Ranking the 2019 Coaching Hires by Chris Scott

Ranking the 2019 Coaching Hires

By Chris Scott

Well, the Superbowl is over and, boy, was it tough to watch. Congrats to the New England Patriots on clinching their 6^th Championship but let’s not dwell on, possibly, the worst Superbowl in history. It’s time to look forward and get ready for the 100^th NFL season. And what better way to do that than looking at the newest members of the NFL Head Coach fraternity.

This year’s hires have a distinct feel to them. 6 of the 8 new coaches are considered offensive guys, 6 out of 8 are under 45 years old and 5 out of 8 are both. The NFL is a copy cat league and teams appear to be looking for their own Sean McVay. A trend I’ve christened: Mc-enVay. Now, personally, I’m not a huge fan of this approach. McVay is able to remember every play he ever called and the outcome. That is not normal. You aren’t going to replicate that with someone else. There is also a thinking that you need a “quarterback whisperer” to develop a young quarterback (as we all know, having a former defensive coordinator coaching him for his entire career really hindered Tom Brady’s development). Hiring a Head Coach with only one position in mind seems rather short sighted to me.

So, with that lets look at the new faces and old faces in new places. I’ve ranked them based on my personal opinion. I can guarantee these rankings will be completely different in a year. I’m not claiming to be an expert and I’m sure you will find something to disagree with me about. That’s the fun of this time of year: we’re all equally right and wrong.

NB: This list is not necessarily indicative of how I see each team doing next season, it’s simply my thoughts on their new coaches.

No. 8: Zac Taylor - Cincinnati Bengals

Bio: Taylor is the youngest hire at just 35 years of age. The former Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback went into coaching in 2008 as a graduate assistant for Texas A&M. He spent 3 seasons as an assistant for the Dolphins between 2012 and 2015 including a spell as interim Offensive Coordinator, replacing recently fired Bengals OC Bill Lazor. Taylor was hired as offensive coordinator by the University of Cincinnati in January 2016 but left a year later when he was hired as Rams Wide Receiver coach. Last year he worked as the Rams Quarterback coach under Sean McVay. Taylor was officially named Bengals Head Coach on 4^th February following the Rams Superbowl defeat.

Analysis: Of all the hires, this is the one that smacks the most of Mc-enVay. I can’t shake the feeling that if Taylor hadn’t spent the last 2 years on Sean McVay’s staff, he wouldn’t have even been interviewed for Head Coaching roles. Taylor is a respected quarterback’s coach but he’s had very limited experience as a coordinator. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, the job of Offensive Coordinator is not the same as Head Coach and the two positions require a different set of skills. Still, the lack of experience is concerning.

No. 7: Matt LaFleur – Green Bay Packers

Bio: In 2003 and 2004, LaFleur played quarterback in the National Indoor Football League for the Omaha Beef and the Billings Outlaws whilst simultaneously working as an Offensive Assistant, first for Division II Saginaw Valley State and then at Central Michigan.  After spending time with Northern Michigan and Ashland, he got his first NFL job as Offensive Quality Control Coach for the Texans between 2008-2009. In 2010 the Redskins hired him as Quarterbacks Coach where he’d stay until 2014 when he took the same role at Notre Dame. A year later, the Falcons hired him. Again, as Quarterbacks coach. In 2017, he was named Rams Offensive Coordinator, the first time he’d held that position since his 2007 stint with Ashland. He moved to Tennessee to take the same role with the Titans before being named the Packers Head Coach on January 8^th this year.

Analysis: Another case of Mc-enVay, but not as blatant as Cincy’s move. LaFleur has a lot more experience than Taylor, both at college and professional level. My main concern here is the situation he’s going into. It reminds me of Vance Joseph taking the Bronco’s job in 2017. A young guy (LaFleur is 39) taking over from a Superbowl winning coach on a team with higher expectations than their talent level should dictate. LaFleur will need to navigate the difficult terrain of preparing for the post Rodgers era, whilst Rodger’s is still there.  To me, this was a job Adam Gase would be better suited for. Gase worked well with Peyton Manning and has experience dealing with elite quarterbacks and their egos. That being said, the last time the Packers hired a relatively unknown coach who had to prepare for the future while dealing with an aging future Hall of Famer, it turned out ok.

No. 6: Freddie Kitchens – Cleveland Browns

Bio: Freddie Kitchens’ coaching career started in 1999 as Running back and Tight end Coach. A year later he took a graduate assistant position at LSU before moving to North Texas to become Mean Green’s Running Back Coach, a position he’d hold for 3 years. He’d spend 2 seasons with Mississippi State before getting his first NFL post as Cowboys Tight Ends coach. He then joined the Arizona Cardinals where he’d spend 10 years holding a number of positions including Tight Ends, Running Back and Quarterback Coach. Kitchens’ moved to the Browns in 2018 as Running back’s Coach and Associate Head Coach. When Hue Jackson and Bill Lazor were fired after week 8, Kitchens’ was promoted to Offensive Co-Ordinator. The Browns’ offensive improved under Kitchens’ and Baker Mayfield thrived. This resulted in Kitchens’ being named Browns permanent Head Coach on January 12^th.

Analysis: This hire reminds me of the Buccaneers promoting Dirk Koetter in 2016. Koetter was seen as a big part of Jameis Winston’s development and the Buccs promoted him in order to avoid losing him to another team. Kitchens’ hire is entirely for the benefit of Baker Mayfield. Yes, Kitchens’ offense was a huge improvement, but this hire feels underwhelming. The Browns have been awful for most of the last 3 years and it seems, at least to me, that the best thing was to completely move on from the Jackson era with a completely new direction. Freddie Kitchens doesn’t seem like that guy.

No. 5: Adam Gase – New York Jets

Bio: Gase started his coaching career as an undergraduate at Michigan State. After he graduated, he followed Nick Saban to LSU. Gase’s first NFL role was with the Detroit Lions, were he spent 4 seasons rising from scouting assistant to quarterback’s coach. In 2008, Gase joined the 49ers as an offensive assistant before moving to Denver a year later. This was undoubtably the most successful period of Gase’s career so far, rising up the ranks to become the Broncos’ offensive co-ordinator and being credited with the resurgence of Peyton Manning’s career. When John Fox was fired in 2015, Gase was linked to a number of head coaching vacancies but opted to go, with Fox, to Chicago for a year. He became Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2016 earning a 23-25 record in 3 seasons and leading Miami to their first playoff appearance in 8 years. The Dolphins parted company with Gase after the 2018 season but Gase wasn’t out of work long, landing the top job with Miami’s bitter rivals less than two weeks later.

Analysis: I like Adam Gase. His record may not be much to look at, but the Dolphins were plagued with injuries in the last two years, specifically to starting quarterback. The Dolphins were very good in one score games under Gase, although when they lost…they lost big. The issue with Gase is his personality and his tendency to butt heads with players and staff. This appears to be the biggest reason for his departure from Miami as the Dolphins looked to clear house and get the organisation on one page. Another issue with Gase is his tendency to completely ignore the defensive side of the ball. He’d often be filmed sitting on the bench making notes as the defence was on the field. This may not be a major issue for the Jets who have also hired Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator, although reports that Gase and Williams have already had problems will not fill Jet fans with confidence. My concern with Gase is that he may be one of those guys who’s better suited to a coordinator position than Head Coach. His prickly attitude coupled with the New York media may also be a recipe for disaster.

