Josh McDaniels had an ugly ending to his head-coaching tenure with the Denver Broncos, but the 34-year-old remains a hot commodity around the NFL in an offensive coordinator role.
McDaniels interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings last week for their offensive coordinator job. Other options could develop, however, and McDaniels isn't in hurry to make a decision.
The Atlanta Falcons have identified McDaniels as a potential replacement for Mike Mularkey should he depart for a head-coaching job, and the St. Louis Rams have done the same thing should Pat Shurmur land the Cleveland Browns' gig.
Shurmur is considered to be a favorite among several in Browns president Mike Holmgren's coaching tree. John Fox, who will interview for the Denver Broncos' head-coaching job Wednesday, and Jim Mora, the former Seattle Seahawks coach and current NFL Network analyst, are potential defensive coordinator candidates in Cleveland, sources said Monday.
Some had linked McDaniels to the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator opening with Charlie Weis going to the University of Florida, but that isn't very likely now. Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is the favorite to replace Weis. McCoy was considered for the position last year before Weis was hired following his firing from Notre Dame.
The New York Giants also could have an opening. The Oakland Raiders have sent out feelers about Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, according to league sources, and he would consider taking that head-coaching job.
McDaniels cut his teeth in the league on the offensive side of the ball. Prior to his two-year tenure in Denver, McDaniels drew acclaim as one of the game's brightest young minds as offensive coordinator for the Patriots. He helmed a New England offense that set the NFL mark for team scoring in 2007, breaking a record previously held by the 1998 Vikings.
The Broncos fired McDaniels in the middle of this season after he went 11-17 as coach.
