As we all know, major changes will likely be coming to this team very soon. If you missed my first edition of this series in which I profiled 10 dream head coaching candidates, you might see some names you think I’m missing here. Like with the head coaches, I’ll be focusing mostly on creative, younger minds who can get the best out of Matt Ryan and his weapons. I tried my best to stay away from college offensive coordinators considering how weird 2020 has been for college coaches in general, but some are still worthy of consideration.
My Top 5:
Mike LaFleur (Passing Game Coordinator — 49ers)
Anyone who has read my stuff knows Mike LaFleur has been my guy for a solid year now. I wanted Mike to replace Koetter last season, sniping Kyle Shanahan’s protege and Matt LaFleur’s brother in one swoop. LaFleur has been with Shanahan since 2014 when he was his intern in Cleveland — and yes, he was on Atlanta’ 2016 Super Bowl staff. He served as San Francisco’s WR coach in 2018-2019, so he has some experience and should be drawn to Atlanta’s elite WR group. Hopefully, he’s been taking notes from Shanny. It’s been 7 years; he should have picked some stuff up by now. LaFleur is the ultimate “lightning in a bottle” candidate that could get this offense back to peak form.
Mike Kafka (Passing Game Coordinator — Chiefs)
If Falcons fans get their wish and Eric Bieniemy is the new head coach, Kafka makes the most sense as his offensive coordinator. Even if Atlanta whiffs on EB, he is still worth some consideration. Andy Reid also may attempt to keep Kafka in house.. something the Falcons should have done when Matt LaFleur left. Anyways, Kafka has worked closely with Reid and Bieniemy since 2017, and anyone who’s been around those two, as well as the best quarterback in the NFL, has some promise as an offensive coordinator.
Joe Brady (Offensive Coordinator — Panthers)
Another guy I wanted last season; I was wrong for thinking Brady wasn’t ready for a jump to the NFL. I don’t think he is likely to leave Carolina after one season to come to Atlanta, but I’d try my absolute hardest to lure him away. The 2019 LSU offense will go down as one of the best in CFB history, and Brady showed that he has the skill to coach at the NFL & College Level. As it stands, the Panthers are middle of the pack offensively — they’re also missing their best player in Christian McCaffrey. If the Panthers keep up what they’re doing, I’m moving Joe Brady to a head coach candidate.
Luke Getsy (Passing Game Coordinator — Packers)
After losing Matt LaFleur when Kyle Shanahan left, the Falcons can attempt to write their wrongs by snagging one of his disciples. Aaron Rodgers has been on an otherworldly revenge tour, and Getsy was there for Green Bay’s 13-3 run in 2019. He was actually in Green Bay as early as 2014 as a QC/WR coach before leaving in 2018 to take the Mississippi State OC job. Dan Mullen resigned after that 8-5 season, and Getsy was back in Green Bay. He’d be a great offensive coordinator.
Matt Weiss (Running Backs Coach — Ravens)
Just like in my top 5 for head coaches, I’m mixing it up with a Ravens coach. Baltimore’s rushing attack has been so impressive since Greg Roman took over. He and Weiss have gotten the most out of a deep stable of running backs. Weiss has been on the staff for 12 years, but he’s been the RB coach since 2018. Of course, part of the credit has to go to Lamar Jackson. I’d really only be interested if he was paired with someone who can guide him along. Regardless, it would be refreshing to see the run game become a featured part of the Atlanta offense.
May Not Be Ready/Interested:
Mike McDaniel (Running Backs Coach — 49ers)
A pretty similar line of reasoning with Matt Weiss. San Francisco has gotten elite production out of UDFA running backs like Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida. Like Mike LaFleur, McDaniel was on the 2016 Super Bowl staff. He worked closely with Atlanta’s WRs, but if LaFleur does end up leaving for somewhere besides Atlanta, McDaniel is an interesting option.
Kellen Moore (Offensive Coordinator — Cowboys)
This is contingent on a few things. Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys have a bad season, and the new Cowboys head coach decides he wants his own offensive coordinator. Right now, Dallas’ offense is one of the best in the NFL. McCarthy would be a fool to get rid of Moore, but one man’s trash…
Dave Canales (Passing Game Coordinator — Seahawks)
Canales is serving as Schottenheimer’s understudy, and working closely with Russell Wilson since 2018 makes him very interesting. He’s been in Seattle since 2010, and he may be happy where he is. However, Canales is a worthwhile candidate and has a nice pedigree.
Shane Waldron (Passing Game Coordinator — Rams)
Waldron has been with McVay since 2016 and followed him to LA. He managed to rip the bust label off of Jared Goff — at least temporarily. I admire him and McVay’s creativity. He was Matt LaFleur’s replacement after being the tight end’s coach in 2017. That 2018 Super Bowl run saw the Rams become an offensive juggernaut. Waldron also took over QB coach duties when Zac Taylor took the Bengals job. In that 2018 season, Goff went to the Pro Bowl while posting almost 4,700 yards & 32 TDs. The Rams haven’t been the same since that Super Bowl, but they’re an excellent team.
Tom Clements (Passing Game Coordinator — Cardinals)
Clements is another wonky fit. Kyler Murray and Matt Ryan are polar opposites. However, looking at the analytics that I used to critique Dirk Koetter, he’s at least a creative play-caller. Clements isn’t my ideal choice, but the new coach will be handpicking a new QB soon, making him an intriguing candidate.
You must log in to post a comment.