Grading NFL head-coaching hires in 2021: David Culley to Texans, Nick Sirianni to Eagles, Dan Campbell to Lions

Seven NFL teams fired their head coaches in this cycle -- three during the 2020 season and four after the regular season -- and now each have hired their new coaches.

The Jacksonville Jaguars zeroed in on former college coach Urban Meyer, who was announced as the new coach.The New York Jets announced that they had reached an agreement to hire former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The Atlanta Falcons reached an agreement with former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

The Los Angeles Chargers hired former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. The Detroit Lions tapped former New Orleans Saints assistant Dan Campbell as their coach. And the sixth hiring was made by the Philadelphia Eagles, who landed former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni. The final move was made on Jan. 27 with the Houston Texans bringing in former Baltimore Ravens assistant David Culley.

How did the Texans, Eagles, Lions, Chargers, Falcons, Jaguars and Jets fare with their hires? We asked ESPN national NFL writers Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler to discuss each move and give their grades, starting with the most recent at the top.

Jump to a team:
Texans | Eagles | Lions
Chargers | Falcons | Jaguars | Jets

Houston Texans hire David Culley

Background: Assistant head coach, passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for Baltimore Ravens (2019-2020); quarterbacks coach for Buffalo Bills (2017-18); assistant head coach and wide receivers coach for Kansas City Chiefs (2013-16); wide receivers coach for Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2012)

Graziano: Well, it's one way to go. Culley has been coaching in the NFL since 1994. He's from the Andy Reid tree, but he's also a couple of years older than Reid. You just don't see a lot of teams hiring 65-year-old coaches these days, and this isn't a guy other teams were clamoring to interview. He's extremely well-liked and well-regarded. Obviously the Texans saw something in him that inspired them and made them feel like he could inspire a team. I'm a little curious about what kind of staff he can put together, especially since Baltimore's has already been raided this offseason.

Fowler: Dan, if you told me a month ago that the Texans would hire a Ravens coach, Culley would be no higher than third on the list. He has never been a true coordinator in nearly 30 years of experience. Far more established coaches Leslie Frazier (defensive coordinator, Bills) and Eric Bieniemy (offensive coordinator, Chiefs) were available. And Culley instantly will become the oldest coach in NFL history at the time of his head-coaching debut. I'm sure he wowed the interview, but I'm skeptical. Where does Houston go from here?

Graziano: Well, first thing, I expect them to keep offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who was calling plays after Bill O'Brien got fired and is a favorite of Deshaun Watson. They actually blocked at least one other team from interviewing Kelly for an offensive coordinator job, so keeping him now would be the only decent thing to do. But the big question hanging over this team is, of course, Watson, who seems to be done with the Texans. I know Houston was hoping the coach hire would help smooth that situation over a bit, but Watson has officially requested a trade. You think it's safe to say the entire Culley decision could rise and fall on whether or not he can bring Watson back into the fold?

Fowler: Yes, in part. It's clear that Watson represents the Texans' locker room with his frustration. The players all love and trust him. Getting a calming presence at head coach was always the play, and Culley seems to fit that mold. But Culley, general manager Nick Caserio and his staff might only get one crack at selling Watson on the franchise's future. That pitch will be more crucial than any game he wins. It still seems problematic that Watson wanted Bieniemy, who they didn't try to hire. Still, it's not like Culley would be positioned for complete failure if they trade Watson, because of the massive draft haul they would receive, including a play for a top quarterback in the draft.

Graziano: I guess. I just feel like this guy has to be some kind of underground coaching superstar in order for this hire not to be a complete flop. The whole world wanted to see Bieniemy hired this offseason, and Houston opens itself up to second-guessing if Culley isn't a home run. The Texans were the first team to create a head-coach opening and the last team to fill it, so you can't say they didn't have time to mull this over. Again, I don't know Culley, and the people I'm talking to who do know him all say nothing but excellent things about him. I hope he succeeds, because obviously he's been waiting a very long time for this. But what will success mean there? If Watson really is gone, this is a multiyear rebuild under the third-oldest coach in the NFL? How long will he be expected to be there? And how quickly can they expect to return to the top of the division with the Colts and Titans still looking good and the Jaguars likely drafting quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick?

Grades for Houston hiring Culley

Graziano: B-. I'm giving the Texans credit for being the only one of the seven teams with openings to hire an African-American candidate in a league where 70% of the players are Black. But this just doesn't feel like a guy who's in a strong position to succeed. I guess, in the end, I wonder if anyone they'd hired would have been.

