NFL Issues Strict Warning About Rules For Coaching Hiring Cycle As Multiple Head Coaches Lose Their Jobs On ‘Black Monday’

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

NFL rules are in place regarding the league’s coaching carousel following the conclusion of the regular season. 

Several coaches are preparing for the playoffs. Others are planning to retool ahead of the offseason, while some have already lost their jobs.

The Atlanta Falcons got the ball rolling on Sunday, cutting ties with Raheem Morris after two seasons. The Arizona Cardinals also parted ways with Jonathan Gannon. 

The Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns fired their head coaches, too.

Pete Carroll and Kevin Stefanski will be searching for new homes. 

Jon Gruden has hinted that he could take over from Carroll. Gruden coached the Raiders in two separate stints, the second of which ended abruptly. 

Meanwhile, Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is being considered for the team’s head coaching role. Owner Jimmy Haslam has made it clear that he wants to keep the DC.

In what capacity? That remains to be seen.

NFL Rules Dictate When Teams Can Speak To Who

Teams typically look to bring new coaches in quickly for understandable reasons. However, there are regulations governing the hiring cycle, which The Athletic’s Dianna Russini has highlighted. 

Russini pointed out that all first-round coaching interviews should start no earlier than Tuesday. 

Teams can start interviewing candidates whose teams didn’t make the playoffs as of January 6. Candidates from sides with a first-round bye and who played on January 3 can also be interviewed. 

Those whose teams played on Sunday will need to wait until January 7 to be interviewed. 

“Head coaching interviews can begin with candidates who coached in Saturday or Sunday’s wild-card games” on January 13.

January 14 marks the day “Head coaching interviews can begin with candidates who coached in Monday’s wild-card game.”

No other coaches had been fired at the time of writing.