The Athletic NFL Staff
January 28, 2022 at 10:14 PM ESTBrought to you by
The NFL regular season is over, and now the coaching changes begin. This live experience chronicles the NFL coaching carousel with the latest news and updates.
The Texans fired David Culley on Jan. 13 after just one season in charge. The Giants fired Joe Judge on Jan. 11.
On Jan. 10, the Vikings fired Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman. Bears coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are out, too. In a surprise, the Dolphins fired Brian Flores. The Broncos parted ways with Vic Fangio after a third consecutive losing season.
The Jaguars also must find a new coach after firing Urban Meyer earlier in the season, and the Raiders have a decision to make about Rich Bisaccia, who guided the Raiders to the wild-card round of the playoffs but still has interim status. Las Vegas has already made its decision on general manager Mike Mayock, announcing Jan. 17 that he’s been fired after three seasons, and the Raiders have been connected to Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Mike McCarthy is safe in Dallas after the Cowboys‘ loss to the 49ers. After a lack of clarity about Sean Payton’s future with the Saints, the longtime coach stepped down. The Saints became the ninth team in need of a head coach this offseason, the highest number since after the 2008 season.
The Giants made the first hire of this cycle with new GM Joe Schoen. Then the Bears tabbed Ryan Poles for their GM job, and the Vikings hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for the same position. The Raiders’ GM job is vacant, and the Steelers‘ GM job will become vacant, as Kevin Colbert is stepping down after the draft.
The first coaching hire of the cycle came early Thursday morning when the Broncos tabbed Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach. The Bears quickly followed by hiring Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The Giants got their guy Friday evening, hiring Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Dan Quinn, who interviewed with six teams and was a finalist in Denver and Chicago, informed teams he’ll stay with the Cowboys in 2022.
(Photo of Brian Daboll: Rich Barnes / USA Today)
January 28, 2022 at 10:14 PM EST
What’s next for the Giants after hiring Brian Daboll?
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that new Giants general manager Joe Schoen has hired Brian Daboll as the team’s new head coach. Schoen, as assistant general manager, and Daboll, as offensive coordinator, spent the past four years working together as the Bills developed into a Super Bowl contender.
Having the general manager and head coach aligned is vital as the Giants try to break their cycle of dysfunction and losing. Daboll, 46, is aiming to end the streak of three straight Giants coaches fired within two years.
Read more in the story below.
Dan Duggan·
Staff Writer, Giants
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Giants hire Brian Daboll as head coach: What you need to know and what’s next for the team
January 28, 2022 at 8:14 PM EST
Nathaniel Hackett brings plenty of energy as he’s introduced as Broncos coach
Even after the introductory news conference had ended, after he had spent nearly an hour excitedly zooming through details of his coaching journey, his eagerness to connect with players and his ideas for developing a young quarterback, the pinch-me moments were still coming for Nathaniel Hackett.
“This is the Denver Broncos, y’all!” he said. “To have the ability to be the head coach of the Denver Broncos is unbelievable. This is awesome.”
Time will tell whether Hackett is able to revive a franchise that has been flailing in mediocrity for more than half a decade. But it took all of about 30 seconds into his opening remarks as the organization’s 18th head coach to make it clear that this ride — wherever it may end up — will be far different than any that has come before it.
Read the full story below.
Nick Kosmider·
Staff Writer, Broncos
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‘This is a dream right now’: New Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett wastes little time making impression
January 28, 2022 at 7:15 PM EST
Giants hire ex-Bills OC Brian Daboll as new head coach
The New York Giants have their man.
The team announced early Friday evening that it has hired former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as the franchise’s 20th head coach.
The Athletic NFL Staff
January 28, 2022 at 4:12 PM EST
Saints promise to conduct full coaching search
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis had to laugh at the differences between his last coaching search in 2006 and now. Nobody was beating down the Saints’ door in search of a job at the time.
“There wasn’t anybody ringing my phone 16 years ago, I was having to ring theirs,” Loomis said Friday. “And it wasn’t always positive when I did get a hold of someone 16 years ago. (This time) we’ve had a lot of outreach, a lot of people interested in coming to New Orleans, and it’s completely different in terms of how we’re perceived.”
Loomis intends on conducting a full coaching search following the departure earlier this week of Sean Payton.
Read more in the story below.
