Where does Andy Reid rank among active NFL coaches?
By Grant Tuttle
22. Vic Fangio, Denver Broncos
Coaching history:
Fangio has finally gotten an opportunity to be an NFL head coach after 19 seasons as a defensive coordinator for the Panthers, Colts, Texans, 49ers, and most recently the Bears. The Broncos have been relatively unsuccessful since their Super Bowl run of 2015 when they had a dominant defense. The Broncos are banking on the idea that Fangio is the second coming of Wade Phillips and can create a top-tier defense once again.
Coaching record:
N/A (First-time head coach)
2019-2020 outlook:
Losing season
No matter what kind of coach Fangio is, the Broncos will struggle. Denver is relying on Joe Flacco to lead the team against the Chiefs and Chargers. It seems incredibly unlikely that they will have the talent, let alone the coaching, to put the team in a winning position. If Fangio can change the culture in Denver, it will already be a good hire, even if it is a bad season.
21. Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
Coaching history:
Matt LaFleur is inheriting a great situation. Additionally, many believe that Lafleur is well on his way to being a great NFL coach. After spending a season with the Rams and then with the Titans as the offensive coordinator for each team, many believe LaFleur and the Packers may win the NFC North.
Coaching record:
N/A (First-time head coach)
2019-2020 outlook:
Playoff run
Although LaFleur does not have a ton of experience, he has gleaned a lot in a few years. After learning from Sean McVay, he likely took complete control in Tennessee. If he can be any kind of strong leader, the Packers will be a contender for as long as Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback of the Packers. I think the Packers are a good sleeper pick for a Super Bowl run.
20. Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins
Coaching history:
What a complicated career Jay Gruden has had. He has shown flashes of being a good NFL coach, but unfortunately, Washington has continuously had misfortune and quarterback problems for years. It is my belief that Gruden is a much better coach than his record suggests. That being said, Gruden has had a lot of middle of the road seasons.
Coaching record:
35-44-1 (Washington Redskins head coach)
2019-2020 outlook:
On the hot seat
Despite my belief in Gruden’s ability, he is running out of time. The team has brought in Dwayne Haskins as the rookie to lead the team out of its pitiful last couple of seasons. Gruden will need to show the ability to lead a young and changing team. Gruden has a huge task this season. To compete with the Cowboys and Eagles, he will need to be leaps and bounds better than he has been in previous years.
19. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
Coaching history:
After spending eight years as an offensive coordinator for several different teams, Shanahan took over the 49ers. While many believe Shanahan to be a top tier coach, he has a combined 10 wins in two years with 49ers. If Shanahan believes he is going to be the coach in San Francisco for much longer, he is going to need to win more games this season.
Coaching record:
10-22 (San Francisco 49ers)
2019-2020 outlook:
Middle of the road
Although the 49ers team is riddled with injury, Jimmy Garoppolo should be ready to lead the team. If the team can catch a break and have a healthy defense, they may surprise some with their success. In a division with the Rams, they likely will not have a clear path to the post-season.
18.Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
Coaching history:
Part of the Andy Reid coaching tree, Sean McDermott is an underrated NFL coach. After eight seasons as a defensive coordinator for the Eagles and Panthers, McDermott became the coach of one of the least talented teams in the league. To everyone’s surprise in his first season, he led the team to a 9-7 record. Last season, with a lack of playmakers on offense, the team took a step back.
Coaching record:
15-17 (Buffalo Bills)
2019-2020 outlook:
Middle of the road
If you know me, you know that I have strange confidence in the Bills this season. I believe that the Bills may have a chance at a Wild Card bid by the end of the season. At some point, Tom Brady and the Patriots will find a rut. If McDermott can pick up the offensive production, the Bills may be a sleeper kind of team in 2019.
17. Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans
Coaching history:
Mike Vrabel spent several years as a linebacker and defensive line coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes and then the Houston Texans. After spending a season as the defensive coordinator for the Texans, the Titans decided to make Vrabel their head coach. Through grit and good defense, the Titans went 9-7 in his first year.
Coaching record:
9-7 (Tennessee Titans)
2019-2020 outlook:
Middle of the road
No one looks at the Titans as a formidable threat this season, but that could change. With the hard-nosed coaching that Vrabel brings paired with new additions on the offensive line and wide receiving corps, the Titans may find a diamond in the rough kind of season on the horizon. Tennessee will need to compete with the Colts and Texans, which may prove to be difficult with quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Deshaun Watson leading their respective teams.