With the New York Jets’ 2024 season all but over, the organization’s decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh in-season reminds Woody Johnson how pivotal it is to get the head coach hire right this offseason.
Here are three head coach candidates the Jets must steer clear of this offseason.
Steve Spagnuolo, Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator
Currently serving as the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Spagnuolo’s name has begun to circle as a head coach candidate this offseason.
After Kansas City’s Super Bowl win in February, Spagnuolo said he would “absolutely” want to be a head coach if given the opportunity. With Kansas City having another strong defensive season in 2024, he could certainly land interviews in January.
If so, the Jets should stay as far away from Spags as possible.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Spagnuolo is the best defensive coordinator in football, and I think very fondly of his defensive mind, but the concerns with him as a head coach are endless. His last run at the position went miserably.
After serving two seasons as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator, highlighted by a Super Bowl XLII victory, Spagnuolo was hired as head coach of the St. Louis Rams in 2009. During his three-year tenure with the Rams, Spagnuolo compiled a lackluster 10-38 record, including a horrendous 1-15 season in 2009 and a 2-14 record in 2011, which led to his dismissal following the 2011 season.
While Spags has had significant success as a defensive coordinator, his success is clearly limited to only the defensive side of the ball. The Jets would much further benefit from a young, innovative offensive mind or someone with a proven track record of success as a head coach at the NFL level.
Due to his track record as a head coach, I firmly believe Spagnuolo is not the transformative leader New York needs as the team enters full rebuild mode.
Klint Kubiak, New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator
Klint Kubiak, the son of Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, has emerged as a potential head coach candidate this cycle.
Kubiak is in his first season as the New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator. While the Saints’ offense got off to a blazing hot start (91 points through two games), their offensive production has since slowed down as injuries have piled up (18.2 points per game over the last 12 games).
At 37 years old, Kubiak has limited experience as a coordinator. Before joining the Saints’ coaching staff this season, Kubiak served as the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, his only other role as a coordinator at the NFL level. He was a passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Broncos in 2022, then served as the passing game coordinator for the 49ers in 2023.
Due to his lack of sustained success and experience as an NFL coordinator, Kubiak does not present a compelling resume for the Jets’ head coaching job, and the organization should avoid him.
Anthony Weaver, Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator
Currently in his first season as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver interviewed for the Washington Commanders’ head coaching position last offseason, which Rick Spielman assisted with. This offseason, Spielman has been brought aboard by Jets owner Woody Johnson to assist in the search for the team’s next head coach and general manager.
Weaver, 44, concerns me due to his inexperience and his units’ lack of success. This is only Weaver’s second season as a coordinator at the NFL level, and he has produced uninspiring results each time. Through the first 15 weeks of 2024, Miami ranks 19th in defensive DVOA. Weaver’s first season as a defensive coordinator came in 2020 with the Houston Texans, who finished 31st in defensive DVOA.
Prior to joining the Dolphins’ staff, the former defensive end spent three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, working in various roles, including defensive line coach, run game coordinator, and associate head coach.
Before becoming Houston’s defensive coordinator in 2020, Weaver was a longtime defensive line coach. He started his NFL career as an assistant defensive line coach with the Jets under Rex Ryan in 2012. Weaver then served as the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills (2013), Cleveland Browns (2014-15), and Texans (2016-19).
Weaver’s limited experience as a coordinator worries me as a potential head coach candidate. The Jets need a candidate they can trust, and for that reason, they should avoid Weaver.
