Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Mike MacDonald looks primed for a head coach job sooner rather than later.
The 36-year-old has led one of the league’s top defensive units and is considered to be one of the hottest head coach candidates in the upcoming hiring cycle. While most teams are opting for head coaches with experience on the offensive side of the ball, MacDonald might just be too good to pass up. In the last hiring cycle, defensive coordinators Jonathan Gannon and DeMeco Ryans both won head coach gigs after strong seasons and both have impressed in 2023 so far.
MacDonald could be considered in the same mold as Gannon and Ryans. Both Gannon and Ryans led elite defensive units and were considered culture hires by the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans respectively.
3 Teams That Could Hire Mike MacDonald as Head Coach in 2024
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers could be in the market to hire MacDonald as their new head coach. After firing Frank Reich mid-season, Carolina will be looking to rebuild their staff in 2024.
MacDonald could make sense for Carolina. Teams like to yo-yo between offensive and defensive head coaches. After their Reich experiment, an offensive head coach, the Panthers could turn their attention to MacDonald.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are rumored to be moving off Bill Belichick this offseason after a disastrous 2023. If this is true, that means the Patriots could be in the market for a new General Manager and Head Coach.
Joe Hortiz has been a hot General Manager candidate for quite some time now. The Ravens Director of Player Personnel previously had interviews with the Cardinals and New York Giants. If the Patriots opt to hire Hortiz, they could also get MacDonald as part of a bundle.
This would make sense given that MacDonald currently has excellent job security in Baltimore. That means that he would only likely consider leaving if he is promised a top job.
With New England needing to take longer to appoint a head coach because they will need to get a general manager first, the timeline for hiring MacDonald makes sense. With the Ravens primed for the playoffs, any team that waits for MacDonald may have done so because they needed to sort out their General Manager situation first.
Baltimore Ravens
John Harbaugh has been rumored to be mulling retirement yet again. With Harbaugh potentially on the way out, MacDonald makes too much sense.
MacDonald has been a disciple of both Harbaugh coaches and is well-drilled in the Baltimore culture having had two stints there. At 36, he would mark the start of a new era but also allow for continuity from Harbaugh’s successful era to date.
In many ways, it has felt like MacDonald has been groomed to take over as the next Ravens Head Coach. Should Harbaugh leave, MacDonald would be the obvious choice. That could be in 2024 but it could also be in the years following.
Other Head Coach Destinations
The Los Angeles Chargers are another team that will be looking for a new coach in 2024. However, the chances of them going for another defensive head coach seem slim.
The Las Vegas Raiders could also be looking for a new coach. However, Antonio Pierce has been doing an admirable job as the interim head coach so far. Pierce could cement himself in the role for the short term if Las Vegas’ mild success continues for now.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire – USA Today Sports
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