Coaching Tracker: Eagles interview Whisenhunt
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, who may have requested to bring in his own general manager, the Cardinals promoted president of player personnel Steve Keim and have ratcheted up the coaching search. Arizona is interested in Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, who is also receiving strong interest from the San Diego Chargers now that the Broncos' season is over. The Cardinals also spoke to Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, 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.
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 have cast an extremely wide net. They are interested in talking to Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who was released from a Baltimore hospital midweek, and that meeting was expected to take place Sunday. He's not expected to have long-term health issues, but in the meantime, the Bears met with Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman last week and were expected to be granted permission to interview Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements, 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. The team is not interested in meeting with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Expect a move this week, as Emery wants a coach in place by Jan. 19.
Cleveland Browns
Out: Pat Shurmur
In: Rob Chudzinksi
Comment: New owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Joe Banner conducted an exhaustive process before choosing Chudzinski as the franchise's 14th full-time head coach. They zeroed in on Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, but soured when the Ducks' coach didn't appear 100 percent committed to leaving his current job. A host of candidates with NFL experience were interviewed and just when it appeared former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt had emerged as the frontrunner, the Browns announced Chudzinski as their man. Chudzinski was Cleveland's tight ends coach in 2004 and the team's offensive coordinator in 2007-08. He was lauded as the Carolina Panthers' offensive coordinator in 2011 during Cam Newton's record-setting rookie season, only to be on the hot seat in 2012 as the Panthers' highly-paid backfield floundered to produce - and see regular carries - much of the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Out: Mike Mularkey
Comment: It was an ominous sign when Mularkey's assistant coaches were told they could pursue other jobs, and new general manager David Caldwell made Mularkey's dismissal official just a day after taking the reins. Mularkey was given a raw deal having only one year at the helm, but most GM's prefer to start fresh with "their" people - even if Caldwell and Mularkey were in the Atlanta organization previously. Mularkey trusted in ousted GM Gene Harris too much, and trumpeted the Jaguars' potential on both sides of the ball even as the team's 2012 season was spiraling out of control.
Candidates: Caldwell's ties to the Atlanta organization will immediately bring three Falcons assistants into the fray who have been tied to other openings this offseason. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has said he's staying in Atlanta, but that may change depending on his relationship with Caldwell. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong have also drawn interested from multiple teams. NFL.com reported Caldwell is interested in talking to St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman. The Jaguars will interview current defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, as well as Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.
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 latest name to emerge in Philadelphia is that of former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who interviewed with the team on Monday, as did Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. The Eagles interviewed a trio of college coaches, and felt compelled enough to issue a press release when it didn't work out with Penn State's Bill O'Brien, Oregon's Chip Kelly or Notre Dame's Brian Kelly. The attention has now turned back to the NFL ranks, with offensive coordinators Mike McCoy (Denver Broncos), Bruce Arians (Indianapolis Colts) and Gruden and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley all on the radar, along with Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and special teams coach Keith Armstrong. Former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick interviewed with the Eagles as well, according to ESPN.com.
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 have ratcheted up their coaching search now that general manager Tim Telesco has been hired. San Diego has reportedly lined up interviews with - or has already talked to - former NFL head coaches Lovie Smith (Chicago Bears, Friday) and Ken Whisenhunt (Arizona Cardinals, Saturday), Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden (Sunday) and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. UCLA head coach Jim Mora reportedly received overtures, but signed a one-year extension with the Bruins over the weekend. The Chargers are also interested in Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who is familiar with Telesco, who had been with the Colts' franchise since 1998..
SAFE: Jason Garrett, Cowboys; Rex Ryan, Jets; Jim Schwartz, Lions; Ron Rivera, Panthers; Mike Munchak, Titans
