Following a severely disappointing 5-11 initial campaign as head coach, the Denver Broncos decided to retain Vance Joseph for a second season despite calls for and rumors of his firing. The San Francisco 49ers also granted Kyle Shanahan a second season following a losing record in his first season as their head coach. Joseph and Shanahan become the 115th and 116th head coaches since 1978, the year the NFL went to a sixteen game schedule, to be granted a second season following an initial losing season. For better or worse, Joseph and Shanahan will forever be linked to each other, as both interviewed for the Broncos’ head coaching position in 2017.
In Joseph’s freshman campaign, media and fans criticized him for failing to make in-game adjustments, allowing the same critical mistakes to repeatedly occur, a lack of discipline, and not being as candid about player performance or in holding players accountable like the previous season when he was the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator. Joseph became the butt of many jokes, particularly about his team’s stellar practices, only to see his team decidedly beaten far too often on game day.
Following his trying first season, Joseph expressed some of his regrets: “Early on in the season, I didn’t do a good job of pushing our coaches to make the proper changes that I thought could have helped us. I allowed guys to coach — that was my goal — but I wasn’t very good at coaching the coaches. I’ll get better at that. That was one of my shortcomings.”
Joseph could learn some from the experience of Bill Parcells. Parcells had a worse initial campaign in his first stint as a head coach than even Joseph did. Entering his second season, Parcells emphatically stated:
I just decided, ‘I don’t give a damn, I’m gonna do things my way.’ I’d always been an aggressive coach almost from the start, but I thought that I’d been straightjacketed some of the previous season. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again. In the end, you’ve got to be yourself. . . . If you’re not comfortable with yourself, don’t even bother showing up.
Beginning in 1984, Bill Parcells was going to do it his way. The dream was still alive; the Giants were still his team. He never wanted to go 3–12–1 again. He would now become the Parcells people would get to know, but not always love.
Obviously, being so bold may be easier said than done for Joseph when John Elway is your boss. So what should Broncos’ fans expect of Joseph in his second season? At the very least, Joseph should feel more comfortable in his head coaching skin. Joseph needs to rise up to being the leader of men that he was so highly touted as being. A return to his roots of candor, consistency, and steadiness with respect to player accountability and performance would be most welcome.
Joseph may be already showing signs of reverting to being more candid this season. During OTAs and minicamp, Joseph issued player challenges through the media, particularly in the form of a stern warning that he provided to Carlos Henderson before the team commenced its six-week break prior to training camp. Joseph also made numerous changes to his coaching staff this offseason in hopes of “chang[ing] the culture, so we can get back to pushing our players.”
At the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, Elway weighed in on Joseph’s potential to improve: “I think he’ll be a better coach just from what he experienced last year having gone through that. It’s like I said, it’s like drinking through a fire hose for him. A lot of times you don’t know what you’re getting into until you actually become the head coach. I think Vance is a great young coach with a lot of energy.”
Based on history, is there any hope for Joseph to markedly improve in his second season as Denver’s head coach? There is a mixed bag of second season and subsequent season performances from head coaches given a second, and sometimes, additional seasons following an initial losing season.
The best case scenario is that Joseph becomes the next Bill Belichick, absent the cheating and general weirdness, Bill Walsh, Bill Parcells, Tom Coughlin, Jimmy Johnson, Pete Carroll in Seattle, the Chicago version of Mike Ditka, or Doug Pederson, who jumped from last to first place and won a Super Bowl between his first and second seasons. Perhaps, Joseph should just change his first name to Bill. Walsh and Johnson inherited very bad teams. Joseph did not. The quarterback quandary Joseph endured in 2017, however, was much worse than initially thought.
