Ranking the Best Available Head Coaching Candidates

The NFL regular campaign is officially in the books, and while there's still a postseason to be played, the league's business season is about to kick off in earnest for 20 franchises—some of which will be looking for new head coaches.

That's because Black Monday is at hand—the day where dissatisfied NFL franchises (more often than not) move on from their current head coach. Over the next 48-72 hours, a number of vacancies should open around the league, and there are obvious names looming to potentially replace them.

In this column, we'll examine the best available head coaching candidates—emanating from both the NFL and collegiate ranks. Coaches who are expected to be fired but still retain jobs (looking right at you, Rex Ryan and Mike Smith) don't qualify for the list, and a certain former 49ers coach who's reportedly headed back to college (hi, Jim Harbaugh!) also didn't make the cut.

In the coming days, more names will surely be added to this list, but for now, here are the best available NFL head coaching candidates.

Todd Bowles, Defensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals

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Perhaps no coach in the NFL improved his stock more over the course of the 2014 season than Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

Despite overseeing a unit that was hit hard by injuries and off-field issues, Bowles' defense was a strength throughout, often generating pressure on the opposing quarterback and possessing a seemingly innate ability to make the game-changing play.

Bowles does have a modicum of head coaching experience, having served as Dolphins interim coach for the final three games of the 2011 season (he went 2-1 in relief of the deposed Tony Sparano). 

Last week, CBS Sports' NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported that the Bears and Jets were among the teams that coveted Bowles' service, writing that Bowles "will be among the hottest names when teams begin interviewing candidates at the end of the season."

Even though he inked an extension with the Cardinals back in November, Bowles is expected to talk to a number of teams with a head coaching vacancy—and it should surprise no one if (and when) Bowles is offered one of the open jobs. 

Adam Gase, Offensive Coordinator, Denver Broncos

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At 36 years old, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase is among the youngest presumed NFL head coaching candidates. And it's safe to say that his star is only beginning to rise.

Last year—after his first season as an NFL coordinator—Gase was coveted by the Cleveland Browns, but he opted not to interview in lieu of focusing on Denver's (ill-fated) run to the Super Bowl. Now, with another year of experience under his belt, it's difficult to imagine Gase turning down opportunities.

Gase oversaw Denver's record-setting offense in 2013 and has quickly become a favorite of star quarterback Peyton Manning, which is a feather in the cap of any offensive coach. This year's Broncos offense finished ranked sixth overall after Gase made more of a commitment to the run game down the stretch.

Per Mike Klis of The Denver Post, Gase is expected to draw interest from the San Francisco 49ers, and it shouldn't shock if Gase ends up interviewing for a number of jobs over the next week. It certainly helps his cause that Denver earned a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.

Dan Quinn, Defensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks

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Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is looking to follow the blueprint of his predecessor, Gus Bradley, and ride the success of Seattle's defense all the way to a head coaching job.

Last year—in Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator—the Seahawks completed a legendary run to a Lombardi Trophy, smothering teams along the way, including the high-powered Broncos in the Super Bowl. The Legion of Boom secondary truly blossomed under his watchful eye, and the unit has been spectacular once again in 2014, leading the Seahawks to the NFC's No. 1 seed.

For the second consecutive season, Seattle finished the year ranked No. 1 overall in total defense and allowed under 16 points per game (15.9). 

Last week, Bleacher Report NFL insider Jason Cole reported that the 49ers could have interest in making Quinn their new head coach. With the Seahawks holding a first-round bye (much like Gase in Denver), expect Quinn to talk to a number of teams over the next week or so.

Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots

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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has done a masterful job rebuilding his reputation following a disastrous stint as head coach of the Broncos—so good, in fact, that McDaniels is expected to soon interview with at least two teams for their head coaching vacancies, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.

Now 38 years old, McDaniels is four years removed from his ouster in Denver. Once the NFL's golden child, McDaniels crashed and burned after a 6-0 start to his head coaching career in 2009, going on to win only three of his next 19 games en route to being fired during the 2010 season.

