By Danny Cox
The hell known as Black Monday has come and gone, and there were no more coaching casualties in the NFL as of Tuesday. Now though, the process begins to figure out who will fill the vacancies for all the teams that got rid of their coaches and general managers. There are even a few surprise names being thrown around, and even one coach that was fired, filling the vacancy of another fired coach elsewhere.
(Credit, Al Bello/Getty Images)
Andy Reid is the target of the Arizona Cardinals
Fourteen seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles seemed to be enough, but not enough for the NFC. Andy Reid appears to have become the head candidate for the head coaching vacancy with the Arizona Cardinals. One source has said that he was “95 percent” certain that Reid will coach the Cardinals.
It is also being expected from league sources that Reid will take the job by the end of the week.
One other source is stating that the competition for the Cardinals’ head coaching job will be wide open and that no candidate is in the lead at this time. Reid would make a good choice though as he’s already been associated with quarterback Kevin Kolb before he was traded from Philadelphia.
Oregon State‘s Chip Kelly avoiding NFL questions at this time
Chip Kelly is preparing to lead his Oregon State Beavers into the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, but reporters don’t seem to care about that at this time. All they’re concerned with is whether or not the much sought after coach will head to the NFL or not. Kelly has proceeded to shun those questions.
“I’ve got a game to play,” Kelly said during the Fiesta Bowl’s media day on Monday. “We’re playing in the Fiesta Bowl. That’s the biggest thing in my life. If I allowed other things to get into my life, then they would be distractions, but there aren’t. Our focus 100 percent is on the Fiesta Bowl.”
Even though Kelly has been a candidate for an NFL job for years now, this year is a bit different. His skills just keep getting better, and now there are seven openings in the NFL and teams need a coach that knows how to succeed. With the success of Pete Carroll in Seattle over the past couple years; college coaches are becoming more appealing for NFL head coaching positions.
Mike Holmgren is willing to listen to any teams interested in him
Seven NFL teams are currently without a head coach, and some of the recently fired coaches may end up filling vacancies elsewhere. Still, there are a number of names – such as Chip Kelly – that are popping up for these openings. Another name being tossed around is former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren.
Making matters even more interesting is that he’s willing to listen.
“If anyone is interested, I’ll listen,” said Holmgren, who indicated he will not aggressively pursue job openings.
Holmgren left the front office of the Cleveland Browns after ownership changed, and he then moved out to Arizona. That happens to be one of the cities that now need a head coach since it fired Ken Whisenhunt.
There is no word on whether any teams have actually contacted him for their openings, and he wouldn’t say what teams are interesting to him.
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Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
