Ranking the 20 Worst NFL Coaching Hires of All Time

The NFL has seen its fair share of bad coaching hires that led to terrible results. Here are the 20 worst coaching hires in NFL history, each one leading to bad records and unhappy fans.

20. Dick MacPherson (New England Patriots, 1991-1992)

Dick MacPherson was hired by the New England Patriots in 1991, but things didn’t go well. He ended up with an 8-24 record over two seasons. MacPherson was fired after the 1992 season, and his time as head coach is remembered as a tough period for the team.

19. Mike Mularkey (Jacksonville Jaguars, 2012)

Mike Mularkey was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, but he only lasted one season. The Jaguars finished with a 2-14 record, tied for the worst in team history. Mularkey was fired after that season, and the team quickly looked for a new direction.

18. Jim Zorn (Washington Redskins, 2008-2009)

Jim Zorn was hired by the Washington Redskins in 2008, but he didn’t last long. He finished with a 12-20 record over two seasons and faced criticism for his play-calling and game management. Zorn was fired after the 2009 season, and his time in Washington is remembered as a period of instability for the team.

17. Lou Saban (Buffalo Bills, 1972-1976)

Lou Saban’s second stint with the Buffalo Bills from 1972 to 1976 was not as successful as his first. He struggled to build a winning team and ended up with a 19-37 record over four seasons. Saban resigned halfway through the 1976 season, unable to find the same success he had earlier.

16. Ray Handley (New York Giants, 1991-1992)

Ray Handley took over as head coach of the New York Giants in 1991 after Bill Parcells retired. He had a hard time keeping the team’s success going and finished with a 14-18 record over two seasons. Handley was fired after the 1992 season, and his time as coach is often remembered as a failed attempt to replace Parcells.

15. George Seifert (Carolina Panthers, 1999-2001)

George Seifert, who won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, was hired by the Carolina Panthers in 1999. But his success did not continue in Carolina, where he finished with a 16-32 record over three seasons. Seifert was fired after the 2001 season, which ended with a 1-15 record.

14. Frank Kush (Indianapolis Colts, 1982-1984)

Frank Kush was hired by the Indianapolis Colts in 1982 but struggled to succeed in the NFL. He led the team to an 11-28-1 record over three seasons. Kush was fired after a 0-13 start in the 1984 season, marking the end of a rough tenure.

13. Lane Kiffin (Oakland Raiders, 2007-2008)

Lane Kiffin was hired by the Oakland Raiders in 2007, but his time with the team was filled with conflict. He was fired just four games into the 2008 season, ending with a 5-15 record. Kiffin’s difficult relationship with owner Al Davis made his time in Oakland one of the most dramatic in recent memory.

12. Dave Shula (Cincinnati Bengals, 1992-1996)

Dave Shula, the son of legendary coach Don Shula, was hired by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992. He struggled to find success, ending his time as coach with a 19-52 record over five seasons. Shula was fired in 1996, and his .268 winning percentage remains one of the worst in NFL history.

11. Marty Mornhinweg (Detroit Lions, 2001-2002)

Marty Mornhinweg’s time as head coach of the Detroit Lions was short and unsuccessful. He led the team for two seasons and finished with a 5-27 record. Mornhinweg is best known for choosing to kick off in overtime against the Chicago Bears, a decision that led to a loss.

10. Joe Bugel (Arizona Cardinals, 1990-1993)

Joe Bugel was hired by the Arizona Cardinals in 1990, but his time as coach was marked by losing seasons. Over four years, Bugel led the Cardinals to a 20-44 record. Despite being a successful assistant coach, he struggled as a head coach and was let go after the 1993 season.

9. Rod Marinelli (Detroit Lions, 2006-2008)

Rod Marinelli was hired by the Detroit Lions in 2006 and lasted three seasons. His time as head coach ended with the infamous 0-16 season in 2008, the first winless 16-game season in NFL history. Marinelli was fired after that season, finishing with a 10-38 overall record.

8. Rich Kotite (New York Jets, 1995-1996)

Rich Kotite’s time with the New York Jets is often remembered as one of the worst coaching stints in NFL history. From 1995 to 1996, Kotite led the Jets to a 4-28 record, including a 1-15 season in 1996. He resigned at the end of the 1996 season, and the Jets quickly moved on from that difficult period.

7. Steve Spurrier (Washington Redskins, 2002-2003)

Steve Spurrier was hired by the Washington Redskins in 2002, but his “Fun ‘n’ Gun” offense didn’t work in the NFL. He lasted just two seasons, finishing with a 12-20 record. Spurrier resigned after the 2003 season and went back to college football, where he was much more successful.

6. Gus Bradley (Jacksonville Jaguars, 2013-2016)

Gus Bradley was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013 to 2016, and his time was marked by a lot of losing. Bradley’s overall record was 14-48, giving him one of the lowest win percentages among coaches with at least 50 games. Despite high hopes, Bradley couldn’t make the Jaguars a competitive team.

5. Cam Cameron (Miami Dolphins, 2007)

Cam Cameron was hired by the Miami Dolphins in 2007, but his only season as head coach was a disaster. The Dolphins finished with a 1-15 record, one of the worst seasons in team history. Cameron was fired after just one year, and his only win came in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens.

4. Hue Jackson (Cleveland Browns, 2016-2018)

Hue Jackson’s time with the Cleveland Browns from 2016 to 2018 is remembered as one of the worst coaching tenures in NFL history. Jackson’s overall record was 3-36-1, including an 0-16 season in 2017. He stayed on as head coach until midway through the 2018 season despite the team’s struggles.

3. Urban Meyer (Jacksonville Jaguars, 2021)

Urban Meyer was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, but his time in the NFL was full of controversy and bad performances. Meyer was fired after just 13 games, during which he had a 2-11 record. His off-field problems and inability to adapt to the pro level made his time in the NFL one of the shortest and most chaotic.

2. Bobby Petrino (Atlanta Falcons, 2007)

Bobby Petrino’s time with the Atlanta Falcons was a disaster. He was hired in 2007 but lasted only 13 games, finishing with a 3-10 record before leaving to coach at Arkansas. His sudden departure left players and fans feeling betrayed.

1. Lou Holtz (New York Jets, 1976)

Lou Holtz was hired by the New York Jets in 1976, but his move from college football to the NFL did not go well. He lasted only 13 games, leading the team to a 3-10 record before quitting mid-season. Holtz quickly returned to college coaching after realizing that the NFL wasn’t the right place for him.