There are currently job openings still in Detroit, Cleveland, Tennessee and Minnesota. Each of these teams are down to their final candidates with each team having a different leading candidate.
Here are what sound like the top candidate in each city.
Detroit: Ken Whisenhunt the current offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers seems like he is the #1 choice for the Lions at this point. The Lions have had interviews with former coaches such as Jim Caldwell but it seems they are keen on adding Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2007-2012 where he compiled a 45-51 record. He also took the Cardinals to the franchises first ever super bowl in 2009. He is a top target for the Titans as well.
Cleveland: Cleveland has had mixed stories coming out of their home office for weeks now. Saying Bob Stoops was top target, then McDaniels (to later say they removed him as a option) and now we are on Adam Gase's turn. Gase is just 35 and is the youngest coach on these lists of options. He is currently the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos and we have seen Peyton Manning's coordinators have success as head coaches. Gase has been with the Broncos his entire NFL career, but he started as an offensive graduate assistant with LSU under Nick Saban. He has yet to interview for the Browns and we are unsure how long the Browns will be willing to wait while the Broncos are still in the playoffs.
Tennessee: Dan Quinn the Seahawks defensive coordinator has been a name that has been flying around as of late. Titans owner Tommy Smith loves what Seattle does so much he is willing to wait out this entire process and have Quinn be a finalist before he even interviews. Quinn is 43 and has been working with top tier defenses his entire career. He has worked with the 49ers, Jets, Dolphins and of course the Seahawks.
Minnesota: The Vikings are no longer in the coaching search phase and are now finalizing final interviews with their top candidates. The coach that seems to be leading the pack is Mike Zimmer, 57, is the current defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals and is one of the most well respected coaches in the league. He took a defense this year who lost its top defensive lineman and cornerback and still had the competing as best in the league. Players love him as a coach and he deserves his shot as a head coach.
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