Chiefs NFL.com: Chip Kelly, Perry Fewell among top NFL head coach candidates - Page 3

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-03-2012, 02:35 PM

Chip Kelly, Perry Fewell among top NFL head coach candidates

By Daniel Jeremiah
Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network

The 2012 NFL season is far from over, but it's never too early to look ahead. There figures to be several head-coaching vacancies following the season, so let's get a jump on examining some potential candidates for those jobs. I've come up with a list of seven names that will likely garner serious consideration for any head-coaching opportunities that arise following the season. I've also included brief comments from sources inside the NFL about each of the seven candidates.

Chip Kelly
Age: 48
Current job: Head coach, University of Oregon

Kelly has only been a head coach for four seasons at the collegiate level, but he has already established a sterling résumé. He has captured three Pac-10/Pac-12 titles and his team is currently undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the nation. He turned down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job last offseason, but will likely have another NFL opportunity in 2013. His up-tempo offense would need some alterations to work at the NFL level, but his organizational skills and creativity will be very attractive to NFL owners.

NFC executive: "He runs the best practices I've ever seen. I would hire him in a second if I ever had the opportunity."

Kyle Shanahan
Age: 32
Current job: Offensive coordinator, Washington Redskins

The Redskins' offense has been the talk of the 2012 NFL season. Robert Griffin III has been outstanding, but the design of the Redskins' scheme has been terrific, as well. Kyle Shanahan is getting a lot of praise around the NFL for quickly developing RG3 and designing a creative offense to fit his skills. Shanahan also was very successful during his two-year stint as the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator. In 2009, the Texans finished with the NFL's fourth-ranked offense under his leadership. Despite being only 32 years old, the son of Mike Shanahan already has coached in the NFL for nine seasons.

AFC executive: "Kyle is extremely smart and he's excellent with quarterbacks. He has all of his dad's qualities and he's going to be a great head coach."

Mike McCoy
Age: 40
Current job: Offensive coordinator, Denver Broncos

McCoy has 13 years of NFL coaching experience, including the past four as the Broncos offensive coordinator. Last season, his reputation around the NFL soared as a result of his handling of the transition from Kyle Orton to Tim Tebow. He completely overhauled his scheme in the middle of the season to accommodate Tebow's specific skill set. The Broncos finished the season with the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack. This season, he has smoothly transitioned his offense to suit Peyton Manning. They are currently ranked fourth in passing. Those rankings highlight McCoy's flexibility and willingness to adapt his scheme to his personnel.

NFC personnel executive: "I don't know Mike personally, but I've taken notice of the job he's done in Denver. He deserves a lot of credit for their success in 2011."

Perry Fewell
Age: 50
Current job: Defensive coordinator, New York Giants

Fewell has done an outstanding job with the Giants. Their run to the Super Bowl last season was largely the result of his punishing defensive unit. He has overcome several injuries to key personnel and his reputation around the league is rock solid. He has interviewed for head-coaching jobs in the past, but those teams chose to go in a different direction. Many around the NFL believe he will not be passed over again.

AFC personnel executive: "I've never heard anything negative about him. His results speak for themselves and he deserves a head-coaching opportunity."

Brad Seely
Age: 56
Current job: Special teams coordinator, San Francisco 49ers

Seely has an excellent résumé and should garner consideration for any head-coaching vacancies following the season. He has coached in the NFL for 22 seasons, 10 of which were spent as the special teams coach under Bill Belichick in New England. He has transformed the 49ers' special teams unit into the NFL's very best. The fact that Baltimore's John Harbaugh has successfully made the transition from special teams coach to head coach should help Seely's candidacy.

Former player: "Brad was very well respected in our locker room. He is very detailed and he knows how to communicate."

Ray Horton
Age: 52
Current job: Defensive coordinator, Arizona Cardinals

Horton has quickly established a strong reputation as one of the NFL's top defensive minds. Following a 10-year playing career, he's been a successful assistant coach for 18 years. He served as the secondary coach for the Steelers prior to joining the Cardinals staff as defensive coordinator. The Cardinals have one of the NFL's top defensive units and Horton's scheme is broadly praised around the league.

NFC personnel executive: "He's going to be impressive during the interview process. He's very smart and confident and he has the ability to relate to everyone."

Bill O'Brien
Age: 43
Current job: Head coach, Penn State

It is highly unlikely that O'Brien would depart Penn State after only one season on the job. He has an incredibly expensive buyout clause in his contract and that would be a major deterrent to potential NFL suitors. That being said, he is a very hot name around NFL circles. He was a successful assistant under Bill Belichick and he has shown incredible leadership in guiding the Penn State program through an extraordinarily difficult situation.