This article does not include coaching legends, Chuck Noll, Tom Landry, and Bud Grant, in any category. They all became head coaches well before 1978. Landry did not have a winning season as a head coach until his seventh year. His records prior to then were 0-11-1, 4-9-1, 5-8-1, 4-10, 5-8-1, and 7-7. Noll went 1-13, 5-9, and 6-8 in his first three seasons. Landry coached teams to two Super Bowl victories, five NFC titles, and eighteen playoff appearances. Noll went on to win four Super Bowl titles and five AFC Championships. Grant also had a losing record his first season as an NFL head coach before winning eleven division titles, three NFC Championships, and one NFL Championship in the same season that Minnesota lost Super Bowl IV.
Broncos’ fans would definitely be encouraged, if not enthused, if Joseph went on to have a second and subsequent seasons like Andy Reid in Philadelphia, Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville, Marv Levy in Buffalo, and yes, even Jeff Fisher in Tennessee and John Fox in Carolina. History appears to be working against Joseph, but there is potential for steady development and even greatness.
In an attempt to better prognosticate Joseph’s destiny, this article examines NFL head coaches since the 1978 season who had losing first seasons, but were granted a second season or more. This article does not include any interim head coaches’ seasons. For purposes of this article, I have placed each head coach into the following six categories:
- The Great (A Minimum of Multiple Conference Championships or Super Bowl Title(s))
- The Really Good (At Least One Conference Championship Appearance or Win, but No Super Bowl Titles)
- Somewhat Good and Good (At Least One Playoff Appearance)
- Truly Mediocre
- The Bad
- The Ugly
I debated about which category to place some coaches. For example, Wayne Fontes teetered on the edge of the Somewhat Good and Good to Really Good categories. Some of these categories are further broken down by time period.
Based on these lists, it is important to keep in my mind how fortunate the Broncos’ fanbase has been since the 1970s. Only one Denver coach, the main subject of this article, has had a losing first season since 1978. I am sure that the list of coaches and seasons will bring to mind many great Broncos’ memories and a few that will undoubtedly trigger some sadder moments.
I hope that this article and its findings will be interesting, informative, instructive, and not TL;DR. I look forward to your thoughts and comments, and I apologize for any formatting issues with the WordPress tables.
The Great (A Minimum of Multiple Conference Championships or Super Bowl Title(s))
| Head Coach and Team | 1st, 8th, or 15th Season | 2nd, 9th, or 16th Season | 3rd or 10th Season, or 17th Season | 4th or 11th Season, or 18th Season | 5th or 12th Season | 6th or 13th Season | 7th or 14th Season |
| Bill Belichick (NE) | 2000 5-11 (5th) | 2001 11-5 (1st) Won SB XXXVI |
2002 9-7 (2nd)
|
2003 14-2 (1st) Won SB XXXVIII | 2004 14-2 (1st) Won SB XXXIX | 2005 10-6 (1st) Lost AFCDG to DEN | 2006 12-4 (1st) Lost AFCCG |
