I’m wondering how the mcvay coaching tree did this year. I know the Bengals coach has done well, obviously. The vikings guy did well. How about the others? w v
from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2022/12/14/23509950/sean-mcvay-coaching-tree-2023-hires
Ejiro Evero, Broncos Defensive Coordinator
Evero coached safeties on the Rams from 2017-2020, then took over defensive pass game coordinator duties in 2021. He was hired by Nathaniel Hackett (who worked for LaFleur) to be the Broncos defensive coordinator in 2022 and in spite of their horrid record, Denver is ranked second in points per drive allowed.
The 42-year-old Evero, a native of England, will surely be interviewed a number of times in January for open head coach positions. Evero got his start with an NFL team under Jon Gruden in 2007 (no surprise given the McVay connection) on the Buccaneers and Tampa Bay could be holding interviews soon if they decide to part with Todd Bowles after one season.
Wes Phillips, Vikings Offensive Coordinator
Phillips got his first NFL job with the Cowboys in 2007, moved onto Washington in 2014, and joined the Rams staff as tight ends coach in 2019. O’Connell brought Phillips with him to the Vikings as offensive coordinator this year and Minnesota is 10th in scoring and has a 10-3 record.
There will always be talk of “but nepotism” with anyone like Phillips, but McVay and Kyle Shanahan are doing pretty well for themselves and there was no shortage of criticism for Shanahan’s opportunities prior to finally breaking out with the Falcons in 2016. Phillips will be interviewed for head coaching positions soon.
Shane Waldron, Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
It’s hard to do better than telling people you’ve worked for Bill Belichick, Sean McVay, and Pete Carroll. Waldron served as an offensive assistant under McVay from 2017-2020 and he’s been Seattle’s offensive coordinator for the last two years. With Geno Smith having a breakout campaign, Waldron should be a popular name in NFL circles next month. His history in the NFC West could make for a compelling argument in Arizona, should they fire Kliff Kingsbury.
Joe Barry, Packers Defensive Coordinator
I couldn’t say that Barry has been all that successful in Green Bay, but we will have seen much more surprising head coaching hires if it turns out that the 52-year-old Barry gets a gig somewhere. The former Rams assistant head coach from 2017-2020 has lots of NFL experience and might find a role as a “bridge coach” somewhere.
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from https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/sean-mcvay-coaching-tree/171u375hfi4ud1dspoy3krd7w3
Sean McVay coaching tree
Zac Taylor, Bengals
Record: 16-32-1
Taylor’s hiring raised lots of eyebrows, as he replaced the well-respected Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati. His less-than good record in his first two years (2-14, 4-11-1) had people doubting the “Next McVay” strategy, but he made good on the offensive talent he had in 2021, making it to the playoffs, and eventually, Super Bowl 56.
Taylor entered the season with questions over his job security, but the Bengals landing in the playoffs with a great season from “Smokin'” Joe Burrow means Taylor has bought himself some goodwill.
His in-game decision making has gotten better and at various points in 2021, the Bengals looked like they were the best team in the AFC. We’ll see what Taylor has in store in the playoffs and beyond.
Matt LaFleur, Packers
Record: 36-10
There’s something of a shared custody with LaFleur, as he also sits underneath the Shanahan coaching tree. LaFleur and McVay worked beside each other in Washington in the early 2010s under Mike Shanahan, and then reunited in Los Angeles in 2017 when LaFleur operated as McVay’s OC for a season.
The Packers head coach has gotten off to an absolutely dazzling start to his head coaching career, with three-straight 13-win seasons in Green Bay and NFC North division crowns to match. Aaron Rodgers or not, that’s pretty impressive stuff.
LaFleur’s first two forays into the playoffs ended with questionable decisions in the NFC Championship Game. We’ll see if the LaFleur-Rodgers tandem can make it 3-for-3 in NFC Championship Game appearances while the pair has been together — and maybe actually win one this time.
Brandon Staley, Chargers
Record: 9-8
Staley inherited a just-add-water playoff squad in 2021 — the water was added, but the playoff squad was not.
Staley’s already developed a reputation of being a hyper-analytical thinker, with questionable decisions dooming the Chargers at various points in 2021. What helps Staley’s case, though, is that Justin Herbert continued to build on an exceptional start to his career with a stupid good sophomore season.
You can chalk up a lot of game management stuff to rookie coaching growing pains, but 2022 is going to have to show a marked improvement for in-game feel for Staley and Co.
Kevin O’Connell
O’Connell is McVay’s current offensive coordinator who is expected to be named the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings after the conclusion of the Super Bowl. His coaching career started right at the NFL level, bypassing rising up through the college ranks. His first gig was as the quarterbacks coach in Cleveland in 2015 as part of a 3-13 Browns team that featured a QB room of Johnny Manziel in his final season, as well as Austin Davis and Josh McCown, all of whom started at least two games for the Browns.
In 2020, the Rams ranked 11th in total offense and 22nd in scoring offense before improving to ninth and seventh in those respective categories this year.
The team O’Connell is expected to take over — the Vikings — ranked 14th in scoring offense and 12th in total offense this past season
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