No. 4: Vic Fangio – Denver Broncos

Bio: A former Safety, Vic Fangio started his coaching career in the High School ranks with his Alma Mater Dunmore High School in Pennsylvania. After a stint as Defensive co-ordinator for Milford Academy (were players are presumably neither seen nor heard) Fangio became Defensive coordinator for North Carolina. In 1984, Fangio became a defensive assistant for USFL side: Philadelphia Stars. Fangio’s first NFL job came in 1986 with the New Orleans Saints, where he’d spend 8 years as line-backers coach before joining the expansion Carolina Panthers as defensive coordinator. Fangio spend time with the Colts, Texans and Ravens before returning to the college ranks with Stanford in 2010. Jim Harbaugh would then bring Fangio with him when he became Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Fangio spent 4 seasons with the Niners until he took over as defensive coordinator in Chicago. Every year, Fangio’s Bears defence showed improvement and would lead the Bears to the NFC North title in 2018. Fangio got his first head coaching job on January 10^th, replacing Vance Joseph in Denver.

Analysis: At 60 years old, Fangio is the second oldest coach hired. Really bucking the trend of young offensive guys getting the top jobs. There’s no doubt that Fangio is one of, if not the, best defensive coordinators in the NFL but to be this late into his career and only now getting his first Head Coaching job makes me wonder. I give credit to John Elway and the Broncos for not going with a ‘flavour of the month’ guy like Taylor or LaFleur but a big part of the decision had to be how well they can work with Elway. There’s no doubt that the Bronco’s will have a good defence next year but whether or not Fangio can transition into the role of head coach remains to be seen.

No. 3: Kliff Kingsbury – Arizona Cardinals

Bio: A native of San Antonio, Kliff Kingsbury was drafted by the Patriots in the 6^th round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent the year on injured reserve before being waved in 2004. He spent time on the Saints’ and Broncos’ practice squad before joining the Jets in 2005. He made his NFL debut that November, in the 4^th quarter of a blowout loss to Denver. Kingsbury went 1 for 2 for 17 yards. He would play a season in NFL Europe with the Cologne Centurions before returning to the NFL on the Bills practice squad. Kingsbury would then move to Canada, spending the offseason with the Montreal Alouettes before joining the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Making him the second Blue Bombers’ Quarterback to get an NFL job this offseason. After his one season in the CFL, Kingsbury moved into coaching, first as a quality control coach with the University of Houston before the Cougars promoted him to offensive coordinator in 2010. He’d spend the 2012 season as Texas A&M offensive coordinator, where his work with Johnny Manziel earned him the chance to become head coach of his Alma Mater, Texas Tech. In 6 seasons as Red Raiders Coach, Kingsbury compiled a 35-40 record before being fired at the end of the 2018 season. Kingsbury initially agreed to become USC Offensive Coordinator but left when interest from the Jets and Cardinals became clear. The Cardinals hired Kingsbury on January 8^th.

Analysis: There seems to be a lot of focus on Kingsbury’s record at Texas Tech, and I can see why. It doesn’t look great. However, understand that it’s very hard to win when you are battling the likes of Texas and Oklahoma for recruits. Kingsbury is a quarterback guru. As well as his stellar work with Johnny Manziel, Kingsbury developed Patrick Mahomes into a first round pick and, later, NFL MVP. He showed his guts when, in his first season as Red Raiders Head Coach, he gave the starting quarterback’s job to a freshman walk on by the name of Baker Mayfield. Unfortunately, a knee injury would end Mayfield’s run with Texas Tech, and he’d transfer to Oklahoma after another true freshman, Davis Webb, took over starting duties. There’s no denying Kingsbury’s offensive pedigree. As both a head coach and offensive coordinator, his offenses averaged 550 yards and 42 points per game. The big question is can he do it at the next level? Plenty of college coaches have struggled to get results in the NFL. Chip Kelly, Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino and even the great Nick Saban all failed hard when they joined the pro ranks. Overall, I like this hire. Kingsbury has a great deal of experience developing quarterbacks and that’s exactly what the Cards will need to get the most out of Josh Rosen.

