NFL head coaching hires: 2008-2012
Published
Jan. 17, 2013 4:15 p.m. ET
foxsports
Between 2008 and 2012, 31 head coaches were hired -- 15 offensive-minded and 16 defensive-minded.
Of the 15 offensive-minded coaches hired during the time span, 10 have lost their job -- including all six hired in 2008 and 2009
Of the 16 defensive-minded coaches, only four have been fired. Though to be fair, four were hired last season.
OFFENSIVE-MINDED COACHES
Coach | Team | Season Hired | Record |
Tony Sparano | Miami | 2008 | 29-32 |
Took Miami to the playoffs in his first year, but was let go with a 4-9 record in 2011. | |||
Tom Cable | Oakland | 2008 | 17-27 |
Fired in 2010 after going 8-8, including 6-0 in the division for first time in team history. | |||
Jim Zorn | Washington | 2008 | 12-20 |
Elevated to coach weeks after being hired as offensive coordinator. He lasted two seasons. | |||
Josh McDaniel | Denver | 2009 | 11-17 |
Bill Belichick disciple was fired after less than two seasons. Perhaps best remembered for drafting Tim Tebow. | |||
Jim Caldwell | Indianapolis | 2009 | 26-22 |
Led Colts to Super Bowl XLIV in first year, but fired after 2-14 in 2011. | |||
Todd Haley | Kansas City | 2009 | 19-26 |
Fired after Chiefs lost 5 of last 6 to finish 5-8 in 2011. | |||
Chan Gailey | Buffalo | 2010 | 16-32 |
Fired last month after third straight sub-.500 season. | |||
Jason Garrett | Dallas | 2010 | 21-19 |
Has survived firing after a second straight 8-8 this season. | |||
Mike Shanahan | Washington | 2010 | 21-27 |
Two years of mediocrity before Robert Griffin III sparked a 10-6 season before getting hurt in this year’s playoffs. | |||
Pat Shurmur | Cleveland | 2011 | 9-23 |
Fired when new ownership cleaned house after second consecutive disastrous season. | |||
Hue Jackson | Oakland | 2011 | 8-8 |
Hired by Al Davis, who died during the season; fired by new GM Reggie McKenzie. | |||
Jim Harbaugh | San Francisco | 2011 | 24-8 |
Has Niners in second consecutive NFC Championship game. | |||
Mike Munchak | Tennessee | 2011 | 15-17 |
Has been with franchise 30 years as player and coach; he’ll be on the clock in 2013. | |||
Mike Mularkey | Jacksonville | 2012 | 2-14 |
One-and-done after the worst season in franchise history. | |||
Joe Philbin | Miami | 2012 | 7-9 |
If Ryan Tannehill turns into an elite QB, Philbin might have staying power. |
DEFENSIVE-MINDED COACHES
Coach | Team | Season Hired | Record |
Mike Smith | Atlanta | 2008 | 56-24 |
Has taken the Falcons to postseason four times, playing in the NFC title game this year. | |||
John Harbaugh | Baltimore | 2008 | 54-26 |
Has led Ravens to playoffs all five years, including two AFC Championship game appearances. | |||
Mike Singletary | San Francisco | 2008 | 18-22 |
Disciplinarian replaced Mike Nolan midway through ’08; done in by 0-5 start in ‘10. | |||
Jim Haslett | St. Louis | 2008 | 2-10 |
Replaced Scott Linehan and got off to 2-0 start, before losing the last 10 and then his job. | |||
Jim Schwartz | Detroit | 2009 | 22-42 |
Lions appeared to be turning the corner before 4-12 season in 2012. | |||
Rex Ryan | N.Y. Jets | 2009 | 34-30 |
Jets 14-18 last two seasons after two AFC title game appearances in first two years. | |||
Steve Spagnuolo | St. Louis | 2009 | 10-38 |
Fired after going 2-14 in his third season; went 1-15 in first year. | |||
Raheem Morris | Tampa Bay | 2009 | 17-31 |
Fired after Bucs lost last 10 games en route to 4-12 finish in 2011. | |||
Pete Carroll | Seattle | 2010 | 25-23 |
Year No. 3 proved big -- found a QB in Russell Wilson, went 11-5 with a playoff berth. | |||
Ron Rivera | Carolina | 2011 | 13-19 |
Will feel pressure in 2013; success tied to former No. 1 pick Cam Netwon. | |||
John Fox | Denver | 2011 | 21-11 |
Former Panthers coach has taken Broncos to playoffs each of his first two seasons in Denver. | |||
Leslie Frazier | Minnesota | 2011 | 16-22 |
Rode 2,000-yard rusher Adrian Peterson to a wild-card playoff berth in 2012. | |||
Chuck Pagano | Indianapolis | 2012 | 11-5 |
Missed much of 2012 season while being treated for leukemia; QB Andrew Luck led amazing turnaround resulting in a playoff spot. | |||
Dennis Allen | Oakland | 2012 | 4-12 |
Raiders first defensive-oriented coach since John Madden retired in ’78. | |||
Jeff Fisher | St. Louis | 2012 | 7-8-1 |
The Titans were middle of the pack in defense, but have solid QB in Sam Bradford. | |||
Greg Schiano | Tampa Bay | 2012 | 7-9 |
Hired from Rutgers, the Buccaneers made strides in his first season. |
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