Raiders fire Josh McDaniels: Ranking 7 head coaching prospects in Las Vegas, including Cowboys assistant

The Josh McDaniels era in Las Vegas is over after just a season and a half, as the Raiders fired the head coach along with general manager Dave Ziegler early Wednesday. It’s just the latest turbulent turn for a franchise that hasn’t employed a coach for more than four straight seasons since Art Shell (1989-94) nearly three decades ago.

What’s next on top for their employees? A lot could change between now and the end of the 2023 season, especially if the Raiders find new life under interim Antonio Pierce, the Giants’ former star linebacker. But here are some other names appearing on Las Vegas’ radar as owner Mark Davis begins another search for a new head coach:

7. Brian Flores (DC Vikings)

Davis may be reluctant to jump right back into the Bill Belichick tree after McDaniels’ quick burnout, but Flores has at least proven he can win as a boss, going 19-14 in his final two seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach as of 2020-2021. He has been better running the Minnesota “D” in the interim, keeping the Vikings afloat despite key offensive injuries.

6. Dan Quinn (DC Cowboys)

Quinn opted to return to Dallas after interviewing for several top jobs last offseason, and there’s a real chance he stays in hopes of one day becoming Jerry Jones’ crown jewel. Perhaps the appeal of the Raiders, beyond the defensive resume, is that he’s also been there, done that as a head coach, guiding two playoff runs and power Appearance with the Falcons.

5. Ejiro Evero (DC Panthers)

There may not be a more promising, more well-rounded candidate to make the rotation in 2024. The 42-year-old Evero has only worked under Wade Phillips, Raheem Morris and Vic Fangio across stints with the 49ers, Broncos and Super Bowl champion Rams. He was just as solid under Frank Reich with the young Panthers this year, getting another dose of rave reviews.

4. Brian Callahan (Bengals OC)

Callahan was Zac Taylor’s OC of choice upon the latter’s arrival to Cincinnati in 2019, and he has helped nurture Joe Burrow’s growth into one of the best QBs in the game. Before that, the former Broncos assistant was part of Jon Gruden’s original staff with the 2018 Raiders, serving as the QBs coach. In Vegas, he will likely get a chance to pick his own QB for the rebuild.

Johnson spurned head coaching interest in returning under Dan Campbell last season, but there may not be a better time for him to make the jump, as he has directed two straight top-five offenses with Jared Goff and company. He’s young (37 years old), up and coming, an adaptable attacking mind. The only real obstacle is that six other clubs may be knocking on his door.

2. Frank Smith (Dolphins OC)

If this is the groundbreaking offense Mark Davis wants, he could return to the AFC East just fine, except this time to pick Mike McDaniels’ tree. Smith was McDaniels’ original hire in the OC, where he oversaw Tua Tagovailoa’s emergence at an MVP level since 2022. He has a background with the Raiders, where he worked under Jon Gruden as the tight end coach from 2018-2020.

1. Jim Harbaugh (Michigan HC)

Harbaugh has not coached in NFL for nearly a decade, but he has been flirting with a return in recent years, interviewing with the Broncos and Vikings since 2022. He is now in the middle of murky contract negotiations with Michigan amid allegations of a sign-stealing scandal. If he ultimately chooses to jump ship after nine years as the face of the Wolverines, the Raiders would make sense. Not only did Harbaugh begin his NFL coaching career with the team in 2002, he dominated the West Coast as the 49ers’ head coach from 2011-14.

Secure it It won’t necessarily erase potential discipline His hand in Michigan’s alleged violations, but the Raiders may be willing to wait out a suspension if it means keeping Harbaugh on the sidelines for the next five to 10 years. His arrival will generate big headlines and justified hopes of a turnaround.