As we sit in mid-November and prepare for the NFL stretch run, the focus is on head coaches. There have already been two coaches who have been fired (Robert Saleh of the New York Jets and Dennis Allen of the New Orleans Saints) and hot seat is burning in several cities who teams have underachieved more than halfway through the regular season.
Yet, on the flip side of coaching incompetence is the fact that several head coaches are having big seasons and are all making big statements about their ability and their teams.
So, let’s celebrate several coaches are delivering in the 2024 season so far (presented in alphabetical order):
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
Campbell is America’s coach. The guy is everything that is fun an authentic about the game. His pure joy and love for his team is palpable. The Lions are 8-1 and are potentially the league’s best team. The chances of the city of Detroit having it’s fist Super Bowl parade in three months are very real and Campbell is a major season why.
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
A year ago, Gannon seemed like a young coach who could quickly be a former head coach. Gannon had a reputation for being a bit goofy in his first season with the Cardinals and some thought he wasn’t ready as the Cardinals sunk to a 4-13 record in his first season. Yet, Gannon and the team has taken big strides in Year Two. Arizona is 6-4 and are the surprise leaders in the NFC West. Quarterback Kyler Murray is thriving and Gannon is making all the right decisions.
Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
Are you surprised? The guy is simply a winner wherever he goes and Harbaugh has fixed the Chargers already. This is a franchise has been known for choking away games despite having excellent talent. Under Harbaugh, the Chargers are an efficient team that grinds it out on offense and plays stifling defense. Yes, typical Harbaugh ball. The Chargers are 6-3 and are in strong playoff position.
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
During the summer, McDermott made it on my list of coaches who could be under-the-radar candidates to be on the hot seat should they stumble in 2024, There is no such worry about McDermott. He has the Bills humming at 8-2 leading up to a huge matchup with 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11. McDermott can further show what a nice job he is going by knocking off the defending champs.
Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
This guy is the real deal. The third-year head coach who is just 39 is just so impressive in all aspects of his job. He’s sharp as an Xs and Os guy, yet, he really stands out with how he interacts with his team and people in general. The Vikings’ season could have taken a sad turn when rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was lost for the year in the preseason. But O’Connell has made it work with Sam Darnold and the Vikings are 7-2 and should be a factor in January. O’Connell doesn’t get enough credit.
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Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
Quinn is showing sometimes it pays to hire a retread. The former Atlanta Falcons head coach is making a big difference in his first season in Washington. Quinn and Jayden Daniels may be a nice combo for the next decade in the nation’s capital.
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Coaches of great teams often get overlooked and brushed off. But the truth is, Reid is doing a masterful job. Call the Chiefs lucky if you wish, but the truth is they’re always in position to make the plays when they have to and they are undefeated largely because of Big Red. Give the man his flowers along with his cheeseburgers.
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
Here’s another guy who doesn’t always get his just due because he has been so successful. But this might be one of his greatest coaching jobs in his 18 seasons as the Steelers’ head coach. The Steelers are 7-2 and Russell Wilson looks revitalized. Tomlin for Coach of the Year?
