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Coaching candidates on the Jets' radar
December, 16, 2014
DEC 16
4:30
PM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
With Rex Ryan's tenure likely nearing an end, it's time to look into the future of the New York Jets, who appear poised to conduct their first coaching search since 2009.
Potential candidates:
Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers head coach -- He doesn't fit the profile of previous Woody Johnson coaching hires, which is to say he has head-coaching experience and a big price tag. Harbaugh coaches through the eyes of the quarterback, something the Jets have lacked. He's also known for rebuilding downtrodden programs. Johnson met Harbaugh in January 2009, when they held a clandestine interview for the Jets' head-coaching vacancy. The owner was said to be impressed with Harbaugh's innate leadership. If the Harbaugh-49ers divorce happens, look for the Jets to be interested. He'll be a tough get, though, because there will be competition.
Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator -- Despite key losses on defense, the ultra-aggressive Bowles has done a brilliant job. He's a New Jersey native with a past connection to the Jets; he was the secondary coach in 2000 under Al Groh -- his first NFL coaching job. Actually, Bill Parcells discovered Bowles, who followed Tuna to Dallas and Miami, where he was the interim head coach for three games after Tony Sparano was fired in 2011. Bowles recently signed a contract extension, so he can afford to be selective with head-coaching opportunities.
Dan Quinn, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator -- He'll be a top candidate if the Jets retain general manager John Idzik, a former Seahawks executive. Quinn has a Super Bowl title on his resume, and that always helps. He's a Jersey guy (Morristown) who spent two seasons as the Jets' defensive line coach under Eric Mangini. On the downside, he's been a coordinator for only two years. He has no head-coaching experience. He's represented by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, which would make for an interesting negotiation.
David Shaw, Stanford head coach -- If you can't get Harbaugh, what about Harbaugh's successor at Stanford? Shaw is having a down year, but he's a proven winner. He's attractive because he also has NFL experience, having worked as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. He has spurned NFL head-coaching overtures in the past, so it might be tough to pry him away.
Darrell Bevell, Seahawks offensive coordinator -- Like Quinn, his value to the Jets increases if Idzik remains. Bevell is a Super Bowl-winning coordinator who has worked with a legendary quarterback (Brett Favre) and a young star (Russell Wilson). He has done a terrific job of adjusting his offense to maximize Wilson's unique talents. On the flip side, he couldn't figure out a way to use Percy Harvin. The concerns: No head-coaching experience and some wonder if his laid-back personality is suited to New York.
Adam Gase, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator -- Gase, 36, will be one of the hottest candidates because of the Broncos' success. It also helps to have Peyton Manning's stamp of approval. Gase was courted by the Cleveland Browns last offseason, but he decided to stay put. He's considered a bright, tough-minded coach, but the question on everybody's mind: Is he riding Manning's coattails? His age shouldn't be a concern for Johnson, who hired Mangini when he was 35. Gase has no head-coaching experience.
Pep Hamilton, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator -- He's similar to Gase in that his success is built around one player. In Hamilton's case, it's Andrew Luck, whom he also coached at Stanford. Give Hamilton credit, though. Outside of Luck, the Colts don't have great talent, but they're No. 3 in total offense. Woody Johnson knows Hamilton, an offensive assistant under Herm Edwards in 2004 and 2005.
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame head coach -- Kelly, who interviewed for the Philadelphia Eagles' head-coaching vacancy last year, is an offensive-minded coach with experience in a big-time environment. If he gets tired of Notre Dame and its academic restrictions, he'd draw renewed interest from the NFL. On the downside, how many offensive stars has he developed for the NFL? Not many.
Gus Malzahn, Auburn head coach -- This would be an outside-the-box hire, for sure, but Malzahn is a regarded as an excellent playcaller and an offensive innovator. If the Jets are looking to go the Chip Kelly route, Malzahn could be a candidate.
Jon Gruden, ESPN analyst -- Haven't you heard? Gruden signed a contract extension with ESPN through 2021, which probably means many more years of Spider2 Y Banana.
