2026 NFL Head Coaching Candidates

[RaiderFan1]

Overview of 2026 NFL Head Coaching Candidates

Experienced Coaches

Mike McCarthy Former NFL Head Coach Super Bowl winner, high career winning percentage
Vance Joseph Broncos Defensive Coordinator Former head coach with experience in the NFL
Brian Flores Vikings Defensive Coordinator Known for strong defensive strategies

Rising Coordinators

Jeff Hafley Packers Defensive Coordinator Strong defensive performance, head coaching experience in college
Klint Kubiak Seahawks Offensive Coordinator Innovative offensive strategies, young talent
Jesse Minter Chargers Defensive Coordinator Successful tenure at Michigan, championship experience

Young and Innovative Candidates

Joe Brady Bills Offensive Coordinator Previous success at LSU, known for developing quarterbacks
Thomas Brown Patriots Passing Game Coordinator Experience with Super Bowl-winning teams
Jim Bob Cooter Colts Offensive Coordinator Proven track record of improving offenses

College Coaches to Watch

Marcus Freeman Notre Dame Head Coach Rising star in college football
Lincoln Riley USC Head Coach High-profile offensive mind
Dan Lanning Oregon Head Coach Strong recruiting and coaching background

[Attyla]

Well, looks like some laundry was cleaned up lol

[raider_kin]

Well, looks like some laundry was cleaned up lol

?

[Attyla]

?

little spat was resolved.

[raider_kin]

little spat was resolved.

Ah

[RaiderFan1]

Dukes of Hazzard

Cleetus you dipstick

[Attyla]

https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi/las ... ifications

Oh god no

[Hellbound]

https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi/las ... ifications

Oh god no

Would you put it past Mark at this point? Can you not totally see him telling everyone to get f[raiders_icon]cked and get back with his original man crush? Sad thing is, I can totally see it

[Attyla]

Would you put it past Mark at this point? Can you not totally see him telling everyone to get fcked and get back with his original man crush? Sad thing is, I can totally see it

oh I can see it, to my utter horror

[RaiderFan1]

"Sold my soul" will be doing backflips for Gruden

[heavyD]

Would you put it past Mark at this point? Can you not totally see him telling everyone to get fcked and get back with his original man crush? Sad thing is, I can totally see it

I can't see Brady and other owners being happy about bringing Gruden back with his baggage as well as the negative press it will bring with it. How do you fire the guy based on his unsavory comments and then make a case to re-hire him later? It would make Davis look like a phoney and clearly it would tick off Goodell and NFL head office and we don't really want to go back to the years of the special Raiders rulebook handed out to officials. It's possible some players in the locker room may not be overly happy as well and could affect free agency. The negatives are like an avalanche over the positives.

[Attyla]

I can't see Brady and other owners being happy about bringing Gruden back with his baggage as well as the negative press it will bring with it. How do you fire the guy based on his unsavory comments and then make a case to re-hire him later? It would make Davis look like a phoney and clearly it would tick off Goodell and NFL head office and we don't really want to go back to the years of the special Raiders rulebook handed out to officials. It's possible some players in the locker room may not be overly happy as well and could affect free agency. The negatives are like an avalanche over the positives.

well, Gruden resigned, probably under pressure but he resigned. Brady probably is less a factor on this one than we think. I doubt he wants Gruden here but I believe if we move on from Carroll the GM decides unless Dufus steps in again. As for the league, unless they ban him they cannot stop the hire. Pressure, yes, stop, no. I do believe that Gruden's lawsuit which includes the Raiders might be the tipping point but the man love Davis has for Gruden might overstep that.

[chucker]

I don't want a Gruden return, but fortunately I just can't see it happening. I don't think MD will force it to happen and nobody else in the organization would choose it. IMO it isn't worth much discussion.

[heavyD]

well, Gruden resigned, probably under pressure but he resigned. Brady probably is less a factor on this one than we think. I doubt he wants Gruden here but I believe if we move on from Carroll the GM decides unless Dufus steps in again. As for the league, unless they ban him they cannot stop the hire. Pressure, yes, stop, no. I do believe that Gruden's lawsuit which includes the Raiders might be the tipping point but the man love Davis has for Gruden might overstep that.

Davis likely let him resign to save face. I just can't see it happening. It's too far fetched. I doubt there are many GM's in the NFL that would embrace working with Gruden knowing that he's such a poor talent evaluator and is always going to have Mark blowing kisses in his direction creating a power imbalance. It's no less a recipe for failure than his 2nd tenure with the Raiders.

[Hellbound]

I don't want a Gruden return, but fortunately I just can't see it happening. I don't think MD will force it to happen and nobody else in the organization would choose it. IMO it isn't worth much discussion.

I don't want it to happen and highly doubt it would happen. Just with the soap opera this franchise has turned into, I wouldn't be shocked if it ever did happen

[GoodTimeCharlie]

I hope he comes back purely out of spite to set up Doofus in some donkydumb PF Changs’ waitress/LV escort sexual misconduct shenanigans.

And they both get banned for eternity.

Make it so Football Gods.

Also, f[raiders_icon]ck you Doofus.
Also, f[raiders_icon]ck you too Gruden. f[raiders_icon]cking moron.