New York Jets: Is Kris Richard a viable head coaching candidate?

The New York Jets have requested permission to interview Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard for their head coach vacancy. They need to be careful in the structure of the staff if they choose him.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the New York Jets have reached out to the Dallas Cowboys to get permission to interview the team’s defensive backs coach Kris Richard. So far, he’s the only defensive coach to either interview or be requested for an interview.

Hiring Richard would fly in the face of what the NFL is trending toward, and that’s offensive-minded head coaches. However, it’s not a completely terrible idea.

Richard would be the seventh straight head coach from the franchise has hired from the defensive side of the ball. The last offensive-minded head coach hired was Rich Kotite. Richard is also relatively young at 40 years old.

How can the Jets make this work? They could do an exact mirror image of what the Rams are doing with their coaching staff. They could make Richard the head coach/defensive coordinator and then find an offensive guru to be the offensive coordinator and give him full autonomy over the offense similar to Wade Philips with the Rams defense.

Would that work? Who knows? That said, many people thought it was a mistake for the Rams to hire Sean McVay when he was 31 years old, but things seem to be working in Los Angeles.

While this move follows the same pattern of head coach hires, it doesn’t in the coaching staff structure. The move would definitely be an outside-the-box move in a way and unorthodox. It’s time for the Jets to think outside the box for once.

In the end, he has good credentials. The Jets would be wise to consider him, but only with a strong support staff on offense with him.