2024 NFL Head Coaching Carousel Grades – The 2024 NFL head coaching hiring cycle is nearing its end, with over 20% of teams naming new leaders to take the reins next season. Some big names have returned to the league, while up-and-comers have also gotten their first cracks at the top job. Leading sports betting sites will be closely following these new hires and how they shape their teams.
Splashy Homecoming: Jim Harbaugh Back to His NFL Roots (Grade: A)
Jim Harbaugh has come full circle, returning to lead the Los Angeles Chargers after nearly toppling his brother John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII over a decade ago at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers.
Harbaugh has been a proven winner in both college (Stanford, University of San Diego, Michigan) and the pros. He pairs perfectly with Chargers young star Justin Herbert to take over a readymade playoff contender in the AFC. The AFC West just got a lot more interesting with Captain Comeback’s return.
2024 NFL Head Coaching Carousel Grades – Atlanta Taps Morris for Second Act (Grade: B)
The Falcons are turning to a familiar face in Raheem Morris, bringing back the long-time defensive assistant as head coach after a stint as interim for part of 2020.
Morris has prior experience from his days leading Tampa Bay, versatility working both sides of the ball, and just coached the NFL’s top defense en route to winning Super Bowl LVI with the Rams. Add in the hiring of past Sean McVay lieutenant Zac Robinson as OC, and Morris has plenty of ingredients for a more sustainable second act in Atlanta.
Next McVay? Seahawks Take Leap on Rising Star Mike Macdonald (Grade: B)
Seeking to make their own version of the Sean McVay hiring years back, Seattle tapped standout Ravens DC Mike Macdonald as Pete Carroll’s successor. Just 36, Macdonald has been a fast riser working under John Harbaugh and also Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
With Russell Wilson now in Denver, Macdonald will be tasked with rebooting Seattle’s offense in addition to upholding their defensive foundation. It’s a bold roll of the dice on a promising young mind who could be their next long-term anchor.
Jerod Mayo: New Voice to Carry the Torch? (Grade: C+)
Bill Belichick is out in New England, but will things actually look much different with former Patriots star linebacker Jerod Mayo now installed as head coach?
The bar is high for former Belichick assistants moving into the big chair, as past flops like Charlie Weis, Eric Mangini and Josh McDaniels show. Mayo’s transparency and communication skills do present a shift in style. To truly escape Belichick’s shadow though, he must upgrade New England’s stale offensive approach.
Raiders Bank on Pierce’s Interim Energy for Long Term (Grade: B-)
Josh McDaniels flamed out quickly in Las Vegas, prompting the Raiders to remove the interim tag from defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce after a promising second half of 2022. The former Giants great related well to the players and brought renewed spirit.
Of course, the jump from position coach to head coach is steep. Pierce’s success hinges on constructing the right offensive staff and developing at QB. But his passion could reignite Raider Nation after the failed McDaniels experiment.
Panthers Roll Dice on Young Mind in Dave Canales (Grade: B+)
Looking to hit a home run similar to the Rams and Sean McVay, Carolina hired 42-year old Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales after just one season running an NFL offense.
Canales has learned under Pete Carroll and helped revive Baker Mayfield this past season. Now he’ll be tasked with getting the most out of 2023 draft headliner Bryce Young right off the bat.
Titans Hope Callahan Can Modernize Offense (Grade: B-)
With Tennessee’s defense leading the way under the departed Mike Vrabel, replacement head coach Brian Callahan arrives with a mission to kickstart the Titans’ attack.
Callahan has worked with Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow in coordinator stops around the league. As OC in Cincinnati, he led a top-10 scoring offense each of the past two seasons.
In conclusion, the 2024 NFL head coaching carousel has brought some big name reunions, intriguing risks on rising assistants, and everything in between. The head coaching position is about much more than one man, as building a quality staff and roster ultimately determines success. But this latest batch of hires shows a blend of experience and new blood that could pay dividends for multiple franchises heading into next season.
Of course only time will tell who ends up finding the right combinations and chemistry out of this year’s coaching shakeups. Harbaugh, Morris, Macdonald and others have set the bar high based on resumes and connections. Now the challenge will be transforming good ideas and concepts into executed realities on the gridiron itself the next several autumns. One thing is for certain year after year however in this league: adapt or get left behind.
As we look ahead to next season, these new hires will not only be aiming for playoff spots and division titles, but ultimately for that coveted Lombardi Trophy. That makes for intriguing storylines around some Super Bowl betting picks.