| Bill Belichick (NE Cont.) | 2007 16-0 (1st) Lost SB XLII | 2008 11-5 (2nd) | 2009 10-6 (1st) Lost AFCWCG | 2010 14-2 (1st) Lost AFCDG | 2011 13-3 (1st) Lost SB XLVI | 2012 12-4 (1st) Lost AFCCG | 2013 12-4 (1st) Lost AFCCG to DEN |
| Bill Belichick (NE Cont.) | 2014 12-4 (1st) Won SB XLIX | 2015 12-4 (1st) Lost AFCCG to DEN | 2016 14-2 (1st) Won SB LI | 2017 13-3 (1st) Lost SB LII | |||
| Bill Parcells (NYG) | 1983 3-12-1 (5th) | 1984 9-7 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 1985 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 1986 14-2 (1st) Won SB XXI | 1987 6-9 (5th NFCE-Strike Season) | 1988 10-6 (2nd) | 1989 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCDG |
| Bill Parcells (NYG Cont.) | 1990 13-3 (1st) Won SB XXV (Temporary Retirement) | ||||||
| Bill Walsh (SF) | 1979 2-14 (4th) | 1980 6-10 (3rd) | 1981 13-3 (1st) Won SB XVI | 1982 3-6 (11th in NFC-Strike Season) | 1983 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 1984 15-1 (1st) Won SB XIX | 1985 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG |
| Bill Walsh (SF Cont.) | 1986 10-5-1 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 1987 13-2 (1st/Strike Season) Lost NFCDG | 1988 10-6 (1st) Won SB XXIII (Retired) | ||||
| Tom Coughlin (NYG) | 2004 6-10 (2nd) | 2005 11-5 (1st) Lost NFCWCG | 2006 8-8 (3rd) Lost NFCWCG | 2007 10-6 (2nd) Won SB XLII | 2008 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 2009 8-8 (3rd) | 2010 10-6 (2nd) |
| Tom Coughlin (NYG Cont.) | 2011 9-7 (1st) Won SB XLVI | 2012 9-7 (2nd) | 2013 7-9 (3rd) | 2014 6-10 (3rd) | 2015 6-10 (3rd) (Forced Resignation) | ||
| Jimmy Johnson (DAL) | 1989 1-15 (5th) | 1990 7-9 (4th) | 1991 11-5 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 1992 13-3 (1st) Won SB XXVII | 1993 12-4 (1st) Won SB XXVIII (Mutual Parting) | ||
| Mike Ditka (CHI) | 1982 3-6 (12th in NFC/Strike Season) | 1983 8-8 (3rd) | 1984 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 1985 15-1 (1st) Won SB XX | 1986 14-2 (1st) Lost NFDG | 1987 11-4 (1st/Strike Season) Lost NFCDG | 1988 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCDG |
| Mike Ditka (CHI Cont.) | 1989 6-10 (4th) | 1990 11-5 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 1991 11-5 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 1992 5-11 (4th) (Fired) | |||
| Pete Carroll (SEA) |
2010 7-9 (1st) Lost NFCDG Only head coach with a losing first season to qualify for the playoffs in that same season. |
2011 7-9 (3rd) | 2012 11-5 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 2013 13-3 (1st) Won SB XLVII | 2014 12-4 (1st) Lost SB XLIX | 2015 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 2016 10-5-1 (1st) Lost NFCDG |
| Pete Carroll (SEA Cont.) | 2017 9-7 (2nd) | ||||||
| Marv Levy (BUF) | 1987 7-8 (4th/Strike Season) | 1988 12-4 (1st) Lost AFCCG | 1989 9-7 (1st) Lost AFCDG | 1990 13-3 (1st) Lost SB XXV | 1991 13-3 (1st) Lost SB XXVI | 1992 11-5 (2nd) Lost SB XXVII | 1993 12-4 (1st) Lost SB XXVIII |
