It is the day that some coaches dread. The kind that keeps them up at night. I imagine nervous glances towards cell phones, slow and resigned walks to the office and depressed packing up the office. In my head, it is all set to an especially mournful rendition of “Taps.” Yet another casualty of the NFL’s darkest day. Black Monday.
It is true that Black Monday may have come and gone and the coaches of the NFC West emerge unscathed. Mike Shanahan, Jim Schwartz and others were not so lucky. However, don’t expect the coaching staffs of the league’s strongest division to look the same next year. Where the end comes for some, a new opportunity arises for others.
With management of all teams seeking to emulate Andy Reid’s turnaround of the Kansas City Chiefs, several teams eye lofty ambitions as they look to fill the various vacancies around the league. Beyond the usual pie-in-the-sky hopes of landing big names like Tony Dungy (who is definitely retired) or Jon Gruden (reportedly not leaving the cushy job of the Monday Night Football booth), the next crop of coaches will likely come from the ranks of coordinators and college coaches. And no group may be in more demand that the coordinators of the NFC West. Specifically, both coordinators of the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
Vic Fangio
A veteran of six NFL teams (including four stints as a defensive coordinator), Fangio has been touted as the mastermind of the fearsome Niners defense. In his three seasons as defensive coordinator, the Niners have maintained a top 5 ranked defense in the league, and great performance in high profile games, like the Super Bowl. Initial signs have pointed to Fangio staying, he has been listed on the extensive list of candidates for the head coaching vacancy of the Washington franchise. However, Washington seems to be leaning towards an offensive mind to work with franchise QB Robert Griffin III. Actually, this segues nicely to the next coordinator.
Greg Roman
A member of Jim Harbaugh’s staff since the Stanford days, Roman has served as the fiery coach’s offensive coordinator for years. Some hold Roman as a lead contributor to the development of Colin Kaepernick, as well as a pioneer for the read option offense in the NFL. With this style growing in popularity, it should be no surprise that Washington sees a potential fit for RGIII and Roman to draw up an explosive offense. However, in addition, the Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans (notably with mobile Jake Locker at QB) are looking at the Niners OC. However, critics of Roman argue that the success of Roman’s offense can be attributed to Harbaugh, who is considered a quarterback guru himself.
Dan Quinn
The mind behind the physical force that is the Legion of Boo, Quinn functions brilliantly as the defensive coordinator for the absolutely intimidating top ranked squad in the NFL this season. Despite his lack of NFL experience and no head coaching job at any level on his résumé, Quinn is receiving attention from teams with vacancies. In fact, Quinn has already interviewed with the Cleveland Browns. In addition, the Titans and Vikings are also taking a good long look at Quinn.
Darrell Bevell
Without a doubt, Bevell is the most widely sought after coordinator in the NFC West. The Seahawks offensive coordinator since 2011, Bevell is being sought after by an astonishing number of teams including the Redskins, Detroit Lions, Vikings and Titans. The reason is simple. Many, including head coach Pete Carroll, attribute the drafting and subsequent success of Russell Wilson to Bevell. Indicating a possible eye for quarterback talent and bucking the pass heavy trend of the NFL with a run heavy attack, it makes sense for teams looking for quarterbacks to take a step to the next level to take a run at Bevell. However, discontented Hawks fans have been known to criticize Bevell for his play calling and a head coaching position would only shine a brighter light on Bevell.
While the NFL coaching carousel can be unpredictable and wild, the success of the NFC West could very well lead to new jobs and opportunities for the coordinators of the division.
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