NFL Head Coach Sleepers For 2015: Rex Ryan? Really?
By Erik Lambert
As the NFL season winds down, fans are getting acquainted with the top head coaching candidates. Well what about the unexpected names? Who among the many that will be vying for the few open spots have a better-than-believed shot at getting one?
Tom Clements – Green Bay Packers Offensive Coordinator
His name was a hot topic a couple years ago but cooled for awhile as the Green Bay Packers went through a transition offensively. Now that he is firmly in charge as offensive coordinator, Tom Clements looks like a master organizer. Even while Mike McCarthy calls the plays, the offensive coordinator has built the Packers offense back into the juggernaut it was three years ago. Aaron Rodgers is going to be MVP again and the team are Super Bowl favorites.
Kevin Coyle – Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator
Ryan Tannehill is not the reason the Miami Dolphins are in the playoff discussion. If they didn’t have a top 10 defense this team wouldn’t even be over .500. That is a massive tip of the cap to Kevin Coyle who has built the unit into one of the best in pro football since taking over in 2012. He has been in the league for 13 years and been in the sport since 1978. The time may be at hand for the guy to get a serious look at running his own team.
Rex Ryan – New York Jets Head Coach
Seriously? Yes. Listen, Rex Ryan is going through hard times with the New York Jets but it can’t be simply shrugged off what he has accomplished there. The man led that organization to two-straight AFC championship games and really has elevated the team to levels they probably shouldn’t be achieving given the lack of capability he’s had in the front office. What is happening this season may be more about the fact he knows he’s gone combined with terrible quarterback play. He deserves another shot at the job.