Fowler: C+. I'm glad the Texans gave this opportunity to a minority candidate, but Houston didn't go for pedigree or ascension here. The Texans gave it to a longtime NFL assistant who hadn't exactly found upward mobility at his previous stops. That's a bit of a concern. Maybe they deserve some grace for having, clearly, the least attractive job available.

Philadelphia Eagles hire Nick Sirianni

Background: Offensive coordinator for Indianapolis Colts (2018-20); wide receivers and quarterbacks coach for San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2014-17)

Fowler: The Eagles' search was all over the map. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was a prime candidate after the first wave, but Sirianni impressed in his interview this week to seal the job. So the Frank Reich tree helps, given the Carson Wentz connection (Reich was Wentz's coordinator in Philly in 2016-17). Sirianni has worked with many different quarterbacks, including Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett and Andrew Luck. People who know him say he has a good edge to him, coaches tough when needed. Those are positives. The other side is he was not considered a can't-miss candidate to start the process. What did he do to emerge?

Graziano: Yeah, like you, I was told he really impressed in the interview. I woke up to texts Thursday telling me the Eagles were calling around about Sirianni and that he had a real shot at the job. I guess if you know Reich and Wentz worked well together, and you can't get Reich, the next best thing is to get Reich's guy. Candidates for this job, from what I understand, had to be OK with keeping Wentz and trying to fix him. I think Sirianni did the best job of convincing the Eagles he could do it. But this seems like a big move at this point for a guy who has never called plays. Makes me wonder what kind of staff they have in mind for him.

Fowler: Very true, Dan, and I know the Eagles told most of the staff to sit tight while they figured out the head coach. Passing game coordinator Press Taylor got caught in the Wentz-Doug Pederson crossfire but is a good young coach whom Sirianni could keep in a similar role. The defensive staff is solid. I don't know -- the Eagles might need to sell me on this one. Seems like there were more dynamic candidates available. I might be missing something -- like the fact that this wasn't considered an overly attractive job with all the high drama coming out of this season.

Graziano: Agreed, but two things: 1. We never know until we see it. Some of these guys were just born leaders, and if the Eagles saw that in Sirianni and they're right, good for them. 2. Was this really the most appealing job out there? The Jets and Falcons hadn't made their hires by the time Pederson got fired, so Robert Saleh and Arthur Smith were still possibilities. Brian Daboll was available but put the word out he was staying in Buffalo after the Chargers didn't hire him. It's possible top-end coaching candidates weren't interested in going in there to try to fix a quarterback mess with a roster the owner has publicly acknowledged needs an overhaul. I'm not all the way sure the Eagles had their pick of candidates.

Grades for Philadelphia hiring Sirianni

Fowler: C. Just seems like the Eagles telegraphed this one, firing Pederson for a coach who's an extension of the Pederson tree, trying to fix Wentz without doing it with Pederson. Sirianni is an ascending coach with good demeanor for the job, so maybe that will translate in Year 1. My guess is some other candidates weren't thrilled about this job.

Graziano: C-minus. I don't know. If he can get Wentz fixed, the hire is going to look really good. But if that's his primary responsibility, then how's he going to do with the gazillion other things a head coach has to handle. I've heard good things about Sirianni as a coach, but it feels a bit early for him to have a job like this.

Detroit Lions hire Dan Campbell

Background: Assistant to the head coach and tight ends coach for New Orleans Saints (2016-2020); tight ends coach for Miami Dolphins (2011-15)

Graziano: Campbell got a little bit of head-coaching experience when he was the Dolphins' interim coach for the final 12 games of the 2015 season after the firing of Joe Philbin, and he caught the bug. He has been on Sean Payton's staff in New Orleans since and has been eager to get another shot at the big job. A former NFL tight end who played 10 years for the Giants, Cowboys and Lions, Campbell has a fiery personality and a high level of energy as a coach -- anyone who remembers his news conferences when he had the Miami job already knows this. Five years apprenticing under Payton can only have helped, I would think. Definitely an outside-the-box hire by the Lions, but how can you argue with a team in their situation trying something non-traditional?

Fowler: Bingo, Dan. The Lions needed to go left from the Patriots way, and I kept hearing through the process that they wanted a high-energy coach. Campbell appears to be a walking espresso. I know Campbell had the interim coach stint in Miami but lack of coordinator experience concerns me a bit.

