NFL Head Coach News Tracker: Openings, Interviews & Hirings (2024)

NFL Head Coach News Tracker: Openings, Interviews & Hirings (2024)

The 2023 NFL season concluded with, pending any surprise firings from teams currently in the playoffs, EIGHT head coaching openings. Some, like Josh McDaniels and Frank Reich, were fired during the course of the season. Others, like Ron Rivera and Brandon Staley, were expected as disappointing seasons came to a close. At least a couple of them, like Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel, were surprises. One of them (looking at you, Arthur Smith) was widely celebrated by the fantasy football community, while another (Bill Belichick) represented the end of an era. With this tracker, we’ll keep you updated on all of the firings, hirings, interviews, and rumors circulating around the NFL as a quarter of the league looks to replace their head coach.

NFL Head Coach News Tracker

Current Openings

TEAM FIRED COACH NEW COACH
Carolina Panthers Frank Reich Dave Canales
Las Vegas Raiders Josh McDaniels Antonio Pierce
Los Angeles Chargers Brandon Staley Jim Harbaugh
Atlanta Falcons Arthur Smith Raheem Morris
Washington Commanders Ron Rivera Dan Quinn
Tennessee Titans Mike Vrabel Brian Callahan
Seattle Seahawks Pete Carroll Mike Macdonald
New England Patriots Bill Belichick Jerod Mayo

Carolina Panthers

  • Out: Frank Reich
  • In: Dave Canales

Interviews

  • Lions OC Ben Johnson
  • Eagles OC Brian Johnson
  • Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
  • Texans OC Bobby Slowik
  • Bengals OC Brian Callahan
  • Ravens OC Todd Monken
  • Bucs OC Dave Canales
  • Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
  • Dolphins OC Frank Smith
  • Rams DC Raheem Morris
  • Panthers OC Thomas Brown
  • Panthers Interim HC Chris Tabor
  • Panthers DC Ejiro Evero

Thursday, January 25 Update: Surprise! The Carolina Panthers are set to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Dave Canales to be their next HC, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Canales was a first-year OC in Tampa who called plays, brought the Buccaneers to the playoffs, and got the most out of QB Baker Mayfield. Now, he will work with former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, who is coming off a disappointing rookie season in Carolina.

Tuesday, January 23 Update: Eagles OC Brian Johnson is reportedly no longer in the running for the Panthers HC gig. In fact, the Panthers never even ended up interviewing him despite putting in a request to do so. As a double whammy for Johson, multiple reports indicate the Eagles are firing him.

Thursday, January 18 Update: Bucs OC Dave Canales is interviewing with the Panthers today, per Mike Kaye. The Panthers also interviewed Bengals OC Brian Callahan today, and Lions OC Ben Johnson is expected to speak with the Panthers tomorrow, per Ian Rapoport.

Tuesday, January 16 Update: Rams DC Raheem Morris is scheduled to meet with the Panthers about their HC opening on Wednesday, per Ian Rapoport. Morris also has requests from the Commanders, Chargers, and Seahawks.

The Panthers fired HC Frank Reich during his first season on the job, and they have been casting a wide net to find his replacement. They also fired GM Scott Fitterer after the season. There is a belief that current owner David Tepper isn’t the easiest to work with, and that could make this opening less desirable than some of the others despite the presence of young QB Bryce Young.

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Out: Brandon Staley
  • In: Jim Harbaugh

Interviews

  • Interim HC Giff Smith
  • OC Kellen Moore
  • Lions OC Ben Johnson
  • Lions DC Aaron Glenn
  • 49ers DC Steve Wilks
  • Ravens OC Todd Monken
  • Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
  • Raiders DC Patrick Graham
  • Rams DC Raheem Morris
  • Bengals OC Brian Callahan
  • Free Agent HC/DC Leslie Frazier
  • Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh
  • Former Patriots HC Bill Belichick (rumored interest)
  • Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
  • Former Titans HC Mike Vrabel
  • Former Stanford HC David Shaw

Wednesday, January 24 Update: Another domino falls, and this is one we’ve been talking about for weeks. The Los Angeles Chargers are, in fact, hiring Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh to be their next HC. Michigan wanted to keep Harbaugh, but he is officially leaving for an NFL gig.

Tuesday, Januar 23 Update: The Chargers and Michigan HC are now “within striking distance” of getting a deal done, with L.A. making him an “extremely strong offer,” according to NFL insider Mike Garafolo. Harbaugh is in Los Angeles today for another meeting with the Chargers.

Saturday, January 20 Update: While Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh appears to be the front-runner for the job and the Chargers have met the requirements for the Rooney Rule, no decisions have been made as of yet. The Chargers are reportedly interviewing Lions OC Ben Johnson today.

