The GM's, Coach's, Carousel

Report: Chris Harris interviewed for 49ers’ defensive coordinator job Tuesday



A report Tuesday indicated the 49ers had requested to interview Commanders defensive backs coach Chris Harris. As it turns out, according to Albert Breer of SI.com, Harris completed his interview for the 49ers’ defensive coordinator job Tuesday.

The 49ers are interviewing candidates to replace DeMeco Ryans, who has left for the Texans’ head coaching job.


Harris is expected to join the Titans as their cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator if the 49ers don’t hire him, Breer adds. The Bears reportedly also have interest in hiring Harris.

Harris has been with the Commanders since 2020, and he previously coached for the Jaguars and Bears. He also spent seven years in the NFL as a player with the Bears, Panthers, Lions and Jaguars.

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Ravens’ John Harbaugh Spoke With Byron Leftwich About Coordinator Job, per Report

As the Ravens continue their search for a new offensive coordinator, an intriguing name with past ties to a recent Super Bowl champion has emerged as a potential candidate for the position.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has spoken to former Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich about the role, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reported Friday. Zrebiec noted that it’s not clear exactly when Harbaugh spoke with Leftwich, 43, nor has it been confirmed that the team has brought him in for a formal interview.

Leftwich, who was fired by Tampa Bay on Jan. 19, joins a growing list of possible options for Baltimore as the teams looks to fill the void created by the departure of Greg Roman last month. It’s worth noting that Baltimore is currently entering the second stage of interviews for the role, with Broncos OC Justin Outten, Vikings tight ends coach/passing game coordinator Brian Angelichio, Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales and Georgia OC Todd Monken expected to be interviewed in the coming days.

During his time with Tampa, Leftwich commanded one the best offenses in the NFL, and helped the team earn playoff berths in each of the past three seasons, including a triumphant run to Super Bowl LV during Tom Brady’s first year with the team in 2020. Last season, the Bucs offense struggled en route to finishing 25th in scoring offense and 15th in total offense; in the previous three seasons, the team ranked third, third and second in scoring offense and third, seventh and second in total offense.

SI

 

Report: Broncos have not given Vikings permission to interview Ejiro Evero

The Vikings want to interview Ejiro Evero for their defensive coordinator opening, but the Broncos are reportedly keeping that from happening at the moment.

Evero is still under contract after serving as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and Albert Breer of SI.com reports that they have not granted him permission to interview for the lateral move. Evero has spoken with new Broncos head coach Sean Payton about staying in Denver, but he’s not the only choice for that job as the Broncos have been lining up other candidates as well.

While the Broncos have not permitted Evero to interview for coordinator jobs, he has interviewed for head coaching openings and remains in the mix with the Colts and Cardinals.

With Payton officially on board in Denver, there should be some clarity on his staff in the near future and that should also provide clarity on where Evero will be coaching in 2023.

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Cowboys name Brian Schottenheimer offensive coordinator



The Cowboys officially have a new offensive coordinator.

Dallas named Brian Schottenheimer to the position, the club announced on Saturday. Schottenheimer had been an offensive consultant for the Cowboys in 2022.


“I am very happy to have Brian take on this key role with our team,” head coach Mike McCarthy said in a statement. “He has been an important part of our staff already and has a great grasp of where we are and where we want to go.

“Brian also has an exceptionally strong foundation, history and relationships beyond his time here that translate very well into understanding what our approach to operating and executing will be for the future. This will be an exciting and efficient transition for us that I am confident will help yield the growth and results we all want and expect.”

Schottenheimer, the son of longtime NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, has previously been an offensive coordinator with the Jets, Rams, and Seahawks. He was also the passing game coordinator for the Jaguars in 2021.

“I am thrilled and thankful for this exciting opportunity and embrace the high standards and expectations that come with this role and the Dallas Cowboys organization,” Schottenheimer said in a statement. “Having long-standing, great respect and appreciation for Mike McCarthy as a person, a leader and a head coach makes this a very rewarding and compelling moment for me. The ability to win with great teammates that share the same goals, and alignment with how to reach them, makes this special for me and I am very grateful for it.”

In title, Schottenheimer replaces Kellen Moore, who departed the organization and a day later landed the offensive coordinator job with the Chargers. But McCarthy is going to call plays for Dallas’ offense in 2023.

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Ejiro Evero out of Broncos contract, is expected to interview with Vikings

Ejiro Evero has been a candidate for multiple jobs this offseason, but he hasn’t been able to interview for some of them because of the remaining time on his defensive coordinator contract with the Broncos.

That is set to change. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Broncos will let Evero out of the contract and that will free him up to interview for other defensive coordinator jobs.

As a result of that change in position from the Broncos, Evero is expected to interview with the Vikings. The Panthers have also requested permission to interview Ejiro for the coordinator opening on head coach Frank Reich’s contract.

Evero has also interviewed for a number of head coaching jobs since the end of the regular season, including the still-vacant ones in Indianapolis and Arizona.

The Broncos are expected to interview Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores and Seahawks associate head coach Sean Desai in their hunt for a new defensive coordinator.

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Ejiro Evero doesnt have a bad resume... but he is a bit inexperienced.

The 2022 season was Evero's first as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, and he did a solid job of leading the Denver defense when the offense wasn't capable of leading the team to victory. His unit ranked seventh in the league in yards allowed per game, 12th in passing yards allowed per game and 10th in rushing yards per game.

 

Mike Kafka To Have Second Interview With The Cardinals

Lou Anarumo Set For Second Interview With Cardinals
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I wonder if the Cardinals will pass the Colts for most interviews championship?

 

Panthers hire Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator



From one team that just hired a new head coach, to another.

