Firing season could also be winding down within the NFL.
However hiring season is kicking into gear.
Because the NFL Playoffs loomed, eight groups had been searching for a brand new head coach. Whereas there could also be some surprises nonetheless in retailer, primarily based on how the playoffs unfold, no less than 1 / 4 of the league is searching for a brand new head coach.
A kind of groups? The New England Patriots. They parted methods with legendary head coach Invoice Belichick, asserting the choice on Thursday. Nevertheless, the Patriots had a transparent succession plan in place, and had been the primary workforce to announce a brand new head coach.
Listed here are all the pinnacle coach hirings, beginning with the brand new chief in Foxborough.
New England Patriots rent Jerod Mayo
As famous above, the Patriots grew to become the primary workforce to call a brand new head coach, with the information on Friday that Jerod Mayo could be getting into the position vacated by Belichick:
It’s a brand new period in New England: the Patriots have employed Jerod Mayo as their subsequent head coach and he can be formally launched at a press convention subsequent week, a supply tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SeHKoAonrP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2024
Mayo was considered by many as the highest inside choice to interchange Belichick, and it appears the workforce agreed. Phrase broke on Thursday night that when the group reworked Mayo’s contract with the workforce previous to the 2023 season, they contractually established the defensive coach as Belichick’s successor:
Now, Mayo takes over. The previous Patriots linebacker has spent his complete NFL profession in New England, when he was drafted within the first spherical by the Patriots within the 2008 NFL Draft. His eight-year profession in New England as a participant ended after the 2015 season, and he returned to the group in 2019 as their inside linebackers coach, a job he held till his promotion to go coach.
Las Vegas Raiders are sticking with Antonio Pierce
The interim tag isn’t any extra for Antonio Pierce.
In accordance with a number of studies, the Las Vegas Raiders are finalizing a deal to make Pierce the twenty third head coach in franchise historical past:
Interim no extra: The #Raiders are engaged on a cope with Antonio Pierce to retain him because the twenty third head coach in franchise historical past, sources inform me and @RapSheet
After going 5-4 down the stretch, Pierce will get the full-time job, which is welcome information to many, together with Maxx Crosby. pic.twitter.com/w8vaZgY1QV
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 19, 2024
After the Raiders began 3-5 this season underneath Josh McDaniels, their playoff hopes appeared far-fetched, and McDaniels was out of a job. However underneath Pierce the Raiders went 5-4, and fought again into playoff rivalry earlier than being eradicated.
This was a transfer that many, from Maxx Crosby to us right here at SB Nation, had been hoping to see.
Tennessee Titans are hiring Brian Callahan
The newest transfer? The Tennessee Titans are reportedly hiring Brian Callahan as their subsequent head coach. Callahan was assembly with Titans management on Monday for a second interview, and should not “letting him out of the constructing,” in keeping with Tom Pelissero of the NFL Community:
Callahan began his teaching profession as a training assistant with the Denver Broncos in 2010, after which spent two years as a top quality management assistant after which two extra as an offensive assistant. He joined the Lions as a quarterbacks coach in 2016, serving in that capability for 2 seasons. Callahan then spent a season with the Raiders as their QB coach, earlier than becoming a member of the Bengals as their offensive coordinator in 2019, the position he now vacates in Cincinnati.
Throughout his NFL journey, Callahan has labored with quarterback from Peyton Manning to Joe Burrow.
What are the opposite NFL head coach openings?
Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll is out, and a brand new period begins
Carolina Panthers
Hey, it will possibly’t get any worse than the Frank Reich period! Can it?
Washington Commanders
New possession has cash, and the workforce is selecting No. 2 within the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s not going to be an in a single day repair in Washington, however there’s upside right here.
Atlanta Falcons
Arthur Smith was dangerous in such a singular approach. Purpose No. 1 for a brand new Falcons coach: get the ball to Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Drake London. Oh, and perhaps determine a greater QB scenario.
Los Angeles Chargers
No workforce with a head coach opening provides a greater QB scenario than the Chargers do with Justin Herbert. Whereas following a legend like Invoice Belichick seems like an not possible activity, it ought to be a fairly low bar to clear to comply with Brandon Staley with the Chargers.