Sean McDermott: 10 Teams Who Should Pursue the Defensive Coordinator

Sean McDermott was told that he would be brought back as the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2011 season.

So much for that. 

McDermott was officially ousted from Philadelphia this weekend, and he joins a long list of coaches who are either unemployed or available for other teams to pursue (depending on how you look at it).

Though McDermott is young (36) and is relatively inexperienced with just two years as a D-coordinator, he'll be a hot commodity on the coaching market.

There are plenty of teams who could be looking to make a change on their defensive staff.

And McDermott would be a welcome addition to most of them.

Here are 10 teams who should go after McDermott.

10. New Orleans Saints (Secondary Coach)

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers loses the ball while defended by Malcolm Jenkins #27 and Marvin Mitchell #50 of the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Pho

On the surface, the New Orleans Saints pass defense performed pretty well this season, ranking fourth in passing yards allowed and only surrendering 13 touchdown passes.

But the Saints also allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 61.9 percent of their passes and had just nine interceptions all season—no other team had less than 11 picks.

Though Greg Williams' defense got after the quarterback in 2009, New Orleans really struggled in that department in 2010.

And the secondary was exposed because of it.

Sean McDermott has a long history working with defensive backs (since 2002), and in 2004 with the Eagles, both starting safeties—Michael Lewis and Brian Hawkins—were selected to the Pro Bowl.

McDermott could really help get the most out of young DBs like Tracy Porter, Malcolm Jenkins and Patrick Robinson in 2011.

9. Seattle Seahawks (Defensive Backs)

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Safety Earl Thomas #29 and cornerback Marcus Brown #32 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a defensive play against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Gre

A big reason why the Seattle Seahawks went 7-9 during the regular season was that Seattle ranked 27th in the NFL against the pass.

The Seahawks allowed 250 passing yards per game, gave up 28 touchdowns through the air—only five teams gave up more—and they had just 12 interceptions.

Given the new Pete Carroll regime in Seattle, the Seahawks probably won't make wholesale changes to their coaching staff.

But something has to be done to bolster a Seattle secondary that has its bright spots (like Earl Thomas) but still struggled mightily against the pass.

Sean McDermott worked with Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins and Asante Samuel in Philadelphia.

Get him into Seattle and he should help develop and improve that awful pass defense. 

8. Carolina Panthers (Defensive Coordinator)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera of the San Diego Chargers looks on against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL Game at Qualcomm Stadium on November 23, 2008 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Image

Though Carolina won just two games all season, the Panthers secondary was actually a positive in a season full of negatives.

Carolina ranked 11th in passing yards allowed and gave up just 19 passing touchdowns on the season—sixth best in the league.

And with Ron Rivera coming in as Carolina's head coach, the Panthers should only improve on the defensive side of the ball.

Carolina has some really skilled players throughout its defense, and Sean McDermott has plenty of experience working with Pro Bowl caliber players.

Though his experience is limited as a DC, he would bring an attacking defense to Carolina. 

McDermott would also have the advantage of working closely with Rivera, who is one of the best defensive minds in the game. 

7. Dallas Cowboys (Defensive Backs)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Pierre Garcon #85 of the Indianapolis Colts scores a touchdown as Terrence Newman #41 of the Dallas Cowboys defends at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Dallas could not stop opposing teams from throwing the ball all over the place.

Plain and simple.

The Cowboys allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 64.4 percent of their passes, gave up 7.7 yards per passing attempt, ranked 26th in passing yards allowed and gave up a league worst 33 passing touchdowns.

Rob Ryan has already been named as the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, but upgrades are needed throughout the defensive coaching staff.

Cornerback Mike Jenkins is probably headed out of Big D, and Terence Newman continues to decline, so a possible new-look secondary in 2011 deserves a new-look leader.

Enter Sean McDermott, who would join his division rival as the Cowboys' secondary coach. 

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (Defensive Coordinator)

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Jared Cook #89 of the Tennessee Titans makes a catch as Don Carey #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars defends at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Jacksonville's defense was awful pretty much across the board in 2010.

