Well, the Packers have fired Mike McCarthy, and now the Packers should win out, make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl because it was his fault, right? Nobody else deserves any blame whatsoever, right? I thought so. Anyways, I will be looking at the people who I think make the most sense for the Packers AND who is actually a realistic option. So, Packers fans, don’t wonder why you won’t see Bill Belichick’s name in here.
Lincoln Riley, Head Coach, The University of Oklahoma
Of all the names on this list, I think Riley is the least likely to end up in Green Bay, but I still think he deserves a mention. Riley has led one of the most prolific offenses in college football since he took over the head job at OU after Bob Stoops retired, and I think he would be a perfect fit for Aaron Rodgers. If I’m the Packers, I especially like him because of the increase of popularity of college-style offenses in the NFL as of late. Riley is also a young guy, just 35, which would make him the second-youngest head coach in the NFL (Sean McVay) if he were hired by the Packers or anyone else. He would be able to connect with his players very well.
Pete Carmichael, Offensive Coordinator, New Orleans Saints
Carmichael has been an awesome OC for the Saints since he was named to the position in 2009, but he hasn’t received much head coaching interest from teams. He was a guy I thought and hoped the Bears would look at last year, but Matt Nagy has panned out well for them. Carmichael, Drew Brees and the Saints offense have been spectacular in most years under him. I bet Carmichael would be able to replicate some of that success with Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers.
Brian Schottenheimer, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
This may come as a surprise to some, but I absolutely love the job Schottenheimer has done with the Seahawks. In 2017, the Seahawks had an awful ground game and an awful offensive line. This season, “Shotty’s” first season as OC, Russell Wilson has had great protection, and there has been great blocking up front for the backfield committee of Mike Davis, Chris Carson, and Rashaad Penny, who have all had great production this season. If Schottenheimer does get hired by Green Bay, he already has a couple sensational young backs in Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. And, oh yeah, he would also have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, and he’s pretty good. The Packers have had their struggles on the o-line this season, and if the Packers can get a great running game, that takes a bunch of pressure off of Rodgers and the defense.
Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
Seriously, I’m sure you all saw this one coming. But, I think he makes a lot of sense for the Packers. I know there’s a lot of talk about how his first head coaching stint (with the Broncos) was a complete disaster, and also about the Belichick curse, but I don’t care. McDaniels has gotten older and more mature since that time. When he was with Denver, he pushed John Elway to draft Tim Tebow, and we all know how that worked out. If he is going to take another head job, he’ll make sure to go somewhere where the quarterback position is stable, and if there’s one thing that Green Bay has, it’s a stable quarterback. McDaniels will not fail again as a head coach.
Vic Fangio, Defensive Coordinator, Chicago Bears
Here’s the big one. The Packers would be idiotic to not at least give him an interview. He works for not just any division rival, but also their arch-rival, the Bears. He’s also a defensive mastermind. However, I don’t necessarily see him going to Green Bay, because he’s got it made in Chicago. He’s got a loaded defense, and if anything ever goes wrong, he rarely takes any heat for it, because he’s merely an assistant. He’s also got a great offense and head coach on the other side of the ball, which makes his job easier. At the age of 60, I don’t think Fangio wants to hit the reset button. He’s also hinted in the past that he doesn’t really care for the idea of being a head coach. But I do think he’s still worth putting on the list.
Eric Bieniemy, Offensive Coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs
This is incredible in Kansas City. Their offensive coordinator in 2015 was Doug Pederson, who was hired to be the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, which has worked out pretty well. In 2016-2017, Matt Nagy was the OC, and he was hired as the head man in Chicago, and he was recently named AP Coach of the Year. Bieniemy certainly deserves a look as a head coaching candidate after what Kansas City’s offense has done this year.