The coaching cycle remains one of the more underrated aspects every off season. Opportunities for young coaches to continue their careers and join some incredible staffs. They may not receive head coach offers this February, but will inevitably become targets by general managers in the future. Four out of the five new head coach hires this offseason were coordinators last year. They will most certainly be in the running for coordinator positions for next season.
5 Coaches That Will Be Coordinators in 2024
Duce Staley – Carolina Panthers
Duce Staley has made a great transition into coaching this past decade. The former third round pick and Super Bowl champion with Pittsburgh has been on a sideline every season since 2011. He spent a decade working under Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, and Doug Pederson in Philadelphia, primarily as running back coach before departing for the Detroit Lions in 2021. Staley became a vocal leader on Dan Campbell staff as the assistant head coach and helped Jamaal Williams break Barry Sanders single season touchdown record. Now working on Frank Reich’s staff for his hometown Carolina Panthers, 31 teams should be jumping for the opportunity to hire him onto their staff next year.
Marquand Manuel – New York Jets
Marquand Manuel has been on teams coaching radars for some time. Manuel was a key factor for the development of the Legion of Boom defense of the Seattle Seahawks the previous decade. After losing the Super Bowl to New England, Manuel left Seattle to join Dan Quinn’s staff in Atlanta. Once Atlanta won the NFC championship, Quinn promoted him to defensive coordinator in 2017, but was fired the following season. He’s since spent time between Philadelphia in 2020 before joining Robert Saleh’s staff in New York. Another strong defensive season from the Jets could lead to a promotion for the 43 year old coach.
Joe Brady – Buffalo Bills
Joe Brady is a popular name in coaching circles the past three years and should earn one of the new offensive coordinators next year. In spite of an unceremonious end to his time in Carolina as Matt Rhule’s offensive coordinator, Brady’s innovation has been praised for his role in developing the historic LSU Tigers offense in 2019. He’s also been beneficial to Josh Allen, throwing over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdown passes for a third consecutive season. Brady also improved Josh Allen to his second highest quarterback rating of his career (96.6). Another strong season in Buffalo and Joe Brady could instantly push himself as a top candidate for an offensive coordinator position once more.
Eric Henderson – Los Angeles Rams
Eric Henderson has been in the NFL since 2017 after Anthony Lynn hired him as the Chargers assistant defensive line coach. He stayed for two seasons before joining Sean McVay’s staff on the Rams in 2019. Promoted to handle run game duties on defense as well, Henderson made an immediate impact as the Rams won their second Super Bowl in his first season after the promotion. A resurgence of that 2021 defense could earn the 40 year old coach some major opportunities this off season.
Stump Mitchell – Cleveland Browns
Stump Mitchell is the most experienced name on this list but the veteran running back coach has earned his merit. Twenty years in the NFL and a former head coach in college, he became a valued member of the Browns coaching staff. He’s been crucial to the development of Nick Chubb, and helped revitalize Kareem Hunt’s value in Cleveland. He also served as assistant coach under Jim Zorn in Washington back in 2008. His success in the running game and experience could be beneficial as a play caller for a first time head coach next year.
Honorable Mentions
New York Giants quarterback coach Mike Kafka
Buffalo Bills linebacker coach Bobby Babich
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback coach Brian Johnson
Vikings quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson
Detroit Lions wide receiver coach Antwaan Randle El
Main Photo: Lon Horwedel – USA Today Sports
