NFL Head Coaching Big-Board

Aug 23, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Nate Clements (22) and offensive coordinator Mike Zimmer shake hands before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

With seven head-coaching vacancies open as of Monday, here’s my initial big board of head coaching candidates.

Note: This is based on who’s being mentioned/rumored the heaviest to be targeted by NFL teams:

1) Mike McCoy-Offensive Coordinator-Denver Broncos

2) Andy Reid

3) Lovie Smith

4) Josh McDaniels-Offensive Coordinator-New England Patriots

5) Ray Horton-Defensive Coordinator-Arizona Cardinals

6)  Chip Kelly-Head Coach-University of Oregon(College)

7) Kyle Shanahan-Offensive Coordinator-Washington Redskins

8)  Bill O’Brien-Head Coach-Penn State (College)

9)  Jay Gruden

10) Mike Zimmer

11) Mike Nolan-Defensive Coordinator-Atlanta Falcons

12)  Bruce Arians-Offensive Coordinator-Indianapolis Colts

13)  Dirk Koetter-Offensive Coordinator-Atlanta Falcons

14) Greg Roman-Offensive Coordinator-San Francisco 49ers

15) Gus Bradley-Defensive Coordinator-Seattle Seahawks

Surprisingly, initial reports have Jay Gruden as a hotter candidate than Mike Zimmer. Perhaps that has more to do with youth (Gruden: 45, Zimmer: 56) and believe Jay has more room to grow as a head coach than Zimmer, who has rereatedly been passed up for head-coaching jobs over the years.

Like an NFL Drat big-board, this is only speculation, and only those directly involved in the hiring process know who they’re targeting.

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