http://www.nfl.com/n...hing-candidates Published: Dec. 24, 2014 Jim Harbaugh leads top 10 head-coaching candidates Chris Wesseling Around the NFL Writer 1. Jim Harbaugh, 49ers coach: Now that San Francisco has been eliminated from postseason contention, a divorce with Harbaugh is inevitable, NFL Media columnist Michael Silver has reported. Harbaugh's 43-19-1 record with three consecutive trips to the NFC Championship Game have already garnered an offerfrom the University of Michigan. Once he's cut loose by the Niners, expect the Raiders to be first in line for his services. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport has reported mutual interest between the two camps, with Oakland owner Mark Davis seeking a "rock star" or "superstar" head coach. Once Harbaugh is jettisoned in San Francisco, defensive line coach Jim Tomsula will be the favorite to take over the 49ers. 2. Rex Ryan, Jets coach: Owner Woody Johnson is already assembling a football council to help with the hiring decision, an ominous sign for the futures of Ryan and general manager John Idzik. Although Ryan has been undone by his almost willful disregard for offense and inability to identify coaches capable of developing quarterbacks, he's still respected as one of the game's premier defensive minds. John Fox, a coach with a similar profile, has succeeded with the help of a franchise quarterback in Denver. 3. Todd Bowles, Cardinalsdefensive coordinator: Withmaniacal blitzes and creative scheming, Bowles has fashioned anisland of misfit toys into one of the NFL's most overachieving defenses. Bowles offers experience as an interim head coach with the Dolphins in 2011 and has interviewed for openings in each of the past few seasons. TheCardinals have already acknowledgedBowles will be one of the hot candidates in January. 4. Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator: The Seahawks stand atop the NFL's defensive rankings in points and yards 10 months after Quinn cooked up one of the best game plans in Super Bowl history. Quinn is one of the main reasons pass rusher Michael Bennett boasted Monday that Seattle is now home to the greatest defense ever to hit the gridiron. If Quinn draws interest around the league, Pete Carroll will have no qualms about nudging his top lieutenant out of the nest. 5. Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator: In his first year as coordinator, Austin's Detroit defense is second only to Quinn's in points and yards thanks to his aggressive, player-friendly approach. Chairman John Wooten has said Austin will be one of the top-three minority candidatesthe Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation will submit to NFL teams with coaching vacancies this off-season. Austin is "absolutely" open to interviews next month. 6. Adam Gase, Broncos offensive coordinator: One of the NFL's bright, young offensive minds, Gase turned down an opportunity to interview for the Browns' job last January, focusing instead on Denver's Super Bowl run. Former Rams coach Mike Martz believes Gase is excellent at scheming matchup advantages, which would help a team with a young quarterback in need of a guiding hand. 7. Hue Jackson, Bengals offensive coordinator: In addition to his semi-successful stint as Raiders head coach, Jackson hasplenty of experience developing quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers at the college and pro level. Despite injuries to Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert and A.J. Green, he has kept Cincinnati's offense afloat thanks to a strong rushing attack and crafty game plans. One concern for prospective teams: Andy Dalton's regression in Jackson's first season replacing Jay Gruden. 8. Darrell Bevell, Seahawks offensive coordinator: Bevell worked with Brett Favre in Green Bay and Minnesota before helping to develop Russell Wilson in Seattle. He's also had the good fortune to work with two of the best running backs of the past decade in Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. After spending the offseason tinkering with Wilson and Percy Harvin, Bevell has found himself leaning on Lynch and a passing attack that relies on Wilson's extraordinary improvisational skills. How will interested teams interpret that temporary identity crisis? 9. Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator: Not ready to become a head coach at age 33, McDaniels crashed and burned with the Broncos in 2010. He has rehabilitated his image as an offensive specialist since returning to New England four years ago. Although he's viewed as a quarterback guru, McDaniels was not able to develop a handpicked Tim Tebow or former No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford. There is also speculation that he is not all that eager to leave his station as Bill Belichick's right-hand man. 10. Mike Shanahan, free agent:
Are the 49ers at all interested in Rex. If so maybe a swap of HCs. Harbaugh for Rex. Plus other considerations based on each team's won and lost record in 2015. I mentioned this a couple of days ago. I know it's not going to happen but could it happen if both teams have interest in the other teams head coach. If Woody calls York or visa versa.
I mentioned this possibility to my niners fan mate and he was dreading the prospect as he really wants an offensive-minded pass happy coach to take them back to the glory days of Montana and Young and the idea of going ground and pound is his worst nightmare
Even if the Niners had interest the question is: would Harbaugh? You assume Rex who only has one year left would be in favor of it but he could make more money being fired.
Looks like Gase maybe a top candidate here. I don't think the Jets will look for another DC to hire this time.
I don't like the Gase move that much,the guy has Peyton Manning as his QB not Geno Smith.Peyton doesn't need a OC to be succesful its hard for me to gauge how good this guy is with Peyton as his QB
Rex is definately getting another job imo, might be this offseason, if not next. If Seattle and Denver make deep runs again It will help Rex because the pool could be smaller.
Rex can clean up financially by getting fired and working a year on TV. He gets his 2015 Jets salary around 4 mil plus a big check from one of the networks.
Have to say, this list doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence. i think Malzahn is a better choice than all. Fortunately the GM candidate list is more robust.
Wow isn't it funny they rank Rex as the 2nd best HC who on that list. Firing Rex will go down as another mistake the Jets made.
Firing Rex will never be considered a mistake. Actually its funny and pretty idiotic that they rank Rex as 2nd because he sucks as a Head Coach. Probably the only reason they have him there is his head coach experience, but if they paid any attention to the job that he has done, they would realize that Rex is not even average in any capacity under the realm of a head coaches responsibility. Really would you rather have someone as an unknown because they haven't had the chance or a known quantity that has serious deficiencies? I still think that he will not get another HC job.
You can have your opinion. I think he going to end up in Atlanta and if he does they will be a great team. IMO they will become a Super Bowl team.
Other than Harbaugh, they are all strictly unknown commodities. Since Bill Parcels stepped down as coach , the Jets have been the test tube babies for inexperienced HC jobs. Isn't it about time they hired some one with a known track record?
If we can't get Harbaugh then we should go after Hue Jackson. He did a good job with the Raiders a few years ago but he got a raw deal there with crazy Al.
and I bet some of them don't even become available... That's how guys like Jay gruden and Mike petite got jobs, redskins and browns couldn't even find anyone decent. So they just did complete dice rolls and both will likely fail imo. Rex will get a job, I believe it. Atlanta would be absolutely ideal for him. The 49ers are apparently going to name their oline coach as the head coach. Bevel is horrible choice imo, gase I'm not buying into, McDaniels fuck no, quinn nah...
When Al passed away, Jackson really took advantage of the temporary power vacuum. He was behind that ridiculous deal to bring in Palmer, dealing away a lot of draft picks, which set the team back quite a bit. I like the toughness he brings as an OC, but would be very hesitant to name him our HC.
They had back to back 8-8 seasons and overachieved despite having a lack of talent and instability at the qb position.
i believe Tom Cable was the HC for the first 8-8, then was fired, and Jackson was the HC for the second 8-8. so he really didn't improve the team as a HC, and the Palmer trade was a big part of their undoing in Oakland.