| Marv Levy (BUF Cont.) | 1994 7-9 (4th) | 1995 10-6 (1st) Lost AFCDG | 1996 10-6 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG | 1997 6-10 (4th) (Retired) | |||
| Dick Vermeil (STLR) | 1997 5-11 (5th) | 1998 4-12 (5th) | 1999 13-3 (1st) Won SB XXXIV | ||||
| Doug Pederson (PHI) | 2016 7-9 (4th) | 2017 13-3 (1st) Won SB LII (Obviously will be given a third season) |
The Really Good (At Least One Conference Championship Appearance or Win, but No Super Bowl Titles)
| Head Coach and Team | 1st, 8th, or 15th Season | 2nd, 9th, or 16th Season | 3rd or 10th Season | 4th or 11th Season | 5th or 12th Season | 6th or 13th Season | 7th or 14th Season |
| Bill Parcells (NE) | 1993 5-11 (4th) | 1994 10-6 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG | 1995 6-10 (4th) | 1996 11-5 (1st) Lost Super Bowl XXXI (Resigned) | |||
| Tom Coughlin (JAC) | 1995 4-12 (5th) | 1996 9-7 (2nd) Lost AFCCG | 1997 11-5 (1st) Lost AFCWCG to DEN | 1998 11-5 (1st) Lost AFCDG | 1999 14-2 (1st) Lost AFCCG | 2000 7-9 (4th) | 2001 6-10 (5th) |
| Tom Coughlin (JAC Cont.) | 2002 6-10 (3rd) (Fired) | ||||||
| Jeff Fisher (Oilers/Titans) | 1995 7-9 (3rd) | 1996 7-9 (4th) | 1997 8-8 (3rd) | 1998 8-8 (2nd) | 1999 13-3 (2nd) Lost SB XXXIV | 2000 13-3 (1st) Lost AFDG | 2001 7-9 (4th) |
| Jeff Fisher (Oilers/Titans Cont.) | 2002 11-5 (1st) Lost AFCCG | 2003 12-4 (2nd) Lost AFCDG | 2004 5-11 (3rd) | 2005 4-12 (3rd) | 2006 8-8 (2nd) | 2007 10-6 (3rd) Lost AFCCWG | 2008 13-3 (1st) Lost AFCDG |
| Jeff Fisher (Oilers/Titans Cont.) | 2009 8-8 (3rd) | 2010 6-10 (4th) (Mutual Buyout) | |||||
| Tony Dungy (TB) | 1996 6-10 (4th) | 1997 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 1998 8-8 (3rd) | 1999 11-5 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 2000 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 2001 9-7 (3rd) Lost NFCWCG (Fired) | |
| Andy Reid (PHI) | 1999 5-11 (3rd) | 2000 11-5 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 2001 11-5 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 2002 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 2003 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 2004 13-3 (1st) Lost SB XXXIX | 2005 6-10 (4th) |
| Andy Reid (PHI Cont.) | 2006 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 2007 8-8 (4th) | 2008 9-6-1 (2nd) Lost NFCCG | 2009 11-5 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 2010 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCWCG | 2011 8-8 (2nd) | 2012 4-12 (4th) (Fired) |
| John Fox (CAR) | 2002 7-9 (3rd) | 2003 11-5 (1st) Lost CB XXXVIII | 2004 7-9 (3rd) | 2005 11-5 (2nd) Lost NFCCG | 2006 8-8 (2nd) | 2007 7-9 (2nd) | 2008 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCDG |
| John Fox (CAR Cont.) | 2009 8-8 (3rd) | 2010 2-14 (4th) (Contract not renewed) | |||||
| Lovie Smith (CHI) | 2004 5-11 (4th) | 2005 11-5 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 2006 13-3 (1st) Lost SB XLI | 2007 7-9 (4th) | 2008 9-7 (2nd) | 2009 7-9 (3rd) | 2010 11-5 (1st) Lost NFCCG |
| Lovie Smith (CHI) | 2011 8-8 (3rd) | 2012 10-6 (3rd) (Fired) |
