An unexpected candidate has emerged in the New York Jets' search for their next head coach.

Former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury will be interviewed by the team, according to Yahoo Sports, which also reported he'll interview with the Arizona Cardinals. The Jets officially kicked off the interview process Wednesday when they sat down with Eric Bieniemy, the Chiefs offensive coordinator and a more established candidate.

Kingsbury hadn't been on the NFL coaching radar until recent days. He was the head coach at Texas Tech for six seasons until he was fired in November. USC hired him as their offensive coordinator in December.

The 39-year-old checks off a few important boxes for the Jets as they seek to replace Todd Bowles. Kingsbury is a respected offensive mind who has experience working with young quarterbacks: he oversaw the development of Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech. He also coached Davis Webb, who spent the season as the Jets' third-string quarterback after being cut by the Giants.

The offensive guru certainly would be a positive influence on quarterback Sam Darnold, who just wrapped up his rookie season. Kingsbury has a history of working with quarterbacks, and played the position himself. He was one of the nation's most productive college quarterbacks from 1998-2002. The Patriots picked him in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft and he actually played one game for the Jets, the only game of his career, in 2005 (he completed 1 of 2 passes for 17 yards).

He also was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Houston (2010-11) and Texas A&M (2012) early in his coaching career.

But there are some major concerns on his resume.

Kingsbury had only two winning seasons at Texas Tech, finishing with a 35-40 record, including victories in only 19 of 54 Big 12 games. He has no professional coaching experience and would be the sixth consecutive first-time pro head coach for the Jets.

There's no doubt that Kingsbury would put a jolt into the Jets' anemic offense and help Darnold's development. But there are so many unknowns that make his candidacy a long shot.

The Jets are also reportedly set to interview former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, former Lions and Colts coach Jim Caldwell, Cowboys assistant Kris Richard and Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Kingsbury already has the support of one of the most prominent Jets. Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams followed Kingsbury on Instagram on Monday. When a tweet pointed this out by saying Adams might have a "top choice" for the next head coach, he retweeted it with the comment "U damn right!" Fellow starting safety Marcus Maye replied with a praying-hands emoji, obviously throwing in his support.

It would be a bold move for the Jets to make Kingsbury their next head coach. But given the stakes, and where the Jets are, it's probably too much of a gamble.

Email: vasqueza@northjersey.com

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