9. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn is the first of the candidates mentioned to have previous, full-time head-coaching experience, as opposed to some of the previous interim coaches. Before he was a head coach, Quinn served as an assistant coach under the likes of Steve Mariucci, Mike McCarthy, Pete Carroll, Jim L. Mora (Jr.), and Nick Saban. During his time as head coach, three of his assistants (Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel, & Kyle Shanahan) were hired elsewhere as head coaches. This alone proves that Quinn is capable of constructing a solid staff alongside him.
8. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn
Once again, here is a defensive coach who is ready for his shot to lead a team as opposed to one side of the ball. Since 2012 when he made his NFL coaching debut, Glenn has worked as both a scout and defensive coach for the Jets, Browns, Saints, and now Lions.
Has been the defensive coordinator for Detroit for the past two seasons and was a secondary coach for the better part of the 2010s (2014 to 2019) with the Browns and Saints. His 2014 Browns were second in the NFL in interceptions (21) & his 2017 Saints were third with 20.
7. Colts special teams coordinator Raymond “Bubba” Ventrone
Many Colts fans were both shocked and disappointed this season when Coach Ventrone was passed on for the interim gig. The overall consensus was not only that Ventrone was the best fit, but that he deserved the opportunity more than anyone, inside or outside of the organization.
It’s rare, and almost an outlier, when you consider how many times a special teams coordinator has made a successful and sustainable jump to head coach (i.e., John Harbaugh, Mike Ditka, & Marv Levy).
Solely looking back to what NFL Insider Tom Pelissero had to say about Ventrone in his annual young coaches to watch list, hindsight bias aside, it seemed then, and seems now, like a no-brainer:
“He learned under the likes of Bill Belichick, Frank Reich and longtime NFL special teams coach Brad Seely. Ventrone is detailed. He has presence. He’s experienced in game management and is known as a good talent evaluator who understands big-picture roster management, in a job that already requires him to work with the entire team. Ventrone coaches players hard, and they respect him for it. Head-coaching hires from special teams posts are rare, but Ventrone is one to watch.”