NFL head coaching menu: Current NFL defensive coordinators

The NFC East coaches are probably safe from getting the ax this offseason.  Nevertheless, I thought it would be good to take a look around the league at the current offensive and defensive coordinators in the NFL, and try to figure out their viability as NFL head coaches.  Today we’ll do the defensive coordinators, and at some point I’ll get the offensive coordinators up as well.

Guys we can rule out right off the bat:

Larry Coyer, Colts: Coyer was fired in-season this year.

Larry Coyer (fired) (69)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2000 Broncos	DC	24	7	31	23
2001 Broncos	DC	8	6	16	21
2002 Broncos	DC	6	4	17	15
2003 Broncos	DC	4	7	6	9
2004 Broncos	DC	4	4	6	9
2005 Broncos	DC	15	2	29	3
2006 Broncos	DC	14	12	21	8
2009 Colts	DC	18	24	14	8
2010 Colts	DC	20	25	13	23
2011 Colts	DC	25	29	15	28

Fred Pagac, Vikings: ESPN’s Tom Pelissero reported that Pagac is unlikely to keep his defensive coordinator job in Minnesota next season, and noted two sources that claimed Vikings defensive backs often refused to execute the calls Pagac was calling:

Any decisions are unlikely to be finalized before the season finale on Jan. 1, after which ownership will conduct its annual round of meetings to discuss the state of the franchise, the stadium push and a variety of other issues.

One thing that seems almost certain, though, is Fred Pagac will not return for a second season as defensive coordinator.

That much became apparent when Frazier took over defensive play-calling duties for a stretch last month. But problems surfaced months earlier.

According to two sources, a group of defensive backs raised concerns about Pagac’s play-calling — specifically, the timing and frequency of blitzes and man-coverage calls — within the first month of the season.

At times, some players simply refused to play the defenses called, yelling out their own coverages as they broke the huddle. Tension mounted among players who felt the issues weren’t run up the flagpole and coaches who disagreed on how to proceed with an increasingly depleted group.

“There’s so many different ways to do it to protect themselves, especially with a beat-up secondary,” a source said. “(Players) don’t want to play some of the calls, just because they don’t have confidence in it.”

Obviously, that’s not good.

Fred Pagac (60)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2011 Vikings	DC	21	11	26	31

Juan Castillo, Eagles: After what felt like a really long search, the Eagles shocked everyone by promoting their OL coach to run the defense, and Castillo has been under heavy scrutiny ever since. The Eagles defense got much better as the season progressed, but it remains unlikely he will be the defensive coordinator in Philly in 2012.  Obviously, he will not be the head coach anywhere.

Juan Castillo (52)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2011 Eagles	DC	8	16	10	10

Chuck Bresnahan, Raiders: If Eagles fans felt the defensive coordinator search in Philly took a long time, the Raiders didn’t hire theirs until March.  (Juan Castillo was hired February 2nd).  The Raiders defense has been terrible this season, and Bresnahan’s resume as a DC is anemic, to say the least.

Chuck Bresnahan (50)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2000 Raiders	DC	17	5	25	9
2001 Raiders	DC	18	22	9	19
2002 Raiders	DC	11	3	23	6
2003 Raiders	DC	30	32	22	25
2005 Bengals	DC	28	20	26	22
2006 Bengals	DC	30	15	31	17
2007 Bengals	DC	27	21	26	24
2011 Raiders	DC	29	27	27	29

Sean McDermott, Panthers: The McDermott-led 2010 Eagles had the worst red-zone defense in the NFL since the 1988 Houston Oilers. In Carolina, head coach and former Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is very hands on with the Panthers defense, meaning McDermott isn’t even fully running the defensive show in Carolina, which is probably a good thing considering they didn’t stop many teams this season.

Sean McDermott (38)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2009 Eagles	DC	12	9	17	19
2010 Eagles	DC	12	15	14	21
2011 Panthers	DC	28	25	24	27

George Edwards, Bills: The resume simply isn’t good.

