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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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NFL training camps are in full swing, and as teams ease back into on-field drills and practices in the dead of the summer, football fans have a reason to rejoice.
The preseason officially begins when the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers face off in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC. The rest of the first week of the preseason kicks off the following week on Aug. 13.
As the start of the NFL regular season inches closer (Sept. 9), we are continuing to look at key offseason storylines for each of the league’s 32 teams. We’ve already looked at the top position battles to watch, rookies with the best chance of winning a starting job, and the players in the most danger of being cut, and now we shift our focus to the coaches.
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We’ve already ranked the top quarterback and wide receiver rooms by division, and next up, we’re power ranking the head coaches in each division. Next up is the NFC South.
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1- Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons
A 5-12 season was not how Kevin Stefanski wanted to end his Cleveland Browns tenure, but most would agree he’s in a much better spot now in Atlanta. Stefanski led the Browns to 11-win seasons twice, winning AP Coach of the Year both times.
If he could do that in Cleveland, where the talent is sparse, imagine what he could do with the 2023 version of Tua Tagovailoa throwing to Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Stefanski clearly knows how to maximize his rosters, and though he has yet to coach a game for the Falcons, he’s already the best HC in this division.
2- Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
Yes, the Panthers went 8-9 last year and technically finished with a losing record. But they won the division and quarterback Bryce Young showed signs of true development after two below-average seasons prior.
Dave Canales was brought in to work his magic with Young and develop him into a QB worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick. He seems to be making headway there, and with the moves the Panthers made this offseason, Canales could deliver Carolina its first winning season since 2017.
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3- Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints
Some might consider a 6-11 record in Year 1 under Kellen Moore a win considering the lack of talent on the Saints’ roster and given they we rebreaking in a rookie quarterback in Tyler Shough.
With Moore’s brilliant offensive mind, and the influx of offensive talent this offseason — 1,000-yard rusher Travis Etienne, first-round WR Jordyn Tyson, etc. — the Saints could push the eight- or nine-win mark. Moore still has a lot of growing to do as a head coach, which is why he’s third on this list.
4- Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There may not be a head coach in the NFL who fits the definition of mediocre more than Todd Bowles, who has a 35-33 record in four seasons with the Buccaneers. Bowles has two 10-win seasons in eight years as a head coach, and he’s finished with a winning record just three times.
Why the Bucs chose to stick with him and ruin their Super Bowl window with Baker Mayfield putting up his best numbers is beyond me. If Tampa misses the playoffs again next season, Bowles should be fired immediately.
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