2014 NFC Coordinator Carousel
Jeff Tedford
Similar to the AFC, three head-coaching changes have resulted in some shuffling among the coordinator positions among the NFC's teams. Detroit, Minnesota and Tampa Bay aren't the only NFC teams who will have at least one new coordinator in charge either, as Dallas, the New York Giants, St. Louis and Washington also made a change in this respect. The net result for the NFC is that five former head coaches (Leslie Frazier, Rod Marinelli, Jeff Tedford, Norv Turner and Gregg Williams) have been added to the coordinator ranks, although one of these (Tedford) is a "rookie" when it comes to the NFL.
Related: 2014 AFC Coordinator Carousel
Here is a rundown of the NFC's coordinator changes entering the 2014 season:
Dallas Cowboys, Defensive Coordinator
NEW: Rod Marinelli
OLD: Monte Kiffin
Marinelli, who was Kiffin’s defensive line coach last season, replaced his boss after the Cowboys finished dead last in the NFL in yards allowed (415.3 ypg). As the Bears’ defensive coordinator from 2010-12, Marinelli led his units to top-10 finishes in both total and scoring defense twice (2010, ’12).
Detroit Lions, Defensive Coordinator
NEW: Teryl Austin
OLD: Gunther Cunningham
Austin has been coaching in the NFL for a decade, but this will be his first season as a coordinator on the pro level. This also will be his third stint working alongside new Lions head coach Jim Caldwell. The first came when Austin was Caldwell’s defensive backs coach at Wake Forest from 1993-95, and they both were on John Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore the past two seasons.
Detroit Lions, Offensive Coordinator
NEW: Joe Lombardi
OLD: Scott Linehan
The grandson of legendary coach Vince Lombardi, Joe has spent the past seven seasons on Sean Payton’s staff in New Orleans. After starting as an offensive assistant, Lombardi moved to quarterbacks coach in 2009, the season the Saints won the Super Bowl. During his time as quarterbacks coach, Drew Brees set numerous passing records and averaged nearly 5,000 yards and 39 touchdowns per season.
Minnesota Vikings, Defensive Coordinator
NEW: George Edwards
OLD: Alan Williams
Miami’s linebackers coach the past two seasons, Edwards was tabbed by new Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer to help improve the NFL’s most generous (30.0 ppg allowed) defense in 2013. A coaching veteran with more than 20 years of experience on the college and professional levels, Edwards’ resume includes stints as the defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators as well as the Redskins and Bills.
Minnesota Vikings, Offensive Coordinator
NEW:Norv Turner
Recommended Articles
OLD: Bill Musgrave
After one year in Cleveland, Turner joins Mike Zimmer in Minnesota to oversee one of the NFL’s least productive passing attacks (214.2 ypg, 18 TDs in 2013). A three-time head coach (Washington, Oakland, San Diego), Turner will be working for the ninth different franchise of his career, which began in 1985 as the wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Rams.
New York Giants, Offensive Coordinator
NEW: Ben McAdoo
OLD: Kevin Gilbride
After seven seasons leading the Giants’ offense, Gilbride retired (much to the delight of the team’s fan base), resulting in McAdoo getting his first shot at being a coordinator on any level. A position coach for Green Bay the past eight seasons, McAdoo first started working with tight ends before moving to quarterbacks coach in 2012.
St. Louis Rams, Defensive Coordinator
NEW: Gregg Williams
OLD: Tim Walton
Williams was initially hired by Rams head coach Jeff Fisher in February 2012 before being suspended indefinitely for his role in the Saints BountyGate scandal. Reinstated last season, Williams is reunited with Fisher. The two worked together from 1994-2000, with Fisher as the head coach and Williams the defensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Coordinator
NEW: Leslie Frazier
OLD: Bill Sheridan
Fired after Minnesota went from 10–6 and in the playoffs in 2012 to 5–10–1 last season, Frazier landed on his feet as part of new head coach Lovie Smith’s staff in Tampa Bay. The Vikings’ defensive coordinator from 2007 until he replaced head coach Brad Childress with six games remaining in ‘10, Frazier also has coached for the Eagles, Bengals and Colts.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Offensive Coordinator
NEW: Jeff Tedford
OLD: Mike Sullivan
The head coach at California from 2002-12 (82–57), Tedford will be a rookie NFL coordinator this season. He is known for his track record of developing NFL-caliber quarterbacks, most notably Aaron Rodgers, but he also coached All-Pros Marshawn Lynch and DeSean Jackson, as well as Keenan Allen during his tenure with the Golden Bears.
Washington Redskins, Offensive Coordinator
NEW: Sean McVay
OLD: Kyle Shanahan
The youngest (28) offensive coordinator in the NFL, McVay was not merely retained by new Redskins head coach Jay Gruden; he was promoted. The tight ends coach the past three seasons, McVay had previously worked with Gruden when both were offensive assistants on Jon Gruden’s staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008. McVay has the title of offensive coordinator, but Jay Gruden will call the plays.
(Leslie Frazier photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Web site, www.buccaneers.com; Norv Turner photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings' Web site, www.vikings.com)
