3. 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans
For two straight offseasons, DeMeco Ryans has been the hottest head coaching candidate out there. Just last season, Ryans did the unthinkable. After a great interview with the Minnesota Vikings, Ryans elected to decline the Vikings’ request for a second interview. At that point, Ryans had made up his mind as he deemed himself unready to be a head coach and would return to San Francisco to finish what he started, as well as better himself as both a coach and candidate.
Ryans is again considered the hottest head coaching candidate this time around— a two-time Pro Bowler in his 10 seasons as an NFL linebacker who is now in his sixth year as a 49ers assistant & second as DC. His 49ers’ defense had the best Team Defense DVOA rating this year & was seventh in 2021.
He may just be 38 years old but is reportedly wise beyond his years and exudes exactly what leadership entails.
2. Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
I am remaining steadfast in my personal agenda of Raheem Morris becoming the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, however, I would be remiss to believe there aren’t other viable, and potentially better candidates out there that better suit what the Colts are looking for.
Morris does have previous head coaching experience with the Buccaneers (2009 to 2011) and was the interim coach for the Falcons in 2020 before joining the Rams last year. When it comes to his coaching tree, he has served as an assistant coach for Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan, Dan Quinn, and Sean McVay. Needless to say, Morris has been around some of the most influential coaches of the modern-day NFL.
I don’t necessarily need to bring this up, but the Colts are indeed looking for their next franchise QB this Spring in the 2023 NFL Draft. This isn’t to say Morris is incapable of tapping into the potential of a (presumed) rookie QB, because he certainly has the connections and reputation to fill a staff of offensive-minded individuals who could, but there’s one guy in particular who I feel could knock this retooling/rebuilding period in Indianapolis out of the park.
1. Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan
The irony in how I ended the last candidate will make sense when I say this, but Brian Callahan of Cincinnati seems to be the home run hire that everyone is talking about. It wasn’t until January 19, that Callahan received his first request to interview for a head-coaching gig. That is surprising in itself, as there are a handful of other teams still without a head coach for the future that could easily benefit from taking a shot at Callahan, but what took so long?
As I’ve probably mentioned upwards of double-digit times now, the league is moving towards youthful, offensive-minded head coaches. Now, the NFL is what’s known as a copycat league, so maybe the overall success of these younger coaches is happening due to more shots being taken, but it feels like a no-brainer that Callahan gets his name called sooner than later.
Who is Brian Callahan? Here’s a look: pic.twitter.com/pOBKxmWq3E
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 19, 2023
He is the epitome of an offensive-minded coach as he’s only ever coached that side of the ball. Not just that, he has been a prominent figure for each team’s quarterback position during his time in the NFL. Most recently, he has overseen the turnaround of the Bengals, and more specifically, has coordinated the most explosive offense in the NFL with MVP Candidate, Joe Burrow, at the helm.
He has been Cincinnati’s OC for the past four seasons. Prior to this stint, Callahan was a QBs coach for Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford, and most notably, Peyton Manning in 2015, en route to a Super Bowl victory. If what I’ve just laid out isn’t enough to sway you into at least believing in Callahan is an NFL Head Coach, then watch the video above.
Colts 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft 1.0: Building an offense
Now that the top of the draft is cemented, the official mock draft season can begin. What prospects can the Indianapolis Colts land?