Aug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets helmets during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Jets interview Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. for HC job

The New York Jets completed their 16th interview for their head coaching vacancy on Sunday, getting to know Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Whitt was one day removed from guiding his unit to a strong playoff performance against the Detroit Lions. The Commanders intercepted Jared Goff three times and forced him to lose a fumble in a 45-31 victory that advanced Washington to the NFC Championship Game.

Whitt, 46, played wide receiver at Auburn and began his coaching career there as a student assistant. His first job on the defensive side of the ball was as Louisville’s cornerbacks coach from 2003-06, after which he graduated to the NFL as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

Whitt worked in various roles for the Green Bay Packers (2008-18), the Cleveland Browns (2019), another stint with Atlanta (2020) and the Dallas Cowboys (2021-23), primarily working with the secondary and coordinating pass defense. This was his first season in Washington and his first year as a defensive coordinator.

It also marks Whitt’s first interview for a head coaching job.

New York’s other interviews have included 10 candidates with previous NFL head coaching experience, counting its own interim coach Jeff Ulbrich and New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi. Ulbrich has since joined Atlanta as its new defensive coordinator, and another interviewee, Mike Vrabel, was hired as the New England Patriots’ head coach.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;  Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore looks on as quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Report: Saints latest team to interview Eagles OC Kellen Moore

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was set to interview with the New Orleans Saints on Saturday for their head coaching job, NFL Network reported.

It would be Moore’s third interview in two days, as well as the Saints’ third interview in the same time period.

Moore, 35, met with the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, per reports.

Moore was the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys (2019-22) and Los Angeles Chargers (2023) before moving to the Eagles this season.

In his first season with Philadelphia, Moore helped the Eagles to a No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs behind a rushing attack that ranked second in the league with 179.3 yards per game.

Moore was a former star quarterback at Boise State.

He isn’t the only candidate in New Orleans.

On Friday, the Saints interviewed Darren Rizzi in person. Rizzi, 54, took over as interim coach of the Saints following the firing of Dennis Allen and was 3-5 in eight games.

Before his promotion, he was assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the Saints, whom he joined in 2018 following 10 seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

New Orleans also interviewed Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady virtually on Friday. Brady, 35, began his NFL coaching career in New Orleans as an offensive assistant from 2017-18, moved on to a season at LSU and then became the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers (2020-21) before being hired by Buffalo.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets coach Robert Saleh reacts against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jaguars request interviews with eight head-coaching candidates

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke requested interviews with eight candidates to replace Doug Pederson as head coach.

The team released the names of the coaches on Tuesday, including former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and a handful of offensive coordinators: Kellen Moore (Philadelphia Eagles), Todd Monken (Baltimore Ravens), Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills), Liam Coen (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

Saleh, 45, worked with Baalke when they were with the San Francisco 49ers. He also worked as linebackers coach in Jacksonville from 2014-2016. As a head coach, Saleh was 20-26 over the past three seasons with the Jets before being fired after a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. For the past several months, he’s worked in a volunteer capacity as a consultant to Packers coach Matt LaFleur.

Johnson, 38, is a coveted interview subject as the maestro behind this season’s highest-scoring offense in Detroit. The Lions scored 564 total points in the regular season, which is fourth-most all-time. Johnson reportedly accepted requests from the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears for interviews during the Lions’ open week as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

A part of the Lions’ coaching staff since 2019, Johnson was interviewed last offseason for head-coaching openings with the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers. He pulled his name from consideration last January to remain in Detroit despite being considered the favorite for the Commanders’ job.

Glenn, 52, who played for the Jaguars in 2007, is also highly sought-after this coaching cycle. He booked virtual interviews with the New Orleans Saints, Jets, Bears and Jaguars. All are scheduled to take place before Sunday.

Graham, 45, will reportedly interview with the Cincinnati Bengals to become defensive coordinator and replace Lou Anarumo, who was fired on Monday from a position he held since 2019.

Coen, 39, bounced between Kentucky’s coaching staff and various roles under Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay before rerouting from Lexington to Tampa Bay a year ago to replace current Panthers coach Dave Canales as Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator.

Coen directed an offense that ranked in the top five in most major categories in 2024. The Buccaneers were third in total offense (399.5 yards per game) and passing offense (250.4 yards per game) and No. 4 in scoring at 29.5 points per game.

–Field Level Media

Jim Harbaugh looks on during the Michigan Wolverines' national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Jan. 13, 2024.

Report: Jim Harbaugh getting second interview with Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are planning a second interview with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh this week, ESPN reported Monday.

Harbaugh, 60, is emerging as a top candidate for Los Angeles, as he’s the first person the Chargers are calling back for a second interview for their head-coaching vacancy.

Over the weekend, NFL Network reported that the Atlanta Falcons have also lined up a second interview with Harbaugh.

The Chargers fired coach Brandon Staley on Dec. 15 as they stumbled to a 5-12 finish. Harbaugh finished his 14-year playing career by playing two seasons for the Chargers, then based in San Diego.

Harbaugh guided Michigan (15-0) to the College Football Playoff national championship in a 34-13 win over Washington this month.

Harbaugh has a record of 89-25 at his alma mater and made three consecutive CFP appearances. He also coached at the University of San Diego (2004-06) and has a 118-46 record as a FBS head coach at Stanford (2007-10) and Michigan (2015-present).

Harbaugh went 44-19-1 as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, including the 2012 NFC championship title and a loss to the Ravens and his older brother, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh, in Super Bowl XLVII.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Raheem Morris latest to interview for Falcons’ head coach opening

Add Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to the list of candidates to have interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for their head coach position.