George Edwards (45)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2003 Redskins	DC	25	24	14	24
2010 Bills	DC	24	32	3	28
2011 Bills	DC	26	28	19	30

Classic re-treads:

Rod Marinelli, Bears: Much like John Harbaugh in Baltimore, Marinelli is a semi-rare example of a guy that became a head coach without ever first being an offensive or defensive coordinator.  Marinelli is unfortunately best known for leading the only team to go 0-16 in the history of the NFL.  His 3-year record in Detroit as a head coach was 10-38 (.208).

Rod Marinelli (63)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2006 Lions	HC
2007 Lions	HC
2008 Lions	HC
2010 Bears	DC	9	2	20	4
2011 Bears	DC	17	5	28	14

Gunther Cunningham, Lions: Opposing teams this season knew that the Lions could be provoked into committing dumb personal fouls.  Jim Schwartz has caught most of the shrapnel for that, but Cunningham’s fingerprints are on that as well.  Cunningham is also 66 years old, which doesn’t help his cause, not to mention, the Lions defense wasn’t good this season, despite much improved talent.

Gunther Cunningham (66)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1992 Raiders	DC	9	12	10	11
1993 Raiders	DC	9	20	5	21
1995 Chiefs	DC	2	3	5	1
1996 Chiefs	DC	18	13	22	11
1997 Chiefs	DC	11	7	16	1
1998 Chiefs	DC	9	18	7	22
1999 Chiefs	HC
2000 Chiefs	HC
2004 Chiefs	DC	31	12	32	29
2005 Chiefs	DC	25	7	30	16
2006 Chiefs	DC	16	18	18	11
2007 Chiefs	DC	13	28	5	14
2008 Chiefs	DC	31	30	26	29
2009 Lions	DC	32	25	32	32
2010 Lions	DC	21	24	16	19
2011 Lions	DC	23	23	22	23

Jim Haslett, Redskins: Two years ago, the Redskins had the 10th ranked defense in the NFL running a 4-3 with players that fit the scheme perfectly.  Enter Jim Haslett, who decided to run a 3-4, perhaps setting the defense back at least one year.  In 2010, they were 31st.  This year, they were greatly improved, at 13, despite an offense that couldn’t keep the football.  Still, Haslett’s biggest success came before he got his first head coaching opportunity.  His track record after that stint hasn’t been as impressive.

Jim Haslett (57)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1996 Saints	DC	13	27	3	20
1997 Steelers	DC	6	1	18	11
1998 Steelers	DC	12	13	18	7
1999 Steelers	DC	11	26	4	12
2000 Saints	HC
2001 Saints	HC
2002 Saints	HC
2003 Saints	HC
2004 Saints	HC
2005 Saints	HC
2006 Rams	DC	23	31	8	28
2007 Rams	DC	21	20	21	31
2008 Rams	DC/IHC	28	29	19	31
2010 Redskins	DC	31	26	31	21
2011 Redskins	DC	13	18	12	21

Dick Jauron, Browns: Dick Jauron very quietly led the #5 ranked scoring defense in the NFL with the Browns this season, although he is probably best where he is as a DC.

Dick Jauron (61)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1995 Jaguars	DC	21	24	17	28
1996 Jaguars	DC	15	19	16	19
1997 Jaguars	DC	23	13	24	15
1998 Jaguars	DC	25	22	23	17
1999 Bears	HC
2000 Bears	HC
2001 Bears	HC
2002 Bears	HC
2003 Bears	HC
2004 Lions	DC	22	15	20	18
2005 Lions	DC	20	24	13	21
2006 Bills	DC	18	28	7	10
2007 Bills	DC	31	25	29	18
2008 Bills	DC	14	22	13	14
2009 Bills	DC	19	30	2	16
2011 Browns	DC	10	30	2	5

Long-time defensive coordinator greats best suited to remain defensive coordinators:

Dick LeBeau, Steelers: The legendary LeBeau (marvel at his resume below) was the equivalent of a free agent this past offseason, but put off retirement and re-upped with the Steelers.  LeBeau will be 74 years old at the start of next season.  It’s probably Pittsburgh DC or retirement for LeBeau from here on out.

