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Where did NFL fired head coaches land for 2023 season?

By Sayre Bedinger

FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 9: Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of the New York Jets talks to reporters after the teams OTAs at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 9, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 9: Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of the New York Jets talks to reporters after the teams OTAs at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 9, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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It was a bit of an atypical year in the NFL in terms of the number of head coaches that were let go by the end of the 2022 season. Matt Rhule was fired in-season by the Panthers, as were Frank Reich of the Indianapolis Colts and Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos. But by the time the offseason was underway, there were only five head coaching vacancies as opposed to the normal 7-10 openings there are every year.

So what happened with the fired coaches in 2022? Where are they all going to be in 2023? Here’s the list of fired NFL head coaches from 2022, and we’ll explore their new situations individually:

  • Matt Rhule, Carolina Panthers
  • Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos
  • Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals
  • Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts
  • Lovie Smith, Houston Texans

Where did fired NFL head coaches land in 2023?

Matt Rhule: Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach

The Carolina Panthers once hired Matt Rhule from the college ranks where he was previously the head coach at Baylor. Rhule became a desirable NFL head coaching candidate because of a rapid ascent through the college ranks, making the Temple Owls program into a ranked program and then turning Baylor into a contender in the Big 12.

Now, Rhule returns to the college level to an old Big 12 powerhouse, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are now part of the Big Ten conference. The Huskers have long been irrelevant on the national landscape and Rhule will look to turn things around quickly there. He should be a great fit at the college level, despite failing to lead the Panthers properly.

Nathaniel Hackett: New York Jets offensive coordinator

Prior to coming to the Denver Broncos, Nathaniel Hackett was the offensive coordinator for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Now, he and Rodgers are reunited — along with a few other former Packers — on Robert Saleh’s staff with the New York Jets. Hackett and Saleh are also former colleagues from their time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hackett and Rodgers are not just former colleagues, but genuinely good friends. When Hackett was hired in Denver, rumors of Rodgers following him intensified. Now, we can perhaps see that was the Broncos’ Plan A before Rodgers re-signed in Green Bay, resulting in the Broncos trading for Russell Wilson.

Kliff Kingsbury: USC quarterbacks coach

Before Kliff Kingsbury was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as their head coach in 2019, he was being looked at as an assistant coach at USC. As a matter of fact, he wasn’t just being looked at — he was hired as the USC offensive coordinator, and USC blocked him from interviewing for NFL jobs due to the fact he had a contract signed with the Trojans.

Kingsbury resigned from his position at USC and was hired by Arizona. Now, he’s back at USC, this time as the position coach for Caleb Williams, the projected top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Kingsbury has worked with some incredible college QBs in his time as a coach, including Case Keenum, Johnny Manziel, Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, and now Caleb Williams. I’m sure working with Williams will cause Kingsbury to ascend up the coaching ranks once again.

Frank Reich: Carolina Panthers head coach

Frank Reich was fired by the Indianapolis Colts last year during the season, replaced shockingly by Jeff Saturday, and it didn’t take long for Reich to find work again.

Renowned for his ability to develop at the QB position, the Carolina Panthers tabbed Reich as their next head coach and traded a blockbuster package to acquire the no. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They used that pick on Alabama Heisman winner Bryce Young.

Reich, interestingly enough, was actually the first QB to ever take a snap in Panthers franchise history. Now, he’s tasked with leading the team into prominence once more.

Lovie Smith: No official role in 2023

As of right now, Lovie Smith doesn’t have an official role for the 2023 season with any NFL or college team. The former Bears head coach and Illinois head coach just came off of a very tough year with the Houston Texans, and at the age of 65, he might be interested in having some time off.

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