The NFL coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever, and the race to find the next big-name head coach is on. But here's where it gets controversial: while seasoned veterans like John Harbaugh are in high demand after his departure from Baltimore, many teams are eyeing younger, up-and-coming coordinators who could be the next Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan. Why? Because the success of these young minds is hard to ignore.
With eight head coaching vacancies across the league, the opportunities for rising stars are abundant. Take McVay, for instance. At just 30 years old, he became the youngest head coach since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 when the Los Angeles Rams hired him in 2017. Since then, he’s led the Rams to a Super Bowl title, four NFC West championships, seven playoff appearances, and eight winning seasons in nine years. Talk about making an impact! This week, the Rams (12-5) are heavy favorites on the road against the Carolina Panthers (8-9).
Shanahan, hired by the San Francisco 49ers at 38 in 2017, has been equally impressive. He’s guided the 49ers to five playoff appearances and two NFC championships in nine seasons. This Sunday, the 49ers (12-5) face the Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) in a highly anticipated matchup.
But here’s the part most people miss: it’s not just about the big names. While Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, and even the legendary Bill Belichick are in the spotlight, several young assistant coaches are quietly making waves. Take Ben Johnson, for example. After leaving Detroit, he transformed the Chicago Bears into NFC North champions in his first season. And let’s not forget the Eagles’ Doug Pederson, who was initially mocked for his hire in 2016 but went on to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl—with a backup quarterback, no less!
Sometimes, the best hires are the ones no one sees coming. Nick Sirianni, another Eagles coach, faced criticism for his lack of experience but has since led Philadelphia to five playoff appearances, two NFC titles, and a Lombardi trophy in just five seasons. So, who are the next rising stars? Here are five assistants poised to take the leap:
Jesse Minter (42): The Chargers’ defensive coordinator, who followed Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to Los Angeles, is praised for his game knowledge and team-first attitude. Jim Harbaugh himself called Minter’s relationship with general managers and head coaches ‘tremendous.’
Anthony Weaver (45): Miami’s former defensive coordinator under Mike McDaniel has a wealth of experience, both as a coach and a former NFL edge rusher. His resume includes stints with the Ravens, Texans, Browns, Bills, and Jets.
Chris Shula (39): The Rams’ defensive coordinator and grandson of Don Shula has been a key figure under McVay since 2017. Shula is open to the right opportunity, saying, ‘If the right spot presents itself, we’ll decide.’
Davis Webb (31): The Broncos’ quarterbacks coach and offensive pass game coordinator under Sean Payton is a former NFL quarterback himself, drafted by the Giants in 2017.
Klint Kubiak (38): The Seahawks’ offensive coordinator and son of Super Bowl champion Gary Kubiak has proven his mettle in Minnesota, New Orleans, and now Seattle. His team recently secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 13-3 win over the 49ers.
But here’s the question: Are teams better off hiring proven veterans or taking a chance on young, innovative minds? And what does this trend mean for the future of NFL coaching? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
