Four Memorable NFL Head Coach Firings

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 08 September 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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• NFL Coach Firings: An Introduction
• All Coach Firings NFL: A Timeline
• 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
• Frequently Asked Questions

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. However, the intense, fast-paced nature of the game means that even the most successful coaches can face the ax at a moment’s notice – and in today’s blog, we’re going to look at some of the most controversial and brutal coach firings in NFL history.

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. Whether you think these are the dumbest NFL coach firings, or smart strategic plays, it’s worth noting that firings usually come from a good place; owners want their teams to do as well as possible, after all. However, firings can also stem from disagreements or power struggles within the organization – and it’s clear that not all firings are justified or beneficial in the long run.

On a lighter note, not all our discussions revolve around topics like coach firings in the NFL. We also provide comprehensive guides to sports wagering, casino games, and much more! What’s more, if you’re looking for a blend of thrill and strategy, make sure to check out our section on sportsbooks with NFL betting. There’s plenty of knowledge to be gained, strategies to learn, and fun to be had!

Reasons for All Coach Firings in NFL

The NFL has a long history of coach firings, with nearly all coach firings in NFL happening in hopes of improving team performance. Interestingly, the average length an NFL head coach stays with a team is about three seasons.

However, NFL coaches are frequently let go from their positions for a variety of reasons. One major factor is the team’s 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. The NFL is a highly competitive league, and owners and fans alike have high expectations for success.

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.

However, some teams, like the Pittsburgh Steelers, have shown remarkable stability in their coaching staff, having had only three head coaches in 44 years, all of whom have won Super Bowls!

Today, we’re going to be looking at some of the more controversial NFL coach firings. These include Marv Levy’s dismissal from the Kansas City Chiefs, Tom Landry’s forced exit from the Dallas Cowboys, Jimmy Johnson’s split from the Cowboys after back-to-back Super Bowl victories, and Tom Coughlin’s firing from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Each of these firings has a unique story; one even has a record for NFL head coach firings – but not a good one!

Marv Levy: A Poorly-Timed Exit

Marv Levy’s dismissal from the Kansas City Chiefs in 1982 is often cited as one of the most regrettable firings in NFL 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, a decision that was met with widespread criticism. Levy’s coaching abilities – while already solid – were solidified later 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. His innovative coaching strategies and his ability to get the best out of his players earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Paul Brown: Out the Door in Cleveland

In 1962, the Cleveland Browns made a decision that sent ripples through the NFL when 35-year-old owner Art Modell fired 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.

In fact, if you ask an old-school Browns fan today, they’ll almost certainly tell you this is one of the dumbest NFL head coach firings of all time – especially given Brown’s consistent success, proving his ability to coach at the highest level. After joining the Bengals, he led them to playoffs in three separate seasons – leaving Browns fans shaking their heads in disbelief. Look at some of his achievements below:

Jimmy Johnson: The Super Bowl Split

Jimmy Johnson’s departure from the Dallas Cowboys in 1994 was one of the most shocking and controversial events in NFL history. Johnson, who had led the Cowboys to back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1992 and 1993, left the team in what was termed as a “mutual split”. However, many believe that it was a catastrophic decision by the Cowboys’ management, as Johnson had proven to be one of the most successful coaches in the league.

When Johnson first took over the team in 1989, the Cowboys were one of the worst teams in the NFL. They consistently lost, and their fans had started to show signs of abandoning them – something Johnson was determined to fix. Through innovative coaching, Johnson managed to transform the Cowboys from one of the league’s worst teams into one of the best – which is why most people assumed his job was safe.

Despite his immense success, Johnson’s relationship with the Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones, was strained. This led to his departure from the team, a decision that was met with widespread criticism. Johnson’s departure marked the end of the Cowboys’ dominance in the NFL, and the team has struggled to replicate the success they had under his leadership.

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. 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.

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. Under his leadership, the Jaguars quickly became a competitive team in the NFL, making it to the AFC Championship Game in just their second season. While many people disagreed with his harsh coaching techniques, they did work – and the team continued to improve under his watch.

However, despite his success with the Jaguars, Coughlin was let go after the 2002 season. 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.

However, he went on to take over the New York Giants – and led them to two Super Bowls, much to the dismay of the Jaguars. So, when it comes to NFL head coach firings, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a poorer strategic error than this!