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Coaching Notes: Patriots, Raiders, Jets, Dolphins

February 3rd, 2024 at 9:37am CST by Ben Levine

Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo worked in tandem to guide the Patriots defense during Bill Belichick‘s final years in New England. With the older Belichick gone and Mayo having been promoted to head coach, the younger Belichick was facing an uncertain future with the organization. While there were some rumblings that Mayo was interested in keeping Steve Belichick on staff, the Patriots linebackers coach is set to interview for a job at the University of Washington, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

While the Patriots didn’t have a traditional defensive coordinator in recent years, Belichick and Mayo were both credited with running the group. Steve Belichick was the defensive play-caller over each of the past four seasons, leading some pundits to wonder if he could earn a promotion to full-time DC with Mayo now leading the way. There were also rumblings that the younger Belichick could join his father in a new landing spot. Ultimately, neither of those scenarios came to fruition, and Steve Belichick is now eyeing a role elsewhere.

Patriots RB coach Vinnie Sunseri is also set to interview with the University of Washington. The coach has experience working on both sides of the ball, and he worked alongside Jedd Fisch when the two were in New England.

Elsewhere on the Patriots staff, assistant special teams coach Joe Houston is leaving for the University of Florida, according to Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com. Houston was set to be named Alabama’s special teams coach in 2020, but the Patriots convinced him to join their coaching staff. He’s spent the past four seasons in New England.

More coaching notes from around the NFL…

  • The Raiders are hiring DeShaun Foster as their new running backs coach, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. After finishing his playing career with more than 4,500 yards from scrimmage, Foster joined UCLA’s staff in 2012. He’s spent most of the past 12 seasons with the Bruins, including the past seven as their running backs coach. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that he expects the Raiders to also add Andre Carter to their staff. The former first-round pick previously served as the Jets defensive line coach.
  • The Jets have added Shawn Jefferson as their new wide receivers coach, according to Josina Anderson. Jefferson has been coaching since 2006, and he’s had stints as the WRs coach with the Lions, Titans, Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals, and (most recently) the Panthers. He had a previous stint with New York’s coaching staff, serving as the WRs coach/assistant head coach in 2019 and 2020.
  • The Dolphins are making some significant changes to their coaching staff. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the organization has parted ways with offensive assistant Kolby Smith. Wolfe adds that offensive assistant Ricardo Allen, offensive assistant Mike Judge, and assistant special teams coach Brendan Farrell also won’t be back in 2024. Smith is a somewhat notable departure. After working alongside RB coach Eric Studesville this past season, he was interviewed for the Jaguars RB coach job.
  • The Rams have hired Giff Smith as their defensive line coach/run game coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The long-time coach had been with the Chargers since 2016, serving as defensive line coach and linebackers coach. He took on the role of interim head coach this past season following the firing of Brandon Staley, with the Chargers going winless in his three games at the helm. Per Pelissero, a number of teams reached out to Smith about joining their staffs, but the coach ultimately decided to stick in Los Angeles.

Rams Promote Chris Shula To DC

February 1st, 2024 at 5:37pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams are turning to their current coaching staff to fill the void left by former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams have promoted pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach Chris Shula to defensive coordinator. The Rams have since announced the promotion.

With Morris being named as the Falcons new head coach, the Rams had a major hole on their coaching staff. Sean McVay considered a number of outside candidates for the job, including former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. McVay also considered in-house candidates; besides Shula, defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant was also expected to get an interview for the position.

Ultimately, the Rams opted for Shula as their new defensive coordinator. The grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, Chris Shula has been climbing the NFL coaching ranks for close to a decade. He spent the past seven seasons with the Rams organization, working his way up from assistant LBs coach to the full-time job. He earned the added responsibility of pass game coordinator in 2022, and he took on the title of pass rush coordinator in 2023.

