5 NFL coordinators poised to be first-time head coaches

One coach who is being fast-tracked and groomed to be a future NFL head coach is Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. The former Marshall Thundering Herd star and former No. 7 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars has undergone a meteoric rise in the coaching profession. He is the next great Bruce Arians offensive disciple in the league.

After having last played for the 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers, Leftwich joined Arians’ final Arizona Cardinals staff in 2017. Leftwich stayed in Glendale and became Steve Wilks’ offensive coordinator mid-season in the Valley of the Sun. Once Wilks was canned, Leftwich reunited with Arians in Tampa Bay. Together, they had great success with 2019 Buccaneers offense.

In three years, Leftwich will go from Josh Rosen to Jameis Winston to Tom Brady as his starting quarterback. With an elite coaching staff backing him up and a ton of offensive talent to work with, this is the year where Leftwich starts earning serious consideration as an NFL head coach. Admittedly, he’s about a year or so out, but he will get head-coaching interviews for 2021 gigs.

If Leftwich were to leave Tampa Bay after only two season, the Buccaneers would be in good shape to overcome his loss. Arians could call plays and allow his defensive coordinator in former New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles to take on a great role with the team. Leftwich being an NFL head coach in 2021 is a bit premature, but he’s well on his way to being one in a few years.