Coaching Tracker: Arians, Trestman among hot names
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 across the offensive line.
Candidates: Rebuffed by Andy Reid, the Cardinals turned their attention to Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. Gruden is the younger brother of Jon Gruden. The Cardinals have already interviewed their defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, and requested to interview Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who was previously the offensive coordinator under Whisenhunt. Former Bears head coach Lovie Smith is believed to be interested in the Arizona job, and Cardinals executives flew to Denver last week to meet with Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
Buffalo Bills
Out: Chan Gailey
In: Doug Marrone
Comment: The Bills interviewed two candidates with NFL head coaching experience in Lovie Smith and Ken Whisenhunt and also met with University of Oregon head coach Chip Kelly. They ultimately decided on Marrone, Syracuse's head coach who said he will incorporate a "Moneyball" type of concept in evaluating talent. Buffalo has said it will start an analytics department, and Marrone said his experience as the offensive coordinator with the New Orleans said included statistical analysis and that it will put the Bills on "the cutting edge."
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: The Bears are interested in Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who was still in a Baltimore hospital on Monday. He's not expected to have long-term health issues, but in the meantime, the Bears reportedly were set to meet with Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman. Chicago has also been given permission to interview Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements, but may not want to wait until the Packers' season is over to do so. Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, Atlanta Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis and New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael are also in the mix.
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. Haslam and CEO Joe Banner are conducting the interviews.
Candidates: The Browns were considered the leaders in the clubhouse to land University of Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, but reportedly soured when Haslam and Banner weren't convinced Kelly was 100 percent committed to leaving the Ducks. The Browns were reportedly set to meet with Montreal Alouttes head coach Marc Trestman in Chicago on Monday, a candidate with extensive NFL experience as a coordinator and position coach. Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton interviewed last week, followed by his former head coach, Ken Whisenhunt. The Browns have also requested permission to interview Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
Kansas City Chiefs
Out: Romeo Crennel
In: Andy Reid
Comment: Reid's arrival coincided with the "mutual" decision by the Chiefs and general manager Scott Pioli to part ways. Reid compiled a 130-93-1 regular-season record in 14 years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He guided the Eagles to nine playoff appearances, six division titles, five NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance. However, he has often been a lightning rod in recent seasons for critics who claim he is too pass-heavy in his offensive approach.
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 considered a pair of candidates from the college ranks - Oregon's Chip Kelly and Penn State's Bill O'Brien - but both have decided to stick with their programs. So Philadelphia received permission to take to Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and is also expected to talk to Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. The Eagles have already interviewed Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Atlanta assistants Keith Armstrong (special teams) and Mike Nolan (defense).
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. General manager A.J. Smith was also fired.
Candidates: The Chargers are expected to hire a general manager first, who will have a major say in who the next head coach is. Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and Indianapolis Colts vice president of football operations Tom Telesco are the finalists to replace Smith, according to UT San Diego. The Chargers did interview Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone, who was subsequently hired by the Buffalo Bills. There are also reportedly interested in Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and UCLA head coach Jim Mora, while former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith and former Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt are both believed to be interested in the job.
IN THE AIR
Mike Mularkey, Jaguars: Mularkey's status ultimately will be determined by the new general manager after Gene Smith was fired. However, it was an ominous sign when the Jacksonville Times-Union reported that assistant coaches have been given permission to seek other jobs.
SAFE: Jason Garrett, Cowboys; Rex Ryan, Jets; Jim Schwartz, Lions; Ron Rivera, Panthers; Mike Munchak, Titans
