The top head coaching candidate this hiring cycle is Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and it’s not particularly close, but former Georgia offensive coordinator and current Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken deserves more recognition.
Mike Vrabel has already been hired, leaving Johnson as the candidate everyone else wants, but Monken is no consolation prize. Since being hired by Kirby Smart in 2020, all he’s done is succeed. In the shortened COVID season, Monken’s offense averaged over 32 points, improving in each of the next two seasons, 38.6 (9th) and 41.1 (5th) in points scored en route to back-to-back National Championships.
Then, he would take the leap back to the NFL, where it’s gone even better than anyone could’ve hoped in Baltimore. The Ravens’ offense might be the best in the NFL, and Lamar Jackson could win back-to-back MVPs. Last year, Monken’s offense finished 6th in yards and 4th in points, which improved this season, ranking 1st in yards and 3rd in points.
Now, the question with a lot of coordinators taking the next step to head coach is the CEO facet of the job. Todd Monken and Ben Johnson have proven capable of coordinating an elite offense, but that’s not even half the job of a head coach. You’re responsible for the other two facets of the game, week-to-week operations, and everything in between.
Fortunately, Todd Monken has learned under two of the best in the business in Kirby Smart and John Harbaugh. Monken has had a front row seat to how Smart operates a UGA program that is still the class of college football, and how Harbaugh continues to keep the Ravens in Super Bowl contention despite cycling through coordinators and players.
While I understand why Ben Johnson is the top candidate, Todd Monken should be garnering more interest, especially with the head coach openings right now. Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence, in particular, haven’t had an offensive mind like Monken support them since entering the league.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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