Five former NFL head coaches trending up before 2025 hiring cycle

Several former NFL head coaches could get another chance during the upcoming 2025 hiring cycle.

Former Dolphins head coach and current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores might be one of them.

"There's only 32 of these jobs," Flores said during a recent appearance on "The Adam Schefter Podcast," "so I would certainly want to be a head coach in this league again." (h/t ESPN)

Based on the job he's done in Minnesota, Flores is deserving of a second opportunity at being a head coach.

If front offices value experience in their search processes, he won't be the only one under consideration.

Here is our list of five former head coaches who have improved their resumes the most this year.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores

Minnesota's defense has gone through an incredible transformation under Flores, who was hired in 2023.

The Vikings ranked 28th in scoring defense (25.1 points per game) the season before Flores' arrival. After improving to 13th last year (21.3 points per game), Minnesota is third in 2024 (17.4 points per game).

The unit ranks first in defensive DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average), performing 24.6% better than a league-average unit would be expected to perform. It leads the NFL in interceptions (15) and is second against the run.

Flores is the league's most aggressive coordinator, with Minnesota ranking first in blitz rate (38.9%) and pressure rate (29.1%). 

His first stint as a head coach ended poorly, with Flores going 24-25 and alleging owner Stephen Ross offered him $100K for each loss in his first season in an ongoing discrimination lawsuit.

That off-field saga shouldn't dictate teams' pursuit of Flores. He's done enough with the Vikings to put himself on the shortlist for any available job.

Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury

Kingsbury has revitalized his coaching career in Washington. The first-year Commanders offensive coordinator has done an excellent job working alongside rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, after flaming out in Arizona.

He made the playoffs once in four seasons (2019-22) while going 28-37-1 overall and never having a top-10 scoring offense.

Washington is third in scoring (29 points per game) and fourth in total offense (377 yards per game). Daniels is in the MVP conversation after beginning his pro career 180-of-262 (68.7%) for 2,147 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions and rushing for 464 yards and four touchdowns on 85 carries.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo

Kansas City has been led by its defense the past two seasons. Maybe this offseason is the year Spagnuolo is recognized with a second full-time head coaching opportunity.

Spagnuolo previously coached the Rams for three seasons (2009-11), going 10-38. That record is an albatross for Spagnuolo, who's resume as a defensive coordinator, which includes four Super Bowl wins, is strong enough for him to deserve consideration for head coaching jobs.

Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith

Russell Wilson is showing what a Smith-coached offense looks like with a bona fide starting quarterback. The Steelers (7-2) have averaged 27.3 points per game in Wilson's six starts as they've jumped out to their best start since 2020.

Smith posted a 7-10 record in each of his three seasons as Falcons head coach (2021-23) while being saddled with inconsistent quarterback play. Any team with an coaching opening and set at quarterback might want to schedule an interview.

Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh

Being fired might have been the best thing to happen to Saleh. Since Week 6, New York has shown he wasn't the problem.

From Weeks 1-5 with Saleh as head coach, the Jets were sixth in defensive expected points added (EPA) per play. (h/t Rbsdm.com) 

They allowed an average of 17 points and 255.8 yards per game while starting 2-3.

In the five weeks since Saleh's firing, New York has been last in defensive EPA while allowing 25.8 points and 348.8 yards per game.

The Jets are 1-4 during that span, becoming one of the league's biggest messes. 

Saleh looks much better after being removed from New York's sinking ship.