Though the Las Vegas Raiders just decided to fire Pete Carroll at the end of the season, the decision was likely made weeks ago. That means that the team should have plenty of head coach candidates in mind.
Unfortunately, they can’t interview coaches who are about to coach in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. That means possible candidates like Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady can’t interview until after the season, unless their teams make it to the Super Bowl.
However, coaches on teams that have a first-round bye in the playoffs can start interviewing. One candidate who is getting some interest early on is Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders are among the teams expected to interview Joseph this week.
He was also a coaching candidate last year, so they clearly liked him enough to give him another shot. After a rocky start with the Broncos, Joseph has turned them into a defensive juggernaut. Even though head coach Sean Payton is considered an offensive genius, the reason the Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC is that they have a top-three defense in yards and points allowed this season.
Does Joseph Have Any Chance to Get HC Job?
It’s going to be an uphill battle for Joseph to get a head coaching job this offseason, especially with the Raiders. He had a chance to be a head coach with the Broncos in 2017 and 2018. He went 11-21 in those two seasons and was fired.
He’s clearly a great defensive coordinator, but not all coordinators are cut out to be head coaches. Perhaps with a second chance, he’d be able to find more success, but the Broncos are one of the more well-run organizations in the NFL, and he wasn’t able to win there.
Plus, the Raiders likely have a rookie quarterback coming in, so bringing on a defensive-minded head coach who failed in the past doesn’t make a lot of sense. It doesn’t hurt to speak with him, but it’s hard to see the Raiders realistically considering Joseph.
Other Coaches Raiders Could Interview Early On
There are almost certainly coaches on playoff teams that the Raiders would like to interview, but can’t. With the Seattle Seahawks getting a first-round bye in the playoffs, the team will likely try to interview offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. He’s the name who has been talked about the most when it comes to the Raiders, as he’s considered the best offensive-minded first-time head coach option.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has also been linked to the job. His team didn’t make the playoffs, so he’s free to interview whenever. The same goes for recently fired Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Though the playoffs always complicate things, the Raiders can get started with interviewing some strong candidates right away. Expect the team to cast a wide net in this coaching search in hopes that they don’t have to do another one next offseason.
Raiders Set up First HC Interview After Firing Pete Carroll: Report