North Carolina hires Bill Belichick: Ranking 15 NFL head-coaching candidates for 2025 cycle

Sure, there are still a few weeks remaining in the 2024 regular season, but the head coach hiring cycle is already starting to spin. The most notable name on the market, Bill Belichick, is no longer in play for an NFL job, as he has been hired as the next head coach at the University of North Carolina, per CBS Sports senior NFL insider Jonathan Jones.

With Belichick’s name off the board, now is as good of a time as ever to take an initial look at the prospective head coaching candidates this cycle and identify which coaches could be targeted the most.

At the moment, there are only three head coaching jobs available: the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears. Of course, more are expected to open up in the aftermath of the regular season, so these candidates should be flush with interviews sooner rather than later. 

15. Wes Phillips

Current position: Quarterbacks coach, Minnesota Vikings

Sam Darnold is playing so well that it might get Wes Phillips hired as a head coach in the NFL. While Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell does have a heavy hand in the Minnesota offense, Phillips should get some of the credit for the Vikings making Darnold a high-level starter in the NFL who has them in playoff position. Phillips, the son of former NFL head coach Wade Phillips, also worked under Sean McVay as a tight ends coach from 2019-2020, so he is a true blue blood when it comes to coaching pedigree. This season, Minnesota’s offense ranks ninth in total points and eighth in passing yards.

14. Drew Petzing

Current position: Offensive coordinator, Arizona Cardinals

Petzing is in his second season as the Cardinals offensive coordinator and is an underrated candidate who shouldn’t be overlooked this cycle. The 37-year-old comes from the Mike Zimmer coaching tree that has also produced two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, whom he also coached under before heading to Arizona. The…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/north-carolina-hires-bill-belichick-ranking-15-nfl-head-coaching-candidates-for-2025-cycle/

Author : Tyler Sullivan

Publish date : 2024-12-11 22:50:00

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