Fansided

5 Potential Replacements for Ken Whisenhunt

By John Buhler

Nov 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Titans 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Titans 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott looks on during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott looks on during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Sean McDermott, Panthers Defensive Coordinator

Sean McDermott has led a fantastic defense for the Carolina Panthers as a part of Ron Rivera’s staff in Charlotte. McDermott has seven years experience as an NFL defensive coordinator (Philadelphia 2009-10, Carolina 2011-present) and could emerge as the next great defensive coordinator to become an NFL head coach.

Last offseason, both Dan Quinn and Todd Bowles elevated their stock as defensive minds to become the main men in charge of both the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets. The other name that circulated last offseason that was a defensive coordinator was Detroit’s Teryl Austin. Austin may become a head coach one day, but the Detroit Lions’ 1-7 record isn’t helping him out in 2015.

McDermott may have to wait another year or so to become a head coach, as he would have to get used to the head coaching interview process first. However, should the Carolina Panthers keep winning, McDermott’s opportunity could be arriving sooner rather than later.

While it makes more sense for the Tennessee Titans to go with another offensive mind to aid in Marcus Mariota’s development, a supreme defensive mind might actually be what the Titans need. If McDermott can find a suitable offensive coordinator, he could become the next head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

The Titans organization will certainly go in hiring either a former head coach or an offensive coordinator. However, McDermott’s name will circulate on the roughly eight available head coaching jobs in the NFL this winter. It would be foolish for Tennessee not to consider arguably the best defensive coordinator who hasn’t been a head coach yet.

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