Jack Del Rio, former Oakland Raiders head coach
- Strengths: Defense
- Weaknesses: Inability to win at a high level
- Best Fits: USC, Broncos
Del Rio is a unique case in that he’s a veteran NFL head coach who is appealing at both levels of the game. He’s been to the playoffs with two different teams (the Jaguars and Raiders) and has coached in two different eras (the mid-2000s and pass-happy 2010s). The league is trending younger and faster, with the search for the next Sean McVay becoming what it was like in the early aughts to be looking for the next Jon Gruden. Del Rio doesn’t fit that, but he does fit in Denver where he’s been a defensive coordinator and would have won a Super Bowl if he hadn’t left for the Raiders head coaching job in 2015. Frankly, the probably would have succeeded Gary Kubiak as head coach if he hadn’t left and this could be a long way around for him to finally get that job.
If he doesn’t land in the NFL, he could be a suitable replacement for Clay Helton at USC. Del Rio played his college ball for the Trojans and would bring a respectability to the program. It’s not the most perfect fit, but one that could go a long way in pleasing boosters while also adding some prestige back to a school that has been sorely lacking that on the gridiron in recent years.