(Potential) Top 2026 HC Candidates

[CarolinaLivin]

Note: List is not in order of best-least

 

Inactive former head coaches

Mike McCarthy
He doesn't get enough credit for what he's done with the Packers (especially early on) and the Cowboys. His current ceiling might not be the highest, but he's won a Super Bowl and is a respected name to stabilize a franchise.

Jon Gruden
Gruden left the NFL on bad terms and is trying to regain the respect of some around (and outside of) the league.

 

Offensive coordinators

Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills
The Bills' offense undoubtedly got better since Brady took over, and his name is as hot right now as it was when he took over the Panthers' OC job in 2020. He's a part of the process to make Josh Allen, already an elite quarterback, into the MVP he has been.

Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens
Monken was close to the top of last year's list, and he deserves credit for making Lamar Jackson an even better passing quarterback. 

Mike Kafka, New York Giants
Kafka has been mentioned as a future head coach for around four years now, even though the lack of collective success in New York doesn't help. Last year, he was promoted to assistant head coach in addition to his OC title to elevate his status.

Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders
Kingsbury had a four-year stint as the Cardinals head coach, with limited success. However, he's at a different moment of his career, and the performance with the Commanders' offense is notable.

John Morton, Detroit Lions
The Lions lost Ben Johnson, and John Morton has done a good job early on to replace him, as the Lions still sit among the best offenses in the NFL.

Josh McCown, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach
McCown is the only position coach in this year's list, and that's because he's been mentioned as a future head coach since he finished his playing days. He's had HC interviews.

Josh Grizzard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have lost their OC to HC jobs two years in a row, with Panthers' Dave Canales and Jaguars' Liam Coen. And the offense is still a top 10 unit, which almost automatically puts Grizzard in the conversation.

Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
Smith had a three-year stint with the Falcons, and it didn't go great. But he's a sharp offensive mind, and if he can take the most out of the Aaron Rodgers experience in Pittsburgh, his name will be around.

Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks
Kubiak had a fast start with the Saints last year, but one he couldn't sustain due to multiple injuries throughout the roster—which included quarterback Derek Carr. This year, he's elevated the Seahawks' offense with Sam Darnold at quarterback, and his background under Kyle Shanahan and his dad Gary Kubiak is an interesting element.

 

Defensive coordinators

Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers
With a top 5 defense, Minter is one of the hottest names in this cycle. He's still relatively young at 42, has strong NFL and college coaching experience, and his leadership style is impressive—learning behind Jim Harbaugh certainly helps.

Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings
As a defensive mind, Flores is as good as anyone in the NFL. He would have to answer some questions about his failed time with the Dolphins as a head coach, but he's so consistently good at DC that new opportunities should arise.

Jeff Hafley, Green Bay Packers
A former college head coach at Boston College, Hafley has transformed the Packers' defense after failed experiences with previous coordinators. He's a great defensive mind and an excellent communicator.

Robert Saleh, San Francisco 49ers
Saleh's tenure with the Jets was bad, but it's hard to blame him too much. His defenses will always be at least solid, and a more stable franchise could offer him a better shot.

Jim Schwartz, Cleveland Browns
Schwartz is that type of DC that has already been a head coach a long time ago (Lions, between 2009 and 2013), and it feels like he's satisfied being a coordinator. But he's been so successful with the Browns that he at least deserves to be mentioned.

Anthony Campanile, Jacksonville Jaguars
Campanile was highly respected during his time with the Dolphins and Packers, and now he's making the most out of his early stages as the Jaguars DC. He's considered a strong leader.

Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos
Joseph had a failed stint as the Broncos head coach, but he's so respected that the franchise hired him back as a DC. And he's done an excellent job in this area.

Chris Shula, Los Angeles Rams
Sean McVay's coaching tree is as good as there is, and Shula has been with the Rams since McVay's original coaching staff was built in 2017. He's been promoted five times, including to DC in 2024. He's made the most out of a young defensive group.

 

College coaches

Bill Belichick, North Carolina
Nobody in the NFL wanted Belichick in 2024 and 2025, but that could always change if a franchise wants a strong leader for a short period of time.

Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Multiple college coaches are wanting to make the transition to the NFL, and Sarkisian could be the next one. His most recent NFL experience was as the Falcons offensive coordinator between 2017 and 2018.

Matt Campbell, Iowa State
Perceived as a program builder, Campbell has been mentioned as a potential NFL coach for years now.

Lincoln Riley, USC
Riley helped develop three first overall pick quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams, so the blueprint of what he could do is there. Developing passers is his calling card.

Ryan Day, Ohio State
Day has had a lot of success in college, including a national championship in 2024. And he has experience in the NFL as a quarterbacks coach for the Eagles and 49ers under Chip Kelly.

Dan Lanning, Oregon

Head coach Dan Lanning has done a tremendous job with this football program. He has been the head coach since the 2022 season. Oregon went undefeated during the regular season last year and has a chance to lead them to another one this season. What are the odds that Lanning could potentially be getting interesting from other NFL teams this offseason?

[CarolinaLivin]

Made this list after viewing multiple articles.

First thoughts: Would remove Bill, Arthur, and Josh McCown

I already took out Deion and replaced him with Dan Lanning. 

[CarolinaLivin]

From another article.

Joe Whitt Jr., Commanders

The current Defensive Coordinator for the Washington Commanders has a long history as an assistant in the NFL including a Super Bowl ring in 2010 as Packers cornerbacks coach. He followed Dan Quinn over from Dallas in 2024 and called plays for the Commanders’ defense which improved throughout the 2024 season.

Whitt interviewed for the Jets job, which will put him on more team’s radar for 2025. More improvement from the Commanders’ defense could land this long-time NFL coach more interviews and ultimately a Head Coach position.

Grant Udinski, Jacksonville

A young coach at age 29, Udinski has progressed through the coaching ranks quickly, starting as a graduate assistant for Baylor in 2019. He then coached under Matt Rhule in Carolina for 2 seasons before landing as assistant QB coach and offensive coordinator under 2024 Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell.

Udinski’s quick rise resulted in the OC job in Jacksonville for 2025, but it may be another short stay as he continues to climb the NFL ranks. Having received some credit for Sam Darnold‘s resurgence, a similar progression in Trevor Lawrence‘s game could turn some heads towards Udinski as the next “QB whisperer” and land him some HC interviews in 2026.

 

[HPPantherzfan]

I thought it was a huge mistake to let Joe Brady walk the first time!  I think he would make an excellent head coach but I don’t think he would come back here.

[Jaxel]

Probably leaning towards Flores on this list.

[uncfan888]

Need to do a list of people who would be willing to work for Tepper

[CarolinaLivin]

2 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

Need to do a list of people who would be willing to work for Tepper

Too many local used car lot business owners to list

[Jay Roosevelt]

I would add a couple of other names:

 - Wes Phillips (Vikings OC)
 - Patrick Graham (Raiders DC)

My personal shortlist:

 - Joe Brady
 - Wes Phillips
 - Patrick Graham
 - Brian Flores
 - Todd Monken
 - Klint Kubiak

I just wonder if Joe Brady would have any interest in coming here after how things unfolded last time. Especially given that he's almost certainly going to have other options.

No retreads unless it's someone like Mike Vrabel/Brian Flores who really should not have been fired to begin with or someone like Sean Payton who retired and is returning. HELL no to Mike McCarthy and HELL NO to any college coach.

Honestly, though, if we can't get a sure fire upgrade I'd just assume keep Canales and hope he does better with a (hopefully) better QB. Other than Joe Brady I'm not honestly all that thrilled with the options that are out there. Although I do think Wes Phillips is a very underrated name that could make a lot of sense. I'm surprised he hasn't generated more buzz.

I think the Commanders model could be a good one. An experienced defensive-minded HC with a creative OC that has already been a HC and been fired.

Mike McDaniel would be a great choice for OC if/when he gets fired from Miami. Pairing him with Brian Flores or Patrick Graham could be a really solid move, IMO.