Dick LeBeau (74)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1984 Bengals	DC	13	11	18	16
1985 Bengals	DC	22	15	24	26
1986 Bengals	DC	20	22	10	23
1987 Bengals	DC	8	8	14	24
1988 Bengals	DC	15	18	10	16
1989 Bengals	DC	15	26	8	7
1990 Bengals	DC	25	22	26	19
1991 Bengals	DC	28	13	28	28
1995 Steelers	DC	3	2	6	9
1996 Steelers	DC	2	3	5	4
1997 Bengals	DC	28	29	21	27
1998 Bengals	DC	28	30	12	30
1999 Bengals	DC	25	16	28	31
2000 Bengals	HC
2001 Bengals	HC
2002 Bengals	HC
2004 Steelers	DC	1	1	4	1
2005 Steelers	DC	4	3	16	3
2006 Steelers	DC	9	3	20	11
2007 Steelers	DC	1	3	3	2
2008 Steelers	DC	1	2	1	1
2009 Steelers	DC	5	3	16	12
2010 Steelers	DC	2	1	12	1
2011 Steelers	DC	1	8	1	1

Wade Phillips, Texans: Phillips has had 5 stints as an NFL head coach (2 were interim jobs), and none lasted longer than 4 years.  The job he has done in Houston as the Texans’ defensive coordinator has been nothing short of miraculous.  That was the 30th ranked defense last season.  This year, prior to Phillips having to take a leave due to health-related issues, the Texans were ranked #1.  However, Dallas was his last shot as the head guy.

Wade Phillips (65)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1981 Saints	DC	11	11	20	24
1982 Saints	DC	5	10	8	8
1983 Saints	DC	2	11	1	12
1984 Saints	DC	4	26	1	19
1985 Saints	DC/IHC	24	19	23	22
1986 Eagles	DC	17	19	14	12
1987 Eagles	DC	23	9	28	25
1988 Eagles	DC	27	6	28	14
1989 Broncos	DC	3	6	3	1
1990 Broncos	DC	20	17	21	23
1991 Broncos	DC	5	19	3	3
1992 Broncos	DC	22	23	18	19
1993 Broncos	HC
1994 Broncos	HC
1995 Bills	DC	13	11	16	12
1996 Bills	DC	9	14	8	6
1997 Bills	DC	9	15	12	23
1998 Bills	HC
1999 Bills	HC
2000 Bills	HC
2002 Falcons	DC	19	23	16	8
2003 Falcons	DC/IHC	32	29	32	30
2004 Chargers	DC	18	3	31	11
2005 Chargers	DC	13	1	28	13
2006 Chargers	DC	10	7	13	7
2007 Cowboys	HC
2008 Cowboys	HC
2009 Cowboys	HC
2010 Cowboys	HC
2011 Texans	DC	2	4	3	4

Dom Capers, Packers: Capers has the odd distinction of being the first head coach of two expansion franchises, first with the Panthers in 1995, and then with the Texans in 2002.  In his first year with the Panthers, he led them to a very impressive 7-9 record.  In the second year, they went to the NFC Championship Game.  So he’s had success as the head guy.  His stint in Houston didn’t go quite as well – His record there was 18-46.  Working against Capers is his age (he’s 62), and the fact that his teams’ offenses were terrible during his head coaching stints.  Still, the Broncos reportedly were interested in interviewing Capers for their open HC position last year, and Capers seems to be open to giving a head spot another go-round, but he’s probably best suited to stay exactly where he is.

Dom Capers (62)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1992 Steelers	DC	13	17	8	2
1993 Steelers	DC	3	3	15	8
1994 Steelers	DC	2	7	3	2
1995 Panthers	HC
1996 Panthers	HC
1997 Panthers	HC
1998 Panthers	HC
1999 Jaguars	DC	4	7	3	1
2000 Jaguars	DC	12	11	14	16
2002 Texans	HC
2003 Texans	HC
2004 Texans	HC
2005 Texans	HC
2007 Dolphins	DC	23	32	4	30
2009 Packers	DC	2	1	5	7
2010 Packers	DC	5	18	5	2
2011 Packers	DC	32	14	32	19

Long-time defensive coordinators that could get a 2nd sniff as the head guy:

Gregg Williams, Saints: Williams is considered one of the best defensive minds in the game, and his contract is up after this season.  He has said previously that he would be in New Orleans as long as Sean Peyton and Drew Brees were there.  It would probably take an excellent situation/offer to get him to leave the Saints.

