GM and Head Coaching Candidates Around the AFC West

After years and years in the NFC East, Andy Reid could make the jump over to the AFC West. He will be interviewed by the Kansas City Chiefs. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

With all of the NFL firings that occurred on Black Monday, there will be plenty of upcoming interviews over the next few weeks. Here’s a rundown of which teams are seeking permission from the Denver Broncos, and what’s going on around the rest of the AFC West.

Broncos 

The Broncos would love to retain their entire coaching staff and front office personnel, however, that’s not likely to happen.

Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is the hottest of them all. He has three interviews set up for this weekend with the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, and Chicago Bears. There are reports that the Philadelphia Eagles would like to interview McCoy as well. If offered a job before the Broncos are out of the playoffs, McCoy cannot accept the offer until the season is over. This weekend is the last time that McCoy will be allowed to interview before the Broncos are out of the playoffs or before the Super Bowl bye week.

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has already been a head coach, and he’s not jumping too quickly at any interview offers if any have in fact come his way. Del Rio doesn’t have anything scheduled this weekend.

The San Diego Chargers asked the Broncos permission to talk to director of player personnel Matt Russell in regards to their vacant general manager position. John Elway promptly denied the Chargers’ request. The team fired both GM A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner.

Chargers

Aside from the Broncos denying the Chargers’ request to interview Russell, the team did get permission to interview Colts vice president of football operations Tom Telesco, Cardinals vice president of player personnel Steve Keim, 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble, and Falcons director of player personnel David Caldwell for the GM role.

Current director of player personnel Jimmy Raye will interview as well.

Ron Wolf was hired as the Chargers consultant in the GM search.

The Chargers fired Turner on Monday, and Turner said that the Chargers aren’t close to being a playoff team.

“Someone wrote a few weeks ago that this team is not that far away from the playoffs. I would disagree. I know the things that would have to get done for that to happen. If this team comes next year and they get some things done to help them get better and are able to make the playoffs, I would hope it would be a surprise to all the Chargers fans, and they would be excited about it. I would hope it would not be the expectation starting in August because I think you need to give whoever the guy who comes in here and the group he brings in some time to get back this thing back to where it was.” – Michael Gehlken (UT San Diego)

Chiefs

Head coach Romeo Crennel was quickly fired after the Chiefs went 2-14 in 2012, and have had just one winning season in the last six years.

The Chiefs are reportedly going to interview Andy Reid. The Chiefs were also interested in Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter before Kotter signed an extension with the Falcons, taking his name off the board. Another name popping up in the Chiefs’ head coaching search is Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong. Amrstrong reportedly already interviewed with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs are looking at candidates who have been head coaches either at the pro ranks or the college ranks, and they’re looking at various NFL coordinators. They hope to have a decision made by February and then the team will decide what to do with GM Scott Pioli.

Crennel will move on and interview with the Cardinals.

Raiders

Former Broncos defensive coordinator and current Raiders head coach Dennis Allen will come back for a second year on the job after guiding the Raiders to a 4-12 record.

However, the team did fire offensive coordinator Gregg Knapp, special teams coordinator Steve Holland, linebackers coach Johnny Holland, and offensive line coach Frank Pollack.

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