Graziano: Yeah, but it can work. I know Anthony Lynn just lost his job with the Chargers, but he's an example of a guy who was a good head coach without any real coordinator experience (apart from a partial year as interim offensive coordinator in Buffalo). If Campbell is a leader and picks the right people to run his offense and defense, it can definitely work. These are big "ifs," though, and whoever got this job was going to face some challenges. The biggest may be handling whatever the organization decides to do at quarterback, and the possibility that this is the offseason where they move on from Matthew Stafford. I know some candidates' perception of this job was affected by that possibility. Mine kind of is too. What kind of challenge is this for Campbell if they trade Stafford vs. if they keep him and try to retool around him?

Fowler: That's key, and I get the feeling Stafford won't be crazy about another rebuild. It has been 12 years. Both sides can admit it didn't work and move on. But Campbell will likely try to hold onto him because getting rid of top-10-to-12 quarterbacks typically isn't ideal for new coaches. The biggest thing for Campbell is establishing a new attitude there with fresh ideas and improvement to the defense.

Graziano: Agreed. This move is less about figuring out a specific scheme or system or even personnel than it is about establishing a new attitude and -- that old buzzword -- "culture" for the Lions. Whether it's with Stafford or without, Campbell's success will depend on his ability to communicate and implement his broader vision for the organization and the roster. Which should be the head coach's job anyway.

Fowler: All right, you're selling me. Culture fit goes a long way in today's game, and Campbell should be good at that.

Grades for Detroit hiring Campbell

Graziano: B. He was intriguing enough in the role in Miami to merit another look as a head coach at some point, and he must have learned something working for Payton for five years. Have to ding the hire a little bit just because of the experience factor, but there are far worse Hail Mary ideas out there than this one.

Fowler: B-minus. This is not the sexiest pick, but it's sensible and a chance to stretch the Sean Payton coaching tree. I know that coaches and players who have worked with Campbell love him.

Los Angeles Chargers hire Brandon Staley

Background: Defensive coordinator for Los Angeles Rams (2020); outside linebackers coach for Denver Broncos (2019); outside linebackers coach for Chicago Bears (2017-18)

Fowler: Gotta say this was a bit unexpected. Maybe it shouldn't have been, as I heard great things about Staley through the process, and it's hard to argue with the Rams' defensive dominance in his first year as defensive coordinator. But the Brian Daboll buzz was pretty strong, and a Daboll-Justin Herbert combo would have been lethal.

Graziano: There's no general manager in the league who likes keeping secrets more than Tom Telesco does. I know his mentor Bill Polian would be proud. I'm with you, Jeremy: I don't know a ton about Staley other than that he was a popular name in terms of teams' interest this time around. I thought the Eagles were serious about him. He has never been a head coach, and he has been in the NFL for just four years. But the work he has done as a defensive assistant and in his one year as coordinator has clearly stood out, and he must make a strong impression in interviews. I guess the question now is who's coming with him to run the offense and shepherd Herbert's development, right?

Fowler: Yeah, Dan, Staley would be wise to consider keeping the Chargers' battery that Herbert likes so much, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and QBs coach Pep Hamilton. At the least, keep one. Staley has close ties to Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell, who is expected to get a playcalling gig this cycle. He's viewed as a future head coach, too, so that sort of role might be more of a springboard than a long-term solution for Herbert. So what do you think -- what's your gut feeling on how Staley pans out?

Graziano: I honestly have no feel for it. I know the Rams run a good program and people like to get a piece of it, but on the other hand he has only been in that program for one year! The whole concept of finding the "next Sean McVay" has merit, but generally people go about it the wrong way -- thinking it means the next great offensive play designer and playcaller, rather than the next great young organizational leader. Texting with some Rams people on Monday, I learned why they liked him -- they say he sees the game not just from a defensive perspective but also that of a former college quarterback, that he's very tactically smart and should help Herbert from a scheme standpoint, that he can relate to all different kinds of players because of his background coaching junior college and Division III ball, and that he has good, well-founded leadership philosophies. They think he'll do well.

Fowler: Well, he's known as well-organized and thoughtful: Think shades of Kevin Stefanski. Everyone wants a piece of that. But still a wild card with some other more experienced options available.

Graziano: Yeah, it's an odd one. Could look like a home run in a year or two, but given what little we know about the guy and how he seems to have "jumped the line" ahead of other candidates who've had sustained success and waited their turn, I think the grade has to be something like an "incomplete." The Chargers have to make the pick that feels right for them, but grading from the outside this one feels weird.

Grades for L.A. hiring Staley

Graziano: C. Again, I can't speak from the team's perspective. From an outside perspective, it would have felt more right for this job to go to a Bieniemy or Daboll, who have more NFL experience and successful track records. Staley and the Chargers may prove us all wrong, and I'm fully prepared for someone to trot this out in a year or two with a "this aged well ..." eye roll, but right now this one looks like a puzzler.

