Welcome to another one of my coach candidate lists, this time I will update the Titans and will update the Giants list shortly afterwards. If you want to catch up on my previous NFL lists to see who I had on my list last time, I will attach it down below. I also made college football lists for just about every job opening that was available in the FBS and if you would like to see my list I can send you the link to all or a specific school.
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/general/p/7139yP7O69m7sM/nfl-coach-candidate-tier-list-links
Now, I haven't made a list in what feels like forever and these posts aren't typically a trending topper, so I will copy and paste from my Pelicans coach candidate list how I go through everything to make these posts for everyone to understand.
The list isn't from who I want or don't want as the next head coach, it goes from the biggest (or realistic) hire to the most unlikely hire out there. I try to list the best candidates possible and the most talked about name(s) as well and intend to have no bias to my lists and will give out accurate takeaways why or why not hire.
In my tiers, I do not specify in what order I put them, I put them in all random orders. As long as they are in the specific tier that I seen fit, that is all I am worried about.
Before I post it and before I even start, I come up with names on the top of the dome that I see as good hires then I do my own research and see who insiders, beat writers, fans, and other media sources are naming and saying and then combine my list and their list(s) and try to come up with the best possible candidates. My 1.0 is usually multiple names and usually contains names of my preference. The updated lists is what I expect to be more accurate and more aligned to what the team is looking for.
Let's make the storyline short and jump right into the candidates. So, basically the Titans fired their HC halfway through the season after a rough 1-5 start to the season. The firing was an obvious sign that the organization did not believe that Brian Callahan would be the long term answer for the team or the growth and development for rookie QB and first overall pick, Cam Ward. The new coach that GM Mike Borgonzi will choose will come in and inherit one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NFL currently while also inheriting a young QB with potential and maybe one of the best DT's in the NFL while also having a lot of young assets and a butt ton of cap space they can work with and either swing big or save next year. The main question for a candidate for this job is do they think this GM can set him up to win? How much developing does he have to do just to be able to feel confident he has a group of guys that can compete for a playoff or division spot right away? These are some questions a HC candidate will most likely have heading into an interview and it is yet to be seen what direction they will go as of yet.
The Coach Who Fits Ward The Best
Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders (OC; 2024-?)
Before I get the "but the Commanders finished 5-12" comments, which I know I still will, keep in mind that this hire would not be because of how well they did this year, nor will it be because of how good of an overall coach he is, it is solely because of his ability to successfully develop QB's in the NFL and in college with Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, and Jayden Daniels. Hiring Kliff can help transform Cam Ward to a top QB the Titans drafted him to be.
Older DC's Who Deserve A Shot
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos (DC; 2023-?)
Former Broncos HC who is now the DC after four seasons as Kliff's DC at the Cardinals in between his Broncos tenures. Feel like he was able to reinvent himself after his failed HC attempt and able to learn from two totally different offensive minded coaches in the NFL. Wherever he ends up whether it is in Tennessee or elsewhere, they will earn a totally different coach Denver got in 2017.
Lou Anarumo, Indianapolis Colts (DC; 2025-?)
Though, he hasn't been a HC before, he is a well respected coordinator in the NFL and one of the top DC's right now. This also looks like it might be one of his last chances as a HC as he will be 60 years old once the 2026 season kicks off.
Steve Spagnuolo, Kansas City Chiefs (DC; 2019-?)
Just like Anarumo, well respected coordinator and still at the top. But, he has experience coaching with a tenure at the then St Louis Rams which looks like an ultimate three year "mountain graph" really bad first year, looks really promising with a huge spike, then right back to really bad in the third year which ended with his job lost. He eventually took over for McAdoo in New York after he got fired and coached four games. After that, has won three Super Bowls. He is 66 and the Chiefs defense didn't look so hot like it has in the past, he might be staying in Kansas City for another year if he wants to end his career as a HC again.
Rising Stars
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks (OC; 2025-?)
He was able to reinvent Seattle's offense and coached one of the best WR's in the NFL this year. The main issue I have with Kubiak is the fact that his entire career seems to be a roller coaster and there doesn't seem to be any sustainability yet to his career. Maybe I am wrong and he proves it to me in Tennessee, but I would be hesitant if I were a team looking for a HC.
Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers (DC; 2024-?)
I am going to save a lot of my thoughts for later, but this Chargers defense showed improvements in large due to the young talent they have that shined this season. This is the kind of coach I can see Tennessee hiring due to a pure development standpoint.
Still Don't Get It
Matt Nagy, Kansas City Chiefs (OC; 2023-?)
Reportedly, a candidate for the Titans job and possible front runner if Kingsbury drops out. I had to rewatch Bears tape a few weeks ago just to see if I was missing anything and if Nagy was really a good coach in a bad system and have a hard time believe those sentiments. Feel like it would be a mistake by the Titans to hire him especially due in part of his handling of Truibisky and Mahomes down years was under Nagy's second tenure as OC there.
Off The List
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills (OC; 2024-?)
I kept going back and forth on this one, but I don't see much traction to his name and don't think Tennessee will seriously consider him, at least, not at this moment. All of that can change in a matter of days.
Mike LaFleur, Los Angeles Rams (OC; 2023-?)
The brother of Matt, has worked with Stafford and McVay and have seem to have a great bond together. Feel like he is not getting enough attention and has no traction to his name for this job right now, but a name you should monitor for other jobs that have recently opened up.
Josh Grizzard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OC; 2025-?)
He is not on this list because the team fell off so bad. He wasn't that bad, but showed rookie mistakes as a first time play caller and would most likely be a candidate for other HC jobs next season if Tampa runs back another year with their current staff.
Mike McCarthy, former Green Bay Packers (2006-18) and Dallas Cowboys (2020-24) Head Coach
He might be a candidate elsewhere, just not in Nashville as it seems they are looking for someone currently coaching rather than McCarthy.
Jon Gruden, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08) and Las Vegas Raiders (1998-01, 2018-21) Head Coach
Doesn't sound like Gruden 2026 is going to happen. If he wants back in, join a college staff as an analyst or something and work your way back up.
There is the Titans list. The Giants one is out now, right here below.
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/giants/p/7xupBcik5D2gqQ/my-new-york-giants-coaching-candidate-tier-list-20