Updated NFL Coach Mock Draft: Mike Shanahan Creating Mystery
By Erik Lambert
After another length of time to get a clearer picture, what is the NFL coaching carousel hinting regarding the open positions?
Buffalo Bills
Previous Pick: Adam Gase
New Pick: Frank Reich
Somewhat of a late bloomer in the NFL head coach carousel, Frank Reich has gained traction amongst league sources as a smart, strong leader with a wide base of knowledge that he uses well. That, coupled with his extensive history with the Buffalo Bills franchise makes him a great hometown hero choice to take over after the shady departure of Doug Marrone. To top it off, Reich is a former quarterback who has helped Philip Rivers regain his Pro Bowl form in San Diego the past two seasons. He might have the answer to Buffalo’s problems at that position.
New York Jets
Previous Pick: Doug Marrone
New Pick: Mike Shanahan
It seemed preordained when the dominoes first fell that Doug Marrone was the next head coach for the New York Jets. He has a history with the team and is a New York native. However, word has spread his interview didn’t go well and that leaves the Jets in a thick fog of uncertainty. One name that can and should emerge from it is Mike Shanahan. He has many of the tools the team needs: experience, an affinity for strong ground games, good relationships with quarterbacks, and a disciplined approach with his players. He will provide stability and credibility.
Atlanta Falcons
Previous Pick: Todd Bowles
New Pick: Rex Ryan
This shift is a subtle one. A lot of people feel strongly that Rex Ryan has a great chance to land on his feet as a head coach with the Atlanta Falcons. It makes perfect sense. The team has a solid offense with a proven quarterback in place. All they need is somebody to come in and fix their perennially weak defense. Few can do that better than Ryan who has never fielded a defense worse than 11th overall. If this team is interested in making a run at the Super Bowl soon, then Ryan is their guy because few other candidates got closer than he did.
San Francisco 49ers
Previous Pick: Dan Quinn
New Pick: Vic Fangio
It’s looking more and more like the San Francisco 49ers are less interested in total change than first thought. Clearly the main issue was Jim Harbaugh. Signs point to the team have two in-house candidates they like and the latest to interview was defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. It reportedly went very well and there is a keen sense the team doesn’t want to lose its identity as a defensive powerhouse. Promoting Fangio would make that a seamless transition.
Oakland Raiders
Previous Pick: Jack Del Rio
New Pick: Jack Del Rio
This is the only pick that remains unchanged. Nothing has surfaced recently to indicate the Oakland Raiders have lost interest in Jack Del Rio. They are familiar with his work in Denver but he also brings head coaching experience, is popular with his players but disciplined and has shown he can help a young quarterback elevate his game to heights that win in the playoffs as he did in Jacksonville with David Garrard. On top of that his background should help the Raiders defense continue to improve.
Chicago Bears
Previous Pick: Teryl Austin
New Pick: Todd Bowles
The reasons for this switch have to do with the increasing likelihood that the next Chicago Bears GM will be Kansas City Chiefs player personnel director Chris Ballard. He is an executive known for his defensive ties and a keen sense for finding good defensive backs as he did as a scout for Chicago.
This makes the alignment with Todd Bowles easy. He’s a defensive coordinator and so should quickly help the Bears regain stability in that department. On top of that he’s a former safety and a former defensive backs coach. It’s hard not seeing him and Ballard hitting it off given their similar philosophies. Throw in the fact that Bowles comes from a coaching tree that includes Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells, Andy Reid and now Bruce Arians and it’s an easy sell for Ballard.