Updated NFL Coaching News and Rumors

With so much going on already with multiple teams needing a new head coach or coordinator(s), the 2012 NFL offseason has become arguably more interesting than the playoffs.

Teams such as Kansas City, St. Louis and Miami have led the headlines, while other teams like Jacksonville and Tampa Bay also still look for new coaches.

So, here's an up-to-speed look at where some coaches could end up in 2012.

Jeff Fisher

According to Jim Thomas of St. Louis Today, Jeff Fisher has met with the Rams:

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Fisher spent the better part of the day meeting with Kroenke and left Thursday evening. The meeting was scheduled in Denver because the Rams didn't want to create a circus atmosphere with a St. Louis meeting.

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Thomas went on to add:

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All indications are that it's a two-horse race between St. Louis and Miami for Fisher's services. He apparently will not interview in Tampa Bay, as had been speculated.

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With that said, neither situation is going to be easy for Fisher.

The Rams lack talent across the board, so his defensive mindset needs to be flawless for St. Louis to have any shot at improving. The Rams were arguably the NFL's worst offense and defense in 2011. The good news, though, is that they have nowhere else to go but up.

As for Miami, the challenge there lies in having to play New England twice a year, as well as the Ravens, Steelers, Bengals and Texans all being legit AFC contenders. Miami is still a few steps back, and it's going to take a lot to be a part of that mix.

Nonetheless, Fisher is a proven NFL coach and definitely has the ability to get either franchise back to the postseason.

Update: One report has Fisher leaning toward the Rams.

Raheem Morris

According to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, former Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris has met with the Washington Redskins:

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According to a report on Washington D.C. radio station WTOP, Morris dined with members of the Redskins staff on Wednesday night. Morris is still close with former Bucs assistant coach and current Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, so the meeting may have been nothing more than a social gathering.

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Now, yes, it may have been just a social gathering; however, can we really believe that Morris and Kyle Shanahan just talked about the weather and latest trends?

Surely football was discussed, and although we have to expect that Mike Shanahan will be back in Washington, the free agent status of Raheem Morris is interesting.

Then again, maybe Washington could bring Morris aboard as a defensive assistant to Jim Haslett. Wouldn't be a bad idea considering that the Redskins have a solid defense, and the addition of Morris to the coaching staff can only help.

Josh McDaniels

According to Brian Burwell of St. Louis Today, Rams former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is of interest to two intriguing franchises:

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A well-placed league source says both the Patriots and Chiefs have reached out to the Rams to seek permission to talk to McDaniels, but no word on if the Rams gave it.

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So how about that? The Chiefs and the Patriots both interested in McDaniels.

As we know, McDaniels was with New England from 2001-08. Beginning as a personnel assistant and eventually the offensive coordinator, McDaniels left to take over the Denver Broncos and was fired after not even two full seasons.

Kansas City is interesting because he would reunite with Romeo Crennel and former Patriots QB Matt Cassel. There, McDaniels nearly has a complete offense set with Cassel and RBs Jamaal Charles and Jackie Battle as well as WRs Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston.

And obviously, in New England, there's Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker and Deion Branch.

Either team would be a good fit for McDaniels. The question is whether the Rams choose to retain him.

Todd Haley

In an article by Ken Somers of the Arizona Republic, the Cardinals may reunite with Todd Haley:

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Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is expected to talk to former Chiefs coach Todd Haley about a position on the Cardinals coaching staff, according to NFL sources...It's unknown what title Haley would have should he return to the Cardinals, but he likely would be placed in charge of the offense again.

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Definitely not a bad decision by any means if you're Todd Haley and the Cardinals. The two parties worked well together before, so why not have a second stint, as Arizona surged late in 2011?

Winning seven of their final nine games, the Cards finished 8-8 after a dismal 1-6 start.

They still have receiver Larry Fitzgerald and a capable QB in John Skelton as well as a vastly improved defense, that allowed an average of just 18.3 points in each of the final nine games.

So, they are almost complete and are definitely ready to take the next step. In only Haley's second season with Arizona (2008), the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl and lost 27-23 to Pittsburgh.

After Haley left, the Cardinals returned to the playoffs in 2009 but missed in 2010 and 2011. Reuniting with Todd Haley would only speed up the rebuilding/reloading process, so it's a win for each side if this happens.

Mike Sherman

According to Roy Cummings and Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, the Buccaneers have already met with former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman:

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The Bucs interviewed Sherman for their vacant head coach’s position Wednesday in Houston, a source close to Sherman said.

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It's a good fit for both Sherman and Tampa Bay, because each is familiar with the other. As mentioned, Sherman coached the Packers and was at the helm from 2000-2005. There, he had four straight playoff appearances in 2001-2004 but went just 2-4 in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is in need of a reputable NFL head coach, and Sherman's philosophy would certainly differ from Raheem Morris':

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Sherman would bring a different approach to the Bucs. He is offensive-minded and is considered a solid disciplinarian, who spent six seasons running the Packers, compiling a 57-39 record.

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He's had success as an NFL head coach, and you know a veteran corner Ronde Barber, easily the team's most experienced player, would welcome a credible coach like Sherman if he ends up taking over.

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