The top 10 Worst NFL Coaches of All-Time

By Jocelyn Alano August 04, 2024 05:09

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

The NFL is a win-now league, and the head coach plays a major part in shaping how well (or poorly) his team does. The following article thoroughly examines the top ten worst NFL coaches ever and their records, explaining why they stunk it to high hell during their respective times in the NFL and deciding how these headcases affected each team adversely.

1. Hue Jackson (2016-2018)

Head Coaching Record: 11-44-1 (. 205 winning percentage)

Hue Jackson's time in Cleveland is typically among the top of everyone's list for all-time worst runs by a head coach in NFL history. Jackson took over in 2016, and his first two seasons ended with the Browns making history by finishing a winless season. His inability to groom young talent, mainly quarterback Baker Mayfield, was a large part of his demise.

2. Urban Meyer (2021)

Coaching Record: 2-11 (. 154 winning percentage)

When the Jaguars hired Urban Meyer there was a lot of buzz about him being able to institute real change in Jacksonville, and while he did do that for what seemed like 5 minutes, his tenure became more notable by scandal toward the end.

3. Bobby Petrino (2007)

Coaching Record: 3-10 (.231 winning percentage)

Petrino was only around the Atlanta Falcons for 13 games and did nothing to endear himself to his former athletes. Hired to unlock the full potential of Michael Vick, Petrino was dealt an early setback when Vick went down with a suspension for his role in dog fighting activities. His rigidity and the inability to onshore confidence amongst his players was there for all see.

4. Matt Patricia (2018-2020)

Coaching Record: 13-29-1(.314. winning percentage)

Matt Patricia came to Detroit with some high-end credentials from the New England Patriots, but ultimately delivered in disappointment. For being a defense first coach, Patricia never seemed to put out any semblance of a stout defense and struggled mightily in getting consistent efforts from his players.

5. Steve Spurrier (2002-2003)

Record: 12-20 (.375 winning percentage)

Legendary college coach Steve Spurrier could not translate his success to the NFL with the Washington Redskins. A failed experiment to infuse a pass-happy spread offense into the pros imploded from quarterback controversies and an unproductive roster.

6. Chip Kelly (2013-2016)

Head Coaching Record: 28-35 (.444 winning percentage)

For the most part, Kelly struggled during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. The first two years in Philadelphia were effective. Still, Kelly's control-freak nature and failure to morph his high-potency college offense into the pro game resulted in a dwindling payoff. Being cut by two teams showed how his award-winning college years didn't translate to the NFL.

7. Adam Gase (2016-2020)

Coaching Record: 32-48 (.400 winning percentage)

Adam Gase, labeled a "quarterback whisperer" because of his work with Peyton Manning in the past, subsequent head coaching stints with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets were underwhelming. He struggled to help his team create a consistent offense and needed help with key players.

8. Lane Kiffin (2007-2008)

Record: 5-15 (.250 winning percentage)

When he accepted the head coaching job with Raiders in 2007, Lane Kiffin was also the youngest coach to ever lead an NFL team at just 31. But he had a rocky tenure in which he argued with owner Al Davis and won just five games.

9. Bert Bell (1936-1941)

Career Coaching Record: 10-46 (.179 winning percentage)

Prior to his time as NFL Commissioner, Bert Bell had been Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. His coaching stint was a failure consistently managing only 10 wins over the course of those fifty six games.

10. Jim Caldwell (2012-2017)

Coaching Record: 62-50 (. 554 winning percentage)

While Jim Caldwell's record may be pretty good compared to others on this list, his overall time with the Detroit Lions has been defined by wasted chances and underachievement. Caldwell took the Lions to the playoffs two times and didn't win a playoff game. However, his conservative coaching support and lack of success in key moments to raise the team's performance would finally result in him getting fired.

Some of the most underwhelming head coaching performances in NFL history came from those above. It is a stark example on the struggles of graduating from college to the pros, player development and having one foot in past ideals despite reeling into future concepts.

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