No. 2: Bruce Arians – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bio: Arians is easily the most experienced coach hired this offseason having been in the coaching ranks since 1975. After spells with Alabama and Mississippi State, Arians got his first Head Coaching job in 1983 with Temple. He complied a 27-39 record in his six seasons there. In 1989, Arians found himself in the NFL for the first time, as Kansas City Chiefs’ running backs coach. Arians would hop between the college and professional ranks for a while before becoming Steelers’ Offensive coordinator in 2007. He’d spend 5 seasons with Pittsburgh until his contract expired and he joined Chuck Pagano’s staff in Indianapolis. When Pagano was diagnosed with Leukaemia during the 2012 season, he took time off for treatment and Arians took over as interim Head Coach, leading the Colts to a 9-3 record. Not only was 9 wins the most by an interim head coach in NFL history, Arians became the first interim coach to win Coach of the Year honours. Unsurprisingly, the Arizona Cardinals were quick to snap Arians up for the 2013 season. With the Cardinals, Arians posted a 49-30-1 record in the regular season and reached the NFC Championship game in 2015. After the 2017 season, Arians announced his retirement from Coaching – sighting health problems – and spent a year working as a colour commentator for CBS. He’d re-join the coaching ranks after just one year of retirement when he accepted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job on January 8^th.

Analysis: If a guy like Arians says he’s interested in your vacancy, it’s very hard to say no. Arians is a 2-time coach of the year and a proven winner at this level. There is absolutely no doubt the Buccaneers are going to be a better team with him at the helm. The only reason Arians misses out on the top spot is simple. 12 months ago, he retired because of health issues. This is not a long-term hire. Arians may not coach more than 2 or 3 seasons before he’s forced to retire again. To me, that’s not what a franchise that’s already on its 5^th head coach in 9 seasons, needs. I am sure that Arians will be a winner in Tampa, but I worry about the lack of stability long term. I don’t want to come across as to negative, because I really do like the hire. If it wasn’t for the health issues this would easily be number 1. The leadership and respect Arians brings is exactly what the Buccaneers need. I’m just worried it will be over too soon for them to fully reap the rewards. Hopefully, Arians will right the ship and have a succession plan in place. That way the Buccaneers can finally have some long-term stability and identity.

No. 1: Brian Flores – Miami Dolphins

Bio: Brian Flores played Line-backer for the Boston College, but injury ended any chance of an NFL career. He’d join the New England Patriots, as a scouting assistant, in 2004 and would spend the next 14 years there. In his time with New England, Flores has held a variety of roles. He’s worked in the scouting department as well as coached on the both the Offensive and Defensive sides of the ball. His most recent role was Line-backers coach and defensive play caller. Despite not having the job title, Flores was the Patriots’ de facto defensive coordinator. Following his sides victory in Superbowl LIII, Flores flew to Miami and was announced as the Dolphins new Head Coach less than 24 hours later.

Analysis: Full disclosure: I am a Miami Dolphins fan. Is this ranking my Aqua coloured glasses tinting my perception? Maybe. However, you should know that Flores wasn’t always at the top of this list. Then the Superbowl happened. Flores’ defence completely shut down the offense every team in the NFL is, seemingly, trying to replicate. You can say that was down to Belichick, but the Pats head man has said Flores was the one who came up with the game plan. Now, I’m not saying this hire is good because of one game and, as I’ve already said, being a good co-ordinator doesn’t always translate into being a good Head Coach. What I love about this hire is the different areas of the organisation Flores is familiar with. This is not a hire to ‘fix’ one part of the team, a trap many teams often fall into (like the Dolphins hiring Adam Gase to fix the offense). Now there are, of course, some concerns. Flores has never been a Head Coach at any level, so there is bound to be a learning curve to some degree. It’s also hard to ignore how poorly Bill Belichick’s prodigies do when they leave the comfort of Massachusetts. However, from what I’ve read and heard from Brian Flores, I believe he has the mentality to make it work.

So, that’s my rankings. How do you see this coaching cycle? Do you agree or disagree with any of my rankings? Let us know in the comments.