2 failed former head coaches join list of NY Jets candidates

The Jets eyeing two former NFL head coaches.

Justin Fried

Arthur Smith / Chris Unger/GettyImages

The NY Jets are reportedly prioritizing experience in their search for a new head coach this offseason, which is why it should come as little surprise that the team is showing interest in a few former NFL head coaches.

The Jets already brought in the likes of Ron Rivera and Mike Vrabel for interviews this week and are expected to do the same with Rex Ryan next week. You can add two more former head coaches to their shortlist as well.

NFL insider Josina Anderson reported on Saturday that the Jets have internally discussed the idea of interviewing both Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in the coming weeks.

Both Smith and Kingsbury have experience as NFL head coaches, although neither found much success at their previous job. The Jets will have an opportunity to interview each candidate once their respective seasons are officially over.

The NY Jets are eyeing Arthur Smith and Kliff Kingsbury for their HC job

A longtime Tennessee Titans assistant, Smith served as Vrabel's offensive coordinator in Nashville before he was named the Atlanta Falcons' head coach in 2021. Smith finished 7-10 in all three seasons with the Falcons before he was fired last year.

The former Vrabel assistant spent the 2024 season as the Steelers' offensive coordinator, helping maximize an offense with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson under center. Smith's stock is rising ahead of this year's coaching carousel.

The same could be said about Kingsbury, who was previously the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2019-2022 after a six-year stint at Texas Tech. Kingsbury has similarly revitalized his NFL career as the Commanders' offensive coordinator in 2024.

Under Kingsbury, Washington's offense has ranked fifth in points and fourth in total yards so far this season. He's also been credited with helping develop rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, a feat he similarly achieved in Arizona with Kyler Murray.

The Jets actually approached both Smith and Kingsbury about joining Robert Saleh's staff last offseason, but neither was particularly interested given the presence of Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett would have remained the Jets offensive coordinator even if one of them was hired.

The Jets also interviewed Kingsbury for their head coach position in 2019 before ultimately hiring Adam Gase. Reports suggest many within the organization are still high on the former college coach.

Expect to hear Smith and Kingsbury's names attached to Jets head coach rumors over the coming weeks. It would not be a surprise at all if both eventually interviewed for the job.

More NY Jets news and analysis:

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.