New NFL Offensive Coordinators in the 2018 Season
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
The life of an NFL offensive coordinator can be a fickle one. When the hammer drops, the coordinators are often the ones to bear the brunt. They're an easy scapegoat when things aren't going according to plan. Many of the offensive coordinators on this list are hardly new, even if they are with new teams. This list has a lot of old and familiar names, mixed in with some guys getting their first taste at a big-time NFL coaching spot. As we've seen in recent seasons, a different approach and some fresh air in offensive leadership can pay off handsomely. This season, there are a staggering 18 offensive coordinators with new teams to begin 2018. Let's take a look at the changes:
Mike McCoy (Arizona Cardinals): After a 4-year run as Chargers' head coach, McCoy returned to where he had success with Denver as their offensive coordinator last season. It didn't work out, but McCoy is given another chance to shine with the Cardinals' offense and their new QBs Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen.
Brian Daboll (Buffalo Bills): Last season, the 43-year old helped lead Alabama to a title. He has also coordinated the offenses in the past with the Browns, Dolphins, and Chiefs. With some young and new faces on offense, Daboll has his work cut out, but a unique opportunity to shine, as well.
Norv Turner (Carolina Panthers): One of the older faces in this group, Turner, 66, first made his bones as a top offensive mind during the Cowboys' title runs in the early 90's. He's also been a head coach with the Redskins and Chargers. This will be Turner's ninth different offensive coordinator gig.
Mark Helfrich (Chicago Bears): The 44-year old Helfrich has spent the better part of the last two decades at the college level, most notably as Oregon's head coach from 2013-2016. The Bears are hoping some of his offensive acumen translates at this level and gets their considerable offensive talent pointed in the right direction.
Todd Haley (Cleveland Browns): The 51-year old former head coach of the Chiefs has been serving as a coach at this level for over 20 years. Coming off a 6-year run with the Steelers where he had a lot of moments of success, Haley now takes on a real challenge in getting the revamped Browns' offense on the right track.
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Joe Philbin (Green Bay Packers): His 4-year run as Miami head coach might not have ended well, but Philbin is still a respected offensive mind. After two seasons on the Colts' staff, Philbin, 56, can again prove his worth by bringing the Packers back to where they were a short time ago.
Nick Sirianni (Indianapolis Colts): The 37-year old is one of the younger faces on this list at 37 and in his first coordinator gig. He has spent the last five seasons on the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers staff and is considered by many to be a rising offensive mind among the NFL coaching ranks.
Eric Bieniemy (Kansas City Chiefs): Some of us might remember the speedy former Colorado Buffaloes and NFL running back. The 48-year old has bounced between the college and NFL ranks the last 15 years, getting his first NFL coordinator job this season. Promoted from within the ranks, Bieniemy was the Chiefs' running backs coach the last five seasons.
Aaron Kromer and Shane Waldron (Los Angeles Rams): Kromer, a longtime NFL assistant coach will be the team's run-game coordinator. The 38-year old Waldron will commandeer the Rams' pass-game, all the while head coach Sean McVay will again lend a hand with his offensive acumen.
Dowell Loggains (Miami Dolphins): Still only 37, Loggains is now in his third stint as coordinator, having previously worked with the Titans and Bears, where he served from 2016-17 before taking this job. After a tough run with the Bears, Loggains reunites with Adam Gase, now the Dolphins head coach.
John DePhilippo (Minnesota Vikings): The 40-year old DePhilippo has bounced around the pro ranks for some time, eventually getting an offensive coordinator gig with the Browns in 2015. After 2 seasons as QBs coach for the Eagles, where he helped whip Wentz and Foles into shape, the Vikes came a calling.
Mike Shula (New York Giants): The son of a former great, Shula is no longer a kid, having bounced around the league for three decades. At 53, his first offensive coordinator job came back in 1996. After a 5-year run as the Panthers' coordinator, he joins new head coach Pat Shurmur's Giants coaching staff.
Jeremy Bates (New York Jets): Mostly a quarterbacks coach during his NFL coaching tenure, the 41-year old Bates gets his third coordinator gig after being promoted from within. He previously served as coordinator for the Broncos and Seahawks. He helped old vet Josh McCown find his mojo last season and will try to do the same with prized rookie Sam Darnold with the Jets.
Greg Olson (Oakland Raiders): One of the old standbys on this list, the 53-year old Olson returns to join Gruden's staff after previously being the Raiders' coordinator from 2013-14. All told, this will be the 6th different time Olson has been hired as an offensive coordinator.
Mike Groh (Philadelphia Eagles): The father of a well-known coach, Groh, 46, spent the first decade of his career in the college ranks, before serving as an NFL positions coach the last five years. After the Eagles' staff was largely-plucked following their Super Bowl title, Groh was promoted from within for his first NFL coordinator gig.
Randy Fichtner (Pittsburgh Steelers): Perseverance pays off for the 54-year old Fichtner, who earns the coordinator gig after spending 11 straight seasons on the Steelers' staff as an offensive positions coach. A former longtime college assistant, Fichtner will look to prove his worth on an offense that has high expectations.
Brian Schottenheimer (Seattle Seahawks): A well-respected offensive mind and son of a former longtime head coach, Schottenheimer gets his third NFL O.C. gig with a Seahawks team looking for an offensive surge. At 44, Schottenheimer's coaching career stretches back two decades.
Matt LeFleur (Tennessee Titans): Having shown his ability as a QBs coach, the 38-year old LeFleur did well under Sean McVay as the Rams coordinator last season, leading to a big opportunity with a long underachieving Titans' offense that can use an injection of new life. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today by signing up and making NFL Futures Bets at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!
