2018 AFC Coordinator Carousel
Although just three AFC teams made head coaching changes this offseason, the coaching carousel was in constant motion. While it was assumed that Indianapolis, Oakland and Tennessee would be making wholesale changes with new head coaches taking over, 10 other AFC teams hired either a new defensive or offensive coordinator.
In the end, only Denver, Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Chargers were the only AFC teams that did not make a coordinator change. There are plenty of familiar faces in new places but also some new blood has been added to the coordinator ranks. Here is a rundown on all the coordinator changes in the AFC:
Baltimore Ravens, Defensive Coordinator
Old: Dean Pees
New: Don Martindale
The Ravens’ most recent Super Bowl season -- 2012 -- was Martindale’s first with the team as linebackers coach, a position he held until his recent promotion to coordinator. He takes over a unit that helped Baltimore lead the NFL in turnover margin (plus-17).
Buffalo Bills, Offensive Coordinator
Old: Rick Dennison
New: Brian Daboll
Last seen working magic in the national title game with freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as Alabama’s offensive coordinator, Daboll will need to fashion a similar miracle with Buffalo’s QB situation.
Cincinnati Bengals, Defensive Coordinator
Old: Paul Guenther
New: Teryl Austin
Austin’s four-year run as Detroit’s defensive coordinator was a mixed bag -- the Lions ranked 27th in total defense in 2017 -- but Bengals fans will appreciate his aggressive style.
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Cleveland Browns, Offensive Coordinator
Old: N/A
New: Todd Haley
A former head coach in Kansas City, Haley (above, right) had a largely successful run as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh from 2012-17. Sadly, Haley will not have the same level of weaponry in Cleveland.
Houston Texans, Defensive Coordinator
Old: Mike Vrabel
New: Romeo Crennel
They don’t come much more experienced than Crennel, who has been a head coach for two franchises and a defensive coordinator for four. He resumes his duties as coordinator for the Texans, a post he held from 2014-16.
Indianapolis Colts, Offensive Coordinator
Old: Rob Chudzinski
New: Nick Sirianni
Sirianni is a first-time coordinator, but he has the confidence of his new boss, Frank Reich, who worked with Sirianni in San Diego from 2013-15. Sirianni was Philip Rivers’ position coach with the Chargers.
Indianapolis Colts, Defensive Coordinator
Old: Ted Monachino
New: Matt Eberflus
Eberflus was wooed to Indy by Josh McDaniels, who then decided to stay in New England. Eberflus stood pat and will work for new Colts boss Frank Reich. He’s likely to integrate aspects of the Tampa 2 into a 4-3 base with the Colts.
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Kansas City Chiefs, Offensive Coordinator
Old: Matt Nagy
New: Eric Bieniemy
After Nagy’s departure for the Bears head-coaching job, Andy Reid looked within for a replacement, promoting Bieniemy from running backs coach to coordinator.
Miami Dolphins, Offensive Coordinator
Old: Matt Burke
New: Dowell Loggains
Loggains is coming off a forgettable year as Bears offensive coordinator. On the upside, the Eagles’ trick-play touchdown in the Super Bowl was cribbed from the veteran coordinator’s playbook during his Chicago days.
New England Patriots, Defensive Coordinator
Old: Matt Patricia
New: Brian Flores
Like Josh McDaniels in 2005 and Matt Patricia in '09, Flores will function as a coordinator even while retaining a lesser title. Flores is a trusted member of the Patriots staff, but life under Bill Belichick is apparently a constant audition.
New York Jets, Offensive Coordinator
Old: John Morton
New: Jeremy Bates
Bates inherits the league’s 28th-ranked offense. He’s also the third offensive coordinator in head coach Todd Bowles’ four seasons at the helm.
Oakland Raiders, Defensive Coordinator
Old: Ken Norton Jr./John Pagano (interim)
New: Paul Guenther
Guenther is planning to dial up the pressure for a Raiders defense that ranked 26th against the pass and tied for 24th in sacks in 2017.
Oakland Raiders, Offensive Coordinator
Old: Todd Downing
New: Greg Olson
Olson was Jared Goff’s position coach in Los Angeles as the second-year quarterback took a major step toward stardom. Now Olson will direct an offense that features an established star looking to take another step in Derek Carr.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Offensive Coordinator
Old: Todd Haley
New: Randy Fichtner
Fichtner is likely to implement some no-huddle in an effort to get the ball to his talented playmakers before the defense has had a chance to set and adjust.
Tennessee Titans, Offensive Coordinator
Old: Terry Robiskie
New: Matt LeFleur
Two seasons ago, LaFleur was quarterbacks coach in Atlanta when Matt Ryan won NFL MVP. Last season, he was the offensive coordinator in Los Angeles when the Rams' offense blossomed.
Tennessee Titans, Defensive Coordinator
Old: Dick LeBeau
New: Dean Pees
The Titans have skewed younger, replacing octogenarian Dick LeBeau with the 68-year-old Pees, who won rings as LBs coach in New England and coordinator in Baltimore.
(Todd Haley photo courtesy of www.clevleandbrowns.com)