Katherine Terrell·
Staff Writer, Saints
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Saints GM Mickey Loomis promises full coaching search: ‘That’s the fair thing to do’
January 28, 2022 at 3:57 PM EST
The Bears and George McCaskey got back to what they know works — and that’s more than OK
Some of the details of the Bears’ simultaneous general manager and coach searches will come out when Matt Eberflus, George McCaskey and new GM Ryan Poles speak to the media, and some might never come out. What we do know is Eberflus was interviewed on Jan. 17 and became the first finalist two days later and the Bears officially met with Poles for the first time on Jan. 21.
In the end, hiring Eberflus was Poles’ decision. That said, it’s still apparent the two sides aligned. Eberflus was a favorite for McCaskey and for Poles. For McCaskey, the connections to Smith were probably too strong to ignore. It felt important that Eberflus’ hiring was celebrated by Bears players from the Lovie Smith era on social media.
The no-loaf grading system Smith installed with the Bears — one that was implemented by Tony Dungy when he was the Buccaneers head coach in the 1990s — was brought to the Colts by Eberflus, and now it’s back at Halas Hall.
You can safely bet McCaskey loves that.
Read the full story below:
Adam Jahns·
Senior Writer, Bears
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Jahns: The Bears and George McCaskey got back to what they know works — and that’s more than OK
January 28, 2022 at 3:04 PM EST
Five questions about Raiders’ coaching candidate Josh McDaniels
At some point Friday night, Raiders owner Mark Davis will slide into his booth at his favorite Las Vegas restaurant and listen to Josh McDaniels, trying to get a read on the man with six Super Bowl rings.
The Patriots offensive coordinator’s official interview for the Raiders head coaching job isn’t until Saturday, but Davis will be looking to make a connection tonight.
The two-week search for a general manager and coach is in its final turn, and while he hasn’t made up his mind yet, Davis is said to be definitely enjoying the national media buzz surrounding McDaniels. There have been a lot of twists and turns during the coaching search — from all the thus-far unfounded Jim Harbaugh rumors to Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds being the favorite to be GM at one point — but McDaniels’ name has always been floating around.
Read below as The Athletic‘s Raiders beat writers Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed tackle five questions about McDaniels.
The Athletic NFL Staff
GO FURTHER
Raiders’ coaching search coming down the stretch — 5 questions and answers about Josh McDaniels
January 28, 2022 at 2:56 PM EST
Bears’ offensive coordinator search heating up
New head coach Matt Eberflus is looking to bring Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy to Chicago as his offensive coordinator. The team also has interest in Texans passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Luke Getsy as OC is the top priority for new #Bears coach Matt Eberflus, but he’s already got a few defensive coaches on board — CBs coach James Rowe and LBs coach Dave Borgonzi. https://t.co/3IqtD6fkPX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2022
Chicago Bears are interviewing Texans passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton on Saturday, according to a league source, after previously declining interview with Carolina Panthers for their offensive coordinator vacancy.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 28, 2022
January 28, 2022 at 2:41 PM EST
Giants complete second interview with Leslie Frazier
Both Bills coordinators — Frazier and Brian Daboll — have met with the Giants twice. Brian Flores is also a reported finalist for the job.
The Athletic NFL Staff
January 28, 2022 at 2:40 PM EST
Dolphins request second interview with Daboll
One of three reported finalists for Miami’s head-coaching job, Brian Daboll is also a finalist with the Giants.
The Athletic NFL Staff
The #Dolphins have now officially requested to interview #Bills OC Brian Daboll a second time, source said. Should be early next week… unless he gets the #Giants job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2022
January 28, 2022 at 2:36 PM EST
No shift in responsibilities in Pittsburgh
“We’re looking for someone who fits with the way we’re structured and our culture,” owner Art Rooney II said of the search for a new GM. “We’re not looking to change our own structure.”
The Athletic NFL Staff
Rooney said Tomlin’s role most likely will stay the same with a new GM coming in. No extra power, so to speak
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) January 28, 2022
January 28, 2022 at 2:32 PM EST
Texans interviewing Josh McCown a second time
McCown, whose only head-coaching experience is at the high school level, interviewed for the Texans’ opening in January 2021 and again last week, on Jan. 20.
