McDaniels, Patricia Draw Head Coach Interest From Multiple Teams
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia could have a busy interview schedule in the coming weeks. Multiple NFL teams recently requested to interview one or both of them for various head coaching vacancies.
The league “celebrated” the annual tradition of “Black Monday” on New Year’s Day. Several head coaching jobs opened up, including some very high-profile gigs like the New York Giants. As a result, McDaniels and Patricia came up in a series of reports about teams’ interest in them for their openings.
McDaniels’ next head coaching job will be his second. As you may remember, he coached the Denver Broncos in 2009 and for most of 2010 before getting fired. Meanwhile, Patricia would become a head coach for the first time after coaching for the Patriots since 2004. Patricia served as defensive coordinator for the past six seasons.
Here’s the latest on who’s drawing interest from where:
Josh McDaniels
— ESPN’s Adam Schefter Giants now have submitted requests to interview Patriots’ DC Matt Patricia and OC Josh McDaniels for their HC job, per source. This could be Patricia’s landing spot.
— The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero The #Colts have requested an interview with #Seahawks DC Kris Richard for their head coaching job, sources say. So add him to names @RapSheet and @MikeGarafolo said earlier: Josh McDaniels, Matt Nagy, Steve Wilks, Mike Vrabel. #Bills interviewed Richard last year.
— Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network The #Bears have requested permission to speak with two respected QB gurus: #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and #Vikings OC Pat Shurmur, sources says.
Matt Patricia
— In addition to the Giants, the Detroit Lions also submitted a request to interview Patricia, according to Lions now have submitted a request to interview Patriots DC Matt Patricia for their HC job, per source.
— The Arizona Cardinals put in a request to interview Patricia, according to #AZCardinals have put in some interview requests as they try to replace Bruce Arians: #Eagles DC Jim Schwartz & #Patriots DC Matt Patricia. Cardinals submitted requests to interview Patriots’ DC Matt Patricia and Patriots’ LB coach Brian Flores for their HC job, per source - two levels of New England defensive coaches.
So, if you’re keeping score at home …
McDaniels: Giants, Colts, Bears
Patricia: Giants, Lions, Cardinals
Flores: Cardinals
What’s Next?
Bill Belichick could have quite the offseason ahead of him if he has to replace both Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia, in addition to drafting another young quarterback. But since he tends to promote from within, expect Flores to take over as DC if he doesn’t take a head coaching job. On the offensive side, Brian Daboll could return from Alabama or the Patriots could promote receivers coach Chad O’Shea.
It’s also worth noting that Lions GM Bob Quinn is familiar with Patricia. As a reminder, Quinn worked in various personnel roles for the Patriots from 2009-15 before heading to Detroit. So his interest in Patricia for head coach isn’t much of a surprise.
These reports only make the Patriots’ coming offseason more intriguing. But of course, the coaches have a Super Bowl to win before anything else.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff.
