully, Quinn can replicate his winning approach to help propel Washington back into contention if the two meet and come to terms.
Main Image: © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