Thursday, January 18 Update: The Chargers announced they completed a HC interview with former Stanford HC David Shaw. NFL teams must complete two in-person interviews with minority candidates prior to making a hire in order to be in compliance with the Rooney Rule, but in-person interviews with candidates current under contract with NFL teams is not permitted before January 22. However, that doesn’t apply to candidates like Leslie Frazier and David Shaw, both of whom did not coach in the NFL in 2023. Former Saints DC Kris Richard is another minority candidate eligible for in-person interviews, and he recently met with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers are now free to hire any candidate they wish, including Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh, although doing so this quickly would seemingly make a mockery of the spirit of the league’s Rooney Rule.

Thursday, January 18 Update: Former Titans HC Mike Vrabel is in L.A. today to interview with the Chargers for their HC opening. Since Vrabel was fired by the Titans and is no longer an employee, he is eligible to interview in person prior to the January 22 day for candidates who are currently employed by NFL teams.

Tuesday, January 16 Update: The Chargers announced they completed an interview with Bengals OC Brian Callahan.

The Chargers fired Brandon Staley near the end of the regular season after a disappointing run with what is perceived to be one of the better rosters in the NFL. They have lined up several interviews, but the biggest rumor going around the league is that Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh might just be the favorite for the job. He is expected to interview in the coming week.

Atlanta Falcons

  • Out: Arthur Smith
  • In: Raheem Morris

Interviews

  • Lions OC Ben Johnson
  • Panthers DC Ejiro Evero
  • Lions DC Aaron Glenn
  • Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh (rumored interest)
  • Former Patriots HC Bill Belichick
  • Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
  • Rams DC Raheem Morris
  • Texans OC Bobby Slowik
  • Ravens DL Coach Anthony Weaver
  • 49ers DC Steve Wilks
  • Bengals OC Brian Callahan
  • Raiders Interim HC Antonio Pierce
  • Eagles OC Brian Johnson
  • Former Titans HC Mike Vrabel
  • Bills OC Joe Brady

Thursday, January 25 Update: The Falcons announced Thursday they have hired Rams DC Raheem Morris as their new HC. The Falcons are the only team known to have interviewed former Patriots HC Bill Belichick (and they spoke to him multiple times), but they’re instead going with Morris.

Tuesday, January 23 Update: Is Bill Belichick still the favorite to land the job in Atlanta? If he is, the Falcons are still doing their due diligence with other candidates anyway. Atlanta has multiple interviews lined up for this week and is reportedly sending a contingent to meet with Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn next week. It doesn’t sound like the Falcons are close to making a decision at this time.

Saturday, January 20 Update: While all signs point to Bill Belichick being the favorite in Atlanta, the race is not over just yet. The Falcons are reportedly scheduled to meet with former Titans HC Mike Vrabel in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Friday, January 19 Update: The Atlanta Falcons have, indeed, honed in on former Patriots HC Bill Belichick as their top candidate. They flew him to Atlanta last night on one of Arthur Blank’s private planes, per Dianna Russini.

Thursday, January 18 Update: Oh boy. Things are getting juicy now. The Falcons are having a second interview with former Patriots HC Bill Belichick. This is after another report indicated that Belichick is targeting talented but underachieving teams, which could not be a more perfect description of the Falcons under former HC Arthur Smith. Also worth noting: the NFC South is hot garbage right now. No one wanted to win that division in 2023, and no team really appears to be better set up for long-term success than the Falcons. Could Bill be on his way to dominating another weak division for a decade?

Sunday, January 15 Update: The Falcons confirmed they have completed an interview with Bill Belichick.

If you listened closely on Black Monday, you may have heard fantasy football managers everywhere celebrating the firing of Falcons HC Arthur Smith. Smith had moderate success with the Falcons but frustrated fantasy football managers with his baffling misuse (or lack of use) of offensive playmakers like WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson, and TE Kyle Pitts.

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Washington Commanders

  • Out: Ron Rivera
  • In: Dan Quinn

Interviews

  • OC Eric Bieniemy
  • Lions OC Ben Johnson
  • Lions DC Aaron Glenn
  • Ravens DC Mike MacDonald
  • Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
  • Texans OC Bobby Slowik
  • Rams DC Raheem Morris
  • Ravens DL Coach Anthony Weaver
  • Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh (rumored interest)

Tuesday, January 23 Update: There haven’t been many reports about candidates the Commanders are interested in, though they are reportedly sending a contingent to Detroit next week to meet with Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn. Johnson has been rumored to be their preferred candidate from the beginning, and it’s starting to feel like the Commanders might be in Ben Johnson-or-bust mode for this search.

