NFL Coach Of The Year: Nick Sirianni, Mike Tomlin Contenders In Crowded Field

The NFL has on its hands one of the most hotly contested Coach of the Year races in recent history.

 

Most seasons, by the time December rolls around, it’s pretty clear who truly deserves consideration as Coach of the Year. One or two candidates generally spend the final weeks of the season separating themselves from the pack, and the decision inevitably is pretty simple.

 

But that’s not the case this year. At least seven coaches seem worthy of the honor, and the argument could be made that another two or three at least deserve to be in the conversation.

 

Most handicappers have San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan and Philadelphia’s Nick Sirianni atop their leaderboards. Each is deserving, but again, they face plenty of competition from their peers.

 

Here’s a rundown of the leading candidates, and why they deserve the distinction of Coach of the Year. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 9, as determined by a vote of 50 members of the Associated Press.

Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers have won 10 in a row.

Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers (13-4)

No stranger to adversity, Shanahan lost anticipated franchise quarterback Trey Lance to a season-ending injury in Week 2, then proven veteran Jimmy Garoppolo for the year in Week 13.

 

He’s now rolling with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy (the last pick of this year’s draft), and despite enduring stretches of the season without a number of other leading contributors, somehow has San Francisco riding a 10-game winning streak.

 

The 49ers also won the NFC West with a 6-0 record. Shanahan in 2019 guided the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they fell short against Kansas City. But this second 13-win campaign of his six-year career just might qualify as his most impressive body of work.

 

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

When the Steelers opened the year 1-4, then sagged to 2-6, it appeared as if Tomlin’s remarkable run of never having a losing record in his 15 seasons as a head coach would come to an end. But somehow, Tomlin directed a turnaround that carried the Steelers to a 7-2 record down the season’s stretch.

 

Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett displayed promise, the same Steelers defense that opponents gashed for 24.6 points a game during the first eight games tightened up and held foes to just 16.5 points a game, and the Steelers damn near made the playoffs. So, as he enters the offseason with a 9-8 record, make that 16 consecutive seasons without a losing record for Tomlin, who for once didn’t have a future Hall of Fame quarterback and a cast of household names to lean on.

 

 

Brian Daboll helped revive Giants quarterback Daniel Jones’ career this season. (Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)

Brian Daboll, New York Giants (9-7-1)

The first-year head coach inherited the tall task of turning around a Giants franchise that was coming off five consecutive double-digit loss seasons and faced the possibility of having to declare quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley busts.

 

Daboll has been just what the Giants needed. He opened the year an impressive 6-1, salvaged the careers of both Jones and Barkley and has New York back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. After just one season at the helm, Daboll has the Giants ahead of schedule.

 

Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

After a 9-8 regular-season record and playoff appearance in the first year under the former Colts offensive coordinator, the Eagles appeared primed for growth in 2022. But Sirianni has propelled his squad forward by leaps and bounds.

 

Under Sirianni’s direction, Jalen Hurts went from intriguing prospect to MVP candidate, the offense became one of the most potent and well-rounded units in the league and the defense was dominant as well. Owners of the NFC’s top seed at 14-3, the Eagles appear ready for a Super Bowl run.

 

Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)

The Jaguars were a dumpster fire under Urban Meyer, and despite inheriting a roster with plenty of young talent, Pederson appeared to have his work cut out for him. The only head coach to direct the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl came in and brought much-needed credibility and stability.

 

There were still growing pains, as the 2-6 start reflected. But in the second half of the season, Pederson transformed Trevor Lawrence from an inconsistent passer to the game-changing talent everyone envisioned him as coming out of college.

 

Jacksonville went 6-1 down the stretch of the season, overtook the Tennessee Titans for first place in the AFC South and clinched its first playoff berth since 2017 (and second in 16 seasons).

 

Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions (9-8)

Two years after holding a wacky news conference in which he talked about biting off kneecaps, Dan Campbell has proved he’s no caricature.

 

He can coach and lead a long-suffering franchise to a respectable turnaround. After weathering a 1-6 storm to start the season and whispers about job stability, Campbell’s Lions remained potent on offense, found stability on defense and flirted with a playoff berth.

 

In a sign of the respect that Campbell commands and the way his players have bought into his program, the Lions went into Green Bay on Sunday with nothing to play for and eliminated the hated Packers from postseason contention. At 9-8, the Lions ended a run of four straight double-digit losing seasons and posted their first winning record in six years.

 

Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings (13-4)

Another first-year coach in the running for this honor, O’Connell has the Vikings back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Minnesota also won its first NFC North title since 2017.

 

O’Connell modernized the Vikings’ offense and helped Kirk Cousins pass for 4,547 yards (second-most in his career, and fourth-most in the NFL this season) and 29 touchdowns (also second-best).

 

Third-year wideout Justin Jefferson led the NFL with 1,809 receiving yards, and the Vikings ranked top 10 in total offense. O’Connell opened his tenure with a statement win over the Packers in Week 1, the Vikings never trailed in the NFC North race and they ranked among the leading teams in the conference all season before finishing with the third seed.

 

The skinny

Quite the crowded race indeed. And that’s despite excluding the Chiefs’ Andy Reid, who could really receive consideration every year. Or Sean McDermott, whose Bills again rank among the top teams. Or Pete Carroll, whose Seahawks are a surprise contender. Or Brandon Staley, whose Chargers return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

 

This race should come down to Shanahan and Tomlin, with Shanahan edging out his former Tampa Bay coworker. The fact that Shanahan’s team never missed a beat despite losing not one, but two, starting quarterbacks is truly remarkable. But that’s also a testament to the work Shanahan and his staff have done in preparing their players, and the roster construction Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have delivered in their six seasons together.

 

Tomlin’s Steelers narrowly missed the playoffs, but pulling off such a turnaround truly is impressive. Even more impressive: 16 seasons without a losing record.

 

As mentioned, Tomlin faced long odds to pull off a winning season considering the shaky depth at quarterback and the injuries Pittsburgh endured. But the NFL’s second-longest-tenured coach delivered another masterful job, and the Steelers finished the year as one of the hottest teams around.

Mike Jones:

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