Somewhat Good and Good (At Least One Playoff Appearance) 2000s–2010s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st or 8th Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season | 5th Season | 6th Season | 7th Season |
| Dick Jauron (CHI) | 1999 6-10 (5th) | 2000 5-11 (5th) | 2001 13-3 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 2002 4-12 (3rd) | 2003 7-9 (3rd) (Fired) | ||
| Butch Davis (CLE) | 2001 7-9 (3rd) | 2002 9-7 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG | 2003 5-11 (4th) | 2004 3-8 (Fired) | |||
| Dick Vermeil (KC) | 2001 6-10 (4th) | 2002 8-8 (4th) | 2003 13-3 (1st) Lost AFCDG | 2004 7-9 (3rd) | 2005 10-6 (2nd) (Retired) | ||
| Mike Tice (MIN) | 2002 6-10 (2nd) | 2003 9-7 (2nd) | 2004 8-8 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 2005 9-7 (2nd) (Fired) | |||
| Jack Del Rio (JAC) | 2003 5-11 (3rd) | 2004 9-7 (2nd) | 2005 12-4 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG | 2006 8-8 (3rd) | 2007 11-5 (2nd) Lost AFCDG | 2008 5-11 (4th) | 2009 7-9 (4th) |
| Jack Del Rio (JAC Cont.) | 2010 8-8 (2nd) | 2011 3-8 (Fired) | |||||
| Joe Gibbs (WAS) (2nd Stint) | 2004 6-10 (4th) | 2005 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 2006 5-11 (4th) | 2007 9-7 (3rd) Lost NFCWCG (Retired) | |||
| Brad Childress (MIN) | 2006 6-10 (3rd) | 2007 8-8 (2nd) | 2008 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCWCG | 2009 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 2010 3-7 (Fired) | ||
| Gary Kubiak (HOU) | 2006 6-10 (4th) | 2007 8-8 (4th) | 2008 8-8 (3rd) | 2009 9-7 (2nd) | 2010 6-10 (3rd) | 2011 10-6 (1st) Lost AFCDG | 2012 12-4 (1st) Lost AFCDG |
| Gary Kubiak (HOU Cont.) | 2013 2-11 (Fired) | ||||||
| Todd Haley (KC) | 2009 4-12 (4th) | 2010 10-6 (1st) Lost AFCWCG | 2011 5-8 (Fired) | ||||
| Jim Schwartz (DET) | 2009 2-14 (4th) | 2010 6-10 (3rd) | 2011 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 2012 4-12 (4th) | 2013 7-9 (3rd) | ||
| Mike Shanahan (WAS) | 2010 6-10 (4th) | 2011 5-11 (4th) | 2012 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCWCG | 2013 3-13 (4th) (Fired) | |||
| Leslie Frazier (MIN) | 2011 3-13 (4th) | 2012 6-10 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 2013 5-10-1 (4th) (Fired) | ||||
| Jack Del Rio (OAK) | 2015 7-9 (3rd) | 2016 12-4 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG | 2017 6-10 (3rd) (Fired) |
Somewhat Good and Good (At Least One Playoff Appearance) 1978–1990s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season | 5th Season | 6th Season | 7th Season |
| Neill Armstrong (CHI) | 1978 7-9 (4th) | 1979 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 1980 7-9 (3rd) | 1981 6-10 (5th) (Fired) | |||
| Monte Clark (DET) | 1978 7-9 (3rd) | 1979 2-14 (5th) | 1980 9-7 (2nd) | 1981 8-8 (2nd) | 1982 4-5 (4th NFCC/Strike Season) | 1983 9-7 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 1984 4-11 (Fired) |
| Ray Perkins (NYG) | 1979 6-10 (4th) | 1980 4-12 (5th) | 1981 9-7 (3rd) Lost NFCDG | 1982 4-5 (4th NFC/Strike Season) (Fired) | |||
| Forrest Gregg (CIN) | 1980 6-10 (4th) | 1981 12-4 (1st) Lost SB XVI | 1982 7-2 (3rd AFC/Strike Season) Lost AFC 1st Round | 1983 7-9 (3rd) (Mutual Parting) | |||
