NFC Coaching Changes for the 2013-14 Season
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
This is not our father’s NFL, where coaches stayed in place for years on end. The scrutiny directed at coaches nowadays is at an all-time high. The result is that there are a mind-numbing amount of different coaching hires during the offseason. The NFL bettor would be well-advised to stay abreast of all the changes, which could and probably will affect the play of teams. Here are all the coaching changes in the NFC for the upcoming season.
Arizona Cardinals: Ken Whisenhunt is out after a 6-year tenure and new head coach Bruce Arians is in. Arians, 60, made himself a top candidate by filling in admirably in the interim head coaching role for Indianapolis with Chuck Pagano sidelined with leukemia. Arians has also held offensive coordinator positions with Cleveland (2001-2003) and Pittsburgh (2007-2011). The new offensive coordinator is Harold Goodwin, former offensive line coach for Pittsburgh alongside Arians. The new defensive coordinator is former NFL safety Todd Bowles, who was Philadelphia’s coordinator last season.
Carolina Panthers: Ron Rivera is still in as head coach after going 13-19 in his first two seasons. Now running the offense will be Mike Shula, who takes over the offensive coordinator role from Rob Chudzinski, who is now the Browns head coach. The defensive coordinator is still Sean McDermott.
Chicago Bears: Lovie Smith was shown the door following the 2012 season, paving the way for new head coach Mark Trestman. After spending a dozen years on different NFL and college coaching staffs, Mark Trestman coached the Canadian League’s Montreal Alouettes for the last 5 seasons, where he won a pair of Grey Cups. Former Jacksonville interim head coach and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will take over as Trestman’s new DC.
Dallas Cowboys: Jason Garrett is still in as head coach, but didn’t get a vote of confidence when it was announced new OC Bill Callahan would be taking over the offensive play-calling. Callahan is the former Raiders head coach and looks to boost the Dallas offense. Rob Ryan is out as defensive coordinator, replaced by Monte Kiffin--who has 16 years of being a defensive coordinator under his belt. Kiffin, 73, spent the last 3 seasons with USC.
Philadelphia Eagles: Andy Reid will not be the head coach on the sidelines for the first time since 1998. The new head coach in 2013 will be Chip Kelly. The 49-year old had an incredible 4-year run with Oregon, where he went 46-7. As recently as 2006, Kelly was the offensive coordinator for New Hampshire. Kelly is considered a rising offensive mind and whatever happens in Philly, it should at least be exciting.
Seattle Seahawks: Productive defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has taken over the head coaching position at Jacksonville. Looking to keep a rising defense on the right track is new coordinator Dan Quinn. The 42-year old Quinn was the defensive line coach for Seattle in 2009-2010. He spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators.
St. Louis Rams: There were some positive signs for St. Louis in 2012. Head coach Jeff Fisher looks to improve in his second year, with Brian Schottenheimer still in tow as offensive coordinator.
