Every NFL Head Coach, Ranked from Worst to Best

Each season, NFL coaches face enormous pressure to win, develop talent, and adapt to new strategies. And, while some succeed, others fall flat on their face. From Super Bowl-winning legends to rookie head coaches, here’s a ranking of all 32 NFL coaches from worst to best.

32. Matt Eberflus — Chicago Bears

There are a couple of different reasons why the Chicago Bears have struggled this season, but head coach Matt Eberflus is certainly one of them. There was a lot of optimism heading into the season thanks to the Bears’ #1 overall draft pick, Caleb Williams, but they’re currently sitting last in the NFC North.

31. Jeff Ulbrich — New York Jets

Jeff Ulbrich became the New York Jets’ interim head coach after Robert Saleh was fired, but the team hasn’t really improved since. While Ulbrich isn’t really to blame for the Jets’ issues, he really hasn’t been a part of the solution either.

30. Mike McCarthy — Dallas Cowboys

It would be an understatement to say the vibes in Dallas are not great right now. And, while the Dallas Cowboys have bigger problems than head coach Mike McCarthy, it does seem like his time is running out.

29. Dave Canales — Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales inherited a bad situation with the Carolina Panthers, so I don’t think fans expected him to be able to work miracles in his first season. However, the Panthers are last in the NFC South and may take a few more seasons to get back on track.

28. Doug Pederson — Jacksonville Jaguars

Doug Pederson and the Jacksonville Jaguars have looked all out of sorts throughout this 2024 NFL season. While there’s no question Pederson is a capable coach, he may not be the right fit for this team anymore.

27. Brian Daboll — New York Giants

Much like some other coaches on this list, the New York Giants’ problems don’t fall squarely on head coach Brian Daboll. But, the Giants, who are currently last in the NFC East, look uninspired, lost, and lacking in confidence.

26. Antonio Pierce — Las Vegas Raiders

Antonio Pierce’s Las Vegas Raiders are not a very good football team, but it does feel too early to blame that solely on the head coach. Pierce became the head coach under stressful circumstances last season, and while they’re currently last in the AFC West, he deserves some time to figure this team out.

25. Brian Callahan — Tennessee Titans

Brian Callahan is in his first season as the Tennessee Titans head coach, so I won’t judge him too harshly too soon. But, with that said, the Titans do not look good this season. Is that due to poor management or poor coaching? Time will tell.

24. Darren Rizzi — New Orleans Saints

Darren Rizzi just became the New Orleans Saints interim head coach after they fired Dennis Allen, so it’s way too early to determine whether he’s a good or bad choice. But, with that said, he did break the Saints’ losing streak with a win against the Atlanta Falcons.

23. Jerod Mayo — New England Patriots

Much like many of the coaches on this list, Jerod Mayo inherited a tough situation in New England. But, with that said, the Patriots are currently one of the worst teams in the NFL.

22. Jonathan Gannon — Arizona Cardinals

After an up-and-down first season, Jonathan Gannon has really turned this Arizona Cardinals team around. They are currently sitting in first place in the NFC West and look to have made major improvements.

21. Mike Macdonald — Seattle Seahawks

Not only is Mike Macdonald in his first year as the Seattle Seahawks head coach, but he’s also the youngest coach in the NFL. So, despite Seattle’s up-and-down season, he’s shown he’s capable of being a head coach in the league.

20. Todd Bowles — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd Bowles’ second chance as a head coach has seen mixed results, to say the least. His defensive prowess has kept the team in most games, but the offense has been up-and-down with Baker Mayfield as QB.

19. Kevin Stefanski – Browns

This season has been a disaster for the Cleveland Browns, but that’s not all on Kevin Stefanski’s shoulders. While the offense has been effective at times, all the talk surrounding Deshaun Watson has made things very complicated.

18. Shane Steichen — Indianapolis Colts

Shane Steichen showed promise in his first season with a young Colts roster, and while his second year as head coach has been all over the place, he’s never had a consistent quarterback.

17. Sean Payton — Denver Broncos

Returning to coaching with the Broncos, Sean Payton’s experience is highly regarded. While his start with Denver was rocky, landing rookie QB Bo Nix has been successful thus far and they look to be heading on the right path.

