Coaching in the NFL is a brutal business. One moment, you’re a genius. The next, you’re shown the door. Even successful coaches aren’t immune to the relentless pressure to win now, and sometimes, organizations make moves that leave fans scratching their heads.
Some of the most shocking firings in NFL history didn’t come because of losing records or lack of effort. Instead, they were the result of front office disagreements, ownership impatience, or just plain bad timing. Let’s take a closer look at why some of the league’s most respected coaches were let go—only to find success elsewhere or leave a lasting legacy that still looms large today.
The Fallout of Front Office Politics
Jim Harbaugh had it all going for him in San Francisco. He took a struggling 49ers team and turned them into an NFC powerhouse, reaching three straight conference championship games and a Super Bowl. But tensions with the front office led to his dismissal after the 2014 season. It wasn’t about wins and losses—it was about power. Harbaugh didn’t like the way management operated, and management didn’t like how Harbaugh did things. So they parted ways.
A similar story played out in Tampa Bay with Tony Dungy. He built the Buccaneers into a defensive juggernaut, turning a losing franchise into a perennial playoff contender. But ownership wanted more fireworks on offense and decided Dungy wasn’t the guy to make it happen. He was fired in 2001. The next season, the Bucs won the Super Bowl under Jon Gruden—but with the team Dungy built.
Short-Term Thinking, Long-Term Regret
Sometimes, teams panic after a disappointing season and make moves they later regret. That was the case with Andy Reid in Philadelphia. After 14 seasons, nine playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl berth, the Eagles decided to part ways with Reid following a 4-12 season in 2012. What happened next? He went to Kansas City and won three Super Bowls.
Mike Shanahan also learned how quickly things can change. He delivered back-to-back championships for Denver but was fired in 2008 after missing the playoffs three straight years. The Broncos struggled to find stability after his departure, cycling through multiple coaches before finally landing Sean Payton in 2023.
The Unlucky Breaks
Not every firing was about front office power struggles or impatient owners. Some coaches were simply victims of bad luck. Marty Schottenheimer had a legendary coaching career but was fired after leading the Chargers to a 14-2 record in 2006. The reason? He couldn’t get past the playoff hurdle. Despite his ability to turn teams into contenders, he never won a Super Bowl, and that was enough for the Chargers to move on.
Lovie Smith’s firing by the Bears in 2012 was another head-scratcher. He led Chicago to an 81-63 record, won three division titles, and took the team to a Super Bowl. But the Bears wanted a more explosive offense and decided Smith wasn’t the man to deliver it. Since then, Chicago has struggled to find the same level of success.
The Ones That Got Away
Perhaps the most infamous coaching move of all time belongs to the Cleveland Browns. In 1996, they fired Bill Belichick after a 36-44 run over five seasons. It wasn’t just about his record—team owner Art Modell was moving the franchise to Baltimore, and the whole organization was in disarray. But firing Belichick? That move aged about as well as milk left in the sun. He went on to win six Super Bowls with the Patriots and become one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
And then there’s Pete Carroll. His short-lived tenure with the Jets in 1994 ended in a disappointing 6-10 record. The team quickly moved on, not realizing they had let go of a future Super Bowl-winning coach. Carroll eventually found his groove, dominating at USC before returning to the NFL and leading the Seahawks to multiple Super Bowl appearances.
See our list of the top 10 NFL coaches who should not have been fired.
Lessons Learned
The NFL is a results-driven league, but patience is often in short supply. Sometimes, the best move isn’t to fire the coach—it’s to give them time to build something special. Many of the coaches on this list proved that success isn’t always immediate. Some went on to win Super Bowls, while others left legacies that teams are still trying to replicate.
For franchises looking at their struggling head coaches today, perhaps the lesson is this: be careful who you fire. You might just be letting go of the next legend.