32. Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears
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Not too often in the NFL do you see a coach retained with a winning percentage below 30 percent. Eberflus and the Bears went 3-14 in his first year at the helm and proceeded to lose the first four games of 2023. However, a 7-6 stretch to end the year was enough for management to give Eberflus another chance to right the ship. Though, it’s unclear if his quarterback will be a returning Justin Fields or one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
31. Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints
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The clock is ticking on Dennis Allen in New Orleans. The Saints were expected to be a playoff team in a weak NFC South, but a slow start put them in a hole. While the Saints won four of five to end the year, it was the Bucs who ultimately took the division off a tiebreaker. Allen is now 24-46 as a head coach and running out of excuses. His QB was hand-picked from their time together with the Raiders. Longtime OC Pete Carmichael is now gone, with Klint Kubiak slotted as the replacement. If New Orleans falters again, expect massive changes across the board.
30. Robert Saleh, New York Jets
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Saleh was in the mix for the bottom spot of this ranking, but his resume slightly outshines that of Eberflus and Allen. For one, Saleh has been able to pull off a couple of impressive wins over his tenure with the Jets. Defeating the Bills in Week 1 this past year following Aaron Rodgers’ untimely injury was certainly impressive. Saleh’s Jets also took a game off the Eagles when they were still considered a threat. New York’s defense has been stout over the last couple of seasons, it’s just a matter of the QB position. If Rodgers can stay healthy next year, we wouldn’t be that surprised to see Saleh climb up this list.
29. Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots
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Stepping into the role of head coach for the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo faces a monumental task following in the footsteps of the legendary Bill Belichick. However, there’s a sense of continuity as Mayo has been an integral part of the Patriots organization for years. Robert Kraft’s decision to elevate the former Patriots star from within echoes the approach taken by other teams, such as the Detroit Lions with former player Dan Campbell, in promoting from within the organization.
28. Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
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Some astute Eagles fans were fairly pleased when the Cardinals poached former Philly DC Jonathan Gannon from their staff. Turns out, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Philly’s defense plummeted in ’23 after leading the league in sacks the year before. While Gannon’s Cardinals weren’t exactly a shutdown group, the 40-year-old coach did some nice things with an under-manned group. Three of Arizona’s four wins came against teams that eventually made the playoffs. The NFC West is a rugged group, but the Cardinals are a safe bet to improve on their 4-13 record. A healthy Kyler Murray plus the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft will be a huge help.
27. Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
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The Titans made the shocking move to move on from Mike Vrabel, much to the surprise of the NFL world. Vrabel was considered one of the top coaches in football, and certainly the caliber of coach whom teams typically don’t part ways with. It was clear management and Vrabel were not seeing eye-to-eye, leading to the drastic change. The Titans didn’t waste much time finding a replacement, hiring 39-year-old Brian Callahan for the role. Callahan had been OC for the Bengals over the last five seasons. He was able to keep the offense afloat last year even after Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending injury. Now, he’ll work with second-year QB Will Levis as the Titans attempt to revitalize a dormant passing attack.
26. Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
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Canales could easily climb up this board in short order. He was brilliant last year for the Bucs, devising a strong game plan that catered to the strengths of QB Baker Mayfield. Now, he takes over for a Panthers team that is desperate after a disastrous year. Canales working closely with Bryce Young will be the biggest storyline to follow. If they can click, Carolina’s outlook becomes far brighter. Interestingly enough, Canales has a strong track record building offenses around diminutive QB’s having already worked with Mayfield and Russell Wilson in the past.
25. Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
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Out goes Arthur Smith, and in comes a familiar face in Raheem Morris. Morris, a seasoned coach with experience leading NFL teams, faces challenges but showcases adaptability in rebuilding defenses. Despite a rather porous record as a head coach (21-38), his ability to develop players shines through. The Falcons’ decision to hire him, though not flashy, reflects a smart choice for stability moving forward. With potential for success in the competitive NFC South, Morris promises to maximize the team’s talent and lead them to greater heights. Adding a proficient quarterback to this roster would certainly help matters.
24. Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
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The Commanders initially set their sights on a few other candidates for their head coaching role but were rebuffed in several instances. Consequently, they opted for Dan Quinn — who was previously the defensive coordinator for the division-rival Cowboys. While Quinn boasts experience, having led the Falcons to Super Bowl 51, his appointment doesn’t exactly spark excitement. Nonetheless, there remains potential for Quinn to yield positive results in his new role. He will essentially have a blank slate to work with in Washington, as the team holds the No. 2 pick and plenty of cap space.
