Following on from my article a few days ago, I wanted to highlight some replacements for the hirings that I predicted, in addition to covering the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching changes.
Coaching Carousel 2022 Predictions – Part 2
Buffalo Bills
Offensive and Defensive Coordinator
What happened
I had previously predicted both Leslie Frazier and Brian Daboll to be given head coaching jobs elsewhere, leaving a huge spot that needs to be filled in Buffalo. They could look elsewhere or could look internally for upgrades.
Predictions
I think that the Bills will promote their tight ends coach, Rob Boras to the role of offensive coordinator. Boras has overseen Dawson Knox‘s growth into a really dangerous offensive weapon for Josh Allen. Boras also has experience in this role, having done a similar job for the Rams between 2015 and 2016.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bills should look to promote internally again, and I believe they should promote their defensive backs coach John Butler to become their new defensive coordinator. Butler has coached these defensive backs for the last 4 years and has overseen immense production from their safety duo, as well as the emergence of Tre’Davious White as a top-10 cornerback in the NFL.
Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Defensive Coordinator
What happened
I had predicted that Todd Bowles was going to be next in line to be the head coach of the Vikings. This would be a big problem for the Buccaneers as Bowles has guided their defensive unit into being one of the scariest in the league, and his absence will hinder them severely.
Predictions
I think that the Buccaneers should take a different route with their hirings. I believe that the next defensive coordinator will be a head coach that has just been fired, whether that be Mike Zimmer or Vic Fangio. Both have lots of expertise in their roles, having both been elite defensive coordinators before getting a head coaching role. And, most importantly, both have the skills and experience to help this defense maintain its dominance.
Dallas Cowboys
Offensive Coordinator
What happened
Kellen Moore was my choice for the next head coach of the Dolphins, which leaves the Cowboys without an offensive coordinator. Moore has transformed this offense into one of the best in the league, so who can follow up his achievements.
Predictions
The Cowboys should look to promote from within for this role. I believe that the Cowboys should have three main targets to fill this position. Joe Philbin, who is their offensive line coach and is a former NFL head coach as well as being a former NFL offensive coordinator. Doug Nussmeir, who is their quarterback coach and has been in that role for five years now, overseeing Dak Prescott‘s rise to MVP conversations and has been an offensive coordinator at a collegiate level. Finally, Adam Henry, who is their wide receivers coach and has worked filled that role at 4 different NFL teams now and has coached the likes of Odell Beckham Jr and Anquan Boldin among others.
Detroit Lions
Offensive Coordinator
What happened
Despite the energy and the excitement, Detroit brought to our lives over the past year, their offense struggled under Anthony Lynn. But it was less on the field, but rather off the field where the Lions had their issues with head coach Dan Campbell claiming “it just wasn’t a fit”.
Predictions
Dan Campbell could look back to New Orleans to find his replacement, in the form of the former offensive line, now run game coordinator Dan Roushar. Roushar has looked after one of the most productive offensive lines in football for over five years now, and Alvin Kamara has shined in the run system he has molded. Detroit has a strong offensive line and running back room, and I’m sure Roushar’s hiring would be a welcome one.
New York Giants
Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and General Manager
What happened
After back-to-back disappointing seasons for Joe Judge, he was finally fired, and with him goes longtime general manager, Dave Gettleman. Both their jobs were in jeopardy, and it was no surprise to see them both fired. The Giants will have to find replacements for both of them, in addition to finding a new offensive coordinator after they fired Jason Garrett midseason.
Predictions
For their general manager role, I believe that the Giants should look to hire Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen as their full-time general manager. Schoen has masterminded Buffalo’s rise back into playoff and Super Bowl contention and was part of the team that drafted Josh Allen and traded for Stefon Diggs.
Schoen will look for their new head coach, and with my previous predictions, neither of the Bills’ coordinators will be available for Schoen to reunite with. Instead, they should look to hire former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores as their new head coach. Flores proved that he was a capable head coach in Miami, and it was a shock to see him fired.
The offensive coordinator role could be quite an enticing one. Working with Saquon Barkley and trying to revive Daniel Jones’ career. I believe that the Giants should try to hire Matt Nagy, the former Bears head coach, as their new offensive coordinator. Nagy had immense success in Kansas City before being hired in Chicago, and he could be the man to turn around the Giants’ fortunes on offense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Head Coach
What happened
After Jon Gruden was fired for his disgusting emails, Rich Bisaccia has filled his shoes extremely well, leading the team to a (7-5) record and a playoff berth. While I think that Bisaccia will still have a job, I don’t think that the Raiders should keep him at head coach, and should look for a replacement.
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Predictions
The Raiders will not have to worry about deciding this too soon as they still have the playoffs to get through, but when they do make their decision, I would like their new head coach to be Michigan Wolverines head coach, Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh proved that he was an NFL coach in his stint in San Francisco, and clearly has the talents to coach at the biggest level and Las Vegas seems like the perfect place for Harbaugh to return to Super Bowl contention, and maybe win his first ring while in the Sin City.
Carolina Panthers
Offensive and Special Teams Coordinator
What happened
Their offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, was fired midseason in a move that I am not on board with, given Brady’s immense talents that he showcased at LSU with that National Championship winning side. Their special teams coordinator was Chase Blackburn, but following the team using 4 different kickers and 3 different punters, he was sacked.
Predictions
I think that it is imperative that the Panthers hire an offensive coordinator that has experience with quarterbacks, for whoever their starter will be next year. I have two primary options in mind: Pep Hamilton, the Texans’ QB coach, has been essential in Davis Mills‘ impressive rookie season after being only a third-round pick. Dan Pitcher, the Bengals’ quarterback coach, has coached Joe Burrow to back-to-back impressive seasons and has coached Burrow into the MVP conversation this season.
For their special teams coordinator role, they should look for their long-term replacement out of two candidates. Firstly, Joe Houston was the special teams assistant on the best unit in the league, the Patriots, and can bring his talents over to Carolina. Or they can dip into college and grab the coordinator of the best unit in college which is Jay Harbaugh’s Michigan. Harbaugh is the son of Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and has impressed with the performance of his special teams unit.
Houston Texans
Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator
What happened
After a 4-13 season, David Culley was fired after just his first season as a head coach. While the record doesn’t show it, this team was by far the worst roster in the league and it was lacking a first-round pick. I think that this firing is extremely unjust. Their offensive coordinator, Tim Kelly, had to work with one of the worst units in the league and managed to get some production out of Davis Mills.
Predictions
For their head coaching role, the Texans have a lot of options as they hold a high draft pick and have Deshaun Watson to trade and receive a massive deal in return. I have already mentioned this name in my Jaguars’ predictions, but I am going to repeat it here: Josh McDaniels. His offense made Mac Jones play like a veteran and his offense has always been high-powered, even without elite play across the board. Having succeeded without Tom Brady is all that Houston should need to hire him, and he also has a link to the general manager as Nick Caserio used to work in New England with McDaniels.
For the offensive coordinator job, there are two paths the Texans can take: they could ask McDaniels to bring someone over from New England, or they could promote someone from their current coaching staff. If McDaniels brings someone over, I believe that said someone should be offensive line coach Cole Popovich. Popovich has been in charge of an offensive line that has been one of the most productive over the past few years. If they take the other road, which I recommend wholeheartedly, they would promote quarterback coach Pep Hamilton, who I recommended to the Panthers as their new offensive coordinator above.
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