The Dumbest NFL Coach Firings in History

By Will Brown Contributor Updated: 02 December 2024

Will Brown Contributor

William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.

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NFL Head Coach Firings

The world of the NFL is as much about the coaches on the sidelines as it is about the players on the pitch. The coaches, with their strategic minds and leadership abilities, often become the face of their team. So when beloved or successful coaches face the ax without warning, it can leave fans fuming. In this blog, we’ve highlighted the dumbest NFL coach firings in the history of the league that have caused controversy.

NFL Coach Firings: An Introduction

The NFL, a league known for its high stakes and intense competition, has seen its fair share of head coach firings. In most cases, firing comes from a good place and benefits the teams. However, these can also be the result of disagreements or power struggles within a franchise rather than logical decision-making.

To start this article, we’ve explored the common reasons that coaches are fired, whether they are informed or ridiculous. We have then provided in-depth stories for six of the most controversial NFL coach firings and their impact on the teams, players, fans, and the league at large.

• Common Reasons for Firings
• Marv Levy: A Poorly Timed Exit
• Paul Brown: Out the Door in Cleveland
• Jimmy Johnson: The Super Bowl Split
• Tom Coughlin: From Jaguars to Giants

Common Reasons for NFL Head Coach Firings

The NFL has a long history of coach firings, with nearly all coach firings in the league happening in hopes of improving team performance. Coaches are responsible for leading and strategizing the team’s plays, and if the team consistently underperforms or fails to meet expectations, the coach may face the ax.

Another reason for coach firings is a lack of player development. Coaches are tasked with nurturing and improving the skills of their players. If the team’s roster fails to show progress or individual players aren’t reaching their full potential, it reflects poorly on the coach.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have shown remarkable stability in their coaching staff, having had only three head coaches in 44 years. However, this is an outlier. One reason that some coaches get fired is because they have personal disagreements with franchise owners. If these aren’t known to the public, some of the worst NFL fan bases can get enraged by the decisions to the point of violence.

Marv Levy: A Poorly-Timed Exit

Marv Levy’s dismissal from the Kansas City Chiefs in 1982 is often cited as one of the dumbest NFL coach firings in history. Levy had been the head coach of the Chiefs for five seasons, during which time the team had shown consistent improvement. However, after a strike-shortened season, he was dismissed, a decision that was later regretted by the Chiefs’ management.

Under Levy’s leadership, the Chiefs had improved their win record every year, going from four wins in his first season to nine in his fourth. Despite this upward trajectory, the management decided to let him go. The backlash was fierce, especially considering Levy’s future achievements.

Levy’s coaching prowess was solidified when he took over the Buffalo Bills and led them to four straight Super Bowl appearances, a feat that remains unmatched in NFL history. Levy’s time with the Bills was marked by a high-powered offense and a resilient defense, which helped the team dominate the AFC in the early 1990s.

Paul Brown: Out the Door in Cleveland

In 1962, the Cleveland Browns, who incidentally hold the record for NFL head coach firings, shocked fans when owner Art Modell fired coach Paul Brown. Brown had led Cleveland to three NFL championships, an impressive feat that seemingly wasn’t enough to secure his position. The firing was widely criticized, as Brown was a proven leader who brought consistent success to the team.

After he was fired, Brown moved to cross-state rival Cincinnati Bengals, where he led the team to the playoffs in three different seasons. His remarkable career was later recognized with his induction into the Hall of Fame. In retrospect, the decision to fire Brown is viewed by many as a misstep from the Cleveland Browns, although for many fans, that’s putting it lightly.

Browns fans still consider this among the most regrettable NFL head coach firings of all time given Brown’s consistent success after the fact. The reason for his dismissal was due to a power struggle between Brown and Modell, with Modell wanting more say in operations and Brown insisting on maintaining control.

Jimmy Johnson: The Super Bowl Split

Although the Dallas Cowboys are now given generally favorable odds to win at sportsbooks with NFL betting, it wasn’t always the case. Before 1989, the team was considered one of the worst teams in the league. They consistently lost, and their fans had started to show signs of abandoning them.

When Jimmy Johnson took over, he was determined to fix this. Through innovative coaching, Johnson managed to transform the Cowboys into one of the best franchises. He led them to back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1992 and 1993, making him a beloved addition to the team and embraced by fans.

Then, by surprise, management made one of the dumbest NFL coach firings in history. While it was described publicly as a “mutual split”, rumors suggested internal pressures from the Cowboys’ management. Johnson’s relationship with team own Jerry Jones was strained to the point Jones couldn’t overlook it. His firing marked the end of the Cowboys’ dominance in the NFL.

Tom Coughlin: From Jaguars to Giants

Tom Coughlin’s firing from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002 marked the end of an era for the franchise and is considered to be among the worst NFL coach firings for the team. Coughlin, who was the first head coach of the Jaguars, had led the team to the playoffs four times in eight seasons.

Despite his success, he was let go by the Jaguars’ management, a decision that was met with mixed reactions. According to insiders, some of the management team felt the team needed a change in leadership, although there were, reportedly, several who believed Coughlin deserved more time to turn things around.

However, their pleas were ignored, and Coughlin soon departed from the club. Coughlin’s time with the Jaguars was marked by a disciplined and hard-nosed approach to coaching. He was known for his attention to detail and his high expectations of his players. While many people disagreed with his harsh coaching techniques, the team did improve under his watch. Later, Coughlin took over the NY Giants and led them to two Super Bowls, rubbing extra salt in the wound.

Marty Schottenheimer: Fired From the Chargers

Marty Schottenheimer’s 2007 firing by the San Diego Chargers remains one of the most confusing NFL head coach firings. After leading the team to a league-best 14-2 record in the 2006 season, Schottenheimer seemed to be setting up the Chargers for long-term future success.

However, after a disappointing division playoff loss to the New England Patriots, Schottenheimer got the chop. This was also coupled with escalating disagreements with general manager A.J. Smith. The two repeatedly clashed over personnel decisions, and a power struggle broke out. After Schottenheimer refused to dismiss his coaching staff, management took action.

When Schottenheimer was fired, fans and expert pundits were stunned. Schottenheimer had produced consistent results for the team and was embraced by players. The Chargers struggled to replicate their dominance under the coach in the following years, making the decision one of the most despised NFL coach firings in history.

Jim Harbaugh: The Curse of the 49ers

The last of the dumbest NFL coach fires concerns Jim Harbaugh’s firing from the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. Under Harbaugh’s four season-leadership, the team held a 44-19-1 record, winning three consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl. Despite this, Harbaugh was let go due to a bitter rift with management.

The conflict between Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke became public during the 2014 season. The source of the trouble was disagreements over roster control and the broader vision for the team’s future. Harbaugh’s intense, hands-on coaching style clashed with Baalke’s personal managing philosophies, leading to regular confrontations.

When the 49ers finished with a disappointing 8-8 finish in 2014, the team’s owner sided with Baalke, leading to Harbaugh’s dismissal. This was despite his impressive record and left fans questioning the logic of the decision. The team struggled in the following years, though it has since returned to glory.