Former AFC personnel executive: "Knowing Bill, he has too much integrity to leave those kids, but he's eventually going to be a very successful NFL head coach. He's very tough and organized and he's a winner."

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Apologies if repost

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-03-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm not sure about Kelly's offense in the nfl

Amazing insight.

KCrockaholic · 11-03-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm not sure about Kelly's offense in the nfl

Although he would come to this team with the same philosophy, I don't know of any good coach that doesn't make adjustments to suit his level of competition.

Besides, the NFL is evolving to fit the NCAA, not the other way around.

**bevischief** · 11-03-2012, 03:23 PM

O.city · 11-03-2012, 03:23 PM

One guy I wouldn't mind as offensive coordinator would be mike gundy. Always had good offenses at okie state

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-03-2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

One guy I wouldn't mind as offensive coordinator would be mike gundy. Always had good offenses at okie state

T-post Tom · 11-03-2012, 03:25 PM

McCoy would be my choice. Smart,experienced,knows the AFC West & is QB friendly.

mcaj22 · 11-03-2012, 03:31 PM

if it comes down to QB and offensive minded schemes, Ill take Chip Kelly or the Rats kid

those defensive guys like Fewell and Horton you have no idea how they will even approach the QB situation, they draft one, they sign a veteran, either way their development of a QB is WAY LOWER than the potential Shanahan or Kelly could have working with a young QB

CaliforniaChief · 11-03-2012, 03:32 PM

Chip Kelly is a genius. He would be a great head coach at any level. And he sure as hell wouldn't start a meeting 15 minutes late.

KCrockaholic · 11-03-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

One guy I wouldn't mind as offensive coordinator would be mike gundy. Always had good offenses at okie state

I have no opinion on OK State. But Mike Gundy is brilliant. I'm not sure how he would fit in the NFL, but he is a great coach.

O.city · 11-03-2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

What exactly is the problem with gundy?

CaliforniaChief · 11-03-2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

I have no opinion on OK State. But Mike Gundy is brilliant. I'm not sure how he would fit in the NFL, but he is a great coach.

All I know about Gundy is that he's a man, and he's 40.

**Easy 6** · 11-03-2012, 03:38 PM

That certainly makes some nice points about Shanny jr... innovative, good with QB's, young but still a 9th year NFL coach.

A lot to like there.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-03-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

What exactly is the problem with gundy?

Well, other than the fact that he's a HEAD COACH and he's not going to jump to the NFL to be an offensive coordinator, especially when earning nearly $5 million per year, nor does he have NFL experience, nor does he fit any of the likely head coach's criteria, or the fact that he runs, the spread, well, nothing.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-03-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

That certainly makes some nice points about Shanny jr... innovative, good with QB's, young but still a 9th year NFL coach.

A lot to like there.

The problem is, as Lane Kiffin quickly learned, NFL players aren't going to immediately respect a 32 year old coach that's likely hired due to his father's name instead of actually doing something on his own.

Shanahan, at this point in time, would be an epic disaster.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-03-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

if it comes down to QB and offensive minded schemes, Ill take Chip Kelly or the Rats kid

those defensive guys like Fewell and Horton you have no idea how they will even approach the QB situation, they draft one, they sign a veteran, either way their development of a QB is WAY LOWER than the potential Shanahan or Kelly could have working with a young QB

Please explain how Kyle Shanahan fits the "offensive genius" mold.

Thanks in advance.

