9 potential replacements for Saints head coach Dennis Allen

The Saints may not be preparing to fire Dennis Allen, but they should be. Better head coach candidates are out there like Jim Harbaugh, Ben Johnson, and Brian Flores:

Will the New Orleans Saints move on from Dennis Allen after this season? They probably should. He hasn’t met the expectations set for him in either of his first two years as their head coach, and he’ll need to to beat two NFC South rivals that defeated him soundly earlier this season just to finish the 2023 campaign with a winning record.

The Saints went all in on his vision for the team by signing his preferred quarterback Derek Carr to a lucrative contract and repeatedly trading up in the NFL draft for prospects he wanted the most, costing them much-needed picks that could have been used to restock an aging roster. And Allen hasn’t had anything to show for it. It’s time to move on from the coach with the 184th-ranked career winning percentage in NFL history whether the Saints’ brass wants to admit it or not.

So who are their options if they do dismiss Allen from his post? Years of poaching have thinned out the crowd of candidates ahead of the latest coaching carousel, but there are some intriguing names on the market. Here are five coaches we’d like to see wearing black and gold:

13 head coach candidates for the Chargers in 2024

Here are 12 head coaching candidates for the Chargers to keep an eye on over the coming months.

The Chargers have cleaned house, firing head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco.

With a star in Justin Herbert at quarterback, Los Angeles will be one of the most intriguing head coaching vacancies this offseason.

Here are 13 candidates to keep an eye on over the coming months.

15 possible HC candidates for the Panthers in 2024

Here are 15 names to keep in mind as Panthers owner David Tepper embarks on his third head-coaching search

Here we are again.

For the second time in as many years, the Carolina Panthers are in the market for a new head coach. Monday morning’s firing of Frank Reich, who lasted a miserable 11 games in Charlotte, now opens the door for yet another leader for this unstable franchise.

So, who will that leader be?

Well, it’s still too early to tell. But here are 15 possible candidates that could be of interest to owner David Tepper and company:

Dolphins offensive coordinator listed as head coaching candidate

Miami could lose their OC if their offense continues to thrive.

The Miami Dolphins have had a potent offense through the first 10 weeks of their 2022 campaign – they’re first under head coach Mike McDaniel.

While it’s been the head coach and the players who have received most of the credit for their success, offensive coordinator Frank Smith brought a ton of experience in developing young talent to South Florida this offseason.

Now, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Smith could be a name that other teams look at as a head coach candidate in the coming cycles.

Here’s what Pelissero wrote about Smith on Thursday:

“Highly regarded in league circles, Smith is in his 13th season as an NFL coach, mostly working with tight ends and offensive line. His close relationships with players and role in developing the likes of Raiders tight end Darren Waller and Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater speak to his strong personal skills. It’s no surprise he, along with head coach and play-caller Mike McDaniel, have Miami utilizing all its weapons at a high level. Smith’s heavily involved in game planning and with an offensive line that keeps playing better and better.”

Smith’s leadership and experience would be sorely missed in Miami, but his resume speaks for itself, even if he’s not calling plays for the Dolphins.

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Most important moments from Mike McDaniel’s press conference after Day 1 of minicamp

He discussed a number of players, positions and statuses.

Minicamp in Miami is underway, and Mike McDaniel seems to be closer to training camp mode than most rookie head coaches.

In an informative and enjoyable press conference Wednesday afternoon with South Florida media, McDaniel spoke on player progress, health and where the Dolphins are overall in the process.

When initially asked about the bridge from OTAs to minicamp, McDaniel explained, “From an operational standpoint, we adjusted a little bit to kind of coincide with training camp.” As McDaniel put it, the players are getting, “a taste of what the training camp day is like minus the pads obviously, so it’s a little different.”

Specifically, McDaniel detailed one new aspect of minicamp.

“They had their first non-scripted period today.” McDaniel said. “That was different, which was typical of something you work into Week 3 of training camp, or Week 2.”

McDaniel moved on to specifics about his players, and he mentioned tight end Mike Gesicki and the tight end’s progress in McDaniel’s blocking schemes.

“As far as Mike Gesicki, he’s been as impressive as any player on the team in terms of going after a challenge,” McDaniel said confidently in support of his franchise-tagged player.

The coach went into chalk talk about the positional aspect of where Gesicki can lineup.

“Three-point (stance) wasn’t his primary position and he’s been working diligently in the run and pass game to do things that this offense can feature without taking away the stuff that has made him who he is, and there is a piece of that in the offense,” he said.

The Gesicki section closed when McDaniel was asked about the inevitable contract question, and the likelihood of him staying in Miami long-term. McDaniel was judicious in his response, which was genuine and vague at the same time.

“That’s something that, right now, there are always conversations between agents and general managers,” he said. “The whole building is careful to make sure that I stay in my lane and coach some football.”

Staying on the blocking subject, McDaniel was asked about his new coaching staff and how they can assist Austin Jackson in his development and adjustment to right tackle. The 2020 first-round pick has a proven and successful coach in offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who helped turn around the Los Angeles Chargers line basically overnight.

“When Austin Jackson is playing right tackle, I’ve been very pleased because he’s approaching it the only way he can get better as a player, and that is complete commitment to it,” McDaniel said.

Although it’s early in the camp season, McDaniel was asked about veteran players who didn’t participate Wednesday, such as cornerback Byron Jones, newly acquired left tackle Terron Armstead and running back Raheem Mostert.

“We are trying to be very deliberate and intentional with how we handle all of those guys,” he said. “It’s been very good. We haven’t had a setback really across the board. We are being fairly conservative but that’s on an individual basis.”