The Athletic NFL Staff
The #Texans explored hiring Josh McCown a year ago, but he didn’t feel ready and wanted to watch his sons play high school football. This time is different and he’s a serious candidate for the job. https://t.co/XWfGaMmxcp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 28, 2022
January 28, 2022 at 2:30 PM EST
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert stepping down after draft
Colbert has been with the Steelers since 2000, including in his current position since 2010. The team has already interviewed two internal candidates to replace him.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert will step down at the end of the draft per Art Rooney. Steelers already interviewed Omar Khan and Brandon Hunt. Will interview outside people as well but Rooney said it’s not a hurry to replace Colbert. Colbert will run things through draft.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) January 28, 2022
January 28, 2022 at 10:01 AM EST
Vikings set to interview Patrick Graham for HC job
New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has been a busy guy. The Vikings appear to be interested in him now, as well, and he will interview virtually for the team’s head coaching job Saturday.
The Athletic NFL Staff
January 27, 2022 at 10:18 PM EST
Ravens officially hire Mike Macdonald as DC
Macdonald’s unit impressed in his lone season as defensive coordinator at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh in 2021. Now he returns to John Harbaugh’s staff, where he worked from 2014 to 2020, most recently as linebackers coach.
The Athletic NFL Staff
January 27, 2022 at 7:53 PM EST
Bears make Eberflus hiring official
Matt Eberflus is Chicago’s fourth head coach since Lovie Smith was fired following the 2012 season.
The Athletic NFL Staff
We have hired Colts DC Matt Eberflus as our head coach.
Welcome to Chicago, Coach! ?⬇️
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 28, 2022
January 27, 2022 at 6:38 PM EST
Mike McCarthy safe in Dallas
McCarthy has been told he’ll return as the Cowboys’ head coach in 2022, according to multiple reports.
The Athletic NFL Staff
January 27, 2022 at 6:20 PM EST
Greenberg: Will Matt Eberflus be the answer for the Bears?
On Monday, the Bears didn’t have a GM or a head coach and now, on Thursday, they have both.
If this works out, Bill Polian might have another best seller on his hands: “How to Build a Super Bowl Champion In a Week or Less.”
Just two days after signing his Bears contract and one day after dramatically walking out of his car at Halas Hall, new GM Ryan (Poles) found his head coach Matt (Eberflus).
Top-level sources tell me that at 99 years old, Virginia McCaskey simply didn’t want to learn any new names, so there were limited choices to replace Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy. Chairman George McCaskey can continue to say, “Matt and Ryan are our football guys” when someone asks what president Ted Phillips is still doing here.
And now, with their Ryan and Matt in place, we prepare for the onslaught of positive reviews and complimentary anecdotes.
For instance, did you know that as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts, Eberflus preached practicing hard and then when the games came around, he was big on tackling? Incredible stuff. I’m feeling lightheaded. Must be a case of the Eber-flu. He prides himself on the high standards he holds his players to.
“It’s not for everybody, because everybody doesn’t want to put out the effort it takes to play in this system,” Eberflus told The Athletic’s Zak Keefer in a November 2020 profile. “But that’s OK. They can go play somewhere else.”
Read the full story below:
Jon Greenberg·
Senior Columnist & EIC, Chicago
GO FURTHER
Greenberg: Will Matt Eberflus be a name for Bears fans to remember? Or one to forget?
January 27, 2022 at 6:19 PM EST
Broncos make Hackett hire official
Nathaniel Hackett is the Broncos’ fourth head coach hired since 2015 and the sixth since 2009.
The Athletic NFL Staff
January 27, 2022 at 5:36 PM EST
Raiders-McDaniels momentum is building
Josh McDaniels appears to have a great chance to land the Raiders’ job, with an interview set for Friday. One of his colleagues with the Patriots, Dave Ziegler, is a candidate for the Raiders’ GM job.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Sources close to Josh McDaniels feel very strongly about his chances to land with the Raiders. This connection has been building since last week. Still needs to go through the interview process and align with the right GM, but there’s momentum.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 27, 2022
January 27, 2022 at 4:28 PM EST
Raiders request interview with Josh McDaniels
The Patriots offensive coordinator is one of at least five known candidates for the Raiders’ head-coach opening. New England inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo interviewed for the job on Tuesday.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Raiders requested today a head coach interview with Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, per league source. McDaniels now expected to interview with the Raiders.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2022
