Dale’s Top 3 coaching hires so far in 2024

There has been no shortage of Head Coaching vacancies of late and only two remain open at present. Those are the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks. With so many potential suitors for both of these teams, it will be very intriguing to see who gets the chance and who is left on the sidelines. Let’s take a look at the three best hires.

1. Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders

I’ve made it known since Pierce got the interim position that I was a fan. He conducts himself in the most perfect way for the Raiders and he embodies the Raider way. He knows the franchise inside and out, he knows where they have been and he has made it extremely clear that he intends to take them back to their former glory.

He made an immediate impact and with the way the players feel about him, it was almost impossible to think of owner Mark Davis going in any other direction. His main point of success was how he managed to turn the Raiders defense into one of the best defensive units in the second half of the regular season, continuing and building on that will be vital moving forward.

His biggest question is finding out who the quarterback will be that can take them where Pierce wants to go. Regardless of who that is, I believe that he can improve any player as he has that special quality of instilling confidence in anyone. That has been evident with how many players performed under his leadership. I’d give the Raiders top marks for making the move permanent and for not checking to see if the grass was greener elsewhere. 

2. Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans

Callahan has big shoes to fill as he takes over from Mike Vrabel. The former Bengals offensive coordinator is a solid choice as HC and I can see him having some quick success in Tennessee. He was a huge part in building Joe Burrow into one of the league’s top QB’s. He oversaw the journey of building the Bengals into legit Super Bowl contenders and that success has given him the chance to now take full control at the helm.

He can now plan towards building this team into his own. He has plenty of cap space to work with and free agency will be exciting for Titans fans. I’d keep an eye on him bringing in Tee Higgins who he knows very well. He has seen that his young QB Will Levis has a lot to like but he will know that the Titans are short of quality and depth overall.

The Titans will be an overlooked team all off season but with how much room for improvement there is, and the fact that Callahan has no real restrictions to improving the roster, makes me excited and optimistic that he can prove to be a great hire.

3. Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers

The brother of the current Baltimore Ravens HC and reigning college national champion with Michigan has been wanted by many over the past few seasons. The LA Chargers are the lucky team who have hired Harbaugh, someone with experience at all levels and a proven record as a winner. 

Harbaugh transformed the 49ers when he spent four seasons in the Bay Area before moving back to college football. When he took on the position as the 49ers HC, he took on a team who were used to losing and turned them into championship contenders, some similarities can be made for his current situation in L.A and that gives more than enough optimism to believe that the Chargers have exciting days ahead of them.

Harbaugh is no stranger to working with quality quarterbacks and he can add another to his list as he teams up with Justin Herbert. Herbert has everything required to be elite and without having any major success to show for his skill set, you can be sure that if anyone can help him to reach his potential and to build the offense in the right way for Herbert to succeed, it’s Jim Harbaugh.

The AFC West is hotting up and the Chargers have put themselves in a great position to challenge in their division and to be challengers much later into the season. A man who was wanted by so many is wanted for a reason, it’s great business by the Chargers and it’s one of the top hires. 

My three selections all have huge tasks ahead of them but they also have all the skills and tools necessary to succeed in their roles. Now it’s time to sit back and wait to find out who the two remaining franchises decide to move forward with.