Edited 1 hour ago by Jay Roosevelt

[kungfoodude]

TBH, I would lean more heavily to Jon Gruden for the specific reason that he would be the most likely to have the experience and track record to push back on ownership. 

To be clear, I don't think he would be super successful here but this franchise needs to start with someone that actually has an NFL track record of success and can show others in the organization what it looks like to prepare that way. 

If we can at least attempt to model ourselves after an NFL franchise even at all, that would be a valid starting point to any sort of turnaround.

[mrcompletely11]

I think the broader question should be is what is the threshold for bare minimum wins that DC comes back for a 3rd year?   I think anything less then 5 and he is a goner.  Does anyone really thing Tepper brings this motley crew back with 3/4 wins?

[kungfoodude]

3 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

I think the broader question should be is what is the threshold for bare minimum wins that DC comes back for a 3rd year?   I think anything less then 5 and he is a goner.  Does anyone really thing Tepper brings this motley crew back with 3/4 wins?

I think he limps into year 3 with a Matt Rhule short leash. Basically if it looks like the start to 2024 and 2025, he is canned prior to the halfway point.

[PanthersNCSU]

The Tepper move is 100% to want Belichick thinking that fixes our problems after striking out so much

Let's see how much more he can screw up the franchise when JordON and Nicole are assistant GMs

[MHS831]

My very UNPOPULAR opinion:  

First, I would want to know the locker room.  Have they turned on Canales?  If not, I would stay with him.  Here is why:

Switching coaches every year or two is not the answer to long term success.  We are chasing hope instead of building a program around a young coach.  There were not many applicants for this job and if you think they are suddenly dying to be here now, that MIGHT justify a coaching change

Canales has made some tough decisions (like benching Bryce), but his weaknesses (the team's weaknesses) have been in the areas in which we have neglected or sucked for years.  Who did we get for CMC?  Who made the trade with the Bears when we had no idea at the time who we wanted?  Who drafted Mingo, Marshall, XL, etc.?  Who signed a frequently-injured CB to the biggest contract in NFL history at the time for a CB? 

I look at the personnel decisions and the play calling.  Our edge players are injured and not that good when healthy. He played Johnson because he had nothing left.  Johnson was terrible Sunday.  He has nothing at LB and two starting OL are now out.  XL is pouting because he does not seem to have paid the price to be paid the price of a first round pick.  AT was sent packing.  Bryce's resurgence last year may have been Canales and not Bryce.

Evero still does not have the tools he needs to succeed--on the field or perhaps between his ears.  

If Canales fires Evero, he is probably doing the right thing.  Remember, we had a lot of money in dead cap when Canales took over.  Fitterer was the worst GM since Matt Millen in the NFL, and we have sucked recently in the first round of the draft (Bryce, XL) until this season.  

When the GM is trying to give the coach what he needs to be successful and you keep changing coaches, it is difficult.  

I think this--stay with Canales, but bring in a veteran DC.  Some argue that Canales needs to move on from Bryce, but this team is not set up to give him options.  Andy aint the answer.  We never seem to take the PS QB seriously--all eggs are in one basket.  Canales needs options.

This team needs to address the QB situation.  Bryce's best games are not Lombardi worthy, so move on.  He is not the Alpha a young coach needs on the field.  Give him options at QB, some LBs and a good coordinator on defense, and I think we could use another stud WR.  It is time to start drafting developmental OL and start grooming them to replace our aging OL.

This draft is solid at QB as it stands now.  We need to focus on drafting the right guy and signing a veteran backup who is not the starting QB's BFF.  Compete.  Heck, i have no problem doing what Cleveland did--draft a QB in round 1 and then another QB if one falls into day 3.  

I think we need stability and I am not confident any respectable coach comes to Carolina.  Canales is frustrated, but the front office has failed him, as have injuries, and a really bad draft a few years ago that brought them Bryce.  He was hired to fix Bryce--so I say neuter him so he does not sire any more 5'8" QBs.  

Canales is better that Rivera was--Canales just has so much less talent.  Rivera was coach of the year a few times because he had Cam Newton, but could never put two winning seasons together.  That is a crime.

[Candler Cat]