Ranking all NY Jets head coaching candidates after 15 interview requests

The NY Jets are certainly casting a wide net as they try to find their next head coach, as a whopping 15 names have already either been interviewed or found their names on lists to be requested for an interview.

These span from hot young coordinators (Joe Brady, Aaron Glenn), former coaches looking for a second chance (Brian Flores, Matt Nagy), and older coaches who have been away from the game for some time (Rex Ryan, Ron Rivera).

Some of these hires are good, and some of them will be terrible. Which ones would set the Jets up for success?

MORE: NY Jets Head Coach Tracker 2025: Every candidate the team will interview

Ranking all New York Jets Jets head coaching candidates

F Tier: What Are We Doing?

15. Jeff Ulbrich, Interim HC, New York Jets
14. Darren Rizzi, Interim HC, New Orleans Saints

Neither Ulbrich nor Rizzi should get head consideration any time soon. Both of them, Ulbrich especially, seemed to be way in over their skis as a head coach. Fans would revolt if this hire went down.

D Tier: A Mess Of A Hire

13. Rex Ryan, Former HC, New York Jets/Buffalo Bills
12. Brian Griese, QB coach, San Francisco 49ers
11. Ron Rivera, Former HC, Carolina Panthers/Washington Commanders

Rex Ryan is a Jets legend, but they can't hire someone who hasn't been on a sideline in almost 10 years to fix this mess. Griese was pulled out of the broadcast booth for a minimally taxing QB coach job under Kyle Shanahan, and Rivera's past accomplishments don't overshadow the fact the game has passed him by.

C Tier: The Mid Retreads

10. Steve Spagnuolo, DC, Kansas City Chiefs
9. Matt Nagy, OC, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Vance Joseph, DC, Denver Broncos
7. Arthur Smith, OC, Pittsburgh Steelers

Spagnuolo is one of the best DCs of all time, but his tenure with the Rams was some of the worst football in NFL history. His time as a head coach candidate has passed. Nagy had some success with the Bears, but the regression of Kansas City's offense is not a good look for him.

Joseph is similar to Spagnuolo in that he is a wizard in terms of coaching defense, but he proved to be unable to build a winner as a head coach. Smith may need one or two more solid coordinating seasons with Pittsburgh before the end of his Atlanta tenure gets washed away.

B Tier: Promising Young Options

6. Bobby Slowik, OC, Houston Texans
5. Josh McCown, QB coach, Minnesota Vikings

Slowik is a true Rorschach test. In 2023, he was a hot name who looked like the next star coaching candidate. In 2024, amid some offensive line injuries, Slowik's stock has fallen into the toilet. The Jets will need to decide if 2023 was a flash in the pan or a sign of what is to come.

McCown has only been a coach for two years, but he is fresh off almost two decades in the league and has earned rave reviews for his extremely promising offensive mind. McCown might be hired a year too early, but he is bringing a ton of knowledge to a team with whom he has had success.

A Tier: Quality Leaders

4. Aaron Glenn, DC, Detroit Lions
3. Mike Vrabel, Former HC, Tennessee Titans

Glenn, who played with the Jets for the better part of a decade as a cornerback, may seem like too similar of a hire to Robert Saleh. However, his credentials as a coordinator, leader, and creative mind will appeal to the Jets. He could also pilfer members of the Lions' offensive staff.

Vrabel seems like a lock to head to the New England Patriots, but the Jets should still pursue him until the ink is dry on that contract. Having built the Titans into a consistent winner and an AFC Championship game participant, Vrabel could be the best instant fix for this Jets team.

S Tier: The Best of the Best

2. Brian Flores, DC, Minnesota Vikings
1. Joe Brady, OC, Buffalo Bills

If Flores learned to make changes after his tenure in Miami, he would be a slam-dunk hire. The New York native's defense is a nightmare to play against; he has the ability to poach some of Minnesota's offensive coaches, and his intense personality is what this zombified team needs.

Brady has put together high-end passing offenses at every spot he's been at, and the 35-year-old has Josh Allen playing like an MVP candidate in Buffalo. If the Jets want to get with the times, Brady could be the guy who could turn the Jets' offense into a dynamic attack.