Way early for this speculation, but ... both Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia get floated as "hot" head coaching candidates. Who would be the "next man up" if either / both of these guys left?
Offense:
Brian Daboll, TEs - Has OC experience with four total years in Cleveland, Miami, and Kansas City. Has worked with pretty much every position group on the offensive side.
Jerry Schlupinski, Assistant QB - usually the quarterbacks coach is the next guy up (this was the route for both McDaniels and O'Brien). Technically McDaniels is the QB Coach in addition to the OC, but Schlupinski is probably the guy in this vein. If they went this route, I'd expect them to name no official OC but have Schlupinski de facto running that side of the ball as QB Coach.
Outside the org?
Defense:
Brian Flores, LBs - linebacker and safety are probably the two most involved defensive positions in terms of breadth of responsibility and need to know scheme, and Flores has coached both.
Josh Boyer, CBs - I believe he is the longest-tenured of the team's defensive assistants. Has coached safeties as well as corners.
Brendan Daly, DLs - one of the few guys they've grabbed from another organization.
Steve Belichick, S - Probably too soon for this, but if Patricia stays another two-three years he could be heir apparent.
Outside the org?
Offense:
Brian Daboll, TEs - Has OC experience with four total years in Cleveland, Miami, and Kansas City. Has worked with pretty much every position group on the offensive side.
Jerry Schlupinski, Assistant QB - usually the quarterbacks coach is the next guy up (this was the route for both McDaniels and O'Brien). Technically McDaniels is the QB Coach in addition to the OC, but Schlupinski is probably the guy in this vein. If they went this route, I'd expect them to name no official OC but have Schlupinski de facto running that side of the ball as QB Coach.
Outside the org?
Defense:
Brian Flores, LBs - linebacker and safety are probably the two most involved defensive positions in terms of breadth of responsibility and need to know scheme, and Flores has coached both.
Josh Boyer, CBs - I believe he is the longest-tenured of the team's defensive assistants. Has coached safeties as well as corners.
Brendan Daly, DLs - one of the few guys they've grabbed from another organization.
Steve Belichick, S - Probably too soon for this, but if Patricia stays another two-three years he could be heir apparent.
Outside the org?