JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Now that the Jacksonville Jaguars have fired coach Gus Bradley, attention turns to a potential replacement. Here's a list of names to consider:
Teryl Austin: The Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator interviewed with four teams in January but ended up back with Detroit. Austin is regarded as one of the better defensive coaches in the league. The Jaguars have good, young talent on that side of the ball -- beginning with defensive tackle Malik Jackson, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Telvin Smith -- and could be intriguing for Austin.
Tom Coughlin: Though he turned 70 in late August and has a job in the NFL office, the two-time Super Bowl winner has told those close to him that he wants to coach again. Jacksonville, which he led to four playoff berths and an appearance in the AFC Championship Game after the 1999 season, might be the perfect fit. He still owns a home in the area and the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund charity is based in Jacksonville. Former owner Wayne Weaver fired Coughlin after back-to-back 6-10 seasons in 2001-02, but it wasn't Coughlin's coaching ability that was the problem. It was his work as general manager. The team ran into salary-cap issues -- the Jaguars had to cut nearly $30 million in salary before the '01 season -- after the AFC title game appearance. Coughlin's draft picks also weren't successful. Of the 30 players he drafted between 1998 and 2000, only four were starters at the end of the 2001 season. However, he wouldn't have GM duties this time.
Todd Haley: Haley went 19-26 in two-plus seasons as a head coach with Kansas City, but he did lead the Chiefs to the AFC West title in 2010 with a 10-6 record. He has been the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator since 2012 and his units the last two seasons were among the NFL's best. The Steelers ranked second in total yards, second in passing and seventh in scoring in 2014, and third in total yards, third in passing and fourth in scoring last season. They rank in the top 10 in total yards and passing yards this season. Haley has a reputation for being combative and aggressive with his players, which would be a 180 from the way Bradley treated his players.
Jim Harbaugh: If owner Shad Khan wants to make a splash he'll open up the checkbook for Harbaugh, who has brought Michigan back to national prominence in his second season and is regarded as one of the best college coaches in the nation. Harbaugh's annual salary at Michigan is $9 million, so Khan may have to approach $12 million or $13 million to lure him back to the NFL. Perhaps his biggest selling point? The fact that he took the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl with Colin Kaepernick.
Doug Marrone: He's the most likely candidate to be the interim head coach for the final two weeks, and that would give him an on-the-job interview for the rest of the season. Marrone led the Buffalo Bills to a 15-17 record in 2013-14 before opting out of his contract because of uncertainty over possible organizational changes. The clause in his contract that allowed him to do that also guaranteed a $4 million salary in 2015. Bradley hired Marrone in 2015 to replace offensive line coach George Yarno, who left the team after being diagnosed with cancer. Marrone interviewed with five teams for their head-coaching vacancies after the 2015 season ended but was not offered a job. Marrone, who went 23-25 as Syracuse's head coach from 2009 to '12, has coached in the NFL for 10-plus seasons, including three as the offensive coordinator in New Orleans (2006-08).
Josh McDaniels: The New England Patriots' offensive coordinator will be the hottest head-coaching candidate and will have his pick of jobs. He has rehabbed his image after a disastrous tenure in Denver, where he went 8-8 and 3-9 before being fired with a month remaining in the 2010 season. McDaniels, who also drafted quarterback Tim Tebow in the first round, has had two stints with the Patriots, including being the playcaller during the team's 16-0 season in 2007. McDaniels obviously would be good for Blake Bortles and receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, provided he adjusts the offense to suit Bortles' strengths as a downfield passer. The problem for the Jaguars is that McDaniels will have limited interview time because the Patriots will probably make a deep playoff run and he will have numerous teams pursuing him.
Sean McDermott: McDermott has led the Carolina Panthers' defense to top-10 finishes for the past four seasons. He has certainly been the beneficiary of having good players, but he also has shown the ability to adapt and overcome injuries, suspensions and personnel changes. The Panthers have struggled this season with injuries and the loss of Josh Norman.
Kyle Shanahan: The Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator has reinvigorated quarterback Matt Ryan, who entered the weekend with 30 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions and has the Falcons leading the NFC South. Shanahan has been an offensive coordinator in the NFL since 2008 with Houston, Cleveland, Washington and the Falcons. His work with Ryan makes him an intriguing option.
Other names to watch: Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith.