SI: Annual NFL future Head Coaching list for 2026

[Hawkeye0202]

https://www.si.com/nfl/future-nfl-head-coach-candidates-2026

He is projecting five to nine openings. This is spot on.......there is always at least four plus usually a surprise firing/opening. But this could be a tricky cycle coz a couple of Super Bowl-winning head coaches may lose their jobs ( mutual parting ) ....Harbaugh and Tomlin. If that happens, some teams may fire their guy for a chance at either coach ( Commanders, Jets and Bucs IMO).

The Top NFL Head Coaching Candidates Teams Will Consider for 2026​

Our annual exhaustive list of everyone who could interview for jobs this offseason, and why this could be ‘the year of the defensive genius.’

Conor Orr | Dec 11, 2025​

Welcome to the 2025–26 version of my future head coaches list. Before we get into it, let’s try to explain what we’re doing here.
The goal every year is for this list to be a reference point for when your favorite team interviews a candidate with some background and, in many cases, a testimonial from a coach who has worked with that person in the past. Earlier this season, I already came up with tailored lists for the Titans’ and Giants’ jobs when those positions first came open, though some of the additional names below may be relevant to their searches as well.

Klayton Adams, offensive coordinator, Dallas CowboysEmpty heading​

Adams, 42, is in his first year as a non-play-calling offensive coordinator for the Cowboys. Adams was previously in Arizona as an offensive line coach with a heavy influence on the team’s running game. Adams has the Cowboys fourth in EPA per play and 11th in both rushing success rate and EPA per rush.
Adams is one of the headliners of a growing group of coordinators or soon-to-be coordinators (think Adam Stenavich and Hank Fraley) who have risen past the normally hard-ceilinged world of offensive line coaching and into contention for big-time play-calling coordinator jobs. Javonte Williams, Dallas’s reclamation project running back, is currently averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

 

[NDGAEDE]

Adams has done well, but I'd guess he's safe here for another year.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I don't think adams gets enough credit, would like to see better options for the o-line

 

[blueblood70]

https://www.si.com/nfl/future-nfl-head-coach-candidates-2026

He is projecting five to nine openings. This is spot on.......there is always at least four plus usually a surprise firing/opening. But this could be a tricky cycle coz a couple of Super Bowl-winning head coaches may lose their jobs ( mutual parting ) ....Harbaugh and Tomlin. If that happens, some teams may fire their guy for a chance at either coach ( Commanders, Jets and Bucs IMO).

The Top NFL Head Coaching Candidates Teams Will Consider for 2026​

Our annual exhaustive list of everyone who could interview for jobs this offseason, and why this could be ‘the year of the defensive genius.’

Conor Orr | Dec 11, 2025​

Welcome to the 2025–26 version of my future head coaches list. Before we get into it, let’s try to explain what we’re doing here.
The goal every year is for this list to be a reference point for when your favorite team interviews a candidate with some background and, in many cases, a testimonial from a coach who has worked with that person in the past. Earlier this season, I already came up with tailored lists for the Titans’ and Giants’ jobs when those positions first came open, though some of the additional names below may be relevant to their searches as well.

Klayton Adams, offensive coordinator, Dallas CowboysEmpty heading​

Adams, 42, is in his first year as a non-play-calling offensive coordinator for the Cowboys. Adams was previously in Arizona as an offensive line coach with a heavy influence on the team’s running game. Adams has the Cowboys fourth in EPA per play and 11th in both rushing success rate and EPA per rush.
Adams is one of the headliners of a growing group of coordinators or soon-to-be coordinators (think Adam Stenavich and Hank Fraley) who have risen past the normally hard-ceilinged world of offensive line coaching and into contention for big-time play-calling coordinator jobs. Javonte Williams, Dallas’s reclamation project running back, is currently averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

Well the Cowboys when they like a coach they will overpay for the position, regardless of what this place thinks that Jerry's cheap, no he pays to keep guys around, like Dan Quinn gave him a raise every year to keep him here, longer than he was going to be here, Don't believe but the Cowboys do not announce this they never give true details of assistant coach contracts I think at one point Dan Quinn may have been making the same or more than Mike McCarthy , and they'll do that with Adams..


I don't know who our assistant head coach title is gone to, but it will be smart to whoever has that to get rid of that title from that person and label that on Adams, that way you keep them here because, he's not technically an OC, although he doesn't do any play calling, That's all Brian Schottenheimer...

The Cowboys should make him feel appreciated, give him a raise, a better title, I don't have to worry about this right at the moment besides I don't think he's ready, I mean come on Man, has he even been a full offensive coordinator ,where he's called plays??

