Ten Potential Head Coach Replacements for John Fox

7. Pete Carmichael, New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator

While Pete Carmichael may not get the job with the Bears, he is a lock to interview for the job. He’s done a tremendous job as Saints offensive coordinator over the years, especially this season as the Saints have re-invented themselves as a running team and taken some of the pressure off an aging Drew Brees.

Ryan Pace came from New Orleans and has obvious ties to Carmichael. With those ties comes some degree of loyalty. Afterall, Akiem Hicks chose Chicago and Ryan Pace over staying with Bill Belichick and the Patriots, despite the idea that nobody leaves New England if Belichick wants him to stay (and Belichick did want to keep Hicks). Hicks chose Ryan Pace. Will Ryan Pace choose a New Orleans product?

While Carmichael has had obvious successes, there are many that have floated out there that he may be best suited as a coordinator and not a head coach. Carmichael is very cerebral and also quite quiet. Many have wondered if he has the “leader of men” aspect to his personality that you need at the NFL level. Pace needs to be careful not to hire another Marc Trestman type and risk losing the locker room. If that happens, Pace and Carmichael would both be looking for work.

Odds on being next head coach: 75 to 1