Jim Harbaugh Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
ArticlesFeaturedNFLOriginalsBy Michael Grant on

The 2024 NFL head-coaching carousel has stopped spinning. Here’s a look at how the eight teams did:

Atlanta Falcons, Raheem Morris

Previous job: Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator

The Sean McVay coaching tree has produced Zack Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals), Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings), Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), and now Raheem Morris. He’s a little different since he’s the lone defensive coordinator and has previous head-coaching experience. Morris was only 32 when he was in charge of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-2011). He ran the Falcons on an interim basis in 2020 after Dan Quinn got fired. Morris’ career record of 21-38 doesn’t inspire confidence, but his familiarity with the organization must have meant something to owner Arthur Blank. The NFC South is a winnable division, and the Falcons have young skill position talent.

Grade: B-

Carolina Panthers, Dave Canales

Previous job: Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator

Dave Canales got a career year out of castoff Baker Mayfield. Now he’ll try to salvage another undersized No.1 overall pick. Bryce Young’s rookie year was hindered by dysfunction and instability. Plus, the success of No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud made Young’s struggles seem worse. Canales has a limited track record. Last season was his first calling plays. Here’s a case where Canales will be evaluated strictly on the development of Young. If the former Heisman Trophy winner shows progress, Canales might survive one of the league’s most impatient owners: David Tepper.

Grade: C-

Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh

Previous job: University of Michigan head coach

Who’s got it better than the Chargers? Los Angeles landed the hottest coach on the market. Jim Harbaugh, fresh off winning the national championship at his alma mater, has known nothing but success. He came close to winning the Super Bowl at his previous NFL job with the San Francisco 49ers. In San Francisco, Harbaugh inherited a talented roster with a questionable quarterback (Alex Smith). In Los Angeles, he inherits a talented quarterback (Justin Herbert) with a questionable roster. The Chargers have salary cap issues and must face Patrick Mahomes twice a year. Still, Harbaugh could get this team to the AFC Championship within three years.

Grade: A

Las Vegas Raiders, Antonio Pierce

Previous job: Raiders linebackers coach/interim head coach

Many people will be rooting for Antonio Pierce, who brought life to the Raiders following the Josh McDaniels disaster. He went 5-4, including a stunning victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. But is Mark Davis overreacting to a small sample size? Even giving Pierce the benefit of the doubt, he’s probably the worst coach in a division that features Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh, and Sean Payton, all of whom have been to the Super Bowl. Pierce doesn’t have a quarterback and had to settle for Luke Getsy as his offensive coordinator.

Grade: C-

New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo

Previous job: Patriots inside linebackers coach

Jerod Mayo is the only guy on this list who was a head coach-in-waiting. Bob Kraft and Bill Belichick must have seen something in him. Working against Mayo: all of Belichick’s assistants have been bad-to-mediocre NFL head coaches. The best is Bill O’Brien and he went 52-48 with the Houston Texans. Mayo, 37, is replacing the most successful coach in league history. That’s a lot of pressure. But given how the Patriots have looked without Tom Brady in recent years, Mayo might get a honeymoon period, especially if he can fix one of the league’s worst offenses.

Grade: C

Seattle Seahawks, Mike Macdonald

Previous job: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator

Mike Macdonald, 36, is a fast-rising star who worked for both Harbaughs, John and Jim. He went from a Ravens intern in 2014 to being the Michigan defensive coordinator in 2021 to returning to Baltimore as its DC in 2022. The Ravens were terrific all season on defense, and now the league’s youngest coach gets a shot to show what he can do on his own in Seattle. Unfortunately, Macdonald is in the tough NFC West. Hopefully, management is patient. It’s going to take time to get this program on track.

Grade: C+

Tennessee Titans, Brian Callahan

Previous job: Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator

The Titans got younger at head coach, but did they improve? Mike Vrabel probably maxed out on the talent available to him throughout his career in Nashville. The Titans are in rebuilding mode with Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill likely gone. Callahan is a rookie and was previously the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. But he didn’t call the plays. So it’s hard to judge what impact he’s going to have. He’ll get credit if Will Levis turns into the quarterback of the future and Treylon Burks improves. But he’ll struggle early.

Grade: C-

Washington Commanders, Dan Quinn

Previous job: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator

It seems like Dan Quinn was the consolation prize after Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson turned down Washington. Quinn is a proven defensive coordinator, but how good of a head coach is he? Yes, he notoriously came within a 28-3 blown lead of winning the Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons. But once Kyle Shanahan left his side as the offensive coordinator to take over the Niners, the Falcons regressed. Even Quinn’s reputation as a defensive whiz took a hit with the Dallas Cowboys’ 48-32 playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Grade: D

About Michael Grant

Born in Jamaica. Grew up in New York City. Lives in Louisville, Ky. Sports writer. Not related to Ulysses S. Grant.

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