The 10 worst NFL coaches of all time

In the United States, football games always receive special attention, sometimes even more than soccer. Americans are passionate about football and go crazy for teams with rich traditions, records, and achievements. Of course, to achieve that, NFL teams must have quality players and talented coaches. However, throughout history, there have been quite a few mediocre strategists. If you’re wondering who they are, let’s list the Top 10 worst NFL coaches of all time accurately with Kingsoccertips admin.

Worst NFL coaches – Top 10

1. Chris Palmer – Worst NFL coaches

The newly appointed leader of the Cleveland Browns with a fresh face was Chris Palmer. As an expansion team, Palmer’s first task was to find a franchise quarterback. The Browns drafted Tim Couch, the highly touted college standout from the University of Kentucky, with the first overall pick in the 1999 draft.

Palmer was replaced by Butch Davis in 2002

Despite possessing one of the most offensively talented prospects college football had seen in quite some time, Palmer, Couch, and the Browns didn’t quite mesh. Coach Palmer struggled to steer a team from week to week, resulting in a dismal record of 5–27 over his two-year tenure with the team.

2. Bobby Petrino

The year 2007 proved to be a disastrous year for the Atlanta Falcons and their owner, Arthur Blank. An investigation revealed that star quarterback Michael Vick had been involved in illegal dogfighting activities and was facing prison time. Before this news came to light, the Falcons had signed a five-year contract with Bobby Petrino as their head coach.

It's safe to say that Bobby Petrino was not welcomed in the city of Atlanta — It’s safe to say that Bobby Petrino was not welcomed in the city of Atlanta

The team struggled immensely under Petrino’s leadership. On December 10, 2007, the overly ambitious coach decided to abandon his contract with the Falcons. He became the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Worse yet, Petrino did not directly inform his players of his decision.

3. Urban Meyer – Worst NFL coaches

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan hired Meyer in January 2021 to oversee a franchise renovation project. The term ended as badly as it began. During training camp that season, Meyer and the Jaguars were fined $100,000 for violating rules in OTAs.

Meyer was fired in December 2021 before the season was not yet over

After Thursday night’s game, in which the Jaguars lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Meyer stayed behind and then in photos and videos was seen dancing inappropriately with a young woman who was not his wife at a bar/restaurant. Urban was forced to apologize for being a distracter by acting recklessly, in addition to not returning to the team after the loss.

4. Bobby Ross

Bobby Ross had extensive head coaching experience since the early 1970s, starting as the head coach at The Citadel. In 1997, Ross was hired to take over the Detroit Lions. The team boasted two offensive stars in wide receiver Herman Moore and Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders. It was hoped that Ross could better utilize Sanders and the Lions than his predecessor, Wayne Fontes.

Whether fair or unfair, Bobby Ross still makes it onto this list

The following year (2000), Bobby Ross decided to resign after week 10 with a record of 5-4. Although not the worst record, Bobby Ross will forever be associated with star running back Barry Sanders retiring early in 1998. At that time, he was just shy of the career rushing record by 1,457 yards.

5. Rod Marinelli – Worst NFL coaches

Rod Marinelli, the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2006 to 2008, had a defensive-minded approach to football. He was hired in January 2006 to revive a franchise that had been in a slump since the retirement of Barry Sanders many years earlier. Marinelli’s first season was a difficult one.

Marinelli's performance continued to decline dramatically — Marinelli’s performance continued to decline dramatically

The final season for coach Marinelli in 2008 started with promise with an undefeated preseason. Ironically, the team went winless in the regular season with a record of 0-16. The 2008 Detroit Lions became notable as the first team to go winless in a 16-game season since 1978. Marinelli was relieved of his duties on December 29, 2008.

6. Nathaniel Hackett – Worst NFL coaches

The Denver Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett on Jan. 27, 2022 to become their newest head coach. Although Hackett never had any prior head coaching experience, he just had a successful tenure as offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2019 – 2021.

Hackett's one-year tenure with the team was marred by the wrong decision — Hackett’s one-year tenure with the team was marred by the wrong decision

During that time, quarterback Aaron Rodgers won two MVP awards (2020 and 2021). The Broncos are hoping that Hackett can emulate similar magic with another aging quarterback, former Seattle Seahawk Russell Wilson, who signed with the team in March of the same year.

7. Josh McDaniels

The current head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, Josh McDaniels, is in charge for his second year in the silver and black divisions. However, he also served as head coach of the Denver Broncos for brief periods in 2009 and 2010. Having just begun his success as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

Josh McDaniels' inaugural season with Denver in 2009 was pretty good but not too laia — Josh McDaniels’ inaugural season with Denver in 2009 was pretty good but not too laia

Including a record-setting offensive blast in 2007, McDaniels was hired to replicate the success he enjoyed in Foxboro. Unfortunately, his tenure at Mile High City was never successful. On December 5 of his second season, Josh McDaniels was fired by the Denver Broncos following a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

8. Marc Trestman – Worst NFL coaches

In January 2013, the Chicago Bears were looking to replace former head coach Lovie Smith, who led the team for 9 seasons from 2004-2012, including a Super Bowl appearance. They think they’ve found the answer with the hiring of Marc Trestman on January 16, 2013. Trestman has decades of coaching experience in the NFL as a quarterback coach and offensive coordinator.

Trestman's Undo Will Be His Second Year — Trestman’s Undo Will Be His Second Year

Which fits the demands of a team that lacks sensational plays offend. In Trestman’s first season as Bears head coach, the team threw 4,281 yards (fifth in the NFL), which was in stark contrast to the days of the tougher and more defensive Bears under Lovie Smith.

9. Chip Kelly

NFL owners often look for college masterminds to oversee head coaching duties for their teams. This was the case when the Philadelphia Eagles hired former Oregon Ducks head coach Chip Kelly for the same position in 2013. Kelly is known for his creative attack plans, using a fast-paced, non-group chat strategy.

Many believed that Chip Kelly would not succeed in the NFL, and in the end, they were proven right

The coach worked three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before moving on as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for just one year in 2016. In Kelly’s first two years with the Eagles, the team had an identical record of 10 – 6. In his third and final year with the team in 2015, the Eagles decided to fire Chip Kelly after leading 6-9.

10. Dave Campo – Worst NFL coaches

It was 2000, and the luster from the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s was gone. Head coach Chan Gailey was fired to promote defensive coordinator Dave Campo to the position. The result was useless. In just three seasons, Campo’s Cowboys have set a terrible 15 – 33 record.

D. Campo returned to the Cowboys from 2008 - 2011 — D. Campo returned to the Cowboys from 2008 – 2011

Campo’s first two seasons were marred by the loss of highly-rated free agent Joey Galloway to injury, followed by the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman (after season one), leading to a disappointing record in season two. In Campo’s (2002) season opener, the Cowboys lost to the Houston Texans in their first game as an expansion team.

Conclusion

Above is the list of the worst NFL coaches in the history of all time. Of course, in their careers, they weren’t necessarily terrible, and the overall performance of the teams also has some responsibility from the players. Therefore, this list is only for reference. We only provide interesting sports content and do not evaluate any names. Thank you for your interest.