Saturday, January 20 Update: The Commanders reportedly completed a virtual interview with Lions OC Ben Johnson on Friday, and Lions DC Aaron Glenn is expected to interview today.

Thursday, January 18 Update: The Commanders are interviewing Cowboys DC Dan Quinn today, but Quinn has interviews lined up with pretty much every team that currently has a HC opening.

Update: Friday, January 12: The Commanders have hired a GM:

Ron Rivera being relieved of HC duties in Washington was the least surprising move heading into the offseason. New Commanders owner Josh Harris wants to put his own stamp on things, and he is moving quickly to overhaul the front office and the coaching staff. On Saturday, we learned that Lions OC Ben Johnson is the early preferred target of Harris and his new team.

Tennessee Titans

  • Out: Mike Vrabel
  • In: Brian Callahan

Interviews

  • Dallas Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
  • Lions OC Ben Johnson
  • Lions DC Aaron Glenn
  • Bengals OC Brian Callahan
  • Giants OC Mike Kafka
  • Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
  • Eagles OC Brian Johnson
  • Texans OC Bobby Slowik
  • Raiders Interim HC Antonio Pierce
  • Panthers OC Thomas Brown
  • Former Stanford HC David Shaw

Tuesday, January 23 Update: Another HC is off the board. The Tennessee Titans are reportedly hiring Bengals OC Brian Callahan to be their next HC. This means three HC vacancies are filled, and five remain. The Panthers, Chargers, Commanders, Falcons and Seahawks all still need HCs, though the Chargers appear to be within striking distance of landing Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh as their next HC.

Friday, January 19 Update: According to Adam Schefter, the Titans will host former Stanford HC David Shaw this weekend to interview for their vacant head coaching job. Eagles OC Brian Johnson interviewed with the Titans today. Lions DC Aaron Glenn is expected to interview with the Titans on Saturday.

Wednesday, January 17 Update: Josina Anderson is reporting that Bengals OC Brian Callahan is expected to have a second, in-person interview with the Tennessee Titans. The schedule is TBD, and this can’t take place until January 22, but this is the first known second interview of this hiring cycle.

Saturday, January 13 Update: The Titans completed a HC interview with Raiders interim HC Antonio Pierce.

Mike Vrabel was one of the more surprising firings this past week. He figures to draw plenty of interest on the open market despite a disappointing 2023 season.

Seattle Seahawks

  • Out: Pete Carroll
  • In: Mike Macdonald

Interviews

  • Panthers DC Ejiro Evero
  • Raiders DC Patrick Graham
  • Giants OC Mike Kafka
  • Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
  • Rams DC Raheem Morris
  • Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
  • Dolphins OC Frank Smith
  • Lions OC Ben Johnson
  • Texans OC Bobby Slowik
  • Former Titans HC Mike Vrabel

Friday, January 19 Update: The Seahawks interviewed Dolphins OC Frank Smith yesterday and are speaking with Rams DC Raheem Morris today. Lions OC Ben Johnson is expected to speak with the Seahawks tomorrow.

Thursday, January 18 Update: The Seahawks are reportedly interested in speaking with former Titans HC Mike Vrabel, per Adam Schefter.

Pete Carroll being let go was the shock of the week, and it’s unclear if he is going to remain with the organization in another capacity or seek to coach elsewhere.

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Out: Josh McDaniels
  • In: Antonio Pierce

Interviews

  • Free Agent HC/DC Leslie Frazier
  • Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh (rumored interest)
  • Former Patriots HC Bill Belichick (rumored interest)
  • Interim Raiders HC Antonio Pierce
  • Former Saints DC Kris Richard

Friday, January 19 Update: This afternoon, reports came out that the Raiders and interim HC Antonio Pierce were working to finalize a deal to remove the interim tag and make him the HC. Later this evening, the Raiders put the word out that the deal was official. That means two HC vacancies have been filled (Patriots: Jerod Mayo, Raiders: Antonio Pierce), and six remain, pending the meeting between Eagles HC Nick Sirianni and owner Jeffrey Lurie, which could potentially create another opening.

Sunday, January 15 Update: Leslie Frazier is scheduled to interview for the Raiders’ HC opening on Tuesday.

 

New England Patriots

  • Out: Bill Belichick
  • In: Jerod Mayo

Interviews

  • N/A

The Patriots waited until the Thursday after the conclusion of the NFL season to mutually part ways with legendary HC Bill Belichick. They did not wait very long to name his replacement, however. The Patriots announced early on Friday morning that current LB coach Jerod Mayo, long considered to be the heir apparent in New England, was indeed being hired as the team’s new HC. They did not conduct any external interviews.

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