NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Top Head Coach Candidates

NFL organizations want to take their time with their coaching search, but waiting too long might cause them to miss out on hot candidates.

Between successful coordinators, former coaches and recently fired coaches, there are a lot of quality options around the league. The good news for these men is there are six positions that need to be filled between now and the start of the 2015 season.

While it's still early in the process for each team, these men are becoming hot names based on the latest buzz around the league.

Doug Marrone

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

There are a lot of question marks surrounding Doug Marrone's departure from the Buffalo Bills. The head coach opted out of his contract after reportedly making some enemies within the organization.

Despite the ugly exit, Marrone is a wanted man around the league, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

While the Atlanta Falcons represent a quality destination for any coach due to its young talent throughout the roster, it is starting to seem like the New York Jets will be the place for Marrone.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports the former Syracuse head coach could end up being named early in the process as soon as a general manager is named:

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The Jets general manager search just happens to be littered with candidates who have ties -- and in some cases very strong ones -- to Doug Marrone, who became a free agent last week when he exercised an out clause in Buffalo. The Jets are already deep into their GM search, and they met with Marrone on Saturday, with several league sources maintaining they are likely to be the first team to name a new coach this week.

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Even with questions about the end of Marrone's tenure in Buffalo, it's hard to deny his ability as a coach. In his second year with the Bills, he came within a game of the playoffs at 9-7. This was the first winning season for the organization since 2004.

Additionally, he has received positive reviews from well-respected players, according to ESPN's Mike Greenberg:

These two endorsements should be noteworthy for the Jets and their fans as Marrone seemingly prepares to find himself in charge of the team.

Kyle Shanahan

USA TODAY Sports

Despite an up-and-down season as offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns, Kyle Shanahan has found himself as a potential head-coaching candidate this offseason.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer, the son of former head coach Mike Shanahan is an option for the San Francisco 49ers:

Of course, Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle clarifies that nothing has materialized yet:

Despite this, Shanahan makes sense for many reasons as a coach in San Francisco. Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com explains that guiding Colin Kaepernick should be a priority going forward:

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If the Niners are going all-in with Kaepernick under center, the next coach has to either (A) be an offensive-minded guru who is not afraid to tailor his offense around the unique skill set of Kaepernick or (B) hire an offensive coordinator who will tailor his offense around Kaepernick or is already familiar with him.

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Unlike many of the other coaching candidates for the 49ers like Vic Fangio, Jim Tomsula or Dan Quinn, Shanahan has an offensive background. His style is always well suited for this team as someone who likes to lean on the run but can use read-options tailored to a mobile quarterback.

The success Shanahan had with Robert Griffin III on the Washington Redskins will be valuable in San Francisco. 

While Mike Shanahan has met with the 49ers, this might simply be a great reference for his son to get the job.

Frank Reich

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

The Buffalo Bills have a few options to replace Marrone, but arguably the most intriguing is San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich.

According to Vic Carucci and Tim Graham of The Buffalo News, he is a top option for the organization:

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An NFL source also told Carucci the Bills have asked for permission from the San Diego Chargers to interview offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Sources told Graham that even with Bill Polian turning down a chance to return to the team to oversee its football operations, mutual interest between Reich and the team remains high. The Bills are trying to arrange an interview with Reich on Sunday in San Diego before he leaves for his interview with the New York Jets.

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Reich spent most of his playing career in Buffalo as Jim Kelly's backup during the organization's heyday in the late 1980's and early 1990's. He put together just a 4-4 record for the Bills as a starter, but he orchestrated the biggest comeback in NFL history in the 1993 playoffs.

Former teammate Andre Reed certainly provided a good recommendation on NFL Network's NFL Total Access (via Dan Hanzus of NFL.com):

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I think he'd be a great head coach. He knew a lot more about the offense, a lot more about the team than Jim Kelly even knew. When he came in there, we didn't miss a beat. I think he would make—definitely would make a great head coach anywhere.

He's definitely a viable candidate. I think he would do a great job.

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Reich spent the past season as offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers after being a positional coach in recent years. Although he lacks a ton of coaching experience, he certainly could bring a jolt to a team on the brink of contention.

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