Lovie Smith Fired / Head Coaching Search / DeMeco Ryans Hired!

[Keith]

@TomPelissero
#Lions OC Ben Johnson informed interested teams he’s staying in Detroit, per sources.

Johnson was slated to travel Wednesday to interview with the #Panthers. But he feels Detroit is building something special and wants to see it through. Should be a hot HC name again next year.
6:37 PM · Jan 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/sta...08570375593989
Odd. Could be a cynic and say Ben didn't like the Houston job, but he's walking away from at least three teams willing to interview him (Texans, Colts, & Panthers). Could say maybe he knows he isn't getting the job, but again, all three? And no word that the Lions are giving him more money to stay? Hmm.

Panthers guys think this means Payton is going to Carolina, which who knows maybe, but it would seem a little odd for the Saints to trade Payton within the division. I guess if I had to guess who was coming to Houston eventually, my guess would be Gannon today.

[Keith]

@RapSheet
Some of the coaching interviews scheduled for this week and weekend:
— #Giants OC Mike Kafka is set for interviews Sunday with #Colts, #Panthers and #Texans.
— #Giants DC Wink Martindale has #Colts on Sunday.
— #49ers DC DeMeco Ryans has the #Broncos today, #Texans on Friday.
7:32 AM · Jan 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1616066077556973568

So Ryans on Friday and Kafka on Sunday.

Word is the Broncos and Texans are willing to pay both the lofty salary demands of Payton as well as the draft pick compensation to the Saints. I think the Panthers will be too. I'd pick the Broncos as favorites of the three assuming he goes anywhere.

My preference is still Ryans, so I am of course encouraged he's at least interviewing. Still think Gannon is most likely, but I am intrigued by Kafka.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1616066077556973568

So Ryans on Friday and Kafka on Sunday.

Word is the Broncos and Texans are willing to pay both the lofty salary demands of Payton as well as the draft pick compensation to the Saints. I think the Panthers will be too. I'd pick the Broncos as favorites of the three assuming he goes anywhere.

My preference is still Ryans, so I am of course encouraged he's at least interviewing. Still think Gannon is most likely, but I am intrigued by Kafka.

My preference is Ryans too. If he won't come, I guess I don't mind losing a draft pick to get Sean Payton to be the adult in the room.

[chuck]

I'm hoping for Kafka because that would be too perfect.

[Keith]

Ryans and Kafka interviews have been completed. Apparently the Ryans interview was rather long. Then there was this:

@JayGlazer
49ers Def. Coord DeMeco Ryans had 4 HC interviews lined up yesterday, got through 1st two (Broncos and Texans) then canceled the other two remaining in Cards & Colts so he could spend rest of day working on today’s game vs Cowboys more
5:28 PM · Jan 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/JayGlazer/status...03145104957440
So... why did he schedule them if he knew he needed more time to game plan? The optimist here says that's how successful the interview was with the Texans. Plus, Glazer specifies the Cardinals and Colts interviews were canceled, not postponed.

[Keith]

Kafka will have a second interview on Tuesday, in person. Evero will have his second interview on Wednesday in person.

Since the Eagles and 49ers are still alive in the playoffs, Gannon, Steichen, and Ryan are unable to have a second interview, if desired, until next week.

Payton reportedly completed his first interview with the Panthers yesterday and may have one coming up with the Cardinals. Seems a second one with the Broncos is expected. No update on any second interview with the Texans.

[Keith]

Panthers have hired Frank Reich. Rumors swirling in Denver now that they favor DeMeco Ryans as their hire. Irsay rumored to want to bring back Jeff Saturday, so there's your new laughingstock.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Keith

Ryans and Kafka interviews have been completed. Apparently the Ryans interview was rather long. Then there was this:
https://twitter.com/JayGlazer/status...03145104957440
So... why did he schedule them if he knew he needed more time to game plan? The optimist here says that's how successful the interview was with the Texans. Plus, Glazer specifies the Cardinals and Colts interviews were canceled, not postponed.

Not a definitive answer to the cancel/postpone question, but if the 49ers make the Super Bowl then (from what I can tell) the Cardinals and Colts can’t have a first interview with him until after the Super Bowl. Only second interviews with coaches on the Super Bowl teams are allowed in the week between the conference championship and the Super Bowl, and only if the 49ers permit it. So I’m going to guess that even if those interviews were officially postponed, DeMeco had to understand that there’s a really good chance that they’d never happen.

[Blitzwood]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...b?platform=amp


“San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is considered the favorite for the Houston Texans' head-coaching job, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.“

Really hoping this pans out, usually reporting from Shefter spot on.

If it is, LFG!!!