Shula has earned a positive reputation during his seven seasons with the Rams, and Schefter notes that the Dolphins tried to get the coach in for a coordinator interview. Ultimately, the Rams wouldn’t let the 37-year-old out of the building. According to Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager, Shula was “incredibly impressive” during his interview for the Rams job, and the decision is expected to be “celebrated” by the current staff.

The Rams are also reportedly eyeing a current staff member for another vacancy. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Rams interviewed assistant defensive line coach AC Carter for the full-time job. Carter has had a quick rise, as he only entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2022 when he served as the Broncos defensive quality control coach. In Los Angeles, he was credited with helping guide rookie Kobie Turner to a team-leading nine sacks this past season.

2024 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker

February 1st, 2024 at 9:55am CST by Sam Robinson

The Commanders’ hire has wrapped this year’s cycle. Barring a team making an 11th-hour change, the 2024 HC carousel has come to a stop. The final breakdown produced five defensive coaches being hired compared to three with backgrounds on offense. Many teams are still searching for offensive and defensive coordinators, however.

Updated 2-1-24 (10:37am CT)

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

  • Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach (Patriots): Hired

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Dolphins To Interview Chris Shula For DC

February 1st, 2024 at 8:35am CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins’ search to replace Vic Fangio will move toward Sean McVay‘s staff, and it now includes a rather familiar name in South Florida.

Chris Shula, who has been with the Rams throughout McVay’s tenure, is set to interview for the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator position, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The grandson of legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula, Chris will meet with the team about its DC opening Thursday.

A Miami native, Chris is the son of former Dolphins assistant and ex-Bengals head coach David Shula. In addition to Don Shula’s 26-year run as Dolphins HC, the Shulas have produced another NFL HC (David) and a coordinator (Mike). Chris, 37, has moved around on McVay’s staff, specializing on the defensive side. He spent this past season as the Rams’ linebackers coach.

This marks Chris’ second opportunity to interview for a coordinator post this offseason. The Rams also have him on the radar to replace Raheem Morris, though bigger names are also being considered for that Los Angeles-based gig. McVay’s success has brought steady turnover on his staff, with a handful of staffers rising to the HC or coordinator ranks elsewhere. Shula spending all seven seasons on McVay’s staff has represented rare continuity for the NFC West team.

Shula coached the Rams’ DBs in 2022 but has spent the other six seasons in L.A. working with the team’s linebackers. During the team’s Super Bowl-winning slate and this past season, Shula coached L.A.’s LBs. The third-generation NFL coach broke into the league as a quality control staffer with the Chargers. Here is how the Dolphins’ DC search looks as of Thursday morning:

Brandon Staley Meets With Packers, Dolphins; Rams To Conduct DC Interview

January 30th, 2024 at 2:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 30: The Rams indeed have interest in bringing Staley back. The former Chargers HC will interview for Raheem Morris‘ old job Wednesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

Staley cemented his place as a top HC candidate in 2021 by overseeing a No. 1-ranked Rams defense. While Staley’s Chargers defenses could not justify the franchise’s investment, the 2020 Rams ranked first in scoring defense and yardage allowed. With multiple teams pursuing the three-year HC, an immediate move back to a coordinator job may be in the cards.

JANUARY 26: A short list of names worth watching quickly emerged for the Packers’ defensive coordinator position once Joe Barry was fired earlier this week. Green Bay had yet to line up an interview, but that has now changed.

[RELATED: Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker]

The Packers are speaking with Brandon Staley for their DC position, Matt Schneidman and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report. Staley’s first head coaching gig, which came with the Chargers, certainly did not go according to plan. He was let go midway through the 2023 season, his third in Los Angeles. A coordinator role likely awaits him in his next NFL opportunity.

Staley was not originally thought to be under consideration for Green Bay, but he is indeed meeting with the team today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. This Packers summit represents the first firm interest shown in the 41-year-old, but it does not appear to be the last. Schefter adds that Staley will interview with the Dolphins for their DC posting this weekend, and that a Rams reunion could be on the table.

