Six NFL head coaching jobs are open and teams are already in the process of finding replacements.
There are currently six head coaching jobs open in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers all on the hunt for someone new to lead the way.
Collectively, the six teams finished 30-66, but that’s weighted down by the poor records of the Jaguars, Rams, and 49ers. The Broncos never intended to begin a new coaching search after a 9-7 season, but were forced to look for a replacement for Gary Kubiak after he stepped down Monday due to health concerns.
Still, wins don’t necessarily mean a job is the most attractive. While the Broncos job is likely the best available one year after the team won Super Bowl 50, landing with the Rams or Jaguars could be a better situation than the Bills or Chargers, despite the fact that Buffalo and San Diego finished with more wins.
Among the potential candidates to become a head coach in 2017 are New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. There are also rumors involving New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton possibly being traded, and the long shot that Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh could give the NFL another try.
Here’s a ranking of every available coaching job, which is a helpful companion piece when trying to match candidate with opening.
Stay here for news on every team’s hunt for a new head coach.
Teams
Buffalo Bills
Jan. 8: Seahawks DC Kris Richardson interviewed with the Bills Sunday night.
Jan. 7: Next up for an interview was Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin.
Jan. 5: Interim head coach Anthony Lynn interviewed for the full-time position.
Jan. 4: The Bills started interviewing candidates, beginning with Sean McDermott.
Jan. 2: The Bills are requesting permission to speak to Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: The Bills requested permission to speak with Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: Bills general manager Doug Whaley said the team has requested an interview with Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin, according to BuffaloBills.com.
Jan. 1: The job is “Anthony Lynn’s to lose,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, after Lynn climbed from running backs coach to offensive coordinator and then to interim head coach all during the 2016 season. Still, Rapoport says the Bills are still “doing homework” on Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, and Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin.
Jan. 1: Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin is expected to interview with the Bills, as well as the Jaguars and Rams, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dec. 27: Rex Ryan was fired one week before the end of his second season with the Bills. He finished with a 15-16 record in Buffalo.
Denver Broncos
Jan. 10: All eyes are on Vance Joseph’s interview with the Broncos today.
Jan. 9: Vance Joseph has reportedly reached out to former Chargers head coach Mike McCoy about returning to Denver as an offensive coordinator should Joseph get the job.
Jan. 8: Now that the Dolphins’ season is over, Adam Schefter says the Broncos are set to interview Vance Joseph on Tuesday.
Jan 7.: John Elway and the Broncos' coaching search committee flew to Atlanta to meet up with Kyle Shanahan.
Jan. 6: The Broncos started interviewing head coaching candidates, beginning with Dave Toub.
Jan. 5: A day after that report about Vance Joseph being the Broncos’ preferred candidate, we have this little nugget that suggests Kyle Shanahan supposedly considers the Denver job to be his best opportunity.
Jan. 4: Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub will meet with John Elway and the Bronco brass this week in Kansas City.
He’s one of three candidates being interviewed by the Broncos this week, including Kyle Shanahan (interview planned for Saturday in Atlanta) and Vance Joseph (interview planned for next week).
Jan. 3: Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will meet with the Broncos for the head coaching position, according to Rand Getlin. Alex Marvez says the job is Joseph’s to lose. Joseph has connections with the Broncos, and Gary Kubiak tried to hire him in 2015 to be their defensive coordinator. Some have said that the job is his to lose.
Jan 2: A few hours after Kubiak officially left the organization, Adam Schefter reported the Broncos have requested an interview with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan — the son of Mike Shanahan, who coached Denver to two Super Bowl titles. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Shanahan will meet with the Broncos on Friday or Saturday.
Jan 2: Gary Kubiak confirmed reports that he would step down as the Broncos head coach, officially resigning after his second season due to health concerns. In two years in Denver, the team went 21-11 in the regular season and won Super Bowl 50.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jan. 9: The Jaguars decided on Doug Marrone as their head coach. General manager Dave Caldwell also got an extension, and the team brought back former head coach Tom Coughlin to be the executive vice president of football operations.
Jan. 9: Mike Smith has emerged as Jacksonville’s top choice, per Mike Florio.
Jan. 7: Now, there’s some suggestion that Josh McDaniels could stay in New England this season, which probably isn’t the worst idea in the world.
Jan. 6: Doug Marrone, the Jaguars interim head coach, spent all day Thursday and into the night meeting with the team’s brass, and according to one report it went well.
Jan. 4: Anthony Lynn is a popular coaching candidate. He is expected to interview with the Jags as well as Bills, Rams, and 49ers, per Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith is scheduled to interview with the Jaguars, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Smith was previously the head coach of the Falcons and defensive coordinator of the Jaguars.
Jan. 2: Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will interview with the Jaguars on Friday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a week before Atlanta’s first postseason game.
Jan. 2: Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will interview with the Jaguars during Wild Card weekend, as well as the Rams and 49ers, according to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports.
Jan. 1: Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin is expected to interview with the Jaguars, as well as the Bills and Rams, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dec. 28: Before the regular season even ended, the Jaguars interviewed their former head coach Tom Coughlin, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He coached the Jaguars from 1995-2002, and then the Giants from 2004-2015. Coughlin could also land an executive position with the team.
Dec. 18: With two weeks left in the 2016 season, the Jaguars fired Gus Bradley. It ended one of the statistically worst tenures in NFL history, with Bradley compiling a 14-48 record, the worst percentage ever for a coach with more than 60 games on the sideline.
Los Angeles Rams
Jan. 9: The Rams will interview Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel following Houston’s playoff game with New England, according to Albert Breer.