| Jim Hanifan (STLC) | 1980 5-11 (4th) | 1981 7-9 (5th) | 1982 5-4 (6th NFC/Strike Season) Lost NFC 1st Round | 1983 8-7-1 (3rd) | 1984 9-7 (3rd) | 1985 5-11 (5th) | |
| John Mackovic (KC) | 1983 6-10 (5th) | 1984 8-8 (4th) | 1985 6-10 (5th) | 1986 10-6 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG (Fired) | |||
| Joe Walton (NYJ) | 1983 7-9 (5th) | 1984 7-9 (3rd) | 1985 11-5 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG | 1986 10-6 (2nd) Lost AFCDG | 1987 6-9 (5th/Strike Season) | 1988 8-7-1 (4th) | 1989 4-12 (5th) |
| Jerry Glanville (HOU) | 1986 5-11 (4th) | 1987 9-6 (2nd/Strike Season) Lost AFCDG | 1988 10-6 (3rd) Lost AFCDG | 1989 9-7 (2nd) Lost AFCWCG (Resigned) | |||
| Buddy Ryan | 1986 5-10-1 (4th) | 1987 7-8 (2nd/Strike Season) | 1988 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 1989 11-5 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 1990 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG (Fired) | ||
| Wayne Fontes (DET) | 1989 7-9 (3rd) | 1990 6-10 (3rd) | 1991 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 1992 5-11 (5th) | 1993 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCWCG | 1994 9-7 (3rd) Lost NFCWCG | 1995 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG |
| Wayne Fontes (DET Cont.) | 1996 5-11 (5th) (Fired) | ||||||
| Jerry Glanville (ATL) | 1990 5-11 (4th) | 1991 10-6 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 1992 6-10 (3rd) | 1993 6-10 (3rd) (Fired) | |||
| Bill Belichick (CLE) | 1991 6-10 (3rd) | 1992 7-9 (3rd) | 1993 7-9 (3rd) | 1994 11-5 (2nd) Lost AFCDG | 1995 5-11 (4th) (Fired) | ||
| Dave Wannstedt (CHI) | 1993 7-9 (4th) | 1994 9-7 (4th) Lost NFCDG | 1995 9-7 (3rd) | 1996 7-9 (3rd) | 1997 4-12 (5th) | 1998 4-12 (5th) (Fired) | |
| June Jones (ATL) | 1994 7-9 (3rd) | 1995 9-7 (2nd) Lost NFCWCG | 1996 3-13 (4th) (Fired) | ||||
| Norv Turner (WAS) | 1994 3-13 (5th) | 1995 6-10 (3rd) | 1996 9-7 (3rd) | 1997 8-7-1 (2nd) | 1998 6-10 (4th) | 1999 10-6 (1st) Lost NFCDG | 2000 7-6 (Fired) |
| Dom Capers (CAR) | 1995 7-9 (4th) | 1996 12-4 (1st) Lost NFCCG | 1997 7-9 (2nd) | 1998 4-12 (4th) (Fired) | |||
| Vince Tobin (ARI) | 1996 7-9 (4th) | 1997 4-12 (5th) | 1998 9-7 (2nd) Lost NFCDG) | 1999 6-10 (4th) | 2000 2-5 (Fired) | ||
| Dan Reeves (ATL) | 1997 7-9 (2nd) | 1998 14-2 (1st) Lost SB XXXIII to DEN | 1999 5-11 (3rd) | 2000 4-12 (5th) | 2001 7-9 (3rd) | 2002 9-6-1 (2nd) Lost NFCDG | 2003 3-10 (Fired) |
The Truly Mediocre
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season |
| Joe Philbin (MIA) | 2012 7-9 (2nd) | 2013 8-8 (3rd) | 2014 8-8 (3rd) | 2015 – 1-3 (Fired) |
| Doug Marrone (BUF) | 2013 6-10 (4th) | 2014 9-7 (2nd) (Resigned) |
The Bad 2000–2010s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season | 5th Season |
| Mike Pettine (CLE) | 2014 7-9 (4th) | 2015 3-13 (4th) (Fired) | |||
| Jeff Fisher (STLR/LAR) | 2012 7-8-1 (3rd) | 2013 7-9 (4th) | 2014 6-10 (4th) | 2015 7-9 (3rd) | 2016 4-9 (Fired) |
| Greg Schiano (TB) | 2012 7-9 (4th) | 2013 4-12 (4th) (Fired) | |||