16. Zac Taylor — Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor’s tenure in Cincinnati saw an impressive Super Bowl run in 2021. And, thanks to a high-powered offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow, Taylor’s stock has risen. However, the team is struggling for wins this year, so consistency remains key to his future.

15. Raheem Morris — Atlanta Falcons

Raheem Morris has done a great job with the Atlanta Falcons this season, as they are currently sitting in first place in the NFC South. While there are still a number of things for the team to work out, it looks like Morris has them on the right track.

14. Nick Sirianni — Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Sirianni’s time with the Eagles has had high highs and low lows. Reaching the Super Bowl in just his second season, Sirianni looked like one of the best coaches in the league. But, after a disappointing season in 2023, opinions on him have shifted.

13. Dan Quinn — Washington Commanders

Alongside rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, head coach Dan Quinn has turned this Washington Commanders team around. They’re currently fighting alongside the Eagles for the top spot in the NFC East but, more importantly, they have found their star for the future.

12. Kevin O’Connell — Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell’s leadership has helped the Vikings reach the playoffs and stay competitive despite not having a star quarterback. He seems to be able to get the most out of his team and players, no matter the circumstances.

11. Mike McDaniel — Miami Dolphins

There’s no question the Miami Dolphins have struggled this season, but head coach Mike McDaniel has taken this Dolphins team to the playoffs in back-to-back years. While he is under some pressure to deliver, it’s clear he’s one of the top offensive minds in the league.

10. DeMeco Ryans — Houston Texans

DeMeco Ryans is the real deal. In his first year, Ryans quickly improved the Texans’ defense and gave star quarterback C.J. Stroud a great deal of confidence to compete at the highest level. While the team still has issues to figure out, it’s clear Ryans will be their coach for a very long time.

9. Jim Harbaugh — Los Angeles Chargers

This is Jim Harbaugh’s first year as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, but he’s already turned this franchise around after some pretty rough years. While they’re still sitting behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, it’s clear Harbaugh was a good head coaching decision for the franchise.

8. Matt LaFleur — Green Bay Packers

Matt LaFleur’s record with Aaron Rodgers was impressive, and he’s continued to have success with quarterback Jordan Love as well. In fact, he guided Love and a relatively young team to the NFC title game in 2023. Time will tell if this team will get back to a Super Bowl, but LaFleur has done well.

7. Sean McVay — Los Angeles Rams

A Super Bowl-winning coach, Sean McVay has been highly regarded for his offensive innovation since he first entered the league. And, while injuries have plagued recent seasons, McVay’s ability to adapt and rebuild makes him one of the league’s best.

6. Dan Campbell — Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions used to be the laughingstock of the NFL, but Dan Campbell has re-energized this franchise and has turned the Lions into a formidable team. Known for his motivational skills, his leadership is finally translating into wins and Detroit looks like a legit Super Bowl contender.

5. Sean McDermott – Bills

Sean McDermott has transformed the Bills into Super Bowl contenders and they’ve been one of the strongest teams in the league for a while now. Simply put, his leadership and consistency in Buffalo have made him one of the most respected coaches.

4. Kyle Shanahan – 49ers

Known for his offensive genius, Shanahan has taken the 49ers to the Super Bowl twice and multiple NFC Championships. While he’s yet to win a ring, his schemes make San Francisco a challenging matchup for any opponent.

3. Mike Tomlin – Steelers

Mike Tomlin’s consistency in Pittsburgh is unparalleled. In fact, he has NEVER had a losing season in the 17 years he’s coached the Steelers. Known for his motivational skills and defensive mindset, Tomlin’s leadership has kept Pittsburgh competitive year after year.

2. John Harbaugh – Ravens

A Super Bowl champion, John Harbaugh has consistently kept the Baltimore Ravens competitive with a physical, balanced approach. And now with quarterback Lamar Jackson, it really seems as if the Ravens could win the Super Bowl this year.

1. Andy Reid — Kansas City Chiefs

Alongside generational quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid has turned the Kansas City Chiefs into a true dynasty. Known for his innovative play-calling and adaptability, Reid has crafted one of the most dynamic offenses in the league and has been able to sustain excellence year in and year out.