With close to 20 percent of the NFL needing to fill a head coach vacancy, the quest for the best candidate should be just as competitive as usual The latest candidates to ride the NFL head coach carousel With close to 20 percent of the NFL needing to fill a head coach vacancy, the quest for the best candidate should be just as competitive as usual Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2j5XK8h FILE – In this Sept. 22, 2016, file photo, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels encourages players during warm ups before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Foxborough, Mass.