Miami moved on from Vic Fangio after just one season at the helm, and he has already taken the Eagles’ DC role. The Dolphins thus have a notable vacancy to fill, and their upcoming Staley interview is the team’s first known one to fill the position. Miami underperformed relative to expectations at times during the season, although by the playoffs the team’s defense was ravaged by injuries. A number of key roster pieces are in place on that side of the ball.

Like the Dolphins, the Rams made it to the wild-card round of the postseason this year. Morris played a key role in that success, and he landed the Falcons’ head coaching position in a return to Atlanta. Staley could embark on a reunion of his own by taking the Rams’ DC position, one which he held in 2020. The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue names Staley as a potential candidate for the gig (subscription required).

Despite his background, Staley’s Chargers never ranked better than 20th in total defense. That, coupled with a regression on offense in 2023, helped inform the team’s decision to dismiss him and general manager Tom Telesco. The latter has already landed the Raiders’ GM job, but it will be interesting to see where (and in what capacity) Staley winds up. Today’s update certainly point to competition for his services in a coordinator role being a distinct possibility.

Falcons Hire Rams’ Jimmy Lake As DC

January 29th, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Raheem Morris is set to fill another major hole on his coaching staff with a former Rams staffer. The Falcons announced that they’ve hired Jimmy Lake as their new defensive coordinator.

[RELATED: Falcons To Hire Zac Robinson As OC]

Lake worked alongside Morris this past season in Los Angeles, serving as a defensive assistant. Lake ended his brief coaching hiatus when he joined the Rams last offseason, and he’s rapidly climbed the coaching ladder by securing Atlanta’s coordinator job.

Prior to his brief break, Lake was the head coach at Washington. He had a tumultuous two years in that role, a stint that featured a suspension for shoving one of his players away from a fight. Less than a week after being handed his suspension, Lake was fired as head coach, ending his tenure with a 7-6 record.

Of course, prior to those two forgettable years, Lake made a name for himself in Washington, working his way up from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator and, eventually, head coach. Lake’s previous NFL jobs included assistant positions with the Buccaneers and Lions.

The 47-year-old coach wasn’t previously connected to the Atlanta job. The only two known candidates for the gig were former Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai. Ultimately, Morris decided to opt for the familiar face, which is what he did when he added Rams QBs coach Zac Robinson as his new offensive coordinator.

The Falcons also announced that they’ve retained Marquice Williams as their special teams coordinator. The organization seemed to be trending in this direction, and Williams made his preferences clear when he rejected job opportunities elsewhere. Now, the veteran coach will stick around for Morris’s first season at the helm.

Rams Conduct DC Interview With Ron Rivera; Team To Meet With Aubrey Pleasant, Chris Shula

January 29th, 2024 at 12:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

If Ron Rivera continues his coaching career in 2024, he could have a number of options available to him. The list of teams which have the ex-Commanders head coach on their coordinator radar has grown.

The Rams met with Rivera this weekend to discuss their DC vacancy, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports. That marks the second team known to have interest in him for a coordinator position; the Cowboys have Rivera on their radar in the event Dan Quinn takes one of the two remaining head coaching positions during the 2024 hiring cycle.

Los Angeles lost Raheem Morris to the Falcons after he returned to Atlanta to become the team’s next head coach. As a result, the Rams are in need of a replacement, and Rivera easily qualifies as the most experienced candidate connected to the opening so far. The 62-year-old had a nine-year run with the Panthers before his four seasons at the helm of the Commanders.

Prior to that, Rivera served as defensive coordinator of the Bears (2004-06) and Chargers (2008-10). Both units had strong showings with him in charge, and his stock as a highly-regarded defensive mind helped earn him his two head coaching gigs. Rivera is willing to take a step back by accepting another coordinator role moving forward as he intends to continue coaching in the NFL.

