NFL: Election Day coaching staff president and VP "ticket" rankings

To celebrate Election Day 2020, we rank all 32 NFL coaching staff “tickets”, including every team’s head coach and their assistant running mate.

Attention NFL fans! It’s Election Day! I hope everyone is getting out, hitting the polls and making sure that your voice counts!

In honor of election day, I decided to go through the NFL coaching staffs and develop a president-vice president “ticket” for every NFL team that includes the head coach and one assistant that would be their “running mate”.

As would typically be the case in a presidential nomination, a vice president/running mate was chosen based on their potential to one day thrive as a “president” or their ability to fill in sufficiently if needed.

I’m sure you’ll notice a bit of a trend. The teams with some of the worst records in the NFL will appear towards the beginning of our countdown from 32 to 1, while the leaders of the league’s top teams will rank at the top of our list.

It’s clear to coincidence that elite level coaching thrives in the NFL. There are talented players across the board, leaving leadership to put teams over the top. When teams are properly motivated and prepared, they are more likely to succeed. Simple as that.

Here’s hoping that our country can have that high level of leadership for the next four years, and beyond. Which coaching duo do you think is best? Let’s take a look.

32. New York Jets

Adam Gase-Gregg Williams

This one should be clear to any NFL viewer. The New York Jets are atrocious. Adam Gase has been horrible this year and has been for most of his NFL coaching career. While Gregg Williams does have some experience and spurts of success as a head coach and interim head coach, he does not bring this ticket out of the cellar.

31. Houston Texans

Romeo Crennell-Brian Cushing

If Bill O’Brien was still the head coach of the Houston Texans, I don’t think this team’s rank would move at all. O’Brien was incredibly disappointing as a leader in this organization. While he seemed to be a better coach than general manager, that’s not saying much. So rightfully so, he is no longer in charge.

Romeo Crennell, now the oldest head coach in the NFL, has been around the block quite a few times, so he can hold the fort down temporarily, but the long-term outlook is questionable for the Texans. They also lack a clear running mate so I went with the ever-popular linebacker-turned-strength coach, Brian Cushing, just for the fun of it.

30. Atlanta Falcons

Raheem Morris-Dirk Koetter

The Atlanta Falcons are the other team in the NFL that has already moved on from their head coach that started the season, Dan Quinn. While both Raheem Morris and Dirk Koetter have legitimate head coaching experience with the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this situation is still not good. Atlanta has a ton of talent and still finds a way to lose game after game.

29. Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor-Brian Callahan

In just his second season as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, Zac Taylor already has people wondering if he is on the hot seat. While rookie quarterback, Joe Burrow, seems to be thriving under the former QB and offensive guru, his leadership and decision-making when it comes to playing time have been questioned throughout the 2020 NFL season.

28. Detroit Lions

Matt Patricia-Darrell Bevell

Another coach that is firmly on the hot seat is Detroit Lions Matt Patricia. Patricia was supposed to bring “The Patriot Way” with him to the Motor City but has failed to come anywhere close to the success that he had in New England. His win percentage is horrible, and if his team doesn’t step it up he could be interviewing for defensive coordinator positions very soon. Running mate, Darrell Bevell has had success as an offensive coordinator in other spots in the past, but things just have not been working out well in Detroit.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

Doug Marrone-Jay Gruden

After very low expectations of the team coming into the 2020 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars actually had a pretty solid start to the season. “VP” Jay Gruden had the offense clicking under Gardner Minshew, but the team has reverted to their old ways and is now 1-6. It just doesn’t seem like Marrone is the guy to turn this thing around and with Gruden’s recent off-the-field drama I wouldn’t want him in any sort of leadership role.

