2017’s Major NFL Coaching Changes

Because most NFL coaching changes happen in January, those moves can often be overshadowed by the postseason and – subsequently – the major moves that teams makes in free agency. However, those coaching changes shouldn’t be overlooked.

A year ago, 13 of the league’s 32 teams made changes at at least one of their head coach, offensive coordinator, or defensive coordinator spots, and many of these hirings turned into major stories throughout the 2016 season. New head coaches Adam Gase and Ben McAdoo led the Dolphins and Giants, respectively, to the postseason in their first go-rounds in charge, while new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph leveraged his one-year stint as a play-caller to become the next Broncos head coach.

Which new coaches could make a similar impact this year? We may have to wait to find out, but there are certainly plenty of candidates. The full breakdown of 2017’s major coaching changes from around the league is below:

Head coaches:

• Buffalo Bills: Hired Sean McDermott to replace Rex Ryan / Anthony Lynn (interim).
• Denver Broncos: Hired Vance Joseph to replace Gary Kubiak.
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Retained Doug Marrone (interim) to replace Gus Bradley.
• Los Angeles Chargers: Hired Anthony Lynn to replace Mike McCoy.
• Los Angeles Rams: Hired Sean McVay to replace Jeff Fisher / John Fassel (interim).
• San Francisco 49ers: Hired Kyle Shanahan to replace Chip Kelly.

Offensive coordinators:

• Atlanta Falcons: Hired Steve Sarkisian to replace Kyle Shanahan.
• Buffalo Bills: Hired Rick Dennison to replace Anthony Lynn.
• Denver Broncos: Hired Mike McCoy to replace Rick Dennison.
• Houston Texans: Head coach Bill O’Brien will call plays, replacing George Godsey.
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Retained interim OC Nathaniel Hackett.
• Los Angeles Rams: Hired Matt LaFleur to replace Rob Boras.
• Minnesota Vikings: Retained interim OC Pat Shurmur.
• New York Jets: Hired John Morton to replace Chan Gailey.
• Oakland Raiders: Promoted Todd Downing to replace Bill Musgrave.
• Washington Redskins: Promoted Matt Cavanaugh to replace Sean McVay.

Defensive coordinators:

• Atlanta Falcons: Promoted Marquand Manuel to replace Richard Smith.
• Buffalo Bills: Hired Leslie Frazier to replace Dennis Thurman.
• Carolina Panthers: Promoted Steve Wilks to replace Sean McDermott.
• Cleveland Browns: Hired Gregg Williams to replace Ray Horton.
• Denver Broncos: Promoted Joe Woods to replace Wade Phillips.
• Houston Texans: Promoted Mike Vrabel to replace Romeo Crennel.
• Los Angeles Chargers: Hired Gus Bradley to replace John Pagano.
• Los Angeles Rams: Hired Wade Phillips to replace Gregg Williams.
• Miami Dolphins: Promoted Matt Burke to replace Vance Joseph.
• San Francisco 49ers: Hired Robert Saleh to replace Jim O’Neil.
• Washington Redskins: Promoted Greg Manusky to replace Joe Barry.

Special teams coordinators:

• Denver Broncos: Hired Brock Olivo to replace Joe DeCamillis.
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Hired Joe DeCamillis to replace Mike Mallory.
• Los Angeles Chargers: Hired George Stewart to replace Craig Aukerman.
• New Orleans Saints: Hired Brad Banta to replace Greg McMahon.
• San Francisco 49ers: Hired Richard Hightower to replace Derius Swinton.

Other 2016 OCs, DCs with new jobs:

• Baltimore Ravens: Hired former Bills OC Greg Roman as senior offensive assistant/tight ends coach.
• Buffalo Bills: Hired former Rams OC Rob Boras as tight ends coach.
• Denver Broncos: Hired former Raiders OC Bill Musgrave as quarterbacks coach.
• Detroit Lions: Hired former Texans OC George Godsey as defensive assistant/special projects.
• Houston Texans: Promoted former DC Romeo Crennel to assistant head coach/defense.
• Los Angeles Chargers: Hired former Falcons DC Richard Smith as linebackers coach.
• Los Angeles Rams: Hired former Redskins DC Joe Barry as assistant head coach/linebackers.
• Los Angeles Rams: Hired former Jaguars OC Greg Olson as quarterbacks coach.
• Oakland Raiders: Hired former Chargers DC John Pagano as assistant head coach/defense.