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Which NFL teams have new head coaches? Jim Harbaugh among 8 coaches.

Which NFL teams have new head coaches? Jim Harbaugh among 8 coaches.

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This season, a new generation of NFL head coaches is joining the mix.

Last season's coaching changes saw familiar faces leave the team, including longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Seattle Seahawks' Pete Carroll, while new faces – eight, to be exact – took the helm.

The Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders all have new head coaches this season. The new group of head coaches, which includes one former college coach and two former interim coaches, are looking to make a lasting impression on their franchise.

Following Belichick's departure from New England after 23 seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is now the longest-tenured coach, entering his 18th season. Tomlin is followed by John Harbaugh (17) of the Baltimore Ravens and Andy Reid (12) of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here are all the NFL teams that have new head coaches this season:

Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons

  • Earlier: Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator (2021–2023)
  • Successful: Arthur Smith (2021-2023)

Morris, 48, is getting another chance as the Falcons' head coach. Morris briefly served as the Falcons' interim coach in October 2020 after Dan Quinn was fired following an 0-5 start to the season. Atlanta finished the 2020-21 season 4-7 under Morris, ending a five-game losing streak. Atlanta passed over Morris in its bid for the head coaching job at the time, hiring Arthur Smith instead. But the Falcons ultimately went back and hired Morris years later, despite reported interviews with future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick.

Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers

  • Earlier: Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator (2023)
  • Successful: Frank Reich (2023)

The Panthers hired the 43-year-old Canales as head coach to help Carolina rebound from its league-worst 2-15 record last season. Canales helped revive Geno Smith as the Seattle Seahawks' quarterbacks coach in 2022 and did the same with Baker Mayfield last season as the Buccaneers' OC. Canales will now try to get Bryce Young, the Panthers' second-year quarterback, back on track after a rough rookie season.

Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers

  • Earlier: Head coach of the Michigan Wolverines (2015-2023)
  • Successful: Brandon Staley (2021-2023), Giff Smith (interim coach, 2023)

Harbaugh, 60, returned to the pros after leading the undefeated Wolverines to a national championship title in January despite numerous controversies, including a sign-stealing scandal and recruiting violations. This is not Harbaugh's first time coaching in the NFL. He was head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014 and led the 49ers to their 47th Super Bowl in 2012 against the Baltimore Ravens, coached by Harbaugh's brother, John Harbaugh.

Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders

  • Earlier: Raiders linebacker coach (2022-2023), Raiders interim coach (2023)
  • Successful: Josh McDaniels (2022-2023)

Pierce, 45, was named interim coach of the Raiders in late October after McDaniels was fired following the team's 3-5 start. The coaching change brought new energy to the locker room, and Pierce's first order of business was to bench starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for Aidan O'Connell. The Raiders finished the season 5-4 under Pierce, earning him the official title of head coach in January.

Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots

  • Earlier: Patriots linebackers coach (2019–2023)
  • Successful: Bill Belichick (2000–2023)

Belichick and the Patriots have agreed to go their separate ways after the 2023 season, opening the door for a new head coach for the first time in more than two decades. Mayo, 38, spent his entire eight-year career with the Patriots as a linebacker, winning Super Bowl 49 alongside Belichick and Tom Brady in 2015, the final year of his playing career. After spending five seasons as linebackers coach in New England, Mayo was named head coach of the Patriots, the first Black head coach in franchise history.

Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks

  • Earlier: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator (2022–2023)
  • Successful: Pete Carroll (2010-2023)

Macdonald, 37, is the youngest active NFL head coach, succeeding Pete Carroll, who was the oldest head coach at 72 before retiring after last season. Before joining the Seahawks, Macdonald spent nine seasons on John Harbaugh's coaching staff in Baltimore. With the Ravens, he held a variety of positions, from defensive backs coach (2017) to linebackers coach (2018-2020) to defensive coordinator (2023). Macdonald will bring his defensive mindset to Seattle, which allowed 23.6 points per game last season (8th worst in the league).

Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans

  • Earlier: Offensive Coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals (2019-2023)
  • Successful: Mike Vrabel (2018-2023)

Callahan, 40, got his first chance as a head coach after serving as the Bengals' offensive coordinator for five seasons. In his short time in Tennessee, Callahan has built a new offense around quarterback Will Levis that was previously focused on running under Vrabel. Coaching is in Callahan's blood: His father, Bill Callahan, was head coach of the Oakland Raiders (2002-2003). Earlier this year, Bill Callahan left the Cleveland Browns coaching staff to work under his son as offensive line coach in Tennessee.

Dan Quinn, Washington Commander

  • Earlier: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator (2021–2023)
  • Successful: Ron Rivera (2020-2023)

Quinn, 53, is back to being a head coach in the NFL. Quinn was the Falcons' head coach from 2015-2020 and led Atlanta to an appearance in Super Bowl 51 in 2017, where Atlanta blew a 28-3 halftime lead to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Quinn found a new home as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator in 2021 after being fired in Atlanta in 2020. Quinn's defensive unit in Dallas allowed just 18.5 points last season (fifth-best in the league).

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