26. New York Giants

Joe Judge-Jason Garrett

Joe Judge was a very surprising hire for the New York Giants this offseason, coming over from the Patriots where he was wide receivers and special teams coach. There have certainly been mixed reviews about Judge’s style of coaching, but the results on the field have been pretty clear. They aren’t winning games. Sure, he will need time to turn things around, but I’m still not sold on the hire. Jason Garrett and his significant head coaching experience brings this ticket up a bit in my mind, but if Jason Garrett is your bright spot… well you get what I’m saying.

25. Dallas Cowboys

Mike McCarthy-Joe Philbin

The Dallas Cowboys were tough to rank. Based on reputation and experience, Mike McCarthy should be towards the top of this list. But based on the reports coming out of Dallas from players in their first season under their new head coach, it sounds like he should be dead last. Getting players to buy in is crucial to a head coach’s success, and as you can see, Dallas has failed to really find any.

24. Denver Broncos

Vic Fangio-Pat Shurmur

Denver had hoped that Vic Fangio would bring his defensive dominance from Chicago to Mile High, but the team has struggled since he arrived. His clock management has been very questionable and his leadership may be as well. The Broncos have been playing okay this year and Fangio may be improving alongside his young quarterback, but I still think he and former Browns/Giants head coach and current offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur, belong towards the bottom of this list.

23. Minnesota Vikings

Mike Zimmer-Gary Kubiak

It wasn’t long ago that the Minnesota Vikings looked like consistent playoff contenders in the NFC and Mike Zimmer was a candidate for NFL Coach of the Year. But boy how the mighty have fallen. The Vikes have been plain bad this season, and it has stemmed primarily from Zimmer’s strength: defense. This coaching staff could be on their way out the way things have been trending for the Vikings unless they really turn their season around (beating the Packers was a good start).

22. Chicago Bears

Matt Nagy-Chuck Pagano

Matt Nagy thrived as an offensive mind under Andy Reid in Kansas City but has been underwhelming to this point with the Chicago Bears. His handling of the quarterback position and his playcalling have really been the knocks on Nagy, but his team has been competing well this season. With former Colts head coach, Chuck Pagano, with him on the ballot, he may get some votes, but I’m not all-in on Nagy.

21. Cleveland Browns

Kevin Stefanski-Bill Callahan

I think this ticket has the potential to end up towards the top of the list come the next election in four years, which would be an incredible sight for Cleveland Browns fans who have seemingly had a new coach every year since they returned to the NFL. But this staff isn’t quite there yet. Stefanski has shown some promise and Callahan is a great veteran presence to have around, but this staff is still learning and working through growing pains each and every week.

20. Washington Football Team

Ron Rivera-Jack Del Rio

This ticket has quite a bit of head coaching experience. I really believe that Ron Rivera is exactly what a franchise like Washington needed. A no-nonsense, player-turned-coach who has been there and done that. You can tell the team is starting to turn things around, particularly on defense.

While they still have a long way to go and Rivera may not be the most optimal long-term option, his dedication to his team to fight through and continue to lead his team despite his battle with cancer is admirable and valuable when evaluating NFL coaches.

19. Los Angeles Chargers

Anthony Lynn-Gus Bradley

Based on their team’s record this season, this ticket should be lower on this list. The Los Angeles Chargers have seemed to be grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory lately, but I still have a good feeling about this staff. Lynn seems like a great leader and his offense with Justin Herbert at the helm looks very impressive. Combined with Gus Bradley’s defensive prowess and head coaching experience, I’d feel pretty comfortable casting a vote for this crew, but there are certainly many better options in this top level of football.

18. Miami Dolphins

Brian Flores-Chan Gailey

Everything that I have seen from Dolphins head coach, Brian Flores, I have liked. He seems like a great leader on and off the field and has this Miami team already turning things around from their “Tank for Tua” expectations coming into last season. We will have to see what he can really do throughout this rebuilding process, but things look like they’re going in the right direction.