Fowler: B-minus. I'm always open to teams getting ahead of the curve on an ascending young coach, which Staley certainly is. That's why I won't go any lower here. It's just clear that we both need to see more.

Atlanta Falcons hire Arthur Smith

Background: Offensive coordinator for Tennessee Titans (2019-20); assistant coach for Titans, including tight ends, offensive line and offensive quality control (2011-18)

Graziano: Smith was the 2021 carousel's hottest name, interviewing with at least five of the seven teams that had openings and settling in Atlanta, where he'll try to recapture the offensive magic he made the last two years in Tennessee. Smith's offenses in Tennessee were known for Derrick Henry's dominance, but the work he did to get the passing game going and revive Ryan Tannehill's career is not to be ignored. Colleagues of his I've spoken to use the words "stability," "versatility" and "intelligence" when describing what Smith will bring to a head coach position. But man ... this isn't going to be the easiest job, right? Cap issues, contract issues, and how long is Matt Ryan going to be there?

Fowler: Yeah, this was one of the least attractive jobs on paper. The Falcons are staring at nearly $40 million in negative salary cap next year, and Ryan's cap hit alone is $40.9 million. But Atlanta has dedicated ownership and won big not too long ago. And Smith would get the best out of Ryan, whose contract has cleaner escape routes in 2022, so maybe helping revive a former MVP is the best path for Smith. His multidimensional rushing attack will help the quarterback. Was Smith the best fit here, or are we missing someone?

Graziano: See, I think it all comes down to what the Falcons' plans are. Does ownership decide it's time to start getting leaner and move on from cumbersome contracts like Ryan's and Julio Jones'? Then this becomes a bigger long-term challenge than just "fix the offense." Not that Smith wouldn't necessarily be up for that, but to answer your question, you wonder if a longer-term rebuilding job, if that's what this is, might have called for someone who's done this before. We just don't know yet what the Falcons' plans are.

Fowler: Seems like Smith could adapt either way. He has shown he can manufacture points and yards without dominant quarterback play, and he impressed on the interview circuit. I'm expecting the Falcons to try a mini-Panthers rebuild -- slight changes but not a full teardown, with eyes on 2022 and beyond.

Grades for Atlanta hiring Smith

Graziano: B-plus. Once again, downgrading only slightly due to lack of prior head coach experience. Nothing I've heard about Smith makes me think he can't handle this, and the fact that pretty much every team with an opening was interested tells me I'm not alone.

Fowler: A-minus. He was the top guy for several teams, and his impressive string of interviews reinforced that standing. Biggest question is how he adapts offensively without Derrick Henry in his backfield. Expect Smith to hire an offensive staff that incorporates new ideas.

New York Jets hire Robert Saleh

Background: Defensive coordinator for San Francisco 49ers (2017-20); linebackers coach for Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16); defensive quality control coach for Seattle Seahawks (2011-13); assistant linebackers coach for Houston Texans (2009-10)

Fowler: With Saleh, the Jets get what they didn't have -- high energy, media savvy, defensive experience at the top. Molding a young quarterback with an offensive-minded coach sounds nice, but general manager Joe Douglas emphasized leadership, and from all accounts out of San Francisco, Saleh is a leader.

Graziano: Saleh was a hot name and for good reason. It's not about defensive scheme here; a former Gus Bradley apprentice from the Seattle tree, Saleh will run the Seattle scheme with which we're all familiar. He is a coach who can galvanize a group of people to perform at a high level in the biggest spots, and that's really what you're looking for in a coach. It's been kind of an open secret that if Saleh got one of these jobs, he'd take 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur (brother of the Packers' Matt) with him as offensive coordinator. So these will be the men in charge of reviving Sam Darnold or pivoting to a new young option at quarterback.

Fowler: Yeah, the LaFleur move gives the Jets flexibility with Darnold or a No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. An iteration of the Kyle Shanahan scheme can hide an immobile quarterback or accentuate a mobile one. Darnold is mobile, and the new guy will be, too. Can't lose there. The bigger question for me is whether Saleh can redirect the negative energy out of New York the past few years. Jets fans actually seem excited for once. And Saleh really wanted this one. Will he be given a proper shot in that market?

Graziano: That matters so much. I live in Fairfield County in Connecticut and there are a number of Jets fans in the neighborhood. They are a glum, beaten-down group. Saleh will project strong confidence and competence, and the fan base and the players will undoubtedly be drawn to him. Ultimately, though, it comes down to whether the team wins. If he starts 0-5, it gets ugly fast around these parts. Especially if they're running it back with Darnold and he's struggling while that goes on.