Gregg Williams (54)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1997 Oilers	DC	22	4	27	12
1998 Oilers	DC	16	9	20	12
1999 Titans	DC	17	10	25	15
2000 Titans	DC	1	3	1	2
2001 Bills	HC
2002 Bills	HC
2003 Bills	HC
2004 Redskins	DC	3	2	7	5
2005 Redskins	DC	9	13	10	9
2006 Redskins	DC	31	27	23	27
2007 Redskins	DC	8	4	16	11
2008 Jaguars	DC	17	13	24	21
2009 Saints	DC	25	21	26	20
2010 Saints	DC	4	16	4	7
2011 Saints	DC	24	12	30	13

Mike Nolan, Dolphins: Nolan might actually be a very intriguing defensive coordinator option for teams looking for a new one, depending on how the Dolphins’ search for a new head coach goes.  It wouldn’t be out of the question for him to get a 2nd sniff as a head coach somewhere as well.

Mike Nolan (53)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1993 Giants	DC	10	7	10	1
1994 Giants	DC	11	15	8	8
1995 Giants	DC	17	27	4	16
1996 Giants	DC	14	16	15	10
1997 Redskins	DC	16	28	3	8
1998 Redskins	DC	24	28	5	28
1999 Redskins	DC	30	27	26	24
2000 Jets	DC	10	23	6	13
2002 Ravens	DC	22	13	26	19
2003 Ravens	DC	3	6	4	6
2004 Ravens	DC	6	8	10	6
2005 49ers	HC
2006 49ers	HC
2007 49ers	HC
2008 49ers	HC
2009 Broncos	DC	7	26	3	12
2010 Dolphins	DC	6	7	8	14
2011 Dolphins	DC	15	3	25	6

Had a sniff:

Greg Manusky, Chargers: Manusky, at the time with the 49ers, interviewed for the Panthers head coaching job last January, but was ultimately beaten out by Ron Rivera.  The 2011 season has to be seen as a setback to Manusky, however. In 2010, the Chargers had the #1 ranked defense in yards and 10th in scoring under Rivera.  Manusky took over in San Diego, where he led the 16th ranked D in yards, and 26th in scoring.

Greg Manusky (46)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2007 49ers	DC	25	22	22	20
2008 49ers	DC	13	13	18	23
2009 49ers	DC	15	6	21	4
2010 49ers	DC	13	6	24	16
2011 Chargers	DC	16	20	13	26

A formerly hot name:

Perry Fewell, Giants: Last season, Fewell scored interviews with the Broncos, Browns and Panthers, although many people questioned whether Fewell, an African American, was being used by teams to satisfy their requirement to interview a black head coaching candidate under the Rooney Rule.  The Giants’ defense had a bad season, finishing near the worst in the NFL in all the major statistical categories.  However, they have a new season after making the playoffs by winning the mediocre NFC East.

Perry Fewell (50)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2006 Bills	DC	18	28	7	10
2007 Bills	DC	31	25	29	18
2008 Bills	DC	14	22	13	14
2009 Bills	DC/IHC	19	30	2	16
2010 Giants	DC	7	8	9	17
2011 Giants	DC	27	19	29	25

Victim of circumstance:

Ken Flajole, Rams: Flajole had been getting buzz prior to this season, but then the Rams defense suffered an absurd number of injuries (they had 10 cornerbacks land on the IR.  TEN!).  This season probably cost Flajole a shot at a head coaching gig this year, but he’ll get a chance to rebuild his rep somewhere in 2012.

Ken Flajole (57)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2009 Rams	DC	29	27	25	31
2010 Rams	DC	19	17	19	12
2011 Rams	DC	22	31	7	25

Getting some buzz, but why?

