Pat Shurmur
Current job: Offensive coordinator, Minnesota Vikings (2016 midseason to present).
NFL job log: Coached Eagles tight ends, offensive line (1999-2001), then Eagles QBs (2002-08); Rams offensive coordinator (2009-10); Browns head coach (2011-2012); Eagles offensive coordinator, interim head coach (2013-15).
Detroit connection: He has strong family connections to the Lions and Metro Detroit. His late uncle Fritz Shurmur was a highly regarded NFL defensive coordinator who spent three seasons with the Lions (1975-77). Pat Shurmur played and coached for Michigan State and the high school power house Dearborn Divine Child.
**
View photos of Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur
Specialty:** Pat Shurmur is noted for maximizing quarterbacks with varying styles – from Donovan McNabb in Philly, to Sam Bradford and Case Keenum in Minnesota the last two seasons. McNabb was a mobile quarterback while Bradford was purely a pocket passer.
Career highlight: An early quarterback change did not prevent the Vikings from winning the NFC North this season. When Bradford went out with a knee injury in the first game, Shurmur crafted an offense suited for Keenum's more mobile style. He played the last 15 games and threw a career-high 22 TD passes and made the Pro Bowl.
Mike O'Hara's take: Not much has gone right with the Browns, but Shurmur made a mark on both sides of the ball in his two seasons as head coach. The 307 points allowed in 2011 are the fewest by their defense in the last 10 seasons. The 302 points scored in 2012 are their second most in the last 10 years.
Tim Twentyman's take: What he's done with Minnesota's offense since the middle of last year makes him a strong candidate. He's turned Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs into one of the best receiver tandems in the league. Keenum is headed to the Pro Bowl this year. He lost his starting running back Week 4, and the Vikings still finished seventh in the NFL in rushing. It seems everywhere he goes, he makes teams better.