December, 16, 2014
DEC 16
4:30
PM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
With Rex Ryan's tenure likely nearing an end, it's time to look into the future of the New York Jets, who appear poised to conduct their first coaching search since 2009.
Potential candidates:
Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers head coach -- He doesn't fit the profile of previous Woody Johnson coaching hires, which is to say he has head-coaching experience and a big price tag. Harbaugh coaches through the eyes of the quarterback, something the Jets have lacked. He's also known for rebuilding downtrodden programs. Johnson met Harbaugh in January 2009, when they held a clandestine interview for the Jets' head-coaching vacancy. The owner was said to be impressed with Harbaugh's innate leadership. If the Harbaugh-49ers divorce happens, look for the Jets to be interested. He'll be a tough get, though, because there will be competition.
Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator -- Despite key losses on defense, the ultra-aggressive Bowles has done a brilliant job. He's a New Jersey native with a past connection to the Jets; he was the secondary coach in 2000 under Al Groh -- his first NFL coaching job. Actually, Bill Parcells discovered Bowles, who followed Tuna to Dallas and Miami, where he was the interim head coach for three games after Tony Sparano was fired in 2011. Bowles recently signed a contract extension, so he can afford to be selective with head-coaching opportunities.
Dan Quinn, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator -- He'll be a top candidate if the Jets retain general manager John Idzik, a former Seahawks executive. Quinn has a Super Bowl title on his resume, and that always helps. He's a Jersey guy (Morristown) who spent two seasons as the Jets' defensive line coach under Eric Mangini. On the downside, he's been a coordinator for only two years. He has no head-coaching experience. He's represented by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, which would make for an interesting negotiation.
David Shaw, Stanford head coach -- If you can't get Harbaugh, what about Harbaugh's successor at Stanford? Shaw is having a down year, but he's a proven winner. He's attractive because he also has NFL experience, having worked as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. He has spurned NFL head-coaching overtures in the past, so it might be tough to pry him away.
Darrell Bevell, Seahawks offensive coordinator -- Like Quinn, his value to the Jets increases if Idzik remains. Bevell is a Super Bowl-winning coordinator who has worked with a legendary quarterback (Brett Favre) and a young star (Russell Wilson). He has done a terrific job of adjusting his offense to maximize Wilson's unique talents. On the flip side, he couldn't figure out a way to use Percy Harvin. The concerns: No head-coaching experience and some wonder if his laid-back personality is suited to New York.
Adam Gase, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator -- Gase, 36, will be one of the hottest candidates because of the Broncos' success. It also helps to have Peyton Manning's stamp of approval. Gase was courted by the Cleveland Browns last offseason, but he decided to stay put. He's considered a bright, tough-minded coach, but the question on everybody's mind: Is he riding Manning's coattails? His age shouldn't be a concern for Johnson, who hired Mangini when he was 35. Gase has no head-coaching experience.
Pep Hamilton, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator -- He's similar to Gase in that his success is built around one player. In Hamilton's case, it's Andrew Luck, whom he also coached at Stanford. Give Hamilton credit, though. Outside of Luck, the Colts don't have great talent, but they're No. 3 in total offense. Woody Johnson knows Hamilton, an offensive assistant under Herm Edwards in 2004 and 2005.
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame head coach -- Kelly, who interviewed for the Philadelphia Eagles' head-coaching vacancy last year, is an offensive-minded coach with experience in a big-time environment. If he gets tired of Notre Dame and its academic restrictions, he'd draw renewed interest from the NFL. On the downside, how many offensive stars has he developed for the NFL? Not many.
Gus Malzahn, Auburn head coach -- This would be an outside-the-box hire, for sure, but Malzahn is a regarded as an excellent playcaller and an offensive innovator. If the Jets are looking to go the Chip Kelly route, Malzahn could be a candidate.
Jon Gruden, ESPN analyst -- Haven't you heard? Gruden signed a contract extension with ESPN through 2021, which probably means many more years of Spider2 Y Banana.