Rob Ryan, Raiders:  Rob Ryan has now been a defensive coordinator for 8 seasons.  In his entire career, teams that have had defenses led by Ryan have never had a winning season.  The bluster and braggadocio far outweigh the actual results.

Rob Ryan (48)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2004 Raiders	DC	30	22	30	31
2005 Raiders	DC	27	25	18	25
2006 Raiders	DC	3	25	1	18
2007 Raiders	DC	22	31	8	26
2008 Raiders	DC	27	31	10	24
2009 Browns	DC	31	28	29	21
2010 Browns	DC	22	27	18	24
2011 Cowboys	DC	14	7	23	16

Not viable candidates right now, but keep them on your radar:

Casey Bradley, Seahawks: Bradley is a Monte Kiffin disciple, and was reportedly given a strong recommendation from Kiffin when interviewing for the Seahawks DC job.  He has built sort of a frisky defense up in Seattle.  They have a lot of team speed on D, they play hard, and swarm to the football.  Bradley is still probably a year or two away from serious head coaching consideration, but he’s someone to keep an eye on.

Casey Bradley (46)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2009 Seahawks	DC	24	15	30	25
2010 Seahawks	DC	27	21	27	25
2011 Seahawks	DC	9	15	11	7

Jerry Gray, Titans: This was Gray’s first year as a defensive coordinator, and his defense went from 15th in the league in scoring last year, to 8th.  He’ll need to prove it over a longer period of time before he gets a legitimate shot at a head coaching job.  It should be noted that both Gray and Ray Horton below are both African Americans, so they should get some good experience interviewing for head coaching jobs even before they may be ready.

Jerry Gray (50)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2011 Titans	DC	18	24	14	8

Ray Horton, Cardinals: Arizona’s defense went from 29th to 18th in total yards from 2010 to 2011, and from 30th in points allowed to 17th.  Great start for Horton as a DC.

Ray Horton (52)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2011 Cardinals	DC	18	21	17	17

Start paying close attention:

Vic Fangio, 49ers: While Dom Capers is a bit of an oddity in that he has the weird distinction of being the first head coach of two expansion teams (Panthers and Texans), Fangio has the distinction of being the defensive coordinator under Capers during those years.  Obviously, expansion teams aren’t going to be stacked on defense right out of the gate, but the numbers are pretty ugly during those seasons and with some bad Colts teams early in the aughts.  Those numbers, however, are in stark contrast to the kind of season the 49ers had this year with Fangio at the helm.  It’ll be interesting to see if the Niners can continue their defensive success.  If so, Fangio could be a head coaching candidate down the line.

Vic Fangio (53)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
1995 Panthers	DC	7	10	14	8
1996 Panthers	DC	10	8	12	2
1997 Panthers	DC	15	22	9	13
1998 Panthers	DC	30	26	28	27
1999 Colts	DC	15	18	19	17
2000 Colts	DC	21	25	18	15
2001 Colts	DC	29	25	27	31
2002 Texans	DC	16	28	10	20
2003 Texans	DC	31	31	31	27
2004 Texans	DC	23	13	24	15
2005 Texans	DC	31	32	24	32
2011 49ers	DC	4	1	16	1

Brian VanGorder, Falcons: The Falcons’ defense has improved in each of the 4 seasons under VanGorder’s watch, but it’s still not exactly what you’d call a great unit.  He’ll get some looks down the line if the Falcons can continue to improve there.

Brian VanGorder (53)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2008 Falcons	DC	24	25	23	11
2009 Falcons	DC	21	10	28	14
2010 Falcons	DC	16	10	22	5
2011 Falcons	DC	12	6	20	18

Looking to remove the “interim” tag:

Romeo Crennel, Chiefs: Crennel is currently the interim head coach in KC and they canned Todd Haley.  How did the team respond?  They only ruined the juggernaut Packers’ perfect season.  It is believed that the Chiefs are going to remove the interim label and give Romeo his 2nd shot as an NFL head coach.