While Rivera is one a several outside staffers now linked to the Rams, Los Angeles will also consider internal candidates. Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant and inside linebackers coach Chris Shula are expected to interview for the DC position this week, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports. Shula is not on the radar of any other coordinator-needy team, but Pleasant has been floated as a potential candidate for the Packers.

Here is where things stand for the Rams as it pertains to their process of finding a Morris successor:

  • Aden Durde, defensive line coach (Cowboys): Interview requested
  • Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Mentioned as candidate
  • Aubrey Pleasant, defensive backs coach (Rams): Expected to interview
  • Ron Rivera, former head coach (Commanders): Interviewed
  • Chris Shula, inside linebackers coach (Rams): Expected to interview
  • Brandon Staley, former head coach (Chargers): Named as candidate
  • Dennard Wilson, defensive backs coach (Ravens): To interview

Buccaneers To Interview Jake Peetz For OC

January 28th, 2024 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Dave Canales taking a quick route to a head coaching job, the Buccaneers need to find a new play-caller. Yet again, a Sean McVay staffer is in the mix for a promotion.

The Bucs are planning to sit down with Jake Peetz this week, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. After a 2021 stint at LSU, Peetz has been back in the NFL — as a Rams pass-game specialist — for the past two seasons.

Peetz could have multiple promotion opportunities this offseason. The Rams have lost quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson, one of this cycle’s most popular coordinator candidates, to the Falcons. But a coordinator gig represents a higher rung on the coaching ladder. This Tampa Bay opportunity marks the first Peetz interview request during this year’s hiring period.

Peetz, 39, worked under McVay for a season in Washington (2014) and was on each of Jack Del Rio‘s three Raiders staffs over the next three years. After a season at Alabama, Peetz resurfaced as the Panthers’ running backs coach under Ron Rivera. Matt Rhule kept Peetz on and moved him to QBs coach in 2020, Carolina’s Teddy Bridgewater year, but saw him become LSU’s offensive coordinator in 2021. The SEC school ranked 80th in scoring offense under Peetz in 2021; the team fired Ed Orgeron that year, and Peetz made his way back to the NFL soon after.

The Rams have Mike LaFleur in place as McVay’s top offensive assistant, and no HC or OC requests have come in for the ex-Jets play-caller. With Robinson gone and Peetz on the coordinator radar, LaFleur’s status looms as critical for a team that will once again need to replace a coordinator — after Raheem Morris became the new Falcons HC.

Courtesy of PFR’s Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker, here is how the Bucs’ OC search looks so far:

Patriots To Conduct Second OC Interview With Rams’ Nick Caley

January 28th, 2024 at 10:59am CST by Sam Robinson

JANUARY 28: With Robinson now off the market, the Patriots are narrowing their OC search. Per Breer, Caley is flying from Los Angeles for a second interview with the club. Joining Caley is fellow Rams staffer Jeremy Springer, who will sit for a second interview for the Pats’ ST coordinator position. The two men will have dinner with New England brass tonight and will interview tomorrow.

JANUARY 21, 11:25am: Sean McVay‘s staff continues to generate interest; the Patriots are now scheduled to meet with two Rams assistants. Zac Robinson will also interview for the job, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, who notes the Robinson-Patriots meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Robinson has been the Rams’ QBs coach for the past two seasons.

The Patriots have company with Robinson. The Bears and Saints have sent out requests to meet with the 37-year-old assistant, whom the Rams retained last year despite shuffling their coaching staff. If neither Caley nor Robinson lands a job, each is expected back in L.A. McVay said recently the team is not planning to shake up its staff this year.

8:18am: For a second straight year, Nick Caley is set to interview for the Patriots’ offensive coordinator post. A failure to land this gig in 2023 led Caley to the Rams, but with Bill O’Brien returning to the college ranks, the job is open again.

Jerod Mayo still has the former Patriots assistant on his radar, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter indicating Caley will interview for the position Monday. Caley, 40, spent this season as the Rams’ tight ends coach, the same title he held in New England previously. O’Brien became OC at Ohio State this week; he was far from certain to stay on with the Patriots under Mayo.

