The Browns, Cardinals, Falcons and Raiders followed the Giants and Titans in firing head coaches, making those calls between the Week 18 conclusion and Black Monday. The Ravens then moved on from John Harbaugh after 18 seasons; two days later, the Dolphins canned Mike McDaniel. Following a wild-card loss, the Steelers and Mike Tomlin are separating after 19 years. Now, after an overtime divisional-round loss in Denver, Sean McDermott is out in Buffalo.
The 10 HC openings are tied with 1978, 1997, 2006 and 2022 for the most in one year. Here are the candidates connected to all those searches, including the six remaining jobs. If more teams make changes, they will be added to the list.
Updated 1-21-26 (10:10am CT)
Arizona Cardinals
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): To conduct in-person interview
- Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Patriots): Interview requested
- Matt Burke, defensive coordinator (Texans): Interviewed
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): To conduct second interview 1/22
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10, considered “strong candidate”
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/13
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Interviewed
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/15
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/9
Atlanta Falcons
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/18
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/15
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Interviewed 1/12; second interview canceled
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interview requested
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/12
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Antonio Pierce, former head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/16
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Hired
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/10
Baltimore Ravens
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): To conduct second interview 1/22
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/19
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/13
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/12
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/15
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Conducted second interview 1/21
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/11
- Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator (Broncos): Interview expected
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/14
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Second interview requested for 1/21
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
Buffalo Bills
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): To interview 1/22
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): To interview 1/22
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Anthony Lynn, run-game coordinator (Commanders): To interview 1/24
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): To interview 1/25
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Rumored candidate
Cleveland Browns
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Rumored mutual interest; interview requested
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To conduct second interview 1/21; withdrew from search
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To conduct second interview 1/22
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/9
- Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Second interview requested
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Conducted second interview 1/19; seen as favorite?
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): To conduct second interview 1/23
Las Vegas Raiders
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/18
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): To conduct second interview 1/21
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/19
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/8; withdrew from search
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/7
Miami Dolphins
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/18
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/16
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/19
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Hired
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Rumored candidate
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/15
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kelvin Sheppard, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/19
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Second interview requested for 1/21
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Rumored candidate
New York Giants
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/13
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Mentioned as candidate
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Mentioned as candidate
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Hired
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Mike Kafka, interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/7
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Mentioned as candidate
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/13
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons). Interviewed 1/8
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Rumored candidate
- Antonio Pierce, former head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/9
- Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator (Broncos): To interview
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Rumored candidate
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Rumored candidate
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/7; seen as frontrunner
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Mentioned as candidate
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Conducted in-person interview 1/20
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/17
- Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/21
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/17
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): To conduct second interview 1/23
Tennessee Titans
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Mentioned as candidate
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/16
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/18
- Jason Garrett, former offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/9
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): To conduct second interview 1/20
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Among frontrunners; interview canceled
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/7
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): To interview
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Mentioned as candidate
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/17
- Mike McCoy, interim head coach (Titans): Interviewed
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/14
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/13
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Interviewed 1/12
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): To conduct second interview 1/20; reported frontrunner
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Hired
- Steve Sarkisian, head coach (Texas): Rumored candidate; expected to stay at Texas
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interviewed 1/13
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Second interview canceled
Where is Curt Cignetti?
At Indiana for another 8 years.
Nah. Someone is gonna pay him.
Indiana is paying him handsomely.
And apparently IU is obligated to renegotiate again
Leading the Raiders with their #1 pick, his QB Fernando Mendoza.
+1 for AIC reference.
The Giants and Falcons need more coaches to consider or rumored to consider. Perhaps Bill Cowher or Marv Levy, they’re both available.
These trackers are indispensable and who doesn’t like lists that are alphabetical?
I see the Titans have decided to be this year’s version of the Bears by interviewing every coaching candidate under the sun…
This is great to track all the interviews and possible movement. One small suggestion – when a coach is hired, list his name with a strikethrough on the other teams. Don’t delete them, the history is interesting.