Romeo Crennel (65)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2000 Browns	DC	26	29	12	27
2001 Patriots	DC	24	19	24	6
2002 Patriots	DC	23	31	11	17
2003 Patriots	DC	7	4	15	1
2004 Patriots	DC	9	6	17	2
2005 Browns	HC
2006 Browns	HC
2007 Browns	HC
2008 Browns	HC
2010 Chiefs	DC	14	14	17	11
2011 Chiefs	DC/IHC	11	26	6	12

Mel Tucker, Jaguars: It certainly wasn’t Jacksonville’s defense that was the cause of their 5-11 season this year.  Still, it looks unlikely that Mel Tucker is likely to have the “interim” tag removed from his title.  He’s the second youngest defensive coordinator in the league, and the Jags have wasted no time getting their interview process underway, as they’re already linked to Mike Mularkey, Rob Chudzinsky, Brian Schottenheimer, Bill O’Brien, and Mike McCoy.  The common theme there is that all 5 of those guys are offensive minded coaches, a strong indication that’s the way the Jags are looking to go.

Mel Tucker (40)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2009 Jaguars	DC	23	19	27	24
2010 Jaguars	DC	28	22	28	27
2011 Jaguars	DC/IHC	6	9	8	11

Good experience, good track record:

Mike Pettine, Jets: Pettine has already reportedly drawn interest from the Miami Dolphins as a head coaching candidate. The Jets had their worst statistical season in the Rex Ryan era, and that came in a season in which Pettine reportedly had a more active role.  However, it also came in a year in which the offense was flat-out gross, and the defense had to be near-perfect to win football games.

Mike Pettine (45)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2009 Jets	DC	1	8	1	1
2010 Jets	DC	3	3	6	6
2011 Jets	DC	5	13	5	20

Chuck Pagano, Ravens: Pagano has a long track record of success as a defensive backs coach.  In his second year in Oakland, the defense was first in the league in passing yards allowed, and 3rd in total defense (see Rob Ryan’s resume above).  The following year, after he had already left for the University of North Carolina to be the defensive coordinator, Oakland’s defense suffered.  In his first year with the Ravens as the DC, (granted, with excellent personnel at his disposal), the Ravens finished in the Top 4 of every major statistical category.

Chuck Pagano (51)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2011 Ravens	DC	3	2	4	3

The only thing close to a wonderkind:

Dennis Allen, Broncos: Last season, the Broncos were dead last in points allowed and yards allowed.  Obviously, there’s nowhere to go but up from there.  However, in case you lived in a cave this season and didn’t catch any Broncos games that were shoved down NFL fans’ throats this season due to Tebow-mania, you would know that the Broncos won their (albeit terrible) division on the shoulders of their defense.  Allen did a phenomenal job this year.  He has respect from his former employers, and he’s only 39 years of age, but once the Steelers bounce the Broncos from the playoffs this week, expect some intrigued team to at least bring in Allen for an interview.

Dennis Allen (39)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2011 Broncos	DC	20	22	18	24

Not a matter of “if,” only a matter of “when”:

Mike Zimmer, Bengals: It’s very surprising that Zimmer hasn’t gotten a shot yet.  Of the defensive coordinators on this list that have never been the head guy, Zimmer has by far had the most interviews.  He was thought to be the eventual coach in Dallas years ago, but it didn’t play out that way.  Here’s a good article on Zimmer by Don Banks of SI.  I don’t have much to add, other than that aside from Romeo Crennel getting his interim tag removed, I think Zimmer is the most likely of the guys on this list to land a head role.

Mike Zimmer (56)	Job	Overall	Run	Pass	Points
2000 Cowboys	DC	19	31	3	22
2001 Cowboys	DC	4	13	3	20
2002 Cowboys	DC	18	15	19	13
2003 Cowboys	DC	1	3	1	2
2004 Cowboys	DC	16	10	21	27
2005 Cowboys	DC	10	15	11	12
2006 Cowboys	DC	13	10	24	20
2007 Falcons	DC	29	26	23	29
2008 Bengals	DC	12	21	11	19
2009 Bengals	DC	4	7	6	6
2010 Bengals	DC	15	19	14	24
2011 Bengals	DC	7	10	9	9