23. Mike MacDonald, Seattle Seahawks
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The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll, a respected figure, and are bringing in a new, highly regarded coach. What’s particularly noteworthy is that they opted for the defensive-minded MacDonald, a rarity in a league that typically favors the offensive side of the ball. MacDonald’s appointment signals a shift towards a more balanced approach in Seattle. The Seahawks have plenty of talent on that side of the field, and MacDonald will now be tasked with unlocking the potential of that group.
22. Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders
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The Raiders removed the interim tag from Antonio Pierce this offseason, hiring the former New York Giants LB to the full-time gig. After taking over for Josh McDaniels, the Raiders played with a new-found edge that embodied their energetic head coach. Pierce is a natural leader, and players seem to love playing for him. Of course, he lacks experience when compared to some of his peers. Pierce started coaching in 2014 and didn’t join an NFL sideline until two years ago. It’s unclear if that will be a hurdle for Pierce as he enters his first year as Vegas’ full-time head coach.
21. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
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There’s no doubting Mike McCarthy’s ability to win games in the regular season. Each of the past three seasons as Cowboys head coach, McCarthy has led his team to 12 regular season wins plus a playoff berth. Unfortunately, that’s where the road ends for Dallas. 1-3 in the postseason under McCarthy’s watch, the Cowboys are regularly underprepared and outcoached on the big stage. The talent is there, but something hasn’t clicked. Perhaps Dak Prescott cannot elevate his team in the playoffs. But, it’s the head coach’s job to put his QB in the best position to succeed. McCarthy simply has not done that.
20. Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Longtime DC Todd Bowles has fared well in his second attempt as a head coach. Bowles has won the NFC South each of his first two seasons as Tampa Bay’s head coach. And, it’s been his defense that has mostly led the way. The Bucs ranked 7th in points allowed this past season. The team hit a rough stretch mid-way through the year, as they saw their record go from 3-1 to 4-7 over October and November. Instead of falling off the rails, Bowles rallied his group as they won five of their last six games en route to a division title. In the playoffs, the Bucs demolished the Eagles in the Wild Card round before giving the Lions everything they could handle.
19. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
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Sirianni made waves by leading the Eagles to the playoffs in his debut season as coach, earning the trust of both players and notoriously demanding Philly fans. He followed that up with a stellar 14-3 campaign which led to a Super Bowl berth in Year 2. However, 2023 did not go quite as well for the brash coach. Sirianni saw two of his coordinators leave for head coaching jobs after the Super Bowl loss, and the Eagles suffered as a result. The defense completely fell apart by the end of the season as they limped into the playoffs. There, the Eagles were thrashed by the Buccaneers by a score of 32-9. Sirianni seems well-liked, and he isn’t afraid to take calculated risks. However, he is not exactly an “X’s and O’s” type of coach who will devise brilliant game plans. He’ll need to surround himself with elite coordinators once again, or the Eagles could be looking elsewhere after 2024.
18. Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars
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In Pederson’s first year with the Jaguars, he was heralded as a hero for turning around the franchise. After Year 2, he now finds himself on the hot seat after a disappointing end to the campaign. The Jaguars finished 9-8 both years. Expectations can be brutal in the NFL. 2022 saw Jacksonville shockingly win the division. The Jaguars entered 2023 as heavy favorites in the AFC South as their three rivals all turned to rookie QBs. They started the season 8-3, but lost five of their last six and ceded the division to Houston. If this team doesn’t see any tangible improvements next year, Pederson (who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles) will likely end up being the scapegoat.
17. Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
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Anybody who watched the Eagles’ offense crumble this season can attest to just how important Shane Steichen was for that coaching staff. Steichen is a brilliant offensive mind who draws up unique ways to attack defenses. In his first year with the Colts, Steichen had to overcome several obstacles. His dynamic rookie QB was limited to just four games, while his do-it-all running back missed the start of the year due to a contract dispute. Despite that, Steichen nearly guided the Colts to a playoff berth. With Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor fully available heading into next year, it will be interesting to see how successful this Colts offense can be.
16. Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
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O’Connell’s tenure as the offensive coordinator saw the Los Angeles Rams clinch the Super Bowl title. Now, in Minnesota, O’Connell finds himself with a dearth of talent including Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison. As for Kirk Cousins’ future with the Vikings, uncertainties loom, but perhaps a younger option will help guide this offense to even greater heights. O’Connell has had some questionable in-game decisions over his tenure, but his mind for offense keeps him among the top half of coaches currently in the league.
