Coach Tracker: Reid to Arizona among hot rumors
Arizona Cardinals
Out: Ken Whisenhunt
Comment: Whisenhunt engineered by far the most successful run in franchise history, but it might have been time for a change for everyone involved after a disastrous 2012 season that ended with journeyman Brian Hoyer at quarterback. GM Rod Graves is also out, and the franchise collapsed under the poor talent evaluations at quarterback and along the offensive line.
Candidates: The Cardinals wasted little time zeroing in on Andy Reid, with multiple reports that the former Eagles' head coach was a virtual certainty to land in Arizona. Reid's wife, Tammy, is from the Phoenix area, and former Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb could help make for a smooth transition. The team was also expected to interview current defensive coordinator Ray Horton. Fired Bears coach Lovie Smith and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy are also believed to be high on the team's list.
Buffalo Bills
Out: Chan Gailey
Comment: Gailey is considered an offensive guru, but along with GM Buddy Nix made a fatal mistake by overreacting to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's hot start in 2011, lavishing him with a massive contract only to see Fitzgerald regress for the next year and a half. The Bills also gave up 435 points after signing DE Mario Williams to a $100 million deal.
Candidates: Ken Whisenhunt and Lovie Smith could land new head coaching gigs quickly, with Buffalo interested in both (Whisenhunt was expected to interview Tuesday). The Bills have also requested to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone, according to ESPN. A quiet name to consider is Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. He is a former head coach with the Saints and did a commendable job with a deplete unit in D.C. this season. He also played all but one of his eight NFL seasons with the Bills (1979-85) and his first coaching job was as an assistant at the University of Buffalo (1988-90).
Chicago Bears
Out: Lovie Smith
Comment: A second consecutive late-season collapse led to the end of Smith's nine-year run in Chicago that was highlighted by a Super Bowl run after the 2006 season. Smith is a highly respected defensive mind, but the offense was never able to provide enough of a complementary force under coordinators Mike Martz and Mike Tice in recent seasons. Smith was 80-63 with the Bears.
Candidates: Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, who was on Josh McDaniels' staff in Denver when current Bears QB Jay Cutler and WR Brandon Marshall were sent out of town, has reportedly been asked to interview, as has Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan. Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong will also meet with the team, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, while FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer reported the Bears have asked to speak to Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis. GM Phil Emery said finances wouldn't be a hurdle, bringing big-ticket names such as Jon Gruden into the rumor mill.
Cleveland Browns
Out: Pat Shurmur
Comment: New owner Jimmy Haslam figured to clean house. President Mike Holmgren had already departed, and GM Tom Heckert was fired along with Shurmur, who went 9-23 in two seasons.
Candidates: The Browns and Eagles are both believed to be highly interested in University of Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone will interview with the Browns, according to ESPN.
Kansas City
Out: Romeo Crennel
Comment: In the mold of Wade Phillips, Crennel is an excellent defensive mind who has not panned out in multiple head coaching opportunities (28-55 combined in five years). The Chiefs went 2-14 in Crennel's only season at the helm, and the only success was securing the No. 1 overall draft pick in April. Crennel could quickly land a defensive coordinator gig with a contender.
Candidates: The Chiefs would be hard-pressed to land Oregon's Chip Kelly over other NFL openings. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy from rival Denver would be an intriguing choice considering the Chiefs' woeful unit, as would Dirk Koetter (Falcons) and Kyle Shanahan (Redskins). Koetter will interview this week, as will fellow Falcons assistant Keith Armstrong (special teams), according to FOXSports.com.
Philadelphia Eagles
Out: Andy Reid
Comment: Reid's tenure was clearly coming to an end after 14 seasons that included nine playoff teams and one Super Bowl appearance after the 2004 season. The Eagles were the league's biggest disappointment in 2012, and both sides clearly need a fresh start.
Candidates: The Eagles and Browns are both rumored to be interested in University of Oregon head coach Chip Kelly. Monday Night Football announcer Jon Gruden, a former Eagles assistant and Super Bowl-winning coach, is only 49 and his name regularly pops up in connection with marquee openings on the college and NFL level. Meanwhile, the Eagles will interview three Falcons' assistants, according to multiple reports: defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and special teams assistant Keith Armstrong.
San Diego Chargers
Out: Norv Turner
Comment: Turner and GM A.J. Smith entered 2012 knowing it was a playoffs-or-bust season, and the Chargers went belly up by midseason under the weight of poor offensive line play that led to another season of regression by former elite QB Philip Rivers. Widely considered a better offensive coordinator than head coach, Turner will be a hot commodity on the assistant coaching circuit.
Candidates: Andy Reid has a home in San Diego and was rumored to be interested in the job, although he's expected to land in Arizona Fired Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt is also believed to be interested, while the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the team wants to talk to Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who led Indianapolis to a 9-3 record while Chuck Pagano was out this season. However, the Chargers are expected to hire a new general manager first.
IN THE AIR: Jim Schwartz, Lions; Ron Rivera, Panthers; Mike Mularkey, Jaguars
SAFE: Jason Garrett, Cowboys; Rex Ryan, Jets; Mike Munchak, Titans
