4 Best Offensive Coaches Available for Hire

By Lucy Coleman November 11, 2022     

Due to the high employee turnover rate in the NFL, new head coaching positions are always available. Although the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers have become the first NFL teams to scout for a new coach, other teams will no doubt join them. Over the last five offseasons, an average of seven NFL head coaching jobs have opened up each year. In the 2022 off-season alone, as many as nine coaching positions are available. As the 2022-23 season nears playoffs, many teams will be looking to hire NFL coordinators with offensive backgrounds. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as NFL owners are more determined to hire offensive coaches lately. The last five hiring cycles have seen the employment of 36 head coaches, with only 11 of them coming from the defense while 24 of them have an offensive background. Former Patriots special team coach Joe Judge was the only coach that was neither offensive or defensive. Judge was hired by the New York Giants in 2020 but was thereafter replaced by former offensive coach for the Buffalo Bills, Brian Daboll. 

While new coaches tend to not work out, offensive coaches have earned more wins and have lasted longer. Compared to the defensive coaches who have a combined record of .435, offensive coaches have a combined record of .479! 

Another advantage of hiring offensive coordinators as head coaches is that they remain offensive coordinators to their team, a luxury that defensive coordinators cannot afford. Offensive-minded head coaches are noted for providing consistency to the team. Take the Kansas City Chiefs who managed to survive the trading off of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and went on to have one of the best offenses which saved them from a horrid loss in Week 15.

That being said, here is a look at some brilliant minds available for teams to hire for coaching positions

BEST NFL OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS AVAILABLE FOR COACHING POSITIONS

Eric Bieniemy

The Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator is topping the NFL coaching candidates every year. Besides the fact that Bieniemy has been an offensive coordinator for years, he has been an integral part of the Chief’s offense with Patrick Mahomes praising Bieniemy for his work ethic and heavy impact on the development of the team.

Despite coming under scrutiny as he was on Colorado’s coaching staff when several players were facing allegations of rape, past legal issues or history of moral misconduct haven’t prevented previous coaches such as Mike Vrabel, Urban Meyer, or Matt Patricia from being granted head coach positions. 

Reports have surfaced that Bieniemy isn’t the Chief’s primary play-caller but given his knowledge in offense and impressive resume that exceeds some of the hires so far, there is no reason why Bieniemy shouldn’t be made head coach

KEN DORSEY

NFL teams searching for a head coach prefer finding someone who can build a strong rapport and relationship with the quarterback.

Building a rapport with the quarterback and finding a balance between challenging and supporting them is crucial in professional sports.

One offensive coordinator who has influenced the development of quarterbacks such as Josh Allen is Buffalo Bills’ Ken Dorsey.

He is also lauded for his attitude which has seen the Bills’ locker room gravitate towards their offensive coordinator.

Buffalo Bills have been ranked as the third-best passing offense by the DVOA, a feat achieved with the help of Dorsey.

If he isn’t hired by 2023, Dorsey should be one of the top NFL coaching candidates come 2024.

KELLEN MOORE

Although Kellen Moore of the Dallas Cowboys has been in discussion as a top head coaching candidate for quite some time, he hasn’t had a great opportunity to move up the line as the Cowboys have been struggling to meet their expectations offensively.

But the team has a much healthier and more control over the offense, Kellen Moore’s ingenious approach to offensive football has shifted back into primary focus. 

With a coaching experience of five years, Moore has reportedly impressed teams with his extraordinary track record.

Moore’s coordination of the Dallas offense which saw the impressive play of quarterback Cooper Rush means that Moore is the perfect fit for NFL teams looking to improve their quarterback.

BRIAN CALLAHAN

The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense has skyrocketed lately but part of the credit goes to offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.

In the last two seasons, the Bengals have been named one of the hottest teams in the NFL and their offensive success is the major reason for this achievement.

Besides leading the team to the Super Bowl, Callahan has been praised for his ability to switch the offense to what the team requires.

With a wide range of experiences with a diversity of offenses as well as a reputation for connecting with players and being knowledgeable on every position on the offense, Callahan notably helps current head coach Zach Taylor to create the Bengals’ cohesive game plan each week.

Under Callahan’s seasoned leadership, the Bengals’ offense has experienced a lot of wins.

Currently, Cincinnati’s touchdown percentage in the red zone is the fourth-best in the NFL.

 OTHER HONORABLE MENTIONS

Ken Dorsey, Brian Callahan, Kellen Monroe and Eric Bieniemy aren’t the only brilliant minds that should be on the calls for coaching positions.

Other promising offensive coordinators include ; 

1. Marcus Brady, the Offensive Coordinator of the Colts and former CFL quarterback, has a wide range of experience all over the offensive coaching side of the business.

2. Shane Waldron, the Offensive Coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks may be only in his second year as an OC but is already credited with the performance of the Seahawks.

3. Shane Steichen, Offensive Coordinator for the Eagles was instrumental in the preparation of Justin Herbert for his shocking rookie season. This should make him come up on the list of the next great offensive-minded head coach.

4. Byron Leftwich, Offensive Coordinator for the Buccaneers, entered the NFL coaching circle in 2016 as an intern but quickly rose to be a quarterbacks coach.

Despite how his success has been unfairly tied to Tom Brady, Leftwich’s offense ranked first in passing yards and third in total yards.