15. Brian Daboll, New York Giants
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It’d be unfair to discount Daboll after a disastrous Giants season. Daniel Jones was inked to a massive deal in the offseason and only made it through six games before going down with an injury. For a short time, Daboll’s offense was being led by Tommy DeVito with some success. It hasn’t been a matter of coaching in New York. The talent has been lacking — especially when it comes to the offensive skill positions. Adding a premier WR would do wonders for this group as they try to make it back into the playoff picture.
14. Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
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A two-time winner of the Coach of the Year award, Kevin Stefanski had his best year yet as coach of the Browns. In 2020 when Stefanski first won the award, he was taking over a team on the rise led by a recent No. 1 overall pick (Baker Mayfield). He faced far more hurdles in ’23. Five different quarterbacks started games for the Browns this past season. Nick Chubb was lost for the year after two games. Joe Flacco was brought in off the couch and led the team down the stretch. If a football fan had been told all of these factors before the year, they’d likely guess the Browns finished with one of the worst records in the league. Instead, the Browns won 11 games — their most since 1994.
13. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
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McDermott has been one of the most consistent winners in the league. Since 2019, the Bills have won at least 10 games each year. Winners of four straight AFC East titles, the Bills have ruled the division ever since Tom Brady left New England. However, the Bills have now lost in the divisional round each of the last three years. Turning around last season was impressive (the Bills had to win five straight to clinch the division title), but the playoff disappointments have been jarring. This past year’s especially stings as it was the first time the Bills had home field over the Chiefs.
12. DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
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What an impressive first year it was for DeMeco Ryans. Taking over for a Texans team that hadn’t won more than four games since 2019, Ryans immediately transformed the culture. After starting the season 0-2, the Texans went on to win 11 of their next 16 games including a Wild Card thrashing of the Cleveland Browns. The offensive turnaround can be attributed to the brilliance of C.J. Stroud, though the improvements defensively are on Ryans. Some wondered if going from San Francisco to Houston would expose Ryans’ defense due to the talent gap. That wasn’t the case, and the Texans’ defense will only get better as Ryans adds more players who better fit his scheme.
11. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
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Zac Taylor deserves his flowers for the Bengals’ recent campaign. Franchise QB Joe Burrow never looked healthy in the 10 games he suited up for. Already compromised at the most important position, Taylor and the Bengals battled all year and nearly snuck into the postseason field. Taylor got the most out of backup Jake Browning, who played quite well for spurts after Burrow was lost for the year. The Bengals have been the only team in the AFC that has consistently given the three-time champion Kansas City Chiefs problems. With a healthy Burrow in tow next year, Taylor’s Bengals will be a team to look out for.
10. Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
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Though he has three 13-win seasons to his name, the job Matt LaFleur did in 2023 on a 9-8 team is perhaps his most impressive feat to date. After saying goodbye to Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, ’23 was expected to be a transition year for the Packers. Instead, Green Bay clinched a playoff berth, routed the No. 2 seed Cowboys in the Wild Card round, and were just a couple of plays away from making it to the NFC title game. LaFleur put his young QB in the best position to succeed, and we saw Jordan Love flourish at the end of the season (18 TDs, 1 INT over the last eight weeks).
9. Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
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Back in the NFL after 10 years, Jim Harbaugh is ready to retake his place among the best coaches in the game. When Harbaugh last coached in the NFL, he led the 49ers to three straight NFC title games plus a Super Bowl. Ultimately, Harbaugh and the 49ers came up short versus his brother, John, and the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. Harbaugh ultimately skipped town after the 2014 season and rejoined the collegiate ranks. He went on to win 89 games as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines — the most recent being a victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Harbaugh is an elite team-builder and leader. He’s managed to win at every stop and is now tasked with guiding the Chargers out of obscurity.
8. Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
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Sean Payton’s first season in Denver was a bumpy ride. Though, the team did appear to turn a corner at some point during the season. Of course, everybody harped on the Broncos early on after allowing a whopping 70 points in a loss to the Dolphins. Following a 1-4 start to the year, the Broncos rallied off five wins in a row including victories over four eventual playoff teams (Packers, Chiefs, Bills, and Browns). While Payton wasn’t able to unlock the Russell Wilson of old, the former Seahawk improved across the board compared to the year prior. Now, Wilson is likely gone and Payton will be able to add a new QB of his choosing. That should excite Broncos fans moving forward.
7. Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
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Miami Dolphins supporters have every reason to be ecstatic over the promising start of the Mike McDaniel era. The Dolphins have witnessed a transformation under the former San Francisco offensive coordinator’s stewardship. McDaniel’s offensive prowess has seamlessly transitioned to Miami, where the team keeps opponents guessing with a well-balanced attack. Furthermore, there’s a sense of enthusiasm among the players, who seem to thrive under McDaniel’s leadership. Teams keyed in on their downfield attack, and McDaniel countered by deploying Raheem Mostert (who led the league in TDs) and Devon Achane in numerous ways. Injuries ultimately derailed Miami’s season, but it’s clear they are on the right trajectory with McDaniel at the helm.
6. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
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It’s quite noteworthy that in his 17-year tenure leading the charge in Pittsburgh, Tomlin’s squads have never registered a losing record. And, he’s been able to do it over the last two seasons while juggling between below-average QB options. While the Steelers may not consistently rank among the AFC elite, they’re a team capable of winning week in and week out. Tomlin’s leadership, consistency, and ensuring his team’s readiness on a game-by-game basis is his most impressive trait.
5. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
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It took just three years for Dan Campbell to turn everything around in Detroit. In Year 1, Campbell’s Lions won just three games. At that point, it seemed like the former NFL tight end was not destined to last very long as a head coach. However, Year 2 showed some promise as the Lions won nine games including a Week 18 matchup over the Packers which knocked their rival out of the playoff picture.
Detroit went on to win on Opening Night versus the defending champion Chiefs, one of 12 wins on a year that saw the Lions capture their first division title since 1993. Now, some have criticized Campbell’s aggressiveness during the team’s loss to the 49ers in the NFC title game. However, most would argue the Lions wouldn’t be in the position they’re currently in (as a NFC contender) if it weren’t for Campbell’s willingness to risk it all.
4. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
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A former Super Bowl winner, Harbaugh commands respect as a top-tier coach. However, the Ravens’ postseason struggles since that triumph have been evident. Despite showing promise as the team to beat in 2023, Baltimore fell short yet again. Their hopes were dashed in the AFC Championship against the Chiefs in a lackluster effort. The decision to abandon the run game loomed large in their defeat. While Harbaugh’s coaching prowess is undeniable, the mounting disappointments in the playoffs raise concerns about the team’s ability to capitalize on their regular-season success when it matters most.
3. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
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Shanahan is widely recognized as a football mastermind, especially when it comes to crafting clever offensive plays. However, there’s a lingering question mark hovering over his ability to secure the ultimate victory. His first shot at Super Bowl glory came during his time as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator, where Atlanta’s dreams were dashed dramatically. Fast forward to his tenure with the 49ers, and despite having an abundance of talent at his disposal, Shanahan’s team has fallen short in the Super Bowl twice now. There’s no doubting Shanahan’s ability to craft an elite offense, but questions about his ability to get it done when it matters most persist.
2. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
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The Rams were being counted out heading into the season. Equipped with an aging, depleted roster, McVay reminded everyone just how resourceful he can be. Not many would have predicted a postseason berth for this group. It was all thanks to McVay’s offense which was among the league’s best. McVay has always been excellent at identifying the exact player needed to fit in his scheme. Fifth-round picks like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua (both Pro Bowlers in ’23) are surely talented, but it’s hard to believe they would have had the same success had they been drafted to another team. If the Rams restock defensively, we’re looking at a true contender in the NFC.
1. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
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As long as Patrick Mahomes is under center, they are Super Bowl-worthy. Reid has posted seven straight seasons with at least 10 victories and never experienced a losing campaign in his nine years with Kansas City. He’s in mid 60s, so Reid still has a few more miles left in the tank. Reid is widely regarded as one of the great coaches in NFL history, and the 2020 Super Bowl victory all but confirmed that.
With a third Super Bowl ring now in tow, there is brewing debate over Reid’s place among the greatest NFL coaches in history. There’s no doubting the current run he’s on. Of course, having a QB as talented as Patrick Mahomes certainly helps. But, Reid has masterfully navigated through an ever-changing NFL landscape. He’s shown a willingness to adapt. Known for his high-powered, pass-heavy attacks, Reid opted to lean on a strong run game and stout defense to pull off back-to-back Super Bowl wins. Three in a row will forever etch him as an all-time great.
