XFL St. Louis Head Coaching Candidates

[MikeMitchell]

*Black Monday Update* Updated 1/13

This is probably the most interesting of the 8 head coaching hires in The XFL. Pro football returning to St. Louis is the feel good story of the league and the XFL has to try their best to make good on this.

It starts with the head coach. That will tell the market what the commitment from the league is. One of the things that doomed the original XFL in Birmingham was the hiring of Gerry DiNardo. It came out of left field and was not what the fan base in Alabama was hoping for. DiNardo had some success in The SEC coaching before he got the XFL gig but he had no connection to Bama and just didn't fit the region.

Mike Martz is not available. The likelihood of The XFL coaxing Dick Vermeil out of retirement is not a good one, although that would win a lot of people over in St. Louis.

Here are some potential candidates for The St. Louis head coaching position.

Gary Pinkel- Former Missouri/Toledo Head Coach - This is a longshot but Pinkel is such a beloved figure in St. Louis. He's the winningest coach in Missouri and Toledo history. The former SEC coach of the year, Pinkel stepped away from the game when he was diagnosed with Lymphoma. He's 66 years old and in remission. So he's healthy but would he be interested in taking on the schedule of being a pro football head coach. It might be too demanding. Great human interest story for the sports world though. It would make serious headlines.

Todd Lyght- Notre Dame Defensive Backs Coach- The idea here is to get a coach who has a connection to The Rams glory years. Lyght is a rising star in the college ranks. He is one of college football's best recruiters. He's going to be a future head coach. Will The XFL target him first?

Al Saunders- Longtime NFL Offensive Coach/Browns Senior Assistant- The 71 year old Saunders was the right hand man of Dick Vermeil in St. Louis and in Kansas City. One of the most respected offensive coaches over the last few decades. Had two successful runs in St. Louis and is considered one of the greatest offensive coordinators in Kansas City Chiefs history. Despite a long career, Saunders has only had 1 stint as a head coach in the pros. Coaching 39 games with The Chargers in the late eighties. Could Saunders consider one this as one last hurrah, perhaps with Dick Vermeil endorsing him.

Jim Haslett- LB Coach-Cincinnati Bengals- Well traveled and experienced former NFL Head coach. Has coached in The World League and The United Football coach. Actually has the distinction of being an NFL Head Coach and UFL Head Coach of the year. Coached in St.Louis before but didn't exactly go too well with The Rams despite his solid reputation.

Todd Haley- Former Chiefs Head Coach/ NFL Offensive Coordinator - Started his career in scouting. Son of legendary football personnel evaluator Dick Haley. Has spent most of his career coordinating offenses.

Isaac Bruce- Former Rams Pro Bowl WR - I have to mention him because he was supposedly going to be the head coach of The AAF team in St.Louis before a 2019 scheduling conflict forced the Alliance to choose another market. Bruce is certainly very popular in St. Louis but I am not so sure that a novice like him is a viable option to run a team. He has no coaching experience that I am aware of.

Mike Furrey- Bears WR Coach- Former St. Louis Ram and former Las Vegas Outlaws wide receiver. Furrey has had a unique football career. Was a superstar in the arena league with current Bears head coach Matt Nagy. He went on to play offense and defense in the NFL. He played defensive back and then switched back to WR and then led the NFC in receptions. He's been a head coach on the smaller college school level. I don't think that he is ready to be a head coach just yet but he's going to move up the ranks quickly.