The last subject of importance was the center position with Michael Deiter and new offensive lineman Connor Williams being candidates to start. Coach left the door slightly open for added competition.

“I think you have to be careful to pigeonhole who is doing what and when,” McDaniel said. “I think that isn’t fair to the process.”

To be fair, immediately after, he did say, “I will say that if no other player is added, that I am going to be very confident in our starting center next year.”

The process seems to be trusted so far in South Florida, as excitement and positivity seem to be surrounding the 2022 version of the Miami Dolphins.

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Dolphins hope to reunite Terron Armstead with former Saints OL coach Frank Smith

The Dolphins are working hard to recruit Terron Armstead, and having his former position coach Frank Smith as their new offensive coordinator could help:

Check a couple of different NFL free agent rankings around the Internet and you’ll often see Terron Armstead ranked near the top of the list — if not in the top spot altogether. The longtime New Orleans Saints left tackle is one of the most coveted left tackles available, and he’s visiting the Miami Dolphins on Monday with a good chance that they don’t let him leave the building.

Miami has all the motivation to make Armstead one of the highest-paid players at his position (I wrote more on his fit with the Dolphins here), with first-year head coach Mike McDaniel having seen the benefits of an elite left tackle firsthand. Last season he had a front-row seat to the weekly highlights Trent Williams put together with the San Francisco 49ers. If he can land Armstead, he’ll have his own foundational left tackle to build around.

And the Dolphins could get some help in recruiting Armstead with offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who previously worked as the Saints’ assistant offensive line coach from 2010 to 2014. He helped scout, draft, and develop Armstead back in 2013 before taking a promotion elsewhere; over the years since he’s coached tight ends and the offensive line on his own before earning this opportunity in Miami. He’s someone who shares history with Armstead and that familiarity could go a long way. It’s also worth remembering the Dolphins signed former Saints backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this offseason, so there’s another connection, however much it’s worth.

Paying Armstead top dollar would help, too. He’s rightfully looking for a top-of-the-market contract paying out more than $20 million per year, which the Saints aren’t really positioned to match. Sure, they could go there if they wanted to — but past extensions with tackles Ryan Ramczyk and James Hurst, combined with Armstead’s extensive injury history, might sway their mind. So much hinges on whether the Dolphins are willing to make an offer Armstead can’t refuse. All Saints fans can do at this point is sit and wait to see if major change is on the way.

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4 things to know about new Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith

The Dolphins will hope this one is here longer than the last few.

The Miami Dolphins are putting the finishing touches on new head coach Mike McDaniel’s coaching staff that they hope will bring them a championship in the near future.

Miami brought back two of their three coordinators, as Danny Crossman is once again working with special teams and Josh Boyer is running the defense. The only new coordinator is offensive coordinator Frank Smith who the Dolphins hired on Monday.

Smith, a former offensive line coach and run game coordinator, will be tasked with many things, including helping Miami’s offensive line improve after the debacle that it was in 2021.

These are four things fans should know about their new offensive coordinator.

Dolphins hiring Chargers’ Frank Smith as offensive coordinator

The Chargers need a new offensive line coach.

The Chargers will be looking to fill the void left by run-game coordinator and offensive line coach Frank Smith.

According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the Dolphins, led by new head coach Mike McDaniel, are hiring Smith to be their new offensive coordinator.

Brought in by Brandon Staley last offseason, Smith helped turn around an offensive line with new pieces into a formidable group.

Smith went on to produce two Pro Bowlers and second-team All-Pro honorees in Corey Linsley and Rashawn Slater.

Further, Smith was responsible for the development of players, most notably Trey Pipkins.

Prior to his days with the Bolts, Smith served as the Bears and Raiders’ tight ends coach.

Los Angeles now look to replace Smith, with promoting assistant Shaun Sarrett to the lead role being the likely option. Sarrett was brought over from the Steelers after spending two seasons coaching the offensive line.

Dolphins are hiring Frank Smith as their offensive coordinator

All three coordinator spots are now filled.

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All three coordinator spots for the Miami Dolphins are now filled under new head coach Mike McDaniel.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Dolphins are hiring former Los Angeles Chargers run-game coordinator and offensive line coach Frank Smith to be their new offensive coordinator. Smith was one of three reported candidates for the job along with Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London and New Orleans Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson.

Smith spent just one year with the Chargers but had been the tight ends coach for the Las Vegas Raiders and Chicago Bears prior to that as well as four years as the New Orleans Saints assistant offensive line coach.

McDaniel said during his introductory press conference that he plans on calling the plays, so Smith will be more relied on for coaching up an offense that struggled in 2021. He and new offensive line coach Matt Applebaum will likely both help the big men up front transition to a zone-blocking scheme as well.

While he won’t be the one signaling calls to the quarterback, Smith will probably be involved in the process, as McDaniel has frequently pointed out how important collaboration is to him.

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Dolphins interviewing Chargers Frank Smith for offensive coordinator

There are three candidates now.

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The Miami Dolphins have filled a good portion of their coaching staff to this point, however, they’ve yet to find an offensive coordinator to join Mike McDaniel’s staff.

There have been reports that the team will interview Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London and New Orleans Saints wide receivers coach/offensive assistant Curtis Johnson for the open position.

Now, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Miami has added a third candidate to the mix in Los Angeles Chargers run game coordinator and offensive line coach Frank Smith.

Smith has spent just one year in his position with the Chargers after spending three seasons with the Chicago Bears and three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders as the tight end coach in both stops.

With Smith as offensive line coach this year, the Chargers gave up the fourth-fewest sacks per game (1.8) and were 13th in pass-block win rate (61%).

With how important collaboration is to this head coach, general manager, and owner, they have to be sure that they find the right guy.

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