NFL Coordinators Looking Like Future Head Coaches with 2014 Success

One of the surprising elements to this NFL season has been the way some teams have managed to overcome major deficiencies in talent—either by injuries or bad personnel decisions—thanks in large part to outstanding coaching by some promising coordinators, both young and old.

Of the five coordinators on the list, only one is returning to his exact same position from 2013. That means the rest of these names are turning their units around as they cope with a new team or title.

The coaches on this list have managed to guide their bands of misfits and subpar talent straight to the top of the NFL. These coaches deserve a great deal of recognition and should be considered for head coaching jobs based off of their success in 2014.   

Honorable Mention

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Rod Marinelli, Dallas Cowboys 

As good as the Cowboys defense has been this year despite all the injuries, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli deserves to get some credit. But his last coaching job was so terrible that he isn’t likely to ever become a head coach in the NFL again. Some guys are just better as assistants.

John Pagano, San Diego Chargers

Defensive coordinator John Pagano is currently in his 13th season with the Chargers and took over the role back in 2012. John’s older brother, Chuck, is the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

John has done a nice job in San Diego and may very well be a hot name this offseason. His defense is ranked third in total yards allowed (308.3) and second in points per game (15.2).

Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have managed to persevere despite their boatload of injuries defensively thus far. Only once have the Cards allowed more than 20 points in a game – their one loss – and the unit is third in the NFL in rush defense. However, the pass defense is currently last in yards allowed, thanks to the loss to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Bottom line, Bowles has this group of guys playing solid football regardless of the mounting list of unavailable players.

Kyle Shanahan, Cleveland Browns

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As the Washington Redskins’ play-caller two years ago, Kyle Shanahan's unit led the league in yards per play (6.2), yards per pass attempt (8.3) and yards per rush (5.2). QB Robert Griffin III would go on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

When the staff was fired after the 2013 season, Shanahan found a home with the Browns serving under new head coach Mike Pettine.  

Since arriving in Cleveland as the offensive coordinator, the Browns have been thriving on offense in a balanced attack that nobody saw coming. The current unit is third in the NFL in rushing yards per game despite using three different starters at running back in six weeks while starter Ben Tate sat out with injuries.

With Brian Hoyer at quarterback and a crop of castoffs at the receiver position—further depleted with the suspension of star wideout Josh Gordon—this team has excelled through the air, particularly on play-action shots deep down the field.

On the offensive side of the ball, no team in the NFL is currently doing more with less talent than are the Cleveland Browns. Shanahan deserves a ton of credit for what he’s been able to accomplish thus far.

This is also his first year as an offensive coordinator where he can receive full credit for the play-calling and offensive system as a whole. In previous years he worked under offensive gurus like Gary Kubiak in Houston and his father, Mike Shanahan, in Washington.

At the young age of 34, Kyle may be too young for most NFL teams to consider him as a head coach, but if this Browns offense takes their game to the next level when Gordon returns, teams in need of a head coach will have to take notice.

Teryl Austin, Detroit Lions

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Before coaching the secondary for the Baltimore Ravens, Teryl Austin served as the defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators in 2010. He spent 2011-13 with the Ravens before taking the job as the coordinator of the Lions under newly appointed head coach Jim Caldwell.

It’s clear that one of the most impressive coaching jobs this season has come from the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions.

Though we’re not surprised by the dominant play of the defensive line led by Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, it’s the back end of that defense that has been way above their heads—thanks in large part to Teryl Austin.

Who would have every imagined that a secondary featuring the 75-year-old Rashean Mathis at corner, Glover Quin, Darius Slay, Isa Abdul-Quddus and James Ihedigbo would become one of the stingiest units in the league?

Per NFL.com:

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Detroit has held their last four opponents to 17 or fewer points, which is their first time since doing so in the final four games of the 1995 season. The Lions have not held opponents under 17 in five straight games within the same season since 1974 (five).

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Detroit is allowing just 197.2 yards per game through the air and 13.7 points per game, both of which are tops in the league.

I’m not sure what magical potion coach Austin is sprinkling on his players, but he certainly needs to be looked at as a potential head coach when this season is over.  

Hue Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals

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With the departure of Jay Gruden to Washington, running backs coach Hue Jackson was promoted to offensive coordinator, a position he has quite a bit of previous experience with in his career.

When he was hired by the Raiders as the offensive coordinator in 2010, he helped steady one of the NFL's most embarrassing franchises. Oakland hadn’t won more than five games in any season over a seven-year span. The Raiders went 8-8 in his first season running the offense. He became the head coach in 2011 and had the Raiders in playoff contention until starting quarterback Jason Campbell got hurt midway through the season.

That’s right—Jackson was able to turn a team led by Campbell into a formidable AFC opponent.

He was fired the next year after he and quarterback Carson Palmer finished the season 8-8.

Since then he has spent the last three years as an assistant coach for the Bengals.

Before the season began, the Bengals were considered one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. But it didn’t take long before their depth was tested more with each passing week and each fallen teammate.

