Also check out the Top 10 NFL Head Coaching Vacancies for 2009.
10. Mike Heimerdinger, Offensive Coordinator, Tennessee Titans
Heimerdinger has a solid reputation for his abilities on the offensive side of the ball. He's worked under Mike Shanahan twice, helping develop Jay Cutler at quarterback. The Titans' offense ranks sixth in rushing yards and seventh in points scored in the league.
9. Jim Caldwell, Associate Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach, Indianapolis Colts
Caldwell coached in the college ranks for 20 years and was head coach for eight at Wake Forest. He's helped develop quarterbacks and passing games in the NFL.
8. Bill Cowher, Former Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
Cowher sets an aggressive tone with his teams. He has a Super Bowl championship under his belt, two AFC championships, and was named AP Coach of the Year in 1992. Cowher is best with a veteran team.
7. Mike Martz, Offensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers
His accomplishments speak for themselves. The former Rams head coach is a great offensive mind. What seems to limit Martz is a reputation for not meshing well with others.
6. Ron Rivera, Defensive Coordinator, San Diego Chargers
The Bears defense fell off in 2007 with Rivera's departure. He helped lead one of the most dominant defenses while defensive coordinator in Chicago. He has a solid background from his days in Philadelphia.
5. Jim Schwartz, Defensive Coordinator, Tennessee Titans
Schwartz has learned under Jeff Fisher and Bill Belichick. The Titan's impressive start this year is primarily due to a resurgent defensive unit that has lost many players in recent offseasons due to salary cap restrictions.
4. Rex Ryan, Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
Ryan has helped lead one of the best defensive units in nine seasons with the Ravens. In his three seasons as coordinator, Ryan's defense has ranked among the top six in the league each year. Baltimore was No. 1 in the NFL in 2006, surrendering the fewest points.
3. Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
What McDaniels has been able to achieve this season without Tom Brady is remarkable. He's learned under one of the best in the business in Belichick. He's considered a good evaluator of talent.
2. Jason Garrett, Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have one of the league's most dangerous offensive units. Garrett is the type of coach that's perfect for a team looking to rebuild and develop young players. He's unproven, however—this is only his second season as coordinator.
1. Steve Spagnuolo, Defensive Coordinator, New York Giants
Spagnuolo is the architect of a defense that applied relentless pressure on the Patriots' record-setting offense in Super Bowl XVII. He's turned around a defensive unit that ranked 25th in the league before his arrival, now ranked No. 3 overall in the NFL.
8 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Cody Swartz 7 months ago
Very interesting list. Since Andy Reid is very likely to depart, I would love it if my Eagles make an attempt at either Steve Spagnuolo or Bill Cowher.
Spagnuolo did an amazing job for the Giants both last season and this season. He has turned that team into the best team in football, hands down. He knows the system here in Philly, because he was one of our assistant coaches the other year.
And Cowher would be a perfect fit here in Philly. He's intense, motivated, and he's a winner ('05 Super Bowl champions). The media would absolutely love him. And I think he would be able to tweak our system enough to make us a winner.
And I don't know how Rex Ryan hasn't had an offer yet to be a head coach. He could be pretty good, if given the chance.
Also, I think Josh McDaniels and Jason Garrett will both get head coaching jobs for the '09-'10 season.
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Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Some insiders say that the Giants are looking to keep Spagnuolo on as Coughlin's eventual replacement, but who knows how long that will be and if he has the patience to wait. Right now he's in the first year of a three-year contract with the Giants.
The Eagles have a lot of veteran players. I think Cowher would be the best fit. Reid has been a phenomenal coach for Philadelphia. But, sometimes relationships run their course. It's like a relationship with a great girl, but, after 10 years, it's gone as far as it can go. Not sure there's anything left for Reid to due with the Eagles. Four NFC championship games, a Super Bowl berth, hard for the players to keep buying into the program after getting oh so close.
I think McDaniels and in particular Garrett still have to put in their dues a little bit.
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Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
What about Giants' offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride? Although the defense is getting most of the credit for the Giants' success, the offense is first in the league in points and rushing. Good list though, I am very interested to see where Cowher ends up; hopefully the Eagles.
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Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
I considered Gilbride but what hurts him in my estimation at this point is that he's bounced around quite a bit in recent years. Starting in '95 he had one-year stints at Jacksonville, San Diego, Pittsburgh, was out of football for two years, and Buffalo, until his recent three years with the Giants.
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Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
Good point but he shows other coaches that offense isn't rocket science. The Giants don't do any weird formations such as the Wildcat formation, but they have a great rushing attack but that is mainly because they have three solid backs in Jacobs, Ward, and Bradshaw. But the main thing I respect about him is that everyone is saying how Jacobs should get more carries but Gilbride has looked around the league and noticed how quickly running backs deteriorate is overworked (Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson, LT) and has limited Jacobs' carries and still made the running game the best in the league.
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Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Don't get me wrong, he's done a great job for the Giants. Not always the case in other stints throughout the league.
By the way, speaking of wild-cat formations, did you see that direct snap to Ward (?) on that play against the Redskins? The Giants did in fact get a little 'creative.' Not wild-cat but a little trickery. Gilbride does have a couple of things up that ol' sleeve.
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Ryan Callahan 7 months ago
In the NFL it really doesn't matter what you have done in the past it is what you are doing right now. Do you really think the Patriots cared that Randy Moss had a bad few years in Oakland before they signed him?
And no I missed that direct snap. As an Eagles fan, I do not make a habit of watching Giants games.
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Jacob Lane 6 months ago
Id have to disagree with a couple of things on here, heres my top 10 list.
10) Steve Mariucci-Former 49ers and Lions Coach
9) Jim Fassell-Former Giants Coach
8) Marty Schottenheimer-Former Browns and Chargers Coach
7) Jim Caldwell-Colts Associate Head Coach
6) Bill Cowher-Former Steelers Coach
5) Brian Bellick-Former Ravens Coach
4) Mike Holmgreen-Seahawks Coach (Said he still has an itch for coaching, and hes leaving Seattle)
3) Josh McDaniels-Patriots Cordinater
2) Jason Garrett-Cowboys Cordinater
1) Steve Spagnuolo-Giants Cordinater
Teams who i think need new head coaches (Chiefs, Bengals, 49ers, Seahawks, Lions, browns, Rams)
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