I mean this is another Eric Bienemy situation here, and he couldn't even be a good game play caller when given the chance....

that was all andy reid. I

Realize the guy's a specialist with the offensive line and helping design game plans and schemes, but he's never even been an offensive coordinator who's had his full blueprint in hands all over it ,wouldn't you think he needs to do that first?

 

[Kwyn]

I knew he would get some buzz but it’s probably too soon. This is his first OC gig.

I’m hoping he sticks around to master running the offense before he trying to run an entire team.

 

[Bobhaze]

Most assistant coaches who are on the list as HC candidates come from teams that have had big success, are in the playoffs and have been consistent in their job.

Adams has not even been here a full season. If the Cowboys go on a late run and we make the playoffs somehow, he will certainly be noticed. If the team is better next year, he will be on other team’s radar. He’s not there yet.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

This is from the same article.........list of future coordinators

Aaron Whitecotton, defensive line coach, Dallas Cowboys​

Whitecotton came from a physical Jets defense under Robert Saleh to remaking a Cowboys unit from scratch in Dallas before the arrival of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Dallas has been one of the most improved units against the run over the second half of the season.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't think adams gets enough credit, would like to see better options for the o-line

Agreed. The fact that he doesn't call the plays might be a hold up. Hard to go from a non-play-calling coordinator to head coach. His next step may be being a play-calling coordinator somewhere.

 

[gimmesix]

This is from the same article.........list of future coordinators

Aaron Whitecotton, defensive line coach, Dallas Cowboys​

Whitecotton came from a physical Jets defense under Robert Saleh to remaking a Cowboys unit from scratch in Dallas before the arrival of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Dallas has been one of the most improved units against the run over the second half of the season.

If we wanted to move on from Eberflus but not bring in an outside coordinator, he might be worth giving a try.

 

[CoachD]

I said last year that Jerry and company should of hired the entire Notre Dame staff, hands down best in the country by far!

 

[Mr_437]

Adams has done well, but I'd guess he's safe here for another year.

Yeah, maybe a couple interviews to get his feet wet, but ultimately should be back.

This is from the same article.........list of future coordinators

Aaron Whitecotton, defensive line coach, Dallas Cowboys​

Whitecotton came from a physical Jets defense under Robert Saleh to remaking a Cowboys unit from scratch in Dallas before the arrival of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Dallas has been one of the most improved units against the run over the second half of the season.

Whitecotton seems to be a guy that will get a shot as a DC at some point, and I'd rather he have his shot in Dallas over keeping Eberflus.

 

[blueblood70]

Agreed. The fact that he doesn't call the plays might be a hold up. Hard to go from a non-play-calling coordinator to head coach. His next step may be being a play-calling coordinator somewhere.

Yeah that's what I said as well This is kind of like Eric bienemy when he left Kansas City just about everybody had a feeling he was not gonna make it although you have to give the guy a shot but he never had full control of an offense it wasn't his fingerprints it wasn't his scheme he didn't do any of the play calling..


So hopefully this works out in the Cowboys favor we can keep them here a little longer...

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah that's what I said as well This is kind of like Eric bienemy when he left Kansas City just about everybody had a feeling he was not gonna make it although you have to give the guy a shot but he never had full control of an offense it wasn't his fingerprints it wasn't his scheme he didn't do any of the play calling..


So hopefully this works out in the Cowboys favor we can keep them here a little longer...

I'm not sure when Adams will get his first play-calling shot. It might not come until he leaves Dallas or No-Schott is gone (and he's promoted to play-caller, which would be a Jerry thing to do to the next head coach). Bieniemy was coordinator under Reid for five years before he got his shot to call plays in Washington and failed. Teams were hesitant then to hire a non-play-calling coordinator as head coach and I would think his failure would cause more hesitation.

 

[blueblood70]

I'm not sure when Adams will get his first play-calling shot. It might not come until he leaves Dallas or No-Schott is gone (and he's promoted to play-caller, which would be a Jerry thing to do to the next head coach). Bieniemy was coordinator under Reid for five years before he got his shot to call plays in Washington and failed. Teams were hesitant then to hire a non-play-calling coordinator as head coach and I would think his failure would cause more hesitation.

Exactly that's exactly what we were talking about here so we're in agreement he's not leaving really fast because he's not even been a true full system offensive coordinator he needs to do that first before he gets a head coaching job although I've seen crazier things happen Didn't the Giants hire a special teams coach who had done really a whole lot in this league as their head coach I mean we're talking about the Giants here but that was kind of crazy and it didn't work out...

But I'm thinking he's gonna be here at least two seasons if not three but you never know maybe Schottenheimer at some point wants to focus on the team and gives him the play calling when he believes he's ready..

Schottenheimer does not have a big ego so if he decides it would be best for the team to give up play calling duties I think he would if he believes adams is ready...