NFL coaching insider: Behind the scenes of the interview and hiring process reveals a whirlwind of activity as teams scramble to fill coaching vacancies during the playoff season. Interviewing has taken center stage, overshadowing the traditional focus on passing, running, blocking, and tackling.
On Wednesday night at 11:56 p.m., the Jacksonville Jaguars confirmed they had completed an interview for their open head coaching position with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Earlier that same day, the Chicago Bears announced their interview with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
What do these interviews entail? How have they evolved in recent years? Conversations with current and former NFL head coaches, coordinators, and general managers shed light on the process. Candidates often find themselves interviewing for multiple positions in a short span, each experience uniquely tailored yet aiming for the same end goal.
The most significant shift in the hiring process over the last five years stems from the COVID-19 pandemic, which popularized Zoom video meetings. Today, initial interviews for head coaching roles are predominantly virtual, enabling teams to explore a broader range of candidates.
While video interviews offer logistical convenience, many participants express dissatisfaction with them. Coaching requires effective in-person communication, and virtual settings often hinder the ability to gauge reactions and maintain eye contact. Agents prepare top candidates for these crucial moments, but this can sometimes lead to overly polished responses that feel less authentic.
Interview logistics can differ widely between teams. Most candidates fly first-class, with private jets being a rare luxury, as the Bears reportedly provided for Mike McCarthy. Transportation arrangements can vary from car services to personal pickups by general managers. Some interviews even take place off-site, such as in airport hotels or private residences.
Candidates often arrive with extensive preparation, bringing detailed binders that serve as both vision statements and daily plans. The phrase “Take out your calendar” frequently arises during interviews, prompting candidates to outline their offseason work and game week schedules.
“They’re going to want you to go A to Z, every single thing, what it’s going to be like,” one coach shared.
While some binders are personalized, others may appear similar due to shared agency representation among coaches. “The fancy books that have all their philosophies and stuff that we never go through,” noted one team executive. “We’ll look at them, but we won’t go through it page by page.”
The interview panel can also vary significantly. A head coach candidate might engage directly with ownership, meet one-on-one with the general manager, or present to a committee. In contrast, a coordinator candidate could interact solely with the head coach or the entire staff. One coach recalled being left alone with assistants to gauge their collaborative dynamics.
Candidates are often tasked with evaluating current team personnel, which presents a delicate challenge. Job seekers must navigate the complexities of discussing players with a general manager who may have been responsible for their acquisition while also signaling where improvements are needed.
A head coach will face questions about potential assistant hires, particularly the defensive coordinator for an offensive-minded coach and vice versa. Coaches usually prepare a list of candidates for each position, although the feasibility of hiring these individuals is not always confirmed.
“That’s one of the biggest jokes out there,” one coach remarked. “In the NFL, you can’t just hire the guys you want to hire. They’re under contract.” Candidates often compile extensive lists, but many are unaware that their top choices are unavailable.
For coordinator candidates, interviews can be categorized into two types: those with familiar head coaches and those with unfamiliar ones. Familiarity is an asset in coaching, as it allows a head coach to assess how a candidate operates and collaborates under pressure. For some, previous seasons spent with a coach can serve as an informal interview.
“There’s no real interview. It’s, ‘Hey, come on in, I want to hire you. Let’s talk about a staff, get the position coaches in and make sure we can all work together,'” shared a veteran assistant. “The word ‘trust’ should come to mind: I trust this person.”
If a coordinator candidate is unfamiliar with the head coach, they must quickly demonstrate their football knowledge and strategic thinking. This might involve answering specific tactical questions or discussing how they would adapt their system to fit the existing roster. One candidate recounted an interview where an analytics staffer analyzed past plays, questioning the rationale behind specific calls.
Teams may ask candidates to illustrate a play on a whiteboard, showing how they would implement it with a position group or outlining a defensive alignment against an opponent. This interactive component often excites candidates, offering a rare chance to engage in strategic discussions with potential employers.
Coordinator positions can open unexpectedly, prompting head coaches to fill critical roles quickly. The January window can also coincide with well-deserved family vacations for coaches not in the playoffs. One assistant humorously recalled a virtual interview conducted from a resort hotel, balancing professional obligations with family time on the beach.
There’s an element of espionage in these interviews as well. Coaches visiting other team facilities gain insights into their technology and meeting room layouts. Conversely, teams probe candidates about their perceptions of the team’s strengths and weaknesses, often treating the interview as a dual-purpose evaluation.
Like any profession, candidates sometimes leave interviews feeling uncertain about their performance. There are stories of teams mispronouncing names in initial interviews, only to extend job offers later. Conversely, some candidates exit thinking they excelled, only to discover they were not selected for the role.
In a month, the NFL will finalize its roster of 32 head coaches and their offensive and defensive coordinators for the upcoming season. As the cycle continues, the landscape will shift again in 11 months, ushering in new openings and interviews.
Greg Auman serves as an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He has a decade of experience covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. Follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
