NFL releases list of 12 recommended head coaching candidates

For the first time in 15 years, the Bengals will be looking for a new head coach. If Mike Brown needs help finding Marvin Lewis’ replacement, the NFL has a list recommendations.

The NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel has distributed its annual list of recommended assistant coaches that should be head coaching candidates, according to former NFL Executive Mike Lombardi. The Bengals might want to take a look.

Bengals fans might be familiar with some of the names on the list, like Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, or Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Those are candidates that many feel would fit the Bengals well and help boost a struggling offense.

Other offensive coaches on the list include Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell, and Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo.

If the Bengals wanted to take a defensive or special teams approach, they could look at other coaches on the list, such as Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Texans defensive coordinator (and Ohio native) Mike Vrabel, Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

Bengals coordinators Paul Guenther, Darrin Simmons, or Bill Lazor did not appear on this list, but that doesn’t mean the Bengals won’t consider them.

The NFL’s Career Advisory Panel was formed by Roger Goodell in 2014 to ensure that NFL owners are aware of all qualified coaching candidates. The Panel consists of former GMs and NFL coaches who aim to identify candidates and help them reach their potential.

Who do you think the Bengals should consider? Did the panel miss anyone?