Among the many notable dates on the NFL calendar is black Monday. The morning following the end of the regular season marks the first wave of big changes for clubs. Fanbases rejoice as the leader’s name who’s head they’ve been wanting on a platter finally gets canned. Every year there’s a coach or two who stands out as particularly incompetent, raising the question “How was he ever hired?” Within those coaches the absolute bottom of the barrel becomes clear. Some coaches break the mold of incompetence, to the point where their names are forever etched in NFL history as mistakes. Today, we’ll be counting down those historically terrible head coaches, and see who is the absolute worst.
10: Jim Tomsula
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Following success brought by Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, Tomsula was brought in after a power struggle concluded Harbaugh’s time in the Bay Area. Tomsula’s promotion from defensive line coach to head man in charge was as abrupt as Harbaugh’s firing. In his short stint with the Niners, the team saw their contention status reach rock bottom. Additionally, a reported lack of accountability doomed the 49ers hopes of success.
9: Rod Marinelli
November 18, 2007; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head football coach Rod Marinelli prior to the start of the game against the New York Giants. The Giants defeated the Lions 16-10 at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-Imagn Images
An underwhelming three year tenure concluded with the first ever winless season in NFL history. Marinelli was already suffering from the stench of a 1-7 finish in 2007. He then proceeded to lead a team the next year that couldn’t muster up even one victory. Furthermore, his calling card of being a defensive mastermind trotted out the worst scoring defense in 2008. That defense also ranked dead last against the run.
8: Cam Cameron
Sep 30, 2007; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins coach Cam Cameron at press conference after 35-17 loss to Oakland Raiders at Dolphin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
The surprise resigning of Nick Saban led to the reins being taken by Cameron. Miami’s roster was already on the decline at that point, totaling a 19-29 record the past three years. Nevertheless, after orchestrating some dynamic offenses in San Diego, he failed to compensate for the injuries to QB Trent Green and RB Ronnie Brown. In his lone year, he saw just one win, and recorded the worst finish in four decades for Miami.
7: Brian Callahan
Jul 23, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan watches during training camp at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Nashville’s football team has recently been a model for how not to run a franchise. Endless regurgitation of GM and Head Coach has resulted in continual damp squibs. No person better represents Titans ownership’s inability to make the right hire than Brian Callahan. Cincinnati is already consistently accused of relying too heavily on their three-headed monster of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Despite that, Tennessee opted to hire the offensive coordinator of that inept operation, someone who wasn’t even calling plays. Callahan’s tenure was dull, bland, and felt like a waste of time. He brought no upside, and ironically he will be unforgettable because of how forgetful he was.
6: Josh McDaniels
Nov 27, 2010; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels speaks during a press conference regarding the violation of integrity of game policy at Broncos Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
One of the many coordinators that contributed to New England’s dynasty but faltered elsewhere was McDaniels. In his first rodeo as coach, McDaniels failed to establish communication between Jay Cutler, and promptly traded Denver’s former second round pick. He was then fired in his second year after poor personnel decisions and a spygate fiasco haunted the franchise. His second chance with the Raiders wasn’t any better. He ran another franchise QB out of town, and tried too hard to emulate the Patriot way, only to be fired once again midway through his second year.
5: Matt Patricia
Jan 25, 2020; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad head coach Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions before the 2020 Senior Bowl college football game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images
Without Dan Campbell, who knows where the Lions would be right now. Patricia was yet another failed hire from the Belichick tree. More importantly though, his issues seeped deep into the organization’s core. After inheriting a decently competitive roster, he watched it all crumble as franchise cornerstones clashed with his personality and sought ought better pastures elsewhere.
4: Nathaniel Hackett
Oct 30, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett reacts in the fourth quarter of an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Hackett’s Denver tenure is a crash course into incompetence. After initially being brought in to presumably woo Aaron Rodgers, Hackett had to make due with Russel Wilson. He displayed continual lack of situational awareness, a fact which is illustrated by his team ranking bottom of the league in points per-game despite being above average in yards per-game. He became the fifth head coach in NFL history to fail to finish his first year, as he was shown the door after being on the receiving end of a 51-14 Christmas Day beatdown.
3: Bobby Petrino
July 27, 2007; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino makes a point to the players during training camp at the Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine Imagn Images
With a reputation as an offensive guru, Petrino was supposed to compensate for the loss of Michael Vick. Instead, he started off cold with a 3-10 record, only to abandon ship and quit midseason. The cards weren’t in his favor, as the team lacked stability at signal-caller. Nevertheless, leaving your post for a quick rebound with Arkansas without any loyalty sticks out as a disastrous tenure.
2: Hue Jackson
Aug 23, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The second head coach on this list to go winless is Hue Jackson. Prior to joining Cleveland, Jackson put up a decent showing as head coach for the Raiders. His time with the Browns was nowhere near as successful. In his three years, he won an average of one game per year. Besides the disastrous 0-16 campaign, he also finished with records of 1-15 and 2-5-1. Worst of all, his complications with Baker Mayfield soured his relationship with the Browns, marking the first domino to fall for Mayfield’s departure.
1: Urban Meyer
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer looks to the scoreboard as the Jaguars make their final drive of the fourth quarter. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, October 10, 2021. The Jaguars trailed at the half 24 to 13 and lost with a final score of 37-19. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] Jki 101021 Jaguarsvstitans 27
At number one is a flashy hire which nearly tore a franchise apart. Jacksonville was hoping Urban Meyer would bring his college success to the NFL level. Instead, Meyer’s toxic environment not only derailed their win-loss record, but also caused endless drama at every turn. He delayed generational prospect Trevor Lawrence’s development, consistently brought down the people around him, and stands out as the worst head coach the NFL has ever seen.
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