The 33rd Team, a media company covering the NFL, produced its 2023 head coach power rankings. The author of the list, former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker, did not rank the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders particularly high. Josh McDaniels landed at the 29th position, and yes, that is out of 32 possible head coaches.
The only coaches who landed behind McDaniels are first-year head coaches. Shane Steichen landed at 30 (Colts), Demeco Ryans at 31 (Texans), and Jonathan Gannon at 32 (Cardinals). While McDaniels is only in his second season with the Raiders, this is not his first go as a head coach in the NFL.
Not the first rodeo for Raiders’ head coach Josh McDaniels
McDaniels first tenure as a head coach in the NFL did not go as planned.
In 2009, McDaniels was hired as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, starting the season with a 6-0 record. The hot-start fell apart quickly, and the Broncos finished the year 8-8. Denver struggled mightily the following season, and McDaniels was fired before the year ended. Altogether, his first head coaching stint ended in disaster with an overall record of 12-17.
This was hardly the fairytale inaugural season the young head coach had hoped for. Sean McVay, another youthful head coach, went 11-5 during his first year with the Rams.
Insulting.. But, it makes sense
The list Ross Tucker created could be taken as an insult towards Josh McDaniels, considering his coaching lineage and success with the New England Patriots. However, this is a head coach power rankings list; not offensive coordinators.
What the list boils down to is McDaniels’ 6-11 record as head coach in 2022 was unacceptable. The first-year Raiders head coach was armed with Davante Adams, Derek Carr, Darren Waller, Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, and a number of other playmakers. Despite that roster, his defense finished the season 28th-overall and were tied for last in interceptions. While the offense ranked 12th-overall, they were shut out by the New Orleans Saints.
More notably, the team blew a double-digit lead in the second-half four separate times. This feat has not been “accomplished” since 1930.
Being placed 29 out of 32 on Tucker’s head coach power rankings clearly insinuates the following:
- McDaniels is only rated higher than head coaches who have yet to actually coach their first NFL game.
- Every single veteran coach is rated higher than McDaniels, including every second-year head coach in the league
- McDaniels is ranked below a former Raiders head coach, Dennis Allen, who is entering his first year as head coach with the New Orleans Saints. Currently, Allen’s career record sits at 14-38 (.283%).
The disrespect is clear, but unfortunately at this time, Tucker is not far off in his assessment. It’s up to Josh McDaniels to prove him wrong in 2023.
*Top Photo: Official Raiders YouTube Channel
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