Five of the worst head coaching tenures since 2010
There are just 32 jobs available as an NFL head coach, and it may be the most difficult coaching job in all of sports.
With the stakes so high and the margin for error in the modern league so small, coaches don’t have long to make their mark, and this has led to some of the worst coaching tenures we’ve seen in the NFL.
Following Frank Reich’s dismissal from the Carolina Panthers, let’s take a look at some of the worst coaching jobs we’ve seen since 2010. Where does his short tenure rank?
5. Adam Gase, New York Jets (2019-2020)
How Adam Gase got the Jets job is beyond me and a lot of people. Continuing to live off the back of being the offensive coordinator during Peyton Manning’s 2013 MVP season in Denver, Gase came to New York despite being sacked by divisional rivals Miami Dolphins just under a month before. It was a marriage that would plummet the team to new lows, which the franchise has struggled to come back from ever since.
Gase failed to develop promising quarterback Sam Darnold, and drew criticism and mockery from fans and commentators from day one. Having gone 7–9 in his first season, the Jets started the 2020 season 0-13, and stumbled to a 2–14 record, one win better than their franchise-worst 1-15 record set in 1996.
Overall, both the Jets and Dolphins finished in the bottom 10 in scoring offense in four of his five seasons coaching. Gase never proved to be an offensive mastermind, and instead will be best remembered for his “crazy eyes” press conference, which went viral on social media.
4. Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos (2022)
The first move in a new era in Denver, Nathaniel Hackett took charge of the Broncos just weeks before the team traded for superstar QB Russell Wilson, a move which seemed to elevate the team into consideration as a Super Bowl contender. Instead, Hackett oversaw one of the worst NFL head coaching tenures we’ve seen.
The tone was set from the off. On debut against the Seattle Seahawks, Hackett came under scrutiny when the Broncos faced a 4th-and-5 at midfield with over a minute left to play, but despite having three timeouts, Hackett decided to let the clock run down to 20 seconds left for a chance at a game-winning 64-yard field goal. Denver went on to lose 17-16.
His tenure ending with a 51-14 Christmas Day destruction at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving the Broncos 4-11 and Hackett’s head coaching credentials in tatters. And what’s worse, the Broncos have massively improved since his departure. Let’s just say that there is no love lost between the former coach and his team…
3. Frank Reich, Carolina Panthers (2023)
A former franchise player sacked with a 1-10 record leading the team; it doesn’t get much worse than that. Frank Reich might not be the only reason for the downfall of the Panthers, but he certainly played a big part in the demise of the team into the worst in the NFL in 2023.
Having traded a haul to the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers selected Bryce Young with the No 1 overall pick in this year’s draft but the quarterback has struggled badly under a coach with a reputation for nurturing offensive talent.
A torrid time for Reich in Carolina, it’s difficult to see him getting another shot at a head coach role in the NFL anytime soon.
2. Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns (2016-2018)
The Browns were in a hole way before Hue Jackson took charge in Cleveland, but there is no denying the beyond dreadful record he amassed as their head coach.
The Browns went 1-15 in 2016 and 0-16 in 2017, Jackson’s first two seasons with the team, but owner Jimmy Haslam chose to retain the coach. That patience, however, ran out after a 2-5-1 start in 2018, and Jackson was dismissed after a loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. His relationship with newly drafted QB Baker Mayfield was frosty, and his Hard Knocks clashes with offensive coordinator Todd Haley were often memorable for the wrong reasons.
Add his stint at the Raiders in 2011, and Jackson’s winning percentage is the second-lowest in league history and the worst since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Not great, at all.
1. Urban Meyer, Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)
Who else? Urban Meyer’s tenure in Jacksonville was doomed from the start, but it was the controversies along the way which has made sure his stint in the NFL will go down as the worst.
Given full autonomy in developing one of best QBs of all-time, Meyer spoiled the show both on and off the field for the Jaguars. They went 2-11 under Meyer, were outscored by 160 points, and have saw prospect Trevor Lawrence regress to the point where many were already calling him a bust.
But it was the stories behind the scene, the October plane-trip/bar fiasco, the calling out and berating of assistant coaches, the Tim Tebow experiment, allegedly kicked place-kicker Josh Lambo during warmups before a preseason game, the constant lack of awareness regarding NFL players… the list is endless, and of which has ruined Meyer’s character and reputation beyond repair in the league.
There is no doubt that Meyer’s 11-month tenure is the worst head coaching job not just since 2010, but in NFL history.
