Ranking the 2024 NFL head-coaching hires

Washington just fired the defensive-minded Ron Rivera after the franchise's seventh consecutive season without a winning record and choosing another retread with a defensive background doesn't suggest things will improve soon in the nation's capital.

7. Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans

The former Bengals offensive coordinator will call plays for the first time in his career with the Titans. As ESPN's Turron Davenport noted, that same trajectory worked for Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who served as Rams offensive coordinator under Sean McVay before leaving for Cincinnati. Still, anytime a coach takes on a role they didn't have previously, it raises questions. With the Titans in rebuild, Callahan's job is even harder.

6. Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots

Patriots owner Robert Kraft viewed Mayo as Bill Belichick's heir apparent prior to Belichick's firing and the former Patriots linebacker didn't do anything to challenge Kraft's belief this season. New England's defense was the team's strength and Mayo, who coached inside linebackers, helped linebacker Jahlani Tavai have a career year.

5. Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers

Canales' track record with quarterbacks made him an intriguing pick for the Panthers, who must get more out of quarterback Bryce Young in Year 2. Over the past two seasons, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield put up career-best numbers working with Canales. 

During his introductory news conference, he explained part of how he intends to help Young, saying, "In the pass game it's getting the ball out in 2.7 seconds or less. That's a critical deal for me." 

Per data from Pro Football Focus, Young threw eight touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 65.8% of his attempts when throwing in less than 2.5 seconds; he posted three touchdowns, eight interceptions and completed 54% of his attempts when he had 2.5 seconds or more to throw.

4. Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons

Entering his third stint coaching in the NFC South, Morris appears better suited to make this one last. He previously coached the Bucs from 2009-11 and served as Falcons interim head coach in 2020, going 21-38. Morris aced his first assignment, bringing Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson to Atlanta as his offensive coordinator. With an upgrade at quarterback - former MVP running back Shaun Alexander believes Russell Wilson is a possibility – Morris can quickly propel the Falcons to the playoffs.

3. Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders

Sometimes the right hire isn't the flashiest. That was the case in Las Vegas, which wisely removed the interim tag from Pierce's title and made him the full-time head coach on Jan. 19. The Raiders defense was much-improved under Pierce, a former linebacker. He also has the support of the team's best players, including running back Josh Jacobs, wide receiver Davante Adams and edge-rusher Maxx Crosby. Good on the Raiders, which went 5-4 under Pierce in 2023, for not over-complicating the hire.

2. Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks

Macdonald did a phenomenal job building the Ravens defense back up the past two seasons and gets a crack at returning the Seahawks to their "Legion of Boom" days during the mid-2010s. It doesn't hurt that he was one of the few coordinators to limit the 49ers, who Seattle faces twice a year, this season. Ravens players were effusive in their praise of their former coordinator earlier in the week, including linebacker Patrick Queen.

"I think he's the best candidate out there right now ... The guy is all-around the best person I've ever been around," Queen said, "coach-wise [and] person-wise."

1. Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers

The former Michigan head coach would top this list wherever he landed. Harbaugh has won everywhere he has coached, including when he posted a 44-19-1 record with the 49ers (2011-14). That will be no different in Los Angeles with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. 

"I only have so many sands left in the hourglass," Harbaugh said during his introductory news conference. 

"I want another shot to simply be known as a world champion," he continued. Considering his track record, we like his chances.