XFL Los Angeles Head Coaching Candidates

[MikeMitchell]

*BLACK MONDAY UPDATE* 1/13

The XFL returns to Los Angeles 19 years after LA's last pro football champion in The Xtreme. Maybe The Rams or Chargers change that this coming playoffs but for now. The Xtreme are LA's last pro football champs.

Al Luginbill was LA's head coach and GM back in 2001. He did a great job putting that team together and he is currently the director of player personnel at Arizona State. I doubt that we will see him back. So the search for a new LA head coach begins.

Here are some candidates for the position;

Mike Shanahan- Former Broncos/Redskins Head Coach- It's not often that you have the opportunity to hire a former 3 time Superbowl Champion. At 66 years of age, Mike Shanahan has been out of coaching since he was The Redskins Head Coach and Executive Vice President back in 2013. A role he also held in Denver, which would qualify him for the dual HC/GM role that XFL coaches are going to be required to take on. Since being let go by Washington, Mike Shanahan has been a mentor and advisor. He is currently on the advisory board of The Pacific Pro League, a proposed 4 team league comprised of high school graduates, who want to go forgo being college football players and be paid as pros. Whether or not, this would be a conflict of interest is up for debate. That league is set to take place in the summer of 2020. Despite being born and raised in Illinois, Shanahan has spent the majority of his life out on the west coast. His son Kyle is currently the head coach of The Forty Niners. This would be a huge get for the XFL. Shanahan wouldn't be coming to the league for the money. He's a multi-millionaire but would he be interested in one last go of running his own team.

Brian Billick- Former Ravens Head Coach- Another longshot who has a Superbowl Championship on his resume. Billick was 85-67 as an NFL head coach. The 64 year old Billick has been out of coaching since being fired from The Ravens in 2007. It's been over 10 years. There is no indication that he has ever had a desire to return to coaching. He's spent his post NFL career doing broadcasting. Billick has a history on the west coast and played there in high school. The XFL could reach out to him, the question is would Billick even entertain a return to the sidelines.

Jim Mora Jr.- Former Falcons/Seahawks/UCLA Head Coach - Mora is an LA native with a lot of experience. He’s energetic and has a good personality.

Jack Del Rio- Former Jaguars/Raiders Head Coach- Del Rio was born in California. Played at USC, so he has ties to the market. He spent a year out of The NFL. Del Rio is the kind of coach that would give the XFL credibility. He's never been in a position where he can actually be the GM of his own team.

John Fox- Former Broncos/Panthers/Bears Head Coach -Fox has been coaching for over 40 years. He has a winning record and has been a consultant for The XFL. He's currently working at ESPN. He has ties to The California region from his playing days in high school and college. At 63, he seems comfortable in his post coaching life and i am not sure if The XFL's pay scale can entice him to coach and be the GM of LA.

Jim Fassel- Former Giants Head Coach - Has ties to the Cal area from his coaching days at Stanford. Has a winning record as a head coach. Has experience as head coach/general manager with Las Vegas in the UFL. Won two championships in that league.

Hue Jackson- Former Browns Head Coach- Not a personal favorite of mine. Has a solid resume as a coordinator/QB coach. Is an LA native, born and raised.

Scott Milanovich- Jaguars Offensive Coordinator - The former QB and 1st round pick of the original XFL's LA franchise. Milanovich's nickname with his Xtreme teammates was "Coach". Since his playing career ended. That's exactly what he's become. He became a 3 time CFL Grey Cup champion and 2012 Head Coach of the year in Canada. As mentioned with Marc Trestman, having a coach who is familiar with the CFL style of a shorter play clock will be a benefit to the league. Milanovich resigned as head coach of The Toronto Argonauts to join the Jaguars staff as QB coach earlier this year. He wanted to get back to the states. Unfortunately things haven't worked out for him. The Jags fired their offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Milanovich was thrust into the OC job and things have not gone well for him or The Jacksonville offense. Black Monday may result in him losing his coaching job in the NFL and in the states, that's unless The XFL comes calling.