Robert Saleh, Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers

Like his NFL mentor Pete Carroll, who Saleh worked with in Seattle at the Seahawks’ defensive quality control coach from 2011 through 2013, Saleh is as much about motivation as scheme. San Francisco’s top-level defense doesn’t have a massive playbook, but Saleh understands that having his players buy in is incredibly important, and he’s able to do that. Saleh would need a strong offensive coordinator to make it work on his own.

Kevin Stefanski, Offensive Coordinator, Minnesota Vikings

While Assistant head coach/offensive advisor Gary Kubiak is the primary architect of Minnesota’s zone rushing attack, it’s Stefanski who has worked with Kirk Cousins to bring about a major uptick in efficiency through the second half of the 2019 season. Anytime you can get the best out of a limited quarterback like Cousins, you’re going to be considered for head coaching positions, and Stefanski has earned that consideration.