$300 million NFL legend ‘expected’ to attend Miami-Indiana National Championship

One of the all-time NFL greats will meet with head coaching candidates during the College Football Playoff national championship game while the franchise evaluates its options.

One of the greatest NFL players of all-time will be in attendance at the Miami-Indiana College Football Playoff title game. | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The college football world will descend upon South Florida on Monday night as the Miami Hurricanes prepare to battle the Indiana Hoosiers for the College Football Playoff National Championship. While thousands of fans flock to Hard Rock Stadium to witness the crowning of a new champion, the event also serves as a convenient backdrop for critical NFL business.

The Las Vegas Raiders are currently in the midst of a comprehensive search for their next head coach. With the franchise looking to solidify its leadership structure, team executives are utilizing the marquee event to further evaluate potential options. The convergence of the sport's biggest names provides a unique opportunity for face-to-face interactions outside the standard interview setting.

A high-profile minority owner with a reported net worth of $300 million is scheduled to host select candidates during the contest. This legendary figure has taken an increasingly active role in the process and will meet with specific targets in person. The gathering offers a relaxed yet pivotal environment for the organization to narrow down its extensive list of hopefuls.

Tom Brady to host Raiders coaching candidates at title game

Tom Brady is the executive overseeing these high-stakes meetings. According to reporting from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the retired quarterback and current Raiders minority owner expects to host several candidates in his suite. While the specific guest list remains private, the move signals Brady's growing influence within the organization as they seek a leader capable of revitalizing the franchise.

Las Vegas has cast a wide net during this cycle, having completed formal discussions with eight different coaches as of Jan. 16.

Las Vegas minority owner Tom Brady is expected to meet with a few head coaching candidates as the Raiders look for a replacement for Pete Carroll. | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The most recent conversations occurred late this week, including a Thursday interview with Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Hafley arrived in Green Bay in 2024 after leading Boston College and quickly engineered a defensive turnaround, helping the unit finish in the top five for takeaways and total defense.

Earlier in the week, the team met with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Minter transitioned to the NFL after coordinating a national championship defense at Michigan, while Evero has successfully managed defenses for three different franchises over the last three seasons.

The Raiders have asked a few head coaching candidates to meet them in Miami at the national championship game, where Tom Brady is also expected to be.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 17, 2026

The search committee has also evaluated former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who guided Cleveland to two playoff appearances, and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, a veteran Andy Reid disciple. Other candidates include Broncos assistants Vance Joseph and Davis Webb, as well as Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who recently helped drive a top-three scoring offense in the NFC.

The Miami Hurricanes will face the Indiana Hoosiers for the National Championship on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.