7 NFL Coordinators Who Deserve a Head Coaching Job

NFL head coaches simply don't come out of nowhere—they often spend several years as positional coaches and coordinators under numerous head coaches in order to broaden their knowledge at the professional level.

Each and every offseason, there are always a handful of first-year coaches that get shots at interviews, and there are usually a few that are actually hired by a franchise to be the team's head coach moving forward.

With several coaches on the hot seat and Jack Del Rio already being fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars, there will likely be a few job openings coming up this offseason.

With that being said, here are seven coordinators who deserve a shot at a head coaching job.

Jay Gruden

Jay Gruden has done a phenomenal job as the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator, as he's taken a rebuilding offense and turned it into one of the best offensive attacks in the NFL.

However, Gruden is most notable for his coaching and incredible development of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

Through 12 games this season, Dalton has posted a solid 81.6 quarterback rating while completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and Gruden has been an integral part in grooming the TCU product.

Gruden has been the Bengals' offensive coordinator for just one season, as he spent the past few years in the UFL with the Florida Tuskers.

The 44-year-old Gruden is the younger brother of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders head coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden.

With head coaching vacancies opening up in the offseason, Gruden should be a popular name.

Perry Fewell

Perry Fewell is one of the better defensive minds in the NFL, as he currently serves as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator under Tom Coughlin.

Prior to his signing as the team's defensive coordinator in 2010, Fewell spent several seasons with the Buffalo Bills as the team's defensive coordinator, as well as their interim head coach following the firing of Dick Jauron back in 2009.

Fewell has had success with the Giants over the past two seasons and should be a viable candidate this offseason for a possible head coaching gig.

Mike Martz

Mike Martz has already done his time as a head coach and could very well be done, as he's 60 years old and has a quality job as the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator. However, he's one of the NFL's great offensive minds and is more than qualified.

At the NFL level, Martz served as the St. Louis Rams' head coach from 2000-2005, as he coached arguably one of the NFL's most lethal offenses, known as "The Greatest Show on Turf."

Following being let go by the Rams, Martz spent time with the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive coordinator and is now reunited with his former defensive coordinator for St. Louis, Lovie Smith.

If a team wants an offensive-minded head coach, Martz could be the guy.

Kevin Gilbride

The 60-year-old Kevin Gilbride has held only one head coaching job in the NFL despite being around since 1989—and it didn't go too well.

Gilbride is currently serving as the New York Giants' offensive coordinator and has certainly put up a ton of points this season with Eli Manning at quarterback.

There's no doubt that Gilbride has been around and seen his fair share of football, which could make him appealing as one of the more experienced coordinators in the NFL today.

Rob Ryan

Rob Ryan may have an appealing job with the Dallas Cowboys as the team's defensive coordinator, but he could very well be a hot commodity if a team wants an aggressive, defensive-minded head coach.

Rob, who is the twin brother of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, has been around the NFL quite a few times, as he's spent time with the Oakland Raiders and the Cleveland Browns as their defensive coordinator, as well with the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick and Romeo Crennel as the team's linebackers coach.

Rob Ryan will likely stay with the Cowboys for a few more seasons, as he was just signed prior to the start of the 2011 season, but he certainly deserves a shot at a head coaching job in the NFL.

Brian Schottenheimer

Brian Schottenheimer is without a doubt one of the most appealing options among potential head coaches moving into 2012.

Schottenheimer is currently serving as the New York Jets' offensive coordinator—a job that he agreed to back in 2006. Since then, he has taken part in the revival of the New York Jets as well as the development of quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The 38-year-old Schottenheimer is the son of Marty Schottenheimer, who had major success in the NFL as a head coach, so he certainly has coaching in his blood.

Schottenheimer is young, smart and innovative and could draw some attention this upcoming offseason.

Joe Philbin

Joe Philbin has been the Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator since 2007 and has been part of some major point-scoring over the years.

Most notably, Philbin is known for the development of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is now considered not only the best quarterback in the NFL but the best player as well.

The 50-year-old Philbin certainly is qualified, as he won the Super Bowl a year ago with the Packers—a team which heavily relied on its offense.

If a team wants to install a solid offensive attack, Philbin can certainly fill that role as the team's head coach.