Getty Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon looks on.
There are many names in the mix to become the next head coach of the Denver Broncos, as the organization interviewed 10 different candidates.
The early buzz was that Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett appeared to be the frontrunners, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN:
The search has predictable names (Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett) and surprises (Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Packers quarterback coach Luke Getsy). The early buzz is those first two names are primary candidates, especially Quinn. And the team has done a lot of research/work on Hackett.
Over the course of the week, the Quinn to Denver buzz has picked up more steam, but a surprising candidate may have emerged. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon knocked his interviews with the Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and Houston Texans “out of the park.”
Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has made extremely strong impression on the Texans with league sources saying Gannon ‘knocked it out of the park’ in interviews with them, Broncos and Vikings. Very well-prepared, per sources. Regarded as very strong contender
The Broncos completed their interview with Gannon on Wednesday, January 19.
We’ve completed our interview with Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon for our head coaching position.
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Gannon Appears to Be a Serious Candidate for a Few Head Coaching Jobs
As I previously stated, Gannon made a big impression in his interviews with the Broncos, Texans, and Vikings, and he appears to be a serious contender for all three jobs.
Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado stated that Gannon is a hot name right now.
According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, the Texans are working to schedule a second interview with Gannon.
Source: Houston Texans working to set up second head coaching interview with Cleveland native and Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon. Texans GM Nick Caserio and Gannon are both John Carroll University alums.
In a recent article, Dan Graziano of ESPN called Gannon “one of the hottest names out there”:
One of the hottest names out there is that of Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who I’m told made a very strong impression in his interview with the Texans and is considered by some in that building to be the current front-runner for the job.
Graziano noted that teams viewed Gannon as “a strong overall leader.”
Gannon’s Coaching Background
Gannon has spent one season as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. Under Gannon, the Eagles’ defense ranked 10th in yards allowed and 18th in scoring, according to Pro Football Reference.
Prior to arriving in Philadelphia, he served as the cornerbacks coach of the Indianapolis Colts for three years (2018 to 2020), an assistant defensive backs coach for the Vikings for four years (2014 to 2017) and defensive quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans (2012 to 2013) and Atlanta Falcons (2007).
Gannon also boasts an NFL scouting background on his resume, having spent three years in the then-St. Louis Rams scouting department from 2009 to 2011 under the Steve Spagnuolo regime.
Eagles’ linebacker T.J. Edwards spoke highly of Gannon’s football IQ:
JG, man, that’s my guy. I think, just in terms of his football IQ and how he views the game is so interesting, to just have conversations about how he sees certain things fitting.
Edwards also said Gannon has a lot of respect within the Eagles’ organization:
He’s got a lot of respect around here. He coaches hard, he wants practices executed and really good, and fast, and high intensity, all those things. So, I think he was awesome for us this year.