The 2020 NFL season came to a close in Tampa, as Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes battled it out in a dream Super Bowl matchup.
As the dust settles, seven NFL teams head into the offseason with new head coaches and championship dreams… except for the Texans, get it together guys.
Here’s a ranking of the new head coaches working to revamp their rosters and team cultures.
7. David Culley – Houston Texans
The Texans miserable season came to an end with the hiring of David Culley. The 65-year-old Culley brings 27 years of NFL coaching experience. He was the Wide Receivers coach in Kansas City, the Bills quarterbacks coach in 2018 and most recently the passing game coordinator in Baltimore.
Culley worked with young quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, helping both young quarterbacks develop into MVP caliber players. However, his work in Kansas City was criticized after the Chiefs went an entire season without a Wide Receiver recording a touchdown reception.
Despite Culley’s lengthy resume, his lack of play-calling experience and his stint in Kansas City land him at the bottom of this list. Also, come on Texans… Beinemy was right there!
6. Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia fanbase is notoriously difficult to impress and Sirianni’s nervous press conference did little to endear himself to the City of Brotherly Love.
The 39-year-old Sirianni served as the Chargers wide receivers coach in 2016-2017 and was the Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator the past three seasons. The Colts finished ninth in points per game, eleventh in passing yards and tenth in total offense this past season.
Sirianni has his work cut out for him. The Eagles offense struggled last season and their quarterback situation is vague after trading Carson Wentz to the Colts.
5. Dan Campbell – Detroit Lions
Campbell’s WWE-style press remarks took social media by storm and he’s hoping to take the NFL by storm in 2021.
Campbell is the only coaching hire with previous head coaching experience, working as the Miami Dolphins interim head coach in 2015.
A former NFL tight end, known for his dominant blocking ability, Campbell worked under Sean Payton for the past five seasons in New Orleans. Under Campbell’s tutelage, tight end Jared Cook finished with a career high 9 touchdowns in 2020.
4. Urban Meyer – Jacksonville Jaguars
This legendary coach found success everywhere he went in the collegiate ranks.
Meyer led Florida to two national championships in 2006 and 2008. After a brief retirement, he returned to college football in 2012, leading Ohio State to its first title since 2002.
Meyer’s extensive collegiate experience and ability to adapt his spread offense encouraged Jacksonville to coax him out of retirement. Meyer will have plenty of talent to succeed in his first professional coaching job, including the number one overall pick, *cough* Trevor Lawrence *cough.*
3. Arthur Smith – Atlanta Falcons
Smith is the only coach on Tennessee’s staff to survive four head coaching hires since 2011. Smith became the offensive coordinator for the Titans in 2018 creating the NFLs best rushing attack.
Smith’s exceptional resume includes a 2000 yard rushing season by running back Derrick Henry and the emergence of star receiver AJ Brown.
Additionally, quarterback Ryan Tannehill had the two best seasons of his career under Smith, culminating in a 2019 AFC championship appearance.
2. Brandon Staley – Los Angeles Chargers
Staley’s rapid ascension through the professional coaching ranks has Charger fans hopeful again. The youngest coach on this list at 38-years-old, Staley crafted the NFLs best defense for the LA Rams in 2020.
The use of 2-high safeties in Staley’s scheme and his deployment of Aaron Donald terrorized NFL offenses this past year. The Rams finished first in total yards and points allowed in 2020.
Staley is a defensive coach with an offensive mindset. With the Chargers, he will be tasked with developing rookie sensation Justin Herbert and the explosive Chargers offense.
1. Robert Saleh – New York Jets
The former defensive coordinator in San Francisco will be entrusted with bringing New York football back into the spotlight.
Saleh’s defense was a stellar unit the past four seasons, overcoming numerous injuries to star players. In 2019, the Niners ranked sixth in turnovers, second in total defense and fourth in sacks, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance.
Saleh is the first Muslim head coach in NFL history and his accomplishments include a Super Bowl championship in 2013 with the Seattle Seahawks. With a young roster and the number two overall pick, Saleh looks to return the Jets to Super Bowl glory.