Grades for New York hiring Saleh

Fowler: A-minus. A four-year coordinator of a top-tier defense whose players rave about him works for me. I was leaning B-plus, but the job location pushes this up. New York needed new life, smartly eschewing the buddy system for a dynamic candidate with no ties to the front office.

Graziano: B-plus. Tough to throw out an A for a guy who has never done the job before, but there's just nothing not to like about Saleh as a coaching prospect. He has had the right mentors and seems to have the right personality and demeanor. Many were expecting Douglas to look for someone with whom he had a prior connection, but he and Saleh don't have one. That tells me Douglas went with the guy he thought was best for the job.

Jacksonville Jaguars hire Urban Meyer

Meyer's background: Former head coach at Ohio State (2012-18), Florida (2005-10), Utah (2003-04) and Bowling Green (2001-02)

Graziano: This one was percolating for a couple of weeks, it seems, and now it's happening. I don't know. On one hand, the college guys without prior NFL experience haven't been very good at this transition. On the other, there haven't been many (some, yes, but not many) who have arrived with Meyer's track record of success -- especially at multiple previous stops. I think this comes down to whether you think Meyer is effective enough as a program builder for the skills to translate. Carolina (and others) felt that way about Matt Rhule last year, but even that one's a tough comparison. Rhule didn't have college success on the level that Meyer did, but he had at least some prior NFL experience.

Fowler: For sure, college-to-the-NFL transitions hardly resemble Jimmy Johnson success. Meyer has a few things working in his favor, though. He's a known program builder. He understands what it takes to surround talented players with the right resources and coaching. No NFL franchise needs a program rebuilt -- and reinvigorated -- more than Jacksonville. He's also a deft motivator, good game manager and was on the cutting edge of offensive trends early in his college career. My questions are more about handling an NFL locker room and whether he's built for the league long-term. But with likely No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence and loads of cap space and draft picks, what better place to find out?

Graziano: So yeah, on Lawrence, I think one of the big questions people are going to have is "Who's going to run the offense?" Who is Meyer bringing in to coordinate his offense, and who is going to be directly in charge of Lawrence's development? Obviously, the quickest and easiest way for this arrangement to fall apart is if Lawrence doesn't pan out. I don't know anyone who thinks the Clemson quarterback won't, but the league is littered with examples good and bad of how important situation and circumstance are to the development of young QBs. Any thoughts on how Meyer should or will approach this?

Fowler: Finding the right offensive coordinator to maximize Lawrence will be one of Meyer's most crucial early decisions, no doubt. While he will lean on his Florida and Ohio State connections for assistant coaches, I expect Meyer to target NFL pedigree on this one. One exception would be Clemson's Tony Elliott -- he coached Lawrence, but I expect him to stay at Clemson for now. Lawrence reminds me of Justin Herbert, so it doesn't hurt to check in on the Shane Steichen-Pep Hamilton battery, now that the Chargers coaches are in transition. Meyer is more of a run-heavy offensive mind than some people think coming from the spread, so don't be surprised if he looks for some Packers or 49ers influence. There are lots of directions he could go. (As of Thursday night, former Dallas Cowboys and LSU offensive coordinator Scott Linehan had emerged as a prime candidate.)

Graziano: And then my only question would be longevity in the role. Meyer has left other stops prematurely, sometimes citing health concerns. If I were hiring Meyer and (as I presume they are) paying him an eight-figure annual salary to turn around my program and make it relevant, I'd be a little bit leery about the possibility that he might not be there as long as I'd like him to be. Figure that's a risk/reward proposition, given the upside of a move like this if he proves to be as successful as he was at his college stops?

Fowler: That's a legitimate concern. No one takes losing well, but he really takes it poorly. One loss at Florida or Ohio State would cause him to shut down for days. Moving on to the next play is huge in the NFL -- especially in Jacksonville, which has averaged about 12 losses per year over the last decade. If he has recalibrated his expectations and focuses on building a winner over time, he'll be good. Maybe, at age 56, he has improved in that area.

Grades for Jacksonville hiring Meyer

Graziano: A. The concerns we discussed are legit but secondary. The Jaguars just hired a proven winner who also brings the bonus of making this perennially irrelevant team quite interesting. There isn't going to be any talk of moving the franchise or playing more home games in London as long as this guy is there. And in Jacksonville, that stuff matters.

Fowler: B-plus. The failures of former college coaches at the NFL level is jarring, so this can't be a stadium-clearing home run. Too many unknowns. But he has won wherever he has been, and the Jaguars need relevance. Meyer is microwaved interest. The Jags matter again. That's big.