Head Coach Ranking

HCR Coaching Spotlight: Top Assistant Coaches for NFL Week 2

By HCR Staff | Sept. 17, 2019

Here are the assistant coaches that get Week 2’s HCR Coaching Spotlight:

  • Jason Simmons, Secondary, Packers — As we said last week, we like what Simmons is producing with a young Packers secondary. In this game, cornerback Kevin King made a game-saving interception. The Packers secondary is playing with tremendous energy and discipline this year.
  • Bobby Turner, Jr., Running backs, 49ers — Veteran assistant Bobby Turner constantly produces terrific runners, and he has the 49er backs producing at a high level again. Even with free agent acquisition Tevin Coleman out with an injury, Turner did not miss a beat as he integrated recent roster addition Jeff Wilson to an unheralded group led by undrafted Matt Breida.
  • Matt Eberflus, Defensive coordinator, Colts — Eberflus is highly intelligent and disciplined, and his unit plays fast with a lot of confidence. The scheme isn’t overly complex, but Eberflus knows his personnel well and lets their athleticism shine. He’s a potential HC candidate soon.
  • Todd Bowles, Defensive coordinator, Buccaneers — Winning a divisional game on a short week is a tough feat, but the Bucs did it because of the great work by Bowles’ defense. Communication problems still exist from time to time, but it is early, and many of the players still are adjusting. This is a highly underrated unit that will cause problems for opponents all season long.

HCR Coaching Spotlight: Top Assistant Coaches for NFL Week 1

By HCR Staff | Sept. 11, 2019

Here at HCR, head coaches get most of the attention because ultimately anything an assistant coach does must go through the head coach. That being said, head coaches can’t be successful on their own. They need great work from assistants — most of whom are not familiar to fans. So we will give credit where credit is due. Here are five assistant coaches who helped their teams in big ways in Week 1.

  • Jason Simmons, Packers Secondary – tight, disciplined play in Week 1. The future looks bright for a young unit.
  • James Urban, Ravens Quarterbacks – had Lamar Jackson playing at an extremely high level with quick decision-making.
  • Jim Turner, Bengals Offensive Line – great effort against a tough and fast Seattle defense playing at home.
  • Chase Blackburn, Panthers Special Teams – two blocks of Rams’ pro bowl punter Johnny Hekker.
  • Kerry Coombs, Titans Secondary – made life miserable for Browns QB Baker Mayfield.