Cowboys OC Kellen Moore, 33: A six-year NFL backup QB who dove right into coaching as Dallas’ QB coach in 2018, Moore is highly regarded for his football IQ and creativity. He has already had one head-coaching interview, with the Eagles in January. Like many really young coaches, Moore has a lot to learn in terms of the whole picture of running a program. He would need a good plan for his staff and to surround himself with experienced people. But the tools are there.
Rams OC Kevin O’Connell, 36: A one-time Patriots third-round draft pick, O’Connell is now in his seventh year of as an NFL coach and third as an OC, including an interim play-calling stint in Washington in 2019 before he joined Sean McVay’s staff in L.A. That staff has been an incubator for head coaches who are currently having success, even though Matt LaFleur and Zac Taylor, like O’Connell, watched McVay call the plays. In every other way, O’Connell functions as a true OC, from scripting to installing, while also working closely with QB Matthew Stafford. The Rams’ decision to block O’Connell from following Brandon Staley to the Chargers (among other teams) shows how valuable he is to them. And O’Connell’s expanded duties this year after some staff departures are helping prepare him for the next step.
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, 38: This is Riley’s fourth year on this list, and frankly, he might stay here until he ages off it. That’s how good Riley has it in Norman, where he coached consecutive Heisman Trophy winners (Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray) who went No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, and he might have another in the making with dynamic freshman Caleb Williams. Never say never, but it would take the perfect job to lure him away.
49ers DC DeMeco Ryans, 37: A two-time Pro Bowl linebacker who played 10 NFL seasons, Ryans is now in his fifth year as a 49ers assistant and first as Robert Saleh’s successor at DC. He’s another candidate whose leadership traits would have to win out over his relative inexperience for him to get a shot this soon. But don’t be surprised if he gets interviews.
Colts special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, 39: A 10-year NFL special teams standout who won Super Bowl LI as a member of the Patriots’ staff, Ventrone started his coaching career as a special teams assistant in 2015 before getting the Colts’ coordinator job three years later. He learned under the likes of Bill Belichick, Frank Reich and longtime NFL special teams coach Brad Seely. Ventrone is detailed. He has presence. He’s experienced in game management and is known as a good talent evaluator who understands big-picture roster management, in a job that already requires him to work with the entire team. Ventrone coaches players hard, and they respect him for it. Head-coaching hires from special teams posts are rare, but Ventrone is one to watch.
