With the firing of Mike Munchak yesterday, another coaching vacancy opened in the NFL. But some teams are reportedly close to making new hires as there has been no shortage of NFL coaching rumors over the past week.
In Detroit, many eyes will be glued to their TV screens as the San Diego Chargers take on the Cincinnati Bengals as Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is considered to be the favorite to land the head coaching gig of the Lions, ESPN reports.
Whisenhunt was a teammate of Lions general manager Martin Mayhew while the two played with the Washington Redskins.
Meanwhile, in the Twin Cities, the Vikings have scheduled interviews with Broncos defensive coordinator Ray Horton as well as Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Bevell served as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator under former coach Brad Childress from 2006-2010, and in the first six games under recently fired coach Leslie Frazier.
The Browns made a push for Chip Kelly last season, and could yet again be trying to convince a big-name college coach to make the leap to the professional ranks.
According to NFL media reports, Cleveland is set to make a play for Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops just days removed from the Sooner’s Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama. Contradicting reports have noted that this is highly unlikely, however.
The Browns are also reportedly interested in Quinn, Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels who is likely the favorite to land the job.
While Munchak got the axe yesterday, he’s already preparing for a job interview, this one being the head coach of Penn State, which had a vacancy after Bill O’Brien accepted the Texans’ job.
But who is in the mix to replace Munchak? According to the Tennessean, Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Basaccia, Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman are all considered candidates.
The report also indicates Bevell and Quinn should be in the mix, as well as Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, considered one of the most coveted college coaches in the game.
Franklin is also rumored to be a candidate for the Redskins’ vacancy, in addition to Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