While few have questioned his on-field chops, it's certainly plausible that McDaniels was gifted too much power during his time in Denver. He made a series of head-scratching transactions (trading quarterback Jay Cutler and drafting Tim Tebow in the first round chief among them) but also unearthed some gems (such as drafting star receiver Demaryius Thomas in the first round). 

It's not outside the realm of possibility to state that McDaniels might find more success in his next go-round as an NFL head coach, provided he has the support of a strong general manager. Either way, though, his work with quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots offense over the past three years has earned him another opportunity at being the top dog in an NFL organization.

Mike Shanahan, Former NFL Head Coach

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For those of you with short memories, it might not be easy to hearken back to a time when Mike Shanahan was atop the football coaching world, securing back-to-back Super Bowl championships with the Broncos in 1997 and 1998.

But a fairly cataclysmic (and recent) stint as head coach of the Washington Redskins served to damage his previously sterling reputation. Shanahan went 24-40 over four seasons in our nation's capital and publicly feuded with quarterback Robert Griffin III, leading to his ouster.

At 62 years old, Shanahan's time as a viable head coaching candidate is drawing to a close, but he still has designs on returning to the league, recently telling ESPN (h/t Connor Orr of NFL.com) that he wants to work for a team committed to winning the Super Bowl.

While he isn't one of the hottest candidates right now, there's a chance that an NFL owner will be seduced by Shanahan's past success and try and replicate that in the future. Don't count Shanahan out for a head job—he looms as a dark-horse candidate.

Brian Kelly, Head Coach, Notre Dame

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One of the more intriguing names for NFL had coaching jobs emanating from the collegiate ranks is Notre Dame boss Brian Kelly.

Kelly, who runs a pro-style offense in South Bend, has experienced significant success as head coach of the Fighting Irish, including a trip to the then-BCS Championship Game following the 2012 season.

Kelly has been a head coach at the collegiate level since 2004, with stints at Central Michigan and Cincinnati preceding his time at Notre Dame. He previously interviewed with the Eagles before they settled on Chip Kelly.

Back in November, per the aforementioned article, ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen mentioned Kelly as a potential NFL coaching candidate. For more on Kelly possibly making a jump to the NFL, check out this column from Bleacher Report's Greg Couch. 

Gus Malzahn, Head Coach, Auburn

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With Chip Kelly completing a second straight campaign with double-digit victories in Philadelphia, it's easy to predict more NFL teams looking to the collegiate ranks to secure a new coach—and Auburn's Gus Malzahn is likely at the top of every wish list.

Malzahn is 20-6 over two seasons at Auburn and nearly led the Tigers to a national championship following the 2013 season. He's known as an offensive innovator, and his meteoric rise through the coaching ranks cannot be overstated. He also oversaw Cam Newton's development during Auburn's national championship season in 2010, back when he was its offensive coordinator.

Last week, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com) reported that Malzahn is expected to receive interest from NFL teams.

Malzahn would obviously represent a risky hire, but he has definite upside and should be in consideration for jobs. 

David Shaw, Head Coach, Stanford

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The final collegiate coach on this list—and perhaps the most highly regarded—is Stanford's David Shaw.

Since replacing Jim Harbaugh, Shaw has compiled a 41-12 record in four seasons at Stanford and runs a pro-style offense that appeals to NFL decision-makers. He worked with Colts quarterback Andrew Luck in Luck's senior campaign, leading Stanford to the Fiesta Bowl. He also led Stanford to a Rose Bowl victory following the 2012 season.

Shaw, who has also served on coaching staffs for the Raiders, Eagles and Ravens, was recently tabbed by ESPN's Adam Schefter as one of the "most coveted candidates in the country."

However, Schefter also went on to report that Shaw is expected to rebuff all NFL offers and remain in Palo Alto.

But coaches have made that promise before only to jump to the next level. Until the entire hiring period ends without Shaw in the NFL, he must be considered a prime head coaching candidate.