Tuesday, Jan. 10
Harbaugh Emerges as Top Candidate
The Broncos and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh had a more than two-hour virtual interview on Monday, and Harbaugh emerged as a top candidate for the job, NFL Media reported.
Dave Wannstedt, an analyst for The 33rd Team, believes Harbaugh is the only college coach NFL teams should consider hiring this cycle.
“Jim has done a fantastic job at Michigan,” Wannstedt said. “I can think of three teams right now that should hire Jim Harbaugh because he gets it. If you wanna see a guy that has won everywhere he’s been, go back to San Diego University, where he started, and Stanford, the 49ers and Michigan. The guy knows how to win football games at the highest level.”
Harbaugh released a statement last week saying he expected to coach Michigan again in 2023 but did not fully commit to returning.
Harbaugh was the 49ers’ head coach from 2011-14, and he finished with a 44-19-1 record there to go along with three NFC Championship Game appearances and one Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XLVII. He has led the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff two straight seasons and has won two consecutive Big Ten titles.
Harbaugh is one of many candidates interviewing for the Broncos job, including Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
The Broncos are also set to interview former Saints coach Sean Payton after Jan. 17. If selected for the job, Denver would have to work out a trade with the Saints because Payton is still under contract. Although nothing has been agreed to, the two sides are “on the same page” about the framework of a deal.
McVay Permits Staff to Seek Other Opportunities
Rams coach Sean McVay told his staff they will not face resistance if seeking other opportunities as he continues to weigh his future, ESPN reported. McVay told his staff he was unsure what he will do next year and doesn’t want to prevent them from exploring their options.
There were rumors McVay was considering stepping away from coaching that loomed over the Rams as they limped to a 5-12 finish. Those rumors are sure to intensify given McVay’s reported comments to his staff.
Commanders Fire Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner
The Washington Commanders fired offensive Coordinator Scott Turner on Tuesday, NBC Sports reported. Turner served as offensive coordinator on head coach Ron Rivera’s staff in Washington since 2020 when Rivera was initially hired.
“Unfortunately, we did not live up to the expectations and standard that I expected to see from our offensive unit,” Rivera said, “I felt it was best for a fresh start at the coordinator position heading into next year. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Scott and thanked him for his three years of service to our organization. I wish Scott and his family all the best in the future.”
Turner oversaw an offense that scored just 18.9 points per game, one of just nine teams in the league scoring less than 19 points per game. The Commanders went 8-8-1 in 2022 but finished in fourth place in the NFC East.
Saturday Candidate for Colts’ Job
Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday is a contender for the team’s full-time head coaching position, GM Chris Ballard told reporters.
“It’ll be a different direction and a different vision that I’m carrying through,” Saturday said in a Monday press conference when asked what he would do differently if he got the job, “one that’s my own that I can go implement and move forward with.”
Saturday was hired after the Colts fired Frank Reich and produced a 1-7 record in eight games, including allowing the largest comeback in NFL history against the Vikings on Dec. 17. Saturday’s highest level of coaching experience prior to the Colts’ interim job was high school.
However, he did play for the Colts for 13 seasons, won Super Bowl XLI with the team and was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler.
The Colts have requested interviews with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
Ballard told reporters he was conducting the coaching search, but owner Jim Irsay had the final say on any decision.
