NFL Rumors: Has Your Team Made a Coaching Change Yet?

It's been 12 days since I posted NFL-NFL_Rumors_Head_Coaching_Carousel_-130108">an article with both the latest facts and rumors, and my opinions on the NFL coaching carousel. Well, much has changed since then. Let's check out what's currently going on in the crazy world of the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

This last Wednesday evening, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith was hired to replace the roving Bobby Petrino. Smith has moved fast, according to Len Pasquarelli, signing Brian VanGorder as defensive coordinator.

Ironically, just last month VanGorder resigned from Petrino's coaching staff, where he was the linebackers coach. As he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "I'm a college guy". Apparently not.

VanGorder worked under Smith as the linebackers coach in 2005 while he was with the Jaguars.

Smith also announced that former Chief's defensive back Emmitt Thomas, (who is a Hall of Fame candidate this year) will return to Atlanta as an NFL assistant.

Pasquarelli also reports that Smith will look to continue to build his coaching staff in Atlanta in the coming days. A top option for offensive coordinator is Mike Mularkey of Tampa Bay.

Baltimore Ravens 

Baltimore has quickly found their replacement to Brian Billick as head coach. They announced last week that Jim Harbaugh would take the head coaching job in Baltimore.

Formerly the Eagles' secondary coach, Harbaugh has never been a head coach before. Some question his ability, but Raven's owner Steve Bisciotti (and Raven fans) seem to think he made the right choice.

Harbough hasn't wasted any time either, hiring former Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron to join him in Baltimore. Cameron will serve as the offensive coordinator, attempting to improve an offense that has ranked in the bottom half of the NFL for nine of the past ten years.

The Ravens' defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, has interviewed for three head coaching vacancies, but, according to Len Pasquarelli, it does not appear that he will land any of them.

Dallas Cowboys 

Four members of the 2007 Dallas coaching staff, plus former Dallas coach Bill Parcells, now form the bulk of the staff in Miami. Parcells, along with Kacy Rodgers, Todd Bowles, Paul Pasqualoni, and Tony Sparano are all now involved with operations in Miami.

This leaves a puzzle for Jerry Jones and the rest of Dallas to figure out. They started putting together pieces with the hiring of Todd Grantham to work as the defensive line coach. 

Grantham was unexpectedly fired by the Cleveland Browns about two weeks ago, where he used to work as defensive coordinator. Grantham replaces Rodgers, who left for Miami with four others. 

This does not mean that all the holes are filled in Dallas. They are currently without a secondary coach and a linebackers coach, as well as any position that they feel they need to improve.

Jacksonville Jaguars 

Henderson's position on the Jaguars has not yet been determined, reports Len Pasquarelli, but it isn't going to be defensive coordinator.

After the firing of head coach Cam Cameron (who took a job in Baltimore) the Dolphin's search for a head coach has ended. VP of football operations Bill Parcells hired former Dallas coach Tony Sparano last week.

Since then, Parcells has hired a new wide receivers coach to work under Sparano. Karl Dorrell, former head coach of UCLA, is taking the position.

Dorrell was fired last month by UCLA after an overall record of 35-27 with five bowl appearances.

Miami Dolphins

After the firing of head coach Cam Cameron (who took a job in Baltimore) the Dolphin's search for a head coach has ended. VP of football operations Bill Parcells hired former Dallas coach Tony Sparano last week.

Since then, Parcells has hired a new wide receivers coach to work under Sparano. Karl Dorrell, former head coach of UCLA, is taking the position.

Dorrell was fired last month by UCLA after an overall record of 35-27 with five bowl appearances.

New Orleans Saints 

Another coach has made the jump to the big leagues, according to Bruce Feldman. Ed Orgeron, formerly of the University of Mississippi, has agreed to coach the defensive line in New Orleans, under Sean Peyton. Orgeron couldn't be more elated at his opportunity.

"It feels great to work with a fantastic organization like the Saints," Orgeron said. "I can't wait to get started."

Oakland Raiders 

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, a controversy is brewing in Oakland. Mortensen reports that Raider owner Al Davis is pushing very hard for young Raider coach Lane Kiffin to resign. In fact, Davis has apparently drafted Kiffin a letter of resignation and sent it to Kiffin's leagal representative two weeks ago. 

Mortensen says that; "Kiffin has refused to do so but has dared Davis to fire him instead." 

Both Kiffin and Oakland management aren't speaking directly about the matter.

Kiffin was quoted as saying;

"I'm not going to comment on anything that has transpired in the past three weeks..."

Senior Raiders executive John Herrera said the following regarding the controversy:

"It's a non-issue. It hasn't been an issue and Dennis Green has already debunked the report..."

Seattle Seahawks 

With Mike Holmgren committed to coach the Seahawks for the 2008 season, Seattle is filling other holes in their coaching staff. 

Mike Solari was hired January 24th by the Seahawks as the offensive line coach. Solari had spent the past eleven years with the Kansas City Chiefs before he was fired on January 1, 2008.

Solari also spent 1992-1996 with the 49ers, as their tight ends and assistant offensive line coach.

The Seahawks are also looking for a suitable replacement for Holmgren, once he leaves after the '08-'09 season.

However, that heir seems to be placed in Seattle already.

Jim Mora, assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, was hired by Holmgren last year after he was fired by Atlanta. Mora will most likely, writes John Clayton, be the successor to Holmgren.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Just some minor news here. The Tampa Bay organization has given both coach Gruden and GM Allen contract extensions this past week, writes Len Pasquarelli. Both have been given three year extensions, taking them through the 2011 season.

Washington Redskins

According to Mike Sando of ESPN.com, Jim Zorn—formerly the quarterbacks coach at Seattle—has left the Seahawks to join the Redskins coaching staff as offensive coordinator. Sando reports that his deal is most likely a three-year-deal. Zorn has been in communication with both Washington and Seattle over the past week.

The Redskins, however, are still

searching for a head coach after Joe Gibbs' departure. It still appears that Washington assistant head coach Gregg Williams is the front-runner for the job, but another serious contender is arising.

Jim Fassel has had, according to ESPN.com, his second interview with Washington management on Tuesday. Chris Mortensen reports that Fassel may also be considered for the offensive coordinator job, but there has been no official word of that yet.

Fassel's last NFL coaching job was with the Baltimore Ravens as their offensive coordinator. He held that position until he was fired in October of 2006. Fassel was also a two-time coach of the year in New York, leading the Giant's to the Super Bowl in 2000 before losing to the Raven's.

More recently, in 2004, Fassel was the leading candidate for Washington's head coaching vacancy, until Joe Gibbs came out of retirement to take the helm again.