Ranking the new head coach hires around the NFL: Seahawks impress, Commanders swing & miss
The NFL head coaching cycle has run its course for 2023-2024. Every opening has been filled, and there's plenty to talk about regarding the hires around the league. There's a unique mix of former head coaches and new blood amongst the group. Ranking every NFL head coach hire of 2024 1. Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles […]
The NFL head coaching cycle has run its course for 2023-2024. Every opening has been filled, and there's plenty to talk about regarding the hires around the league.
There's a unique mix of former head coaches and new blood amongst the group.
Ranking every NFL head coach hire of 2024
1. Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
Harbaugh is the safe selection for the top spot here. No hot take needed. Harbaugh owns the highest career win percentage (69%) among all active head coaches in the NFL currently.
The veteran HC has proven that he can win in the league in his prior stint with the San Francisco 49ers. He was 44-19-1 during his time there, with three NFC Championship Game appearances and a Super Bowl appearance. Harbaugh is an elite team builder and will be massive for the development of the Chargers offense. All in all, it's hard to find negatives about this hire for the Chargers.
2. Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks
Macdonald is one of the most exciting hires of the cycle. At just 36 years old, he becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL. He's a defensive mastermind, coined the "smartest person in the building" by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.
He led the Ravens to two dominant defensive seasons in back-to-back years as their DC. In 2023, Baltimore led the league in turnovers forced and sacks. They were also first in points allowed. They were unstoppable, and he is bringing that scheme to Seattle.
3. Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders
A leader of men. That's how people described Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell when he was hired. They've done the same for Pierce. Calling him a "player's coach" seems like a knock because he's no pushover. Rather, he pulls energy and passion out of his players that few other coaches could in Vegas – most likely.
Star players like Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams actively and outwardly supported Pierce during the interviewing process. Not to mention, he's an experienced defensive mind who played in the NFL. there's a lot to like about this hire for the Raiders because it feels different from their hires of the past decade.
4. Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Callahan has been an under-the-radar HC candidate over the past couple of years. Now, he gets his shot in Tennessee. Callahan is one of the most proven NFL coaches of the cycle and will build a solid staff with the Titans.
He's worked with some of the top offenses in the league over the past handful of seasons. The Titans hope that, along with Callahan, Will Levis turns into their franchiser quarterback. The Titans have the money to fill plenty of holes on their roster, but it isn't set up to be an immediate turnaround. If given time, I think that Callahan will be the stability that Tennessee needs going forward.
5. Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
Morris may be considered a "retread" by many, but he's one of the most beloved locker room leaders in NFL circles. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has praised him heavily on multiple occasions.
Morris will look to build on the success he found as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. With fluctuating talent, Morris still got good play out of units in LA, and the Falcons do have some building blocks for success on that side of the ball. Plus, he's a well-respected HC around the NFL that is assembling a strong staff for Atlanta. In an NFC South that is not the strongest division in football, Morris has a shot to turn the Falcons around sooner rather than later.
6. Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots
Mayo, a similar situation to Pierce, was a popular candidate around the roster and staff. Following legendary HC Bill Belichick is just about the toughest situation to be in for a new head coach, but Mayo's demeanor and leadership fits the bill to get it done. He's been the Patriots inside linebackers coach since 2019, so the jump to HC is a hefty one for the 37 year-old.
That being said, he was the contingency plan for Belichick, and the Patriots feel strongly about his bright future. It's hard to not trust them on that concept, considering their success over the past two decades. There's no doubt that New England is getting a makeover, but it's one that will involve plenty of enthusiasm and hard work going forward.
7. Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
Canales is probably the biggest wild card of the cycle. He's a young offensive mind on the way up. He was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator in 2023. Canales' work with Baker Mayfield is extremely commendable as Mayfield went from zero to hero in his time with Tampa compared to his stint in Carolina. Not to mention, Canales was the quarterbacks coach for the Seahawks in 2022 when Geno Smith had a career resurgence rarely seen in the NFL.
If he can get Bryce Young and the offense on track, it will be a home run for the Panthers. If not, Canales may be rushed to find quick success with a new quarterback soon after. That's a tall ask, and the Panthers front office has not been patient in the past. Regardless, Canales shows the moxy and leadership necessary to be successful in the league. He's a guy that's easy to root for in any instance, but he must put it all together for Carolina.
8. Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
Quinn was the final hire of the cycle, and it may have been the most disappointing. The Commanders were expected, by many, to land Lions OC Ben Johnson as their new HC. Instead, Johnson chose to stay with Dan Campbell, and Washington chose the defensive-minded vet to lead a stark rebuild.
In his experience, Quinn has proven that he can coach defense at the top of the NFL. He's a passionate leader. On the flip-side, his head coaching tenure with the Falcons was inconsistent. He did lead them to a Super Bowl appearance – one where they blew the biggest lead in SB history, though. Quinn's clock management was shoddy during that tenure as well. That was one of his biggest weakness during his six years in ATL. He totaled a 43-42 overall record, but his final three campaigns ended with a 14-23 line. He was fired after the team's 0-5 start in 2020.
Overall, it's just a bit difficult to get excited about the hiring of Quinn for Washington. They had one of the most desirable openings in the NFL but missed out on some of the top candidates.
We may look back on these rankings and chuckle in a few years. Until then, this is where the new NFL head coaching hires stack up.
Dan Quinn leaves Cowboys and might immediately go to war with them
Things are about to heat up.
