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12 NFL head coaching candidates with Bill Belichick going to North Carolina

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches his team play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches his team play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NFL head coaching cycle will get going next month, but one major name will not be a part of it.

Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick agreed to join North Carolina as its next head coach on Wednesday, which obviously takes him out of consideration for another NFL job.

While Belichick won't be available to field interest from NFL franchises, there are a number of impressive candidates who will be around next month.

Our Robert Zeglinski wrote an excellent, in-depth breakdown on some of the top names in this upcoming coaching cycle.

If you want a quick refresher on who 12 of the candidates are post-Belichick, check them out below and then read Robert's piece to learn more about some of them.

Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson

Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talks with fans on the sidelines during pregame warmups before their game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talks with fans on the sidelines during pregame warmups before their game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Johnson has led one of the NFL's best offenses over the last couple of seasons. He's a virtual lock to get a head coaching job if he decides to leave Detroit this winter.

Detroit Lions DC Aaron Glenn

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn shakes hands with running back Sione Vaki (33) during warm up before the Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn shakes hands with running back Sione Vaki (33) during warm up before the Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.

Glenn has revitalized the Lions' defense over the past couple of seasons into one of the league's toughest units. Like Johnson, he's going to be a hot candidate in the hiring cycle for good reason.

Browns consultant Mike Vrabel

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Vrabel did a fantastic job leading the Tennessee Titans before parting ways with the franchise last winter. After a year spent with the Cleveland Browns as a consultant, we have a strong feeling he will land a job in this next NFL coaching cycle.

Vikings DC Brian Flores

Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The former Miami Dolphins head coach has done an outstanding job with the Vikings to strengthen their defense. Flores should be a popular candidate for a second run as an NFL head coach.

Bills OC Joe Brady

Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on th field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on th field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Brady may become the latest Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator to land a head coaching job. While calling plays for quarterback Josh Allen would make anybody look good, Brady has more than earned a chance to lead an NFL franchise.

Panthers DC Ejiro Evero

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Evero has been knocking on the door of an NFL head coaching job for a couple of seasons now. Will the 2025 hiring cycle finally be when the respected Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator gets an opportunity?

Bucs OC Liam Coen

Aug 23, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen looks on before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen looks on before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Baker Mayfield could send another Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator to a head coaching job like he did with Dave Canales last year. Coen has the résumé that usually attracts teams during an NFL coaching cycle, and he'll definitely get interviews next month.

Steelers OC Arthur Smith

Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks at the official after a disputed call during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks at the official after a disputed call during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Smith revitalizing the Pittsburgh Steelers offense with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at the helm may get him some serious consideration for a second head coaching job. You could argue his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons went downhill in part because of lackluster quarterback play.

Chargers DC Jesse Minter

Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter speaks during Media Day at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.
Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter speaks during Media Day at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

In just a season, Minter has transformed the Los Angeles Chargers defense into one of the elite units in the NFL. Like Mike Macdonald before him, Minter might become the next former Michigan defensive coordinator to make the NFL head coaching leap in a short amount of time.

Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury

Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kingsbury's work with Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels may land him a second NFL head coaching job. He spent a number of years with the Arizona Cardinals.

Ravens OC Todd Monken

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens coordinator Todd Monken on the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens coordinator Todd Monken on the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Monken has spent the last couple of seasons helping quarterback Lamar Jackson play some of his best football. Before that, he was the red-hot offensive coordinator for Georgia. He'll have interest.

Bears interim HC Thomas Brown

Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Brown is leading the Bears right now on an interim basis after Matt Eberflus' firing, but it's possible another NFL franchise might have interest in him if Chicago goes in another direction.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 12 NFL head coaching candidates with Bill Belichick going to North Carolina