Teams may begin interviewing HC candidates from other clubs Wednesday
Teams in need of a head coach may request and conduct virtual interviews with candidates employed by other clubs starting Wednesday, according to an NFL memo obtained by Albert Breer of the MMQB.
Opposing teams will be able to deny the request until the conclusion of the regular season.
Here's the NFL memo on the new schedule for coaching and GM interviews. Virtual interviews can start tomorrow, though teams can block guys from taking them between now and Jan. 4.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 23, 2020
In-person interviews start Jan. 4 for candidates whose teams aren't in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/81dRoY3xYA
Teams can also conduct virtual interviews with candidates from playoff teams that have a bye during Wild Card Weekend from Jan. 4 to Jan. 10. These interview requests cannot be denied.
Hiring clubs can then start virtual interviews with candidates from clubs that have won a wild-card game through Jan. 17. Interviews past this date are prohibited until Jan. 25.
In-person interviews with potential future hires, who are not employed by an NFL team or on a playoff club, are permitted to start following the conclusion of the regular season.
Three NFL teams have already fired their head coach. The Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions have all done so over the course of the season and will have a head start on the rest of the league with virtual interviews.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Buffalo Bills offensive wiz Brian Daboll are names who may attract buzz for head coaching jobs. San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh could be another potential candidate.