11-03-2012, 02:35 PM
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	NFL.com: Chip Kelly, Perry Fewell among top NFL head coach candidates Chip Kelly, Perry Fewell among top NFL head coach candidates By Daniel Jeremiah Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network The 2012 NFL season is far from over, but it's never too early to look ahead. There figures to be several head-coaching vacancies following the season, so let's get a jump on examining some potential candidates for those jobs. I've come up with a list of seven names that will likely garner serious consideration for any head-coaching opportunities that arise following the season. I've also included brief comments from sources inside the NFL about each of the seven candidates. Chip Kelly Age: 48 Current job: Head coach, University of Oregon Kelly has only been a head coach for four seasons at the collegiate level, but he has already established a sterling résumé. He has captured three Pac-10/Pac-12 titles and his team is currently undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the nation. He turned down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job last offseason, but will likely have another NFL opportunity in 2013. His up-tempo offense would need some alterations to work at the NFL level, but his organizational skills and creativity will be very attractive to NFL owners. NFC executive: "He runs the best practices I've ever seen. I would hire him in a second if I ever had the opportunity." Kyle Shanahan Age: 32 Current job: Offensive coordinator, Washington Redskins The Redskins' offense has been the talk of the 2012 NFL season. Robert Griffin III has been outstanding, but the design of the Redskins' scheme has been terrific, as well. Kyle Shanahan is getting a lot of praise around the NFL for quickly developing RG3 and designing a creative offense to fit his skills. Shanahan also was very successful during his two-year stint as the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator. In 2009, the Texans finished with the NFL's fourth-ranked offense under his leadership. Despite being only 32 years old, the son of Mike Shanahan already has coached in the NFL for nine seasons. AFC executive: "Kyle is extremely smart and he's excellent with quarterbacks. He has all of his dad's qualities and he's going to be a great head coach." Mike McCoy Age: 40 Current job: Offensive coordinator, Denver Broncos McCoy has 13 years of NFL coaching experience, including the past four as the Broncos offensive coordinator. Last season, his reputation around the NFL soared as a result of his handling of the transition from Kyle Orton to Tim Tebow. He completely overhauled his scheme in the middle of the season to accommodate Tebow's specific skill set. The Broncos finished the season with the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack. This season, he has smoothly transitioned his offense to suit Peyton Manning. They are currently ranked fourth in passing. Those rankings highlight McCoy's flexibility and willingness to adapt his scheme to his personnel. NFC personnel executive: "I don't know Mike personally, but I've taken notice of the job he's done in Denver. He deserves a lot of credit for their success in 2011." Perry Fewell Age: 50 Current job: Defensive coordinator, New York Giants Fewell has done an outstanding job with the Giants. Their run to the Super Bowl last season was largely the result of his punishing defensive unit. He has overcome several injuries to key personnel and his reputation around the league is rock solid. He has interviewed for head-coaching jobs in the past, but those teams chose to go in a different direction. Many around the NFL believe he will not be passed over again. AFC personnel executive: "I've never heard anything negative about him. His results speak for themselves and he deserves a head-coaching opportunity." Brad Seely Age: 56 Current job: Special teams coordinator, San Francisco 49ers Seely has an excellent résumé and should garner consideration for any head-coaching vacancies following the season. He has coached in the NFL for 22 seasons, 10 of which were spent as the special teams coach under Bill Belichick in New England. He has transformed the 49ers' special teams unit into the NFL's very best. The fact that Baltimore's John Harbaugh has successfully made the transition from special teams coach to head coach should help Seely's candidacy. Former player: "Brad was very well respected in our locker room. He is very detailed and he knows how to communicate." Ray Horton Age: 52 Current job: Defensive coordinator, Arizona Cardinals Horton has quickly established a strong reputation as one of the NFL's top defensive minds. Following a 10-year playing career, he's been a successful assistant coach for 18 years. He served as the secondary coach for the Steelers prior to joining the Cardinals staff as defensive coordinator. The Cardinals have one of the NFL's top defensive units and Horton's scheme is broadly praised around the league. NFC personnel executive: "He's going to be impressive during the interview process. He's very smart and confident and he has the ability to relate to everyone." Bill O'Brien Age: 43 Current job: Head coach, Penn State It is highly unlikely that O'Brien would depart Penn State after only one season on the job. He has an incredibly expensive buyout clause in his contract and that would be a major deterrent to potential NFL suitors. That being said, he is a very hot name around NFL circles. He was a successful assistant under Bill Belichick and he has shown incredible leadership in guiding the Penn State program through an extraordinarily difficult situation. Former AFC personnel executive: "Knowing Bill, he has too much integrity to leave those kids, but he's eventually going to be a very successful NFL head coach. He's very tough and organized and he's a winner." ------------ Apologies if repost
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11-03-2012, 03:23 PM	#33
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $7739352 VARSITY	No.
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11-03-2012, 03:23 PM	#34
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-605936	One guy I wouldn't mind as offensive coordinator would be mike gundy. Always had good offenses at okie state
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11-03-2012, 03:25 PM	#36
T-post Tom Busy in a Kohl's restroom Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $1837293	McCoy would be my choice. Smart,experienced,knows the AFC West & is QB friendly. __________________ You seem nice!
Posts: 22,322

11-03-2012, 03:31 PM	#37
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	if it comes down to QB and offensive minded schemes, Ill take Chip Kelly or the Rats kid those defensive guys like Fewell and Horton you have no idea how they will even approach the QB situation, they draft one, they sign a veteran, either way their development of a QB is WAY LOWER than the potential Shanahan or Kelly could have working with a young QB
Posts: 11,886

11-03-2012, 03:32 PM	#38
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10625899	Chip Kelly is a genius. He would be a great head coach at any level. And he sure as hell wouldn't start a meeting 15 minutes late.
Posts: 17,453

11-03-2012, 03:38 PM	#42
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $-52225	That certainly makes some nice points about Shanny jr... innovative, good with QB's, young but still a 9th year NFL coach. A lot to like there.
Posts: 98,369