The team said Saturday that Morris had completed a virtual interview, making him the 10th candidate to replace Arthur Smith, who was fired after a third straight seven-win season. Four of the candidates — Morris, Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh and Steve Wilks — have NFL head-coaching experience.

The Falcons interviewed Belichick for the second time on Friday.

The Falcons are believed to be the fifth team to have scheduled an interview with Morris, following the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers, per multiple reports.

Morris, 47, has spent the past three years as the defensive coordinator for the Rams. He was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-11.

He also served as the interim head coach after Dan Quinn was fired from the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. Prior to Quinn’s firing, Morris served in multiple roles for the Falcons starting in 2015, including passing game coordinator, wide receivers coach, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

He has two Super Bowl wins as part of the staff of the 2021 Rams and the 2002 Buccaneers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel looks on during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Mike Vrabel meets with Chargers about coaching job

The Los Angeles Chargers are meeting with Mike Vrabel on Thursday as they look to fill their open head-coaching job, NFL Network reported.

It is believed to be the first interview for Vrabel, who was fired by Tennessee after the Titans finished 6-11 in the 2023 season and out of the playoffs for the second straight year.

The Titans were 54-45 in six seasons under Vrabel.

ESPN reported Thursday that the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks also are interested in meeting with Vrabel.

The Chargers are seeking replacements for head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco, both of whom were fired on Dec. 15.

So far, the Chargers have announced interviews with the following coaching candidates: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh; Todd Monken and Mike Macdonald, the offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively, of the Baltimore Ravens; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan; and Leslie Frazier, who didn’t coach in the NFL this season but most recently was the defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills.

In addition to Vrabel, Harbaugh, Wilks and Frazier all have NFL head-coaching experience.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan takes questions during the Cincinnati Bengals annual preseason media luncheon at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, July 26, 2021.

Cincinnati Bengals Media Day

Chargers complete interview with Bengals OC Brian Callahan

The Los Angeles Chargers interviewed Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan for their vacant head coaching position on Tuesday.

Callahan completed his fifth season directing the Cincinnati offense in 2023, a tenure that includes a trip to Super Bowl LVI and two AFC Championship Game appearances.

The Bengals finished 9-8 but missed the playoffs this season after losing starting quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury in mid-November. Cincinnati finished 16th in scoring offense (21.5 points per game) and 22nd in total offense (318.9 yards per game) in 2023, down from seventh and eighth, respectively, in 2022.

Callahan, 39, is the son of former Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan. Brian Callahan coached the Raiders’ quarterbacks in 2017 after holding the same position with the Detroit Lions from 2016-17.

Callahan also has interviewed for openings with the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans. He also is slated to interview with the Carolina Panthers later this week.

The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Dec. 15.

The Chargers met with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh on Monday and have also interviewed San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and two internal candidates — interim head coach Giff Smith and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; iNew England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons interview Bill Belichick for HC vacancy

The Atlanta Falcons interviewed six-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick for their vacant position on Monday.

It is the first known interview for Belichick since he and the Patriots parted ways last week. Belichick had coached New England since 2000.

Belichick, 71, ranks second in NFL history in head-coaching wins (regular season and playoffs) with 333. He trails only Don Shula’s 347 in that category while ranking third in regular-season wins (302), behind Shula (328) and George Halas (318).

He spent five seasons as head coach of the Cleveland Browns (1991-95) before making history with Tom Brady in New England. They won Super Bowls in the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018 seasons. Belichick also won two Super Bowls as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.

After the Patriots’ 4-13 season in 2023, Belichick hit the market, and BetMGM on Monday pegged the Falcons as the +200 favorites to be his next team.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders may also show interest in Belichick, and after the Dallas Cowboys’ unceremonious playoff exit on Sunday, the coaching legend was linked to America’s team, though the job is not yet open.

Atlanta has interviewed six candidates for its job, four of whom have yet to hold a head-coaching role: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver. The Falcons also interviewed San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach in 2018 and Carolina’s interim coach for 12 games in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks during the national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

Reports: Jim Harbaugh expected to interview with Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to meet this week with Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh for their vacant head-coaching position, multiple media reports reported.

Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback and head coach, guided the Wolverines (15-0) to the College Football Playoff national championship in a 34-13 win over Washington last Monday.

Considered a highly desired candidate with seven NFL teams currently looking for head coaches, Harbaugh, 60, has gone 89-25 at his alma mater and made three consecutive CFP appearances. He also coached at the University of San Diego (2004-06) and has a 118-46 record as a head coach at Stanford (2007-10) and Michigan (2015-present).

He could be looking to get back to the NFL, where he went 44-19-1 as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, including the 2012 NFC championship title and a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, coached by his older brother John Harbaugh, in Super Bowl XLVII. Jim Harbaugh played in the league from 1987-2000 for four teams, including his final two seasons for the Chargers.

Harbaugh was suspended twice during the 2023 season at Michigan for alleged recruiting violations and a sign-stealing scandal, with the NCAA having ongoing investigations.

The Chargers have confirmed they have interviewed other candidates for the head-coaching position in recent days: 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Las Vegas Raiders DC Patrick Graham and two internal candidates — interim head coach Giff Smith and OC Kellen Moore.

Los Angeles fired Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Dec. 15.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the Chargers also have interviewed candidates for the GM job: Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, New York Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown and Chargers interim GM JoJo Wooden.

The Times reported that the team was expected on Sunday to interview Leslie Frazier, a veteran NFL defensive coordinator and former Minnesota Vikings head coach.

–Field Level Media