Caley coached Pats tight ends from 2017-22 and spent eight years in New England, arriving back in 2015. This timing gave Caley two Super Bowl rings and provided him an opportunity to work with Rob Gronkowski during his final years with the team. The Patriots’ view of Caley back in 2022 led to a responsibility increase following Josh McDaniels‘ Las Vegas exit, but they passed on him for O’Brien — a staffer Robert Kraft helped bring back to Foxborough.

Both the Jets and Texans also met with Caley about their OC post last year as well, but each team went with familiarity. The Jets were able to convince Aaron Rodgers to put off retirement by hiring Nathaniel Hackett, a move that led Mike LaFleur to Los Angeles, and DeMeco Ryans brought ex-49ers assistant Bobby Slowik with him to Houston. Slowik’s performance in his first season calling plays could well open the Houston OC gig once again, as HC interest has come his way.

This would obviously be a major opportunity for Caley, who is the Pats’ first known OC interview during this cycle. With O’Brien leaving, the team will feature a different play-caller for a fourth straight season.

Falcons Hire Zac Robinson As OC

January 27th, 2024 at 7:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

With Raheem Morris set to make the move from Los Angeles to Atlanta, at least one Rams staffer will join him. The Falcons are hiring Rams QBs coach/passing game coordinator Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This agreement will include a three-year contract, SI’s Albert Breer adds.

As Rapoport unsurprisingly notes, Robinson represented Morris’ top choice for the position. The latter took the head coaching position in Atlanta in a reunion with his former team. Now, he will bring at least one familiar face along with him, bringing an end to Robinson’s busy involvement in this year’s coordinator hiring cycle.

The 37-year-old was connected to several OC openings around the league, making him a logical candidate to depart Sean McVay‘s staff. Robinson received at least an interview request from six teams looking for a new OC, despite the fact he has no experience at that role during his coaching career.

Robinson had a brief NFL playing career as a quarterback, but he has been with the Rams as a coach since 2019. He served as assistant quarterbacks coach in two different seasons, while working with the team’s wide receivers in between. Over the past two years, he held the title of QBs coach but also passing game coordinator, making him an integral part of the Rams’ offensive staff. Los Angeles in general and quarterback Matthew Stafford in particular experienced a rebound with respect to health and productivity in 2023. The team put up strong showings in total and scoring offense while ranking 10th in passing yards per game (239).

Robinson will take the place of Dave Ragone, who had served as the Falcons’ non-play-calling OC during Arthur Smith‘s head coaching tenure. The Falcons left plenty to be desired during their time at the helm, never finishing better than 17th in scoring while posting a 7-10 record each year. Ragone has not taken a position elsewhere, but he will be in line to do so now with Morris and Robinson in the fold.

Atlanta had requested an interview with LSU’s Cortez Hankton earlier today, but the team has instead moved quickly in tapping Robinson for the gig. The latter has drawn praise as another up-and-coming offensive mind under McVay, and he will face a significant challenge upon arrival with the Falcons. The team boasts recent top-10 picks at the tight end, receiver and running back positions, as well as a strong offensive line. As was made clear during the 2023 campaign, however, quarterback represents a significant roster hole.

The Falcons have both 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder and veteran Taylor Heinicke under contract for next year, but an addition should be expected after the team’s struggles under center in 2023. Regardless of who is in place at the position next year, Robinson will be tasked with overseeing an improvement in efficiency through the air in particular. Morris has experience on both sides of the ball, but the bulk of his NFL work has come on defense, meaning Robinson could have a notable degree of autonomy despite his inexperience.

Already in need of a new DC to replace Morris, the Rams will now need to conduct a search for an internal candidate or an outside hire to take on Robinson’s duties. While that process will be worth watching, the Falcons have immediately filled a significant vacancy on their staff.

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