17. Las Vegas Raiders

Jon Gruden-Rod Marinelli

The Las Vegas Raiders seemed to have come out of nowhere when they stole former Raiders and Bucs head coach away from ESPN. Gruden had been out of coaching for quite a while before making his return to the black and silver, and his new tenure started off shaky with the Antonio Brown drama. But the Raiders have been playing well lately, so Gruden should get some credit. He seems to be getting back in the groove and we will see how far he can lead this team in the 2020 NFL season.

16. Philadelphia Eagles

Doug Pederson-Jim Schwartz

If I were making this list following the 2017-2018 NFL season, the Eagles ticket would be right towards the top. But now, they barely crack the top half. While the Eagles have been decimated by injuries over the past two seasons, playcalling has really seemed to be an issue for Pederson. He was being viewed as an offensive mastermind alongside Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan just a could years ago, and now people are questioning his job status. While I don’t think his job is in danger, Pederson, Schwartz and the whole Philly staff need to step things up.

15. Indianapolis Colts

Frank Reich-Matt Eberflus

Frank Reich is a guy that could have been on that 2017-2018 Philadelphia Eagles ticket with Doug Pederson. Many credited him with the success of Nick Foles following the Carson Wentz injury, and after Josh McDaniels backed out of the Colts job, Reich earned the promotion. He has had the Colts looking impressive at times, and young defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus, will likely be on the shortlist for every team needing to fill a head coach vacancy this offseason.

14. Carolina Panthers

Matt Rhule-Joe Brady

Rhule-Brady may be the ticket of the future in the NFL. That is if Joe Brady doesn’t decide to go out and run for president himself. Brady and Matt Rhule both came to the Carolina Panthers from the college ranks this offseason and have been very successful to this point already. The Panthers are an incredibly young team that already seems to be growing and developing rapidly under this new leadership. The sky is the limit for this duo.

13. Arizona Cardinals

Kliff Kingsbury-Vance Joseph

While it took the Arizona Cardinals a bit to get off the ground under Kliff Kingsbury, they seem to be starting to soar in the 2020 NFL season. Kingsbury seems to have his quarterback that fits his system to a tee and the team is starting to win games. Joseph has head coaching experience as well, and Kingsbury should be a more and more intriguing candidate as his team grows and develops.

12. Tennessee Titans

Mike Vrabel-Jim Haslett

This ticket would be even stronger if Dean Pees was still in the fold in Tennessee, but nonetheless, Vrabel has been an impressive head coach. Despite their defensive struggles at times this season, they still seem to be one of the best teams in the NFL in 2020, following their AFC Championship Game appearance a year ago. Vrabel’s creative clock management skills have boosted his well-known passion for the game to make him a well-rounded NFL head coach.

11. Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay-Kevin O’Connell

Undoubtedly, Sean McVay is one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL. His team is always so fun to watch when they have the ball. The team’s recent performances may reflect more on quarterback play than on the coaching staff, but they have been very inconsistent as a team. McVay led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in his second season as head coach, but the team fell off drastically last year.

His lack of an elite running mate brings him down farther than he probably would be ranked if it were just a head coach ranking, but McVay is still an impressive football guy who has a lot to prove.

10. Green Bay Packers

Matt LaFleur-Mike Pettine

I don’t think all NFL fans realize that Matt LaFleur led the Green Bay Packers to the NFC Championship Game in his first season as head coach. Yes, one win from a Super Bowl appearance in his first season as an NFL head coach! Another impressive offensive mind who worked with Sean McVay throughout his career, LaFleur seems to also know how to connect with his players and lead a team. LaFleur is still very young and should only get better, and has former Browns head coach, Mike Pettine, as his defensive coach and running mate.

9. New Orleans Saints

Sean Payton-Dennis Allen

Sean Payton may as well just go ahead and make Drew Brees his running mate. The duo has been synonymous with excellence pretty much ever since they came together in New Orleans. Payton is another great offensive play caller and leader of men. Some may feel that the Saints have actually underperformed by only winning one Super Bowl, but I think Payton is still a top NFL coach.

8. Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll-Brian Schottenheimer

There is no denying that Pete Carroll has been one of the best coaches in the NFL since landing in Seattle. Similar to Payton and Brees, Carroll’s true running mate would be Russell Wilson. The two have been great for the Seahawks, and players really seem to love to play for Carroll. He certainly doesn’t act like the oldest full-time head coach in the NFL, and he should have plenty of successful years still in him.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bruce Arians-Todd Bowles (HM: Byron Leftwich)

This “vice-president” decision was by far the hardest of this exercise. Bruce Arians has a couple of outstanding coordinators. Byron Leftwich has been getting some buzz in recent years for some head coaching vacancies, but Todd Bowles already has head coaching experience and has Tampa’s defense atop the NFL. Arians and his offense are holding their own with Tom Brady under center, and I can see this staff leading this squad all the way.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin-Keith Butler

All Mike Tomlin seems to do in Pittsburgh is find ways to create winning seasons. Even when his roster lacks talent or is decimated due to injury, Tomlin gets the players that he does have to perform at a high level. That’s what being a great coach is all about. Tomlin may be the best true leader in the NFL and is leading his Steelers to the only undefeated team in the NFL right now.

5. Buffalo Bills

Sean McDermott-Brian Daboll

This whole ticket is very solid. Sean McDermott has really turned this Buffalo Bills franchise around since he was hired as head coach. Also, offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, has turned the team’s weakness into its strength, molding Josh Allen into the leader of a high-powered offense. The Bills may have lost a couple of games this season, but they are in firm control of the AFC East and have time to develop even further for a deep playoff push this year, and for years to come.

4. San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan-Robert Saleh

Cut from the same cloth as McVay and LaFleur, Kyle Shanahan had a front-row seat to one of the best growing up in his dad, Mike. His scheme with the Niners is absolutely beautiful to watch and can be filled by nearly any player in the league. They certainly didn’t have the most talented offense a year ago, but they still almost managed to win a Super Bowl.

I know people are going to hold his two Super Bowl “collapses” against him, but Shanahan is still young and has the brains to scheme his way back from try after try in the NFC.

3. Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh-Greg Roman

John Harbaugh has been about as consistent as you can get as a head coach over the last decade or so. He always seems to have his Ravens competing and in position to win the AFC North and at least a playoff game or two. Now with Greg Roman and Lamar Jackson on his side, things only seem to be getting better.

Sure, Baltimore may not have won a playoff game in either of the past two seasons, but Jackson is still young and they have a bright future there with the Ravens. Roman will certainly be busy interviewing for head coaching positions this offseason following his success with Jackson at quarterback, strengthening this ticket even more.

2. New England Patriots

Bill Belichick-Josh McDaniels

Well, the New England Patriots have certainly been disappointing as a team this season. I’m sure a 2-5 is not a record that Bill Belichick ever envisioned his team having. But he can’t go out there and make plays. Between free agency, COVID-19 opt-outs and injuries, the Patriots have even fewer impact players than last season. You cannot deny the legend and the success that Belichick and McDaniels have had together in New England and there’s no way that they could be anywhere but towards the top of this list.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Reid-Eric Bieniemy

Finally, we get to our number one, election-winning NFL coaching ticket. Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy, to me, are clearly the most impressive coaching duo in the NFL. After years and years of head coaching experience, Reid keeps coming up with new and creative ways for his offense to beat you.

Next. 2021 NFL mock draft. dark

While the up-and-coming Bieniemy does his fair share and the offense doesn’t miss a beat. They won the Super Bowl last year and it wouldn’t surprise a single NFL fan if they did so again this year. Reid should have a handful and solid years left, then you can turn things over to a guy that will almost certainly get a head coaching position before next season rolls around. The Reid-Bieniemy ticket gets my vote, and I would love to have them leading my football team, organization and country.

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