Los Angeles Rams

5 Possible Candidates to Replace Jeff Fisher as Head Coach For Los Angeles Rams

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:16 p.m. ET

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Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher reacts during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In what may go down as the biggest surprise of the NFL week, the Los Angeles Rams made the decision to fire Jeff Fisher as their head coach after yet another disappointing season. The fact that Fisher was in the middle of his fifth year with the team without recording a single winning season shows he was never the right fit for the Rams as they enter Week 15 with a 4-9 record.

With Fisher out of the picture, special teams coordinator John Fassel will take responsibility for the duties of interim head coach, as Los Angeles will have an advantage over other teams when it comes to searching for their next head coach. From current coordinators to a few head coaches at the collegiate level, there’s plenty of candidates that deserve consideration for being the next head coach of the Rams in 2017.

After looking at everything Los Angeles had to deal with in 2016, the good news is it would be impossible for the next head coach to be worse than Fisher. And to think the Rams pulled off the surprise move of rewarding Fisher with a contract extension not even two weeks ago, only to fire him shortly after Sunday’s embarrassing 42-14 loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons.

So where do the Rams go from here? With three weeks remaining in the regular season, here’s a look at five candidates for Los Angeles to consider as their next head coach for the 2017 season.

Nov 12, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks the sidelines during their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mention: Jim Harbaugh

Before anyone freaks out about Jim Harbaugh listed as an honorable mention on this list, keep in mind this is simply a long shot and wishful thinking as the chances of him leaving his dream job of Michigan seem highly unlikely. With that being said, it’s hard not to wonder if Harbaugh would consider returning to the NFL if it meant he would have the opportunity to stick it to his former employer in the San Francisco 49ers.

As much as the Rams would love to bring a head coach like Harbaugh on board, it’s safe to say he has no intention of leaving Michigan anytime soon when considering the type of success he’s seen in his first two seasons. Not to mention the Wolverines were on the verge of reaching the College Football Playoff before suffering too tough losses to Iowa and Ohio State.

There’s nothing Harbaugh would love more than to bring a National Championship to his alma mater in such a short period of time, no matter how tempting a return to coaching in the NFL may seem. For now, landing Harbaugh seems nothing more than a dream for Los Angeles as they will most likely have to settle for another head coach instead.

Oct 15, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw gestures from the sidelines in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

5. David Shaw

Other than Harbaugh, Stanford’s David Shaw may be the most attractive candidate of current college head coaches drawing interests from NFL teams for the 2017 season. Keep in mind that Shaw saw the same exact thing happen last January when he drew interest from numerous teams at the NFL level, only to make it clear he had no intention of leaving Stanford.

Only time will tell when it comes to seeing if Shaw feels the same this time around, but the argument can be made the head coach may prefer some of this year’s job openings, especially for a team like the Rams. Not only would Shaw be able to work with the development of Jared Goff at quarterback, but he would have the opportunity to help turnaround a dreadful offense that currently ranks at the bottom of the league when it comes to points per game.

There’s no denying Shaw has seen plenty of success since taking over the head coaching at duties at Stanford in 2011, but let’s not forget all of the success he’s had throughout his career as a coordinator at the NFL level. Plus, a job with Los Angeles means Shaw would get to stay in the state of California, which is always an extra perk.

Sep 1, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin smiles before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Lions win 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

4. Teryl Austin

When looking at some of the biggest surprise teams from the 2016 season, the Detroit Lions rank near the top of that list as they currently hold a two-game lead in the NFC North over the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. One of the main reasons behind the success of the Lions this season is the defense coming together as defensive coordinator Teryl Austin deserves plenty of credit for helping this unit take their game to the next level.

Teams have noticed how Detroit has turned things around on defense in 2016, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise when considering Austin has seen his name considered for numerous head coaching jobs over the last few seasons. Things may not have worked out for Austin before, but if the Lions end up clinching the division title and can make a deep run in the postseason, there’s a good chance Austin will become an even stronger candidate to land a head coaching job in 2017.

Don’t forget Austin played a key role as the secondary head coach for the Baltimore Ravens when they made their Super Bowl run in 2013. In other words, all signs seem to point to Austin finally being ready to take his NFL coaching career to the next level when looking at how successful he’s been over the years.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith looks on prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike Smith

Is Mike Smith ready to take on the responsibilities of being an NFL head coach again? When seeing how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as one of the best defenses in the league this year, it’s tough not to consider Smith a strong candidate at this point.

Smith spent seven seasons as the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons from 2008-14 before the team decided to part ways after finishing 10-22 over his final two seasons. When considering the Falcons went 36-12 in the three years prior while falling just short of a Super Bowl appearance in 2012, it’s easy to assume why the organization was frustrated with Smith when they decided to let him go.

After spending a year away from the NFL, Smith came on board as defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers shortly after Dirk Koetter was named head coach, and while the defense got off to a slow start, it’s amazing to see this unit help this team get back in the NFC playoff hunt. If Tampa Bay does manage to earn one of the playoff spots in the NFC, it will be the dominance of the defense taking most of the credit, and rightfully so when seeing the type of work Smith has done in such a short period of time.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kyle Shanahan

Speaking of the Atlanta Falcons, Kyle Shanahan will most likely see his name thrown into consideration for numerous head coaching jobs around the league when seeing how much of an impact he’s made in his first season as offensive coordinator.

The scary thing about the Falcons is their offense seems capable of putting up a boatload of points against any opponent thanks to having one of the league’s top duos in Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. If Atlanta does end up holding on to one of the current playoff spots in the NFC, it will be because of their high-powered offense.

While the argument can be made that Shanahan had an extra advantage by inheriting such a talented offense on paper when he accepted the job last January. Then again, Shanahan has played a major factor in helping the Falcons rank at the top of the league by averaging 32.9 points per game.

Even if he would have quite the work cut out for him when comparing the Falcons’ offense to the Rams, Shanahan does seem like the type of coordinator that’s way overdue for landing a head coaching job. The fact that Shanahan has been an offensive coordinator in the NFL since 2008 with four different teams shows he’s finally ready to prove he’s deserving of a head coaching opportunity.

Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels before their game against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Josh McDaniels

The irony behind any interest the Rams may have in New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is he was actually the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in St. Louis after he was fired by the Denver Broncos after the 2010 season. McDaniels took plenty of criticism for the two seasons he spent as head coach for the Broncos, but the argument can be made that turned out to be a learning experience.

As crazy as it sounds, McDaniels clearly wasn’t ready enough to be a head coach at the time as he took most of the heat for Denver eventually parting ways with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. To top it off, McDaniels played a role in the team thinking Tim Tebow was worthy of being a first-round pick in 2010.

Luckily, McDaniels was able to revive his career in 2012 when he joined Bill Belichick‘s staff for the second time in his career. Five years later, McDaniels seems more prepared to take on a head coaching role as it’s safe to say he’s learned from his mistakes in the past.

Anyone that receives high praise from a future Hall of Famer like Belichick seems deserving of a second chance as McDaniels will certainly be the hot prospect to target, especially with the Rams.