First, wide receiver Marvin Jones began the season on the sidelines. Then in the first half of the first game, second-year tight end and former first-round selection Tyler Eifert was placed on injured reserve, designated to return. In the next game, starting guard Kevin Zeitler went down with a calf injury.

Shortly after, star wideout A.J. Green suffers a toe injury in practice, which has kept him from contributing like he’s normally capable of. Green would eventually sit out of the Week 6 matchup against the Panthers.

As the injuries continue to mount up, Hue Jackson and the Bengals’ offense doesn’t seem to miss a beat.

The Bengals are currently tied for second in the NFL in yards per play (6.3) and fifth in the NFL in yards per game (397). Their 27.3 points per game stands tied for eighth.

From week to week, Coach Jackson has been able to find where the strengths of his replacement players fit in the weekly game plan. Whether through scheme or formation, he's found a way.

Without several key members of their offense, and against a talented defense, the Bengals racked up 37 points against the Panthers.

Even after the tie game against the Panthers, the Bengals remain undefeated at home this year (2-0-1).

Hue Jackson is one of the more qualified coordinators to be considered for a head coaching job and should receive several offers after this season is over.

Gary Kubiak, Baltimore Ravens

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After being fired by the Texans following their disappointing 2013 campaign, former head coach Gary Kubiak considered sitting out the year when he couldn’t land another head coaching gig in the NFL. You may remember Kubiak suffered a “mini stroke” during halftime in a game back on Nov. 3 of last season.

Luckily for the Ravens, the opportunity in Baltimore was something he didn’t want to pass up. He was eventually hired on Jan. 27.

Last year, the Ravens ranked 29th in the NFL in average yards per game (307.4). The run game was 30th in average rushing yards per game (83.0) and last in yards per carry (3.1). Baltimore also allowed 48 sacks, tied for the fourth most in the league.

After six games, the Ravens are currently ranked eighth in total yards (389.8), fifth in points per game (27.3), ninth in third-down percentage (45 percent), eighth in yards per play (5.9) and are tied for sixth in sacks allowed despite having virtually the same personnel up front.

Furthermore, featuring their third-string running back, journeyman Justin Forsett, the Ravens offense under Kubiak is ranked 10th in the league in rushing yards per game (132.8)

His coaching experience and prowess as an excellent teacher has helped the Ravens generate a well-balanced attack on offense despite the key losses of Ray Rice, Dennis Pitta and Eugene Monroe.

What’s more, quarterback Joe Flacco and others seem to be buying into Kubiak’s system—which isn’t overly complicated. At its core, it focuses on doing a few things really well.

This simplicity helped Flacco throw for a career-high five TD passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

It should be interesting to see if teams come calling for Kubiak’s services this offseason. If not, he seems to be secure in his current position in Baltimore.  

Vic Fangio, San Francisco 49ers

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Some might consider defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to be just as important to the 49ers as head coach John Harbaugh.

According to the 49ers’ official site:

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In Fangio’s first three seasons in San Francisco (2011-13), the 49ers are the only team to rank in the top five in the following nine categories: points allowed (16.1 points per game - 1st), rush defense (89.1 yards per game - 1st), rushing average (3.7 yards per carry - 1st), first downs allowed (835 - 1st), opposing quarterback rating (76.0 rating - 2nd), yards allowed (306.5 yards per game - 3rd), 20-plus yard plays allowed (147 - 3rd), takeaways (93 - 5th) and third down defense (34.1 pct. - 5th).

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This year, the 49ers’ defense has endured a mountain of injuries that should’ve put this unit in the bottom half of the league—especially after losing three starters in the secondary from a year ago.

With Aldon Smith, one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, suspended for nine games, this defense might be able to stay afloat. But this was just the beginning of setbacks for the 49ers. NaVorro Bowman, arguably the best player on the team, is scheduled to miss at least the first half of the season while recovering from a gruesome knee injury. He has yet to play a down.

The team also placed starting nose tackle Glenn Dorsey on the Injured Reserve/Designated for Return List before the regular season began. He will not be eligible to practice with the team until at least six weeks have passed and cannot be activated until at least eight weeks have passed. 

Then the already thin and inexperienced secondary had to be without starting CB Tramaine Brock, who suffered a turf toe injury in Week 1. Brock has played only 11 snaps all season.

Last week, team leader Patrick Willis was sidelined with a toe injury while first-round pick Jimmie Ward missed the game with a quadriceps injury.

Despite all of this, the 49ers are allowing an opposing passer rating of 73.7 this season and have not allowed a 300-yard passer yet this year.

Against the Eagles, the defense refused to allow that offense a single point.

They are currently ranked second in the NFL in total yards given up (287.2) and have done all of this with a patchwork group made up of rookies and career backups.

For some reason, head coaching opportunities have eluded Fangio over the years. But 2014 is by far his most impressive body of work to date.

Ryan Riddle is a former NFL player and Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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