Coaching in the National Football League is undeniably a difficult and often thankless job – no one disputes this. In the wake of the start of rumblings about the future of certain coaches (read: Brandon Staley and Josh McDaniels), here is my official (ish) list of the top 5 overrated coaches in the NFL.
Nick Sirianni: Sure, he went to the Super Bowl, yes, the Eagles are one of maybe 4 bona fide “contenders” in the National Football League. But they are not the same team that they were last season, blowing out teams on a weekly basis, setting all time sack records and essentially just wrecking havoc on the rest of the NFC. And really, even with Jalen Hurts, they have not looked the same since they lost their offensive and defensive gurus, Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon (despite Gannon’s…interesting character). I’m not saying he is an actively bad coach, but he seems really more like a happy team cheerleader benefitting hugely from Howie Roseman’s spectacular roster construction.
Dan Campbell: Another excellent example of a great ‘rah-rah’ everyone-loves-him type guy benefitting from an elite offensive coordinator in Ben Johnson and defense that is improving under DC Aaron Glenn and littered with draft gems such as Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph. Whilst undoubtedly an excellent players’ coach and beloved by the players in the locker room, Dan Campbell has, with the exception of a couple of gutsy third down calls, has demonstrated close to nothing regarding his scheme or game planning ability. If Ben Johnson finds a head a head coaching job this year (see: the Los Angeles Chargers), it will be interesting to see how Campbell and the Detroit Lions fare. Loveable but certainly an overrated coach.
Zach Taylor: Of all the overrated coaches, this is simultaneously the most and least egregious. On the one hand, I don’t think anyone worth their weight in salt believes that Zach Taylor is a legitimately “good coach” beyond basic competency. However, it does feel like he is lumped in with the second or third tier (depending on your grading system preferences) of coaches.
His Bengals offenses have been electric….with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins – the man was 6-25, a terrible record – with ok-but-not-god-awful Andy Dalton. He has failed to resurrect a seemingly permanently porous offensive line, despite continuous and expensive investment to do so, and it seems like the only coach who really manages to create a unit that is greater than the sum of their parts is stud defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who has transformed the unit into a top 10 defense in the NFL.
Pete Carroll: Don’t @ me, of course Pete Carroll is not a bad coach, he has been to two super bowls and won one (with a franchise and some would argue, controversially, “Hall of Fame” caliber quarterback in Russel Wilson). But his success over the years was short lasted, having been to no Conference Championship games since the “difficult” loss to New England in Super Bowl XLIX. Much of their recent, mediocre success can be attributed to John Schneider taking back the reigns on making draft night, and other, personnel decisions.
And even other successes, such as Geno Smith’s career rejuvenation, can hardly be attributed to a 72 year old defensive coach. Again, not a bad coach, indeed, certainly good coach. But he does not deserve to be considered, despite often being done so, in the same breath as Bill Belichick, Andy Reid alongside younger stars like Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. Pete Carroll is, sadly, an overrated coach.
Kliff Kingsbury: I know, I know, he does not officially count towards overrated coaches in the NFL, as he is no more in the National Football League. But I just think he is a terrible, terrible coach so wanted to put him in here anyway.
Follow Daniel on Twitter (or “X”) @danielarwas
Our Partners
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.
Radtke Sports
Wisconsin Sports Heroics is proud to partner with Radtke Sports to offer autographed memorabilia. Brett Favre, Rob Gronkowski, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and MORE Guaranteed Authentic Collectibles and Memorabilia, including signed jerseys, photos, and more at www.RadtkeSports.com USE promo code: WSH for FREE SHIPPING on your purchase. Some restrictions may apply.