As the NFL coaching carousel spins into high gear, front offices across the league are on the hunt for the next big thing - and more than ever, that means looking young. The success of Sean McVay, who became the youngest head coach in league history back in 2017 and quickly turned the Rams into a perennial contender, has changed the blueprint. Teams are no longer afraid to bet on youth, especially when it comes packaged with innovation, leadership, and a fast-rising résumé.
This year's crop of under-35 coaching candidates is as intriguing as it is talented. These aren’t just clipboard holders or sideline assistants - they’re calling plays, designing game plans, and helping turn franchises around. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most promising young minds in football right now.
Grant Udinski, Jaguars Offensive Coordinator (Age 30)
Udinski has become one of the hottest names in the 2026 coaching cycle - and it’s easy to see why. After cutting his teeth as a graduate assistant at Baylor in 2019, he followed Matt Rhule to the NFL, joining the Carolina Panthers' staff as a coaching assistant. From there, he kept climbing.
His time with the Vikings from 2022 to 2024 saw him wear multiple hats - assistant to the head coach, assistant QBs coach, and eventually assistant offensive coordinator. That versatility helped prepare him for his current role in Jacksonville, where he teamed up with Liam Coen to lead the Jaguars to a 13-4 season and an AFC South title. At just 30, Udinski already has the résumé of a coach a decade older - and his rapid rise shows no signs of slowing down.
Davis Webb, Broncos Offensive Coordinator (Age 31)
Webb’s story is tailor-made for today’s NFL. A former quarterback with stops at Texas Tech and Cal, he bounced around the league as a backup before transitioning to coaching in 2023. That move came under Sean Payton in Denver, where Webb started as the quarterbacks coach.
Over the past three seasons, he’s become a trusted voice in the Broncos’ offensive room, earning a promotion to passing game coordinator in 2025. Now serving as offensive coordinator, Webb is seen as a cerebral, player-friendly coach with a deep understanding of the position - and the kind of leadership qualities that could make him a head coach in the not-so-distant future.
Nate Scheelhaase, Rams Passing Game Coordinator (Age 35)
Scheelhaase is the latest name to emerge from the ever-expanding Sean McVay coaching tree - and his path has been built on adaptability and progression. Once a dual-threat quarterback at Illinois, Scheelhaase quickly transitioned into coaching after going undrafted in 2014.
He spent several years developing his craft at Iowa State, where he climbed the ladder from running backs coach to offensive coordinator. That versatility caught the Rams’ attention, and he joined McVay’s staff in 2024.
Promoted to passing game coordinator in 2025, Scheelhaase has helped keep L.A.’s offense among the league’s most creative. Teams like the Ravens, Browns, Raiders, and Steelers are reportedly showing interest - and for good reason.
Declan Doyle, Bears Offensive Coordinator (Age 29)
At just 29, Doyle is already calling plays for a division-winning team - and that’s not something you see every day. His coaching journey began as a student assistant at Iowa, and he quickly found himself in the NFL with the Saints, working under Sean Payton and later Dennis Allen.
When Payton took the Broncos job, he brought Doyle along as tight ends coach. But it was in 2025 that Doyle truly broke through, joining Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago as offensive coordinator.
The result? A 12-5 record and an NFC North crown.
The Eagles are reportedly interested in bringing Doyle aboard as their next OC - and it’s no surprise. He’s one of the brightest young minds in the game.
Tommy Rees, Falcons Offensive Coordinator (Age 33)
Rees has been around high-level football for over a decade, even if his playing career didn’t lead to NFL stardom. A former Notre Dame quarterback, Rees transitioned to coaching in 2015 and has been steadily building his résumé ever since.
After stints with Northwestern and the Chargers, he returned to South Bend as quarterbacks coach, then offensive coordinator. He later spent a year at Alabama as OC during Nick Saban’s final season before jumping to the NFL with the Browns in 2024.
In 2025, he was promoted to OC and has since followed Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta for the 2026 season. Rees brings a blend of college innovation and pro-level experience that’s catching the attention of decision-makers around the league.
Charlie Weis Jr., LSU Offensive Coordinator (Age 32)
Yes, the name rings a bell - but Weis Jr. is carving out his own legacy. After starting as a team manager under his father at Kansas, he quickly found his way into coaching roles with Alabama and the Falcons. But it was under Lane Kiffin that Weis Jr. really found his footing.
He served as offensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic and South Florida before reuniting with Kiffin at Ole Miss, where he helped build one of the SEC’s most explosive offenses. Now, he’s set to follow Kiffin to LSU. The Eagles are reportedly eyeing him for their OC role, and it’s easy to see why - Weis Jr. has a deep understanding of modern offensive football and a track record of success at every stop.
Christian Parker, Cowboys Defensive Coordinator (Age 34)
While many of the top young candidates are on the offensive side of the ball, Parker is a rising star on defense. After playing both corner and wide receiver in college, he launched his coaching career at Virginia State and worked his way through the college ranks before jumping to the NFL in 2019.
He made a name for himself in Denver as a defensive backs coach, but it was his work with the Eagles from 2024 to 2025 that really turned heads. As passing game coordinator and DBs coach, Parker helped guide one of the league’s top defenses. Now in Dallas as defensive coordinator, he’s proving he can lead an entire unit - and his name is starting to surface in head coaching conversations.
These coaches may not be household names - yet - but their impact is already being felt across the league. Whether it’s dialing up creative schemes, developing young quarterbacks, or locking down opposing offenses, each of these under-35 coaches is helping shape the next era of the NFL. And if history is any indication, it won’t be long before one (or more) of them is running a team of their own.