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NFL 2018 Head Coach Candidate Power Rankings: Fly Eagles Fly

By Erik Lambert

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches action during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches action during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels shakes hands with a member of the armed forces on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels shakes hands with a member of the armed forces on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The NFL 2018 head coach candidate list should feature an interesting mix of names in the coming months. Among them well-knowns and unknowns.

This list is a short power rankings intended to pinpoint the names who are currently the hottest on the market. Various reasons go into it. First and foremost is the success of the teams they coach for, followed closely by their experience and their run of success elsewhere. Some are first-time guys hoping to take that final step. Others are retreads working tirelessly to get another chance that they failed to take advantage of the first time.

Be prepared for one or two surprises.

#1:  Josh McDaniels (Patriots offensive coordinator)

It’s pretty much the same as last year. McDaniels was the big name given his ongoing success in New England. Tom Brady is 40-years old and is still playing like the best in the business. A huge part of why is the crafty game planning and intelligent play calling that McDaniels brings to the table. He’s still only in his early 40s as a coach and had a chance to mature after his difficult run as head coach in Denver. In a QB-driven league, his services will be in high demand unless he somehow falters late this season, which is unlikely.

#2:  Frank Reich (Eagles offensive coordinator)

Carson Wentz is the hottest football player on the planet right now and his Eagles the best team in the NFL. As a result a huge part of that MVP-caliber success will be showered upon his coaches. Reich has gotten head coaching buzz prior to this thanks to his good work in San Diego prior to coming aboard in Philly. He’s a career quarterback specialist who played the position and learned at the knee of some outstanding head coaches.  The guys is experienced and ready for his shot.

#3:  Jim Schwartz (Eagles defensive coordinator)

Up until the past couple years the stigma around Scwartz was strong thanks to how things ended for him in Detroit. People didn’t stop to appreciate how he took an 0-16 franchise to the playoffs in three years. That’s tremendous work. Now he’s one of the best defensive coordinators in the league in charge of an Eagles unit that has been suffocating opponents for the past couple months. No doubt teams are wondering if a second chance is in fair order for him.

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