Jets Coaching Rumors: Mike McCarthy, Kliff Kingsbury, Chiefs' Coordinator All Candidates For New York

Mike McCarthy Packers Jets — Former head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers during the NFL game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Just days after the end of the NFL regular season, the New York Jets are going full speed ahead in their search for a new head coach. The organization already has scheduled interviews with multiple candidates to replace Todd Bowles.

According to multiple reports, Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will interview with the Jets Wednesday. Former Green Bay Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy is also expected to meet with New York. Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson has reported that the Jets will interview Kliff Kingsbury, who was both fired as the head coach of Texas Tech and hired to be USC’s offensive coordinator within the last few weeks.

Per sources, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is interviewing for Buccaneers and Jets HC jobs today in KC. Will also interview with Dolphins, likely tomorrow.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 2, 2019

McCarthy will talk to the #Browns this week, the #Jets, too, and that might be it. He’ll be picky. https://t.co/cAyH40wcg7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2019

Bieniemy will be a candidate for several teams that have coaching vacancies. The two coordinators—Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy—that preceded Bieniemy under Andy Reid went on to have immediate success as head coaches. Bieniemy coached the NFL’s top offense and MVP favorite Patrick Mahomes in 2018.

New York’s primary focus will likely be finding an offensive-minded coach that can get the most out of Sam Darnold. Bieniemy did that with Mahomes, who threw 50 touchdown passes in his second season.

McCarthy’s tenure in Green Bay ended with a rocky relationship with Aaron Rodgers, but he did win a Super Bowl as the Packers' head coach. Under McCarthy, Rodgers became arguably the best player in football.

Kingsbury isn’t a proven NFL coach like the other candidates, but he is considered to be one of the best offensive coaches at any level. The Red Raiders ranked 16th in points per game this past season, and Kingsbury led the No.5 scoring offense three seasons ago. Kingsbury played one game for the Jets as a quarterback in 2005.

Darnold made significant improvements over the course of his rookie season after the Jets traded up to draft him third overall. The former USC quarterback ended the year with six touchdown passes and one interception in the final four games.

New York will have the No.3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Jets have just nine wins in the last two seasons.

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