Now that the eight open coaching positions have all been filled, we can begin to evaluate the selections and the likelihood those new coaches will succeed. For our purposes today, we'll simply start with the coach I feel has the best chance to succeed and work our way to the coach I believe has very little hope for success.
Best chance for success
Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles): Normally I don't think college head coaches make the transition to the pro game very well, but Chip Kelly is an innovative offensive mind, and he has some weapons to play with in Philadelphia. The Eagles really needed a change of pace after so many years with Andy Reid, and I think Kelly fits the bill very well.
Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs): Reid takes over a team in desperate need of direction. The Chiefs have more questions than answers, and Andy Reid knows how to make the tough decisions that will move Kansas City in the right direction. The Chiefs will take a few years to rebuild, so fans will have to be patient.
Gus Bradley (Jacksonville Jaguars): The Jaguars have a new general manager and now a new head coach as well. Like the Chiefs, a turnaround won't be instantaneous, but their are good decision makers in place for the team. First on their list of things to do is to evaluate their quarterback situation. Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert probably don't hold the answer there.
Mike McCoy (San Diego Chargers): McCoy is known as a quarterback guru, and that's exactly what Philip Rivers needs. Rivers has turned the ball over far too much over the past two seasons, but the Chargers' new regime should be able to fix that issue. The Chargers aren't as talented as they're perceived to be, but they're still a workable roster.
Could go either way
Marc Trestman (Chicago Bears): Coming from the CFL to the NFL is a move rarely made at the head coaching level, but the Bears saw something in Trestman they liked after seemingly interviewing every coach in the NFL. Like McCoy in San Diego, Trestman inherits a decent roster. Jay Cutler is serviceable and that defense is still a great unit. Still, I'm not sure the Bears got it right hiring Trestman.
Rob Chudzinski (Cleveland Browns): The Browns, like many of teams on this list, are dealing with a new regime altogether, including a new front office. Chudzinski will need to evaluate quarterback Brandon Weeden, and that evaluation will likely determine whether Chudzinski succeeds or fails in Cleveland. Right now, it's just too early to tell.
Not gonna last
Bruce Arians (Arizona Cardinals): The Cardinals have a great defense, but they're offense is in complete disarray. The first order of business for Arians will be deciding how he can operate an offense without a passer. Arians parlayed the Colts' outstanding season into a head coaching job, but I don't see it going anywhere from here.
Doug Marrone (Buffalo Bills): The Bills are one of the toughest teams in football to watch and pay attention to both on and off the field. The franchise lacks any form of excitement, and Doug Marrone is not the answer. Their team isn't very talented, and they have no definitive direction.
