The Detroit Lions have two coordinators who could end up becoming NFL head coaches.
The league is taking notice of the Lions’ success over the last 14 months, as Detroit has a 6-2 record and is frequently featured in primetime games.
After his work turning around Detroit’s defense, Aaron Glenn will likely again find himself interviewing for open head coaching positions.
Albert Breer of the MMQB addressed the subject of potential early hires for Raiders owner Mark Davis following Josh McDaniels’ firing in his most recent NFL mailbag.
The first candidate Breer discusses is Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh.
According to Breer, “The Michigan coach cut his coaching teeth in 2002 and ’03 in Oakland on Bill Callahan’s staff, and Davis made a hard run at him in ’15 before Harbaugh turned down the job to return to his alma mater. After giving it some serious thought again in ’22, Davis even interviewed Colts executive Ed Dodds—who had worked with Harbaugh in Oakland and is regarded highly by the coach—as a possible general manager match for Harbaugh before going with McDaniels and Dave Ziegler for the available spots.”
Breer also examines top defensive coordinators across the NFL, as teams often pivot and hire coaches that specialize in the opposite side of the football than the previous head coach.
“If not Harbaugh, Davis could consider Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo or even Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Again, all four guys would fit that battleship-commander bill,” writes Breer. “Then, there’s the idea of trying to lure Patriots coach Bill Belichick, with so much of his infrastructure left over in place from the McDaniels era (Belichick, for what it’s worth, revered Mark Davis’s dad)—if Davis is willing to dip into that well again.”
Part of the reason Glenn will be a prime head coaching candidate is his ability to relate to players and his experience playing in the NFL.
Players develop respect quickly for coaches and front office personnel that have playing experience, as the ability to relate to players is among the top requirements for coaches being considered.
While Glenn will surely be interviewed, the Raiders may not be the most ideal landing spot for coaches seeking their first job, as Davis has proven to lack patience with head coaches.
McDaniels, who has had success as an offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, did not last two full seasons in Las Vegas, as he was dismissed midway through his second season.
It is widely believed McDaniels lost the locker room after the teams slow start to the season.
Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce currently serves as the Raiders interim head coach.