The Jaguars ranked 27th in points allowed, 22nd in rushing yards allowed and 28th in both total and passing yards allowed.

The secondary was a big issue as well, with the Jags allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 65 percent of their passes and surrendering 28 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions.

That poor defense was the main downfall for Jacksonville this season, and they need help in the worst way.

Sean McDermott has to improve that defense right away, huh?

5. Tennessee Titans (Defensive Backs)

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass while defended by Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans during the NFL game at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

In their second year under defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil, the Tennessee Titans took a huge step backward.

The Titans allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 65.6 percent of their passes, gave up 252 passing yards per game and gave up 23 passing touchdowns.

They also ranked 20th in rushing yards allowed.

In terms of the entire NFL, the Titans were right at the middle of the pack in points allowed (15th) but were ranked 20th or below in those major categories I mentioned.

I think the Chuck Cecil era will continue for another year or two, but Sean McDermott could enter the mix as a high-ranking defensive official.

He could serve as a potential replacement if Cecil is let go at any point, and maybe he could get Cortland Finnegan to put his head on straight.

4. Washington Redskins (Secondary Coach)

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 29: Leonard Weaver #43 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by LaRon Landry #30 of the Washington Redskins during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 29, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty

In their first season under defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, the Washington Redskins secondary hardly even showed up through the first eight games or so.

Props are in order, though, because they undoubtedly improved by season's end.

But they still weren't very good.

Washington gave up a 63.5 completion percentage, 262 passing yards per game (second worst in the NFL) and 23 passing touchdowns.

With Haslett's defense in its second year in 2011, I'd expect those numbers to improve.

But that's not a given.

By bringing in Sean McDermott, the Redskins would get an experienced defensive backs coach who is also familiar with all four teams in the NFC East. 

3. Cleveland Browns (Defensive Coordinator)

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars goes up for a ball against Joe Haden #23 during a game agaisnt the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on November 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

The Cleveland Browns did a good job of preventing teams from scoring a whole lot in 2010—allowing 20.8 points per game—but that's one of the few things they did right on defense.

Cleveland ranked 18th in passing yards allowed, 22nd in total yards allowed and 27th in rushing yards allowed.

The Browns also gave up 26 passing touchdowns (25th in the league).

With Rob Ryan now out as defensive coordinator, Cleveland will definitely be looking to make a big move at that coaching position.

Dave Wannstedt is a rumored candidate, but Sean McDermott could and should get a look in the search to fill that vacancy. 

2. Denver Broncos (Defensive Coordinator)

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Legedu Naanee #11 of the San Diego Chargers makes a 26 yard reception for a first down in front of cornerback Andre Goodman #21 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011

The early loss of Elis Dumervil turned the Denver Broncos from an above average defense to one of the league's worst.

In 2010, Denver ranked 25th in passing yards allowed, 31st in rushing yards allowed and dead last in both total yards (390.8) and points allowed (29.4) per game.

The Broncos gave up an astounding 26 rushing touchdowns—eight more than any other team—and another 26 touchdowns through the air, while only registering 10 interceptions (second fewest in the league).

They need help on defense like I needed hydration after my eventful Saturday night.

New head coach John Fox has already hired several defensive staff members, but he's yet to name a defensive coordinator.

Could Sean McDermott be the guy?

1. Houston Texans (Secondary Coach)

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants races down the sidelines as cornerback Kareem Jackson #25 pursues at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Man, oh man. What happened to the Houston Texans secondary this year?

Yeah, the unit featured all rookies and second year players, but they still can't make any excuses for the way they played.

Houston allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 64.7 percent of their passes, allowed 8.2 yards per passing attempt (second worst in the NFL) and gave up 33 passing touchdowns (dead last) with just 13 interceptions.

The team has already made one huge hire—Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator—but the changes can't stop there.

Bring in Sean McDermott to do what he does best: coach defensive backs.