Jan. 8: Bad weather forced the Rams to reschedule their interview with Kyle Shanahan. However, the two sides might have to wait until after the Falcons’ playoff game against the Seahawks, according to Tom Pelissero.
Jan. 8: Doug Marrone and Anthony Lynn will both interview with the Rams on Sunday, Peter Schrager reports.
Jan. 8: Lions DC Teryl Austin is expected to interview with the Rams, via Adam Schefter.
Jan. 7: Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay is getting plenty of attention from the team, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. He’s only 30, but his success with Washington’s offense and Kirk Cousins has teams interested.
Jan. 7: Now, there’s some suggestion that Josh McDaniels could stay in New England this season.
Jan. 6: The Rams defensive staff is hanging onto the hope that the next head coach will keep them around, if the team hires an offensive-minded candidate. Given that groups tight connections with former head coach Jeff Fisher — Fisher’s son is one of the assistants — that seems unlikely.
Jan. 3: The Rams have requested permission to interview Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 3: Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay will interview for the Rams head coaching job, according to the MMQB’s Albert Breer.
Jan. 3: The Rams will interview Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator and interim head coach Anthony Lynn, according to Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 3: The Rams interviewed interim coach John Fassel. They are also interviewing Steve Wilks, according to Jason La Canfora.
Jan. 3: Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is set to interview with the Rams, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 3: Panthers assistant head coach Steve Wilks will be the team’s first interview of the cycle. Wilks has been with the Panthers since 2012 and worked in Chicago and San Diego with Ron Rivera prior to that.
Jan. 2: The Rams are requesting permission to speak to Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: Rams have formally requested permission to interview Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Shanahan will meet with the Rams on Friday or Saturday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: Rams have requested interviews with Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn and Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jan. 2: Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay is scheduled to interview with the Rams on Thursday, according to Albert Breer of Monday Morning Quarterback.
Jan. 2: Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will interview with the Rams during Wild Card weekend, as well as the Jaguars and 49ers, according to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports.
Jan. 2: The Rams have requested an interview with Jaguars interim head coach Doug Marrone, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jan. 1: Rumors have swirled about a trade to send Sean Payton to Los Angeles, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Larry Holder reports the Rams are expected to formally request the right to talk to Payton sometime this week.
Jan. 1: Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin is expected to interview with the Rams, as well as the Jaguars and Bills, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dec. 12: The Rams fired Jeff Fisher after a 4-9 start to the 2016 season. In five years with the coach, the Rams were 31-45-1 and never finished better than third in the NFC West.
San Diego Chargers
Jan. 10: The Chargers announced they interviewed Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn.
Jan. 10: The Chargers are interviewing Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn today, according to Josina Anderson.
Jan. 8: The Chargers completed their interview with Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
Jan. 8: Teryl Austin plans to interview with the Chargers on Tuesday after the Lions were ousted from the playoffs, according to Josina Anderson.
Jan. 7: The Chargers interviewed Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
Jan. 6: Will the Chargers keep offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and his offensive coaching staff? They might.
Jan. 5: The Chargers requested an interview with Bills interim and OC Anthony Lynn.
Jan 3: The Chargers have requested to meet with Panthers DC Sean McDermott, according to Peter Schrager.
Jan. 3: Bucs DC Mike Smith will interview for the Chargers job, via Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: The Chargers requested an interview with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jan. 1: The Chargers wasted no time after the 2016 season ended, firing Mike McCoy shortly after the team’s final game of a 5-11 campaign. In four seasons with the team, McCoy posted a 27-37 record, slumping well under .500 after back-to-back 9-7 seasons to begin his tenure.
San Francisco 49ers
Jan. 10: The 49ers announced they interviewed ESPN’s Louis Riddick for their general manager position.
Jan. 10: The 49ers have an interview scheduled with Dolphins DC Vance Joseph for Thursday — if the Broncos let him leave Denver today without a job offer, that is.
Jan. 10: Panthers DC Sean McDermott was up next for a head coaching interview and ESPN’s Louis Riddick for GM was also on the docket.
Jan. 9: The 49ers started off a busy week by interviewing Washington OC Sean McVay for their head coaching job and Panthers executive Brandon Beane for the GM position.
Jan. 7: The 49ers are having some tough luck looking for a GM. Hmm, wonder why ...
The Chiefs reportedly blocked Chris Ballard, their director of player personnel, from interviewing for the GM job.
Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio declined to interview for the GM job.
Jan. 7: Now, there’s some suggestion that Josh McDaniels could stay in New England this season.
Jan. 6: Kyle Shanahan became the next candidate to interview for the 49ers’ head coaching job.
Jan. 4: The 49ers started interviewing for the head coaching job. Anthony Lynn was up first.
Jan. 4: Colts vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III will interview with the 49ers for the GM position over the weekend, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: Packers executive Eliot Wolf will interview for San Francisco’s vacant GM position on Thursday, according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero.
Jan. 2: The 49ers will interview Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan on Friday or Saturday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: The 49ers have requested permission to speak with Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jan. 2: In addition to Josh McDaniels, the 49ers’ list of candidates includes Seattle offensive line coach and former Raiders head coach Tom Cable, Buffalo interim head coach Anthony Lynn, Jacksonville interim coach Doug Marrone and Miami defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.
Jan. 2: Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will interview with the 49ers during Wild Card weekend, as well as the Jaguars and Rams, according to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports.
Jan. 1: The 49ers cleaned house after a 2-14 season, firing general manager Trent Baalke after six seasons and head coach Chip Kelly after only one season. Kelly previously coached the Philadelphia Eagles for three seasons before he was replaced by Doug Pederson.