The Panthers have announced that the franchise’s new defensive coordinator is former Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero,


Evero spent one season as defensive coordinator in Denver, arriving from the Rams. On Saturday, Denver released him from his contract, a day after officially hiring Sean Payton to succeed Nathaniel Hackett.

In Carolina, Evero joins new coach Frank Reich. Since Reich is an offensive expert, Evero essentially will have the keys to the defense.

Evero has been mentioned as a potential head-coaching candidate. With only five jobs open this year, however, plenty of potentially viable candidates will end up having to wait at least a year.

The Vikings also had interested in the 42-year-old Evero.

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Sources: Klemm to leave Ducks for job with Pats

 

I think Kafka would be a good hire, but I'm concerned with the current state of the locker room in Arizona.

 

Report: Saints are expected to name Joe Woods defensive coordinator



The Saints have reportedly found their new defensive coordinator.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Saints are expected to hire Joe Woods after interviewing with the team last week. The Saints had co-defensive coordinators last season, but they dismissed Kris Richard and Ryan Nielsen left to become the defensive coordinator for the Falcons.


Woods spent the last three seasons as the Browns defensive coordinator, but he was fired after the end of the regular season. He has also worked for several other clubs, including a 2014 stint as the Raiders defensive coordinator that came when current Saints head coach Dennis Allen occupied the same position in Oakland.

The Saints were ninth in points allowed and fifth in yards allowed while going 7-10 during the 2022 season.

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Report: Bucs plan second interview with Dan Pitcher for OC



The Bengals reportedly signed their quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher to a contract extension before the AFC Championship Game. But there’s still a chance Pitcher could leave the organization for a better opportunity.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, Pitcher is set to have a second interview with the Buccaneers for their offensive coordinator vacancy.


Pitcher met with the Bucs virtually before the Bengals played their final postseason game. Garafolo noted the rest of Tampa Bay’s candidates have met with the team in person, which Pitcher will do now.

Pitcher just wrapped up his third season as Cincinnati’s QBs coach. He’s has been in the organization since 2016, previously working in scouting for the Colts.

The Buccaneers fired Byron Leftwich after their postseason loss to the Cowboys. Tampa Bay finished No. 15 in total yards, No. 25 in points scored, and last in all major rushing categories.

And with Tom Brady’s retirement, the offense will need a major overhaul.

The Bucs have also interviewed University of Georgia offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Todd Monken, Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney, Broncos passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak, Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell, Jaguars quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter, and Saints QBs coach and passing game coordinator Ronald Curry.

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You’d have to think Flores is the right fit there, non?

 

Yes and no...

Yes - I think he would definitely reinstall a sense of discipline to both sides of the ball, rebuild the character of the roster and probably maximize the talent on one side of the ball.

No - He had a horrible relationship with Tua that stunted his growth and held back the offense.

I think a Flores hire would have potential to implode on offense, unless his style is the needed element for Kyler to get his house in order.

With Kafka, once he took over the play-calling duties in New York we got to see a version of Daniel Jones that had not previously existed. I think he could likely make the offense in Arizona a juggernaut, but if Murray doesn't buy in then it wouldn't matter.

Kafka was my top choice for the Texans job. Drafting a passer with that #2 overall pick would get a much higher confidence rating from me if he were there, whereas with Ryans, I would prefer to see them build up the roster before going after a passer. The Texans would have to trade up to be assured of the player they wanted, and I don't see a passer in this class that would be a sure lock; ala Andrew Luck, Trevor Lawrence, etc...

 

I agree with this. I dont know if im over-reacting, jumping to conclusions or what, but some of the stuff out there on his relationships with his constituents in Miami seemed alarming, but his time in Pittsburgh didnt or doesnt appear to be that rocky. Maybe he learned something or maybe the higher-ups in Miami were the reason for some of the discontent. Anyway, there is just something about Flores that raised a red flag to me. Hell of a DC it appears and if thats what he sticks to, maybe things work out.

I dont know the guys demeanor, obviously, but maybe he's a my way or the highway kinda guy and that rubs people the wrong way?

 

Here' a question for this esteemed group.

Why are candidates saying NO to the Vikings DC opening? From what ive read, it seems like too much of a work-load and the uncertainty of the futures of veterans Harrison Smith, Eric Kendricks, Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter are all unclear. Dalvin Tomlinson is a free agent also... the top 3 defensive picks from last year were all injured and the Vikings are way over the Cap. Now that not only sounds like a shit-load of work, it definitely is, but where is the guy who loves a challenge, lol? Does one even exist?

I was also wondering if the firing of Donetell in 1 season have anything to do with it?

When this DC search stuff originally got underway, I was thinking, damn, its the Vikings and they were a team that had a winning record and made the playoffs, who wouldnt want to get a piece of that? Unfortunately, I may have answered my own question with the second paragraph.

Just curious what any of you think. Vikings are running out of takers and thats very weird/strange to me. Almost seems unprecedented.

 

Well.



I wish him the best. Certainly has his work cut out. Anyone know if he's 3-4 or 4-3 base kinda guy?

 

Flores will be very multiple with his fronts and play to your front 7 guys’ strengths. He used a lot of 4-3 with the Pats in 2018 but leaned more toward 3-4 with the Dolphins. Honestly if you guys were one year into a transition to a 3-4 then Flores might be the perfect guy to take advantage of that personnel mashup. The biggest thing he’ll be looking for is to play man with his two boundary corners. He builds everything else off of that and will look for guys he can use as chess pieces in the front (eg Donta Hightower with the Pats, Christian Wilkins with the Dolphins).

 

Appreciate the input/data. I like what you said... the soft zones and inability to pressure the QB last season killed the Vikings defense. If the Vikings learn to blitz, the pressure may lighten up a bit on the secondary which was toasted game after game.