A look at some available assistants

[Mr. Scot]

More info from Rapoport and Pelissero: Notable assistant coaches set to become free agents

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Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Kris Richard: Changes figure to be coming in Dallas, and the savvy, passionate Richard, 40, could be on the move. Trained under Pete Carroll (who also coached Richard at USC) in Seattle and Rod Marinelli in Dallas, Richard has been a head coaching candidate in recent years, interviewing for five jobs over the past three cycles.

He's considered a head coaching prospect but even if that doesn't happen, he could move on from the Cowboys. Richard paired with an offensive head coach not named Jason Garrett could be intriguing.

Los Angeles Chargers interim offensive coordinator Shane Steichen: A one-time UNLV quarterback, Steichen coached the position the past four seasons with the Chargers, who handed him play-calling duties when they fired Ken Whisenhunt in late October. It wasn't enough to spark a major turnaround for the team, but it was good experience for Steichen, 34, who will have opportunities if he doesn't return to L.A.

Cincinnati Bengals special teams coordinators Darrin Simmons and Brayden Coombs: Special teams has been a bright spot in a dismal season in Cincinnati, ranked No. 1 overall by the analytics website Football Outsiders and with Brandon Wilson leading the NFL in kick return average. Simmons, 46, is respected as one of the league's best. He interviewed for the Bengals' head job a year ago and they'd like to retain him. Coombs, 33, is a rising assistant who has been on other teams' radars.

Simmons was on the Panthers staff from 1999-2002. He'd have been a colleague of Greg Roman's, who coached here from 1995 to 2001.

Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and special teams coordinator John Fassel: Phillips, 72, says he wants to continue coaching. After a dismal year for the Rams defense, Sean McVay and Co. have a tough decision to make on whether to move on from a legend who helped them reach the Super Bowl just one year ago. Fassel, 45, is another of the most respected special teams coaches out there and figures to draw a lot of interest.

He'll draw interest, for sure.  From us? Unknown, but at least we no longer have a head coach who'd pass him over to keep trying to rebuild Eric Washington's career.

Miami Dolphins offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo: A two-time Super Bowl champion, DeGuglielmo parted ways with the Colts after one season and became a consultant with the Dolphins, who fired Pat Flaherty four days into training camp and promoted "Guge" to his current post. Miami would like to bring back DeGuglielmo, 51, but there may be other opportunities.

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards: A head coach candidate who interviewed with the Bucs last year, Edwards is in his 22nd season as an NFL assistant, including the past six under Mike Zimmer in Minnesota, where he's heavily involved in game planning for one of the NFL's best defenses. Edwards, 52, has previous DC stints in Washington and Buffalo, making him one of the most experienced options available.

San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Joe Woods: A 16-year NFL assistant who was the Broncos' defensive coordinator in 2017-18, Woods has played a part in the 49ers' success this season. He likely would be a candidate to take over as coordinator if Robert Saleh gets a head coaching job.

Others with expiring contracts include: Chicago Bears inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone, 49ers tight ends coach Jon Embree, 49ers consultant (and longtime OL coach) Chris Foerster, Cowboys safeties coach Greg Jackson, Bengals secondary/cornerbacks coach Daronte Jones, Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, Cowboys tight ends coach Doug Nussmeier.

 

[4Corners]

Need to hire Phil Longo and Jay Bateman