The 2022 NFL Head Coaching Cycle Wraps Up
The NFL head coaching cycle for the 2022 offseason has officially come to a close before the offseason could even begin, with the Minnesota Vikings being the final team to formally announce an official head coach for the 2022-2023 season.
But this was not a regular head coaching cycle by any measure. Diversity has taken center stage this offseason with the recent lawsuit filed by Brian Flores over the NFL’s lack of diversity at the head coach position Taking center stage this coaching cycle. But now, let’s look at some of the most recent head coach hirings around the NFL.
The most recent hiring in the NFL, Lovie Smith, is probably one of, if not the worst of this cycle. The Texans promoted Smith on Feb. 7 after not even being with the organization for one year at the position of associate head coach.
This is a hire that’s had the entire NFL scratching its head. Based on the Texans’ performance this past season, why would you want to promote someone from the inside? There were better options for the spot like Eric Beiniemy.
After suddenly losing their head coach, the New Orleans Saints have filled their head coaching vacancy. Like the Texans, the Saints hired from the inside as they promoted their defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, to replace Sean Payton.
Allen does have some head coaching experience as he was the head coach of the Raiders from 2012 to 2014. It will be interesting to see what Allen can do to restore the Saints to their former glory. Allen has done a good job with the defense as he’s transformed them into arguably a top-five defense in the NFL.
After controversially moving on from their former head coach, Brian Flores, which looks like it will wind up having further complications in the form of a lawsuit, the Miami Dolphins have hired former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
While McDaniel hadn’t been the most highly recruited candidate, this could be a good fit. McDaniel has successfully transformed the 49ers offense into a well-oiled machine. Only time will tell if McDaniel can do the same for Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins.
The Minnesota Vikings were the last team to hire a head coach. At first, it looked likely that Jim Harbaugh would leave Michigan to become the Vikings new head coach but Harbaugh has since informed Michigan that he will be staying.
Instead, the Vikings opted to go with Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell has been enjoying a more than stellar season with the additions of Matthew Stafford and Odell Beckham Jr. to his offense.
One of the biggest questions to answer now is will O’Connell keep on Kirk Cousins for the upcoming season or look to move on from and bring in new talent?
This has certainly been an interesting head coaching cycle to say the least. The only question that remains to be seen now is: How will these new head coaches fare on their new teams and what new changes will be brought about to these teams? Only time will tell.
Ethan Ellis is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at ece5133@psu.edu.