| Romeo Crennel (CLE) | 2005 6-10 (3rd) | 2006 4-12 (4th) | 2007 10-6 (2nd) | 2008 4-12 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Raheem Morris (TB) | 2009 3-13 (4th) | 2010 10-6 (3rd) | 2011 4-12 (4th) (Fired) | ||
| Tom Cable (OAK) | 2009 5-11 (3rd) | 2010 8-8 (3rd) (Fired) | |||
| Dick Jauron (BUF) | 2006 7-9 (3rd) | 2007 7-9 (2nd) | 2008 7-9 (4th) | 2009 3-6 (Fired) | |
| Dennis Erickson (SF) | 2003 7-9 (3rd) | 2004 2-14 (4th) (Fired) | |||
| Gregg Williams (BUF) | 2001 3-13 (5th) | 2002 8-8 (4th) | 2003 6-10 (3rd) (Fired) | ||
| Steve Spurrier (WAS) | 2002 7-9 (3rd) | 2003 5-11 (3rd) (Fired) |
The Bad 1978–1990s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season | 5th Season |
| Rich Brooks (STLR) | 1995 7-9 (3rd) | 1996 6-10 (3rd) (Fired) | |||
| Sam Wyche (TB) | 1992 5-11 (3rd) | 1993 5-11 (5th) | 1994 6-10 (5th) | 1995 7-9 (5th) (Fired) | |
| Lindy Infante (GB) | 1988 4-12 (5th) | 1989 10-6 (2nd) | 1990 6-10 (4th) | 1991 4-12 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Gene Stallings (STLC/PHX) | 1986 4-11-1 (5th) | 1987 7-8 (Strike Season) (3rd) | 1988 7-9 (4th) | 1989 5-6 (Fired) | |
| Bum Phillips (NO) | 1981 4-12 (4th) | 1982 4-5 (Strike Season) (9th in NFC) | 1983 8-8 (3rd) | 1984 7-9 (3rd) | 1985 4-8 (Resigned) |
| Marv Levy (KC) | 1978 4-12 (5th) | 1979 7-9 (5th) | 1980 8-8 (3rd) | 1981 9-7 (3rd) | 1982 3-6 (4th/Strike Season) (Fired) |
The Ugly 2010s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season |
| Hue Jackson (CLE) | 2016 1-15 (4th) | 2017 0-16 (4th) (Will be given third season) | ||
| Ken Whisenhunt (TEN) | 2014 2-14 (4th) | 2015 1-6 (Fired) | ||
| Lovie Smith (TB) | 2014 2-14 (4th) | 2015 6-10 (4th) (Fired) | ||
| Gus Bradley (JAC) | 2013 4-12 (3rd) | 2014 3-13 (3rd) | 2015 5-11 (3rd) | 2016 2-12 (Fired) |
| Dennis Allen (OAK) | 2012 4-12 (3rd) | 2013 4-12 (4th) | 2014 0-4 (Fired) | |
| Chan Gailey (BUF) | 2010 4-12 (4th) | 2011 6-10 (4th) | 2012 6-10 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Pat Shurmur (CLE) | 2011 4-12 (4th) | 2012 5-11 (4th) (Fired) | ||
| Steve Spanuolo (STLR) | 2009 1-15 (4th) | 2010 7-9 (2nd) | 2011 2-14 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Eric Mangini (CLE) | 2009 5-11 (4th) | 2010 5-11 (3rd) (Fired) |
The Ugly 2000s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season |
| Rod Marinelli (DET) | 2006 3-13 (4th) | 2007 7-9 (3rd) | 2008 0-16 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Mike Nolan (SF) | 2005 4-12 (4th) | 2006 7-9 (3rd) | 2007 5-11 (3rd) | 2008 2-5 (Fired) |
| Dennis Green (AZ) | 2004 6-10 (3rd) | 2005 5-11 (3rd) | 2006 5-11 (3rd) (Fired) | |
| Lane Kiffin (OAK) | 2007 4-12 (4th) | 2008 1-3 (Fired) | ||
| Steve Mariucci (DET) | 2003 5-11 (3rd) | 2004 6-10 (3rd) | 2005 4-7 (Fired) | |
| Dom Capers (HOU) | 2002 4-12 (4th) | 2003 5-11 (4th) | 2004 7-9 (3rd) | 2005 2-14 (4th) (Fired) |
| Dave McGinnis (AZ) | 2001 7-9 (4th) | 2002 5-11 (4th) | 2003 4-12 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Dick LeBeau (CIN) | 2001 6-10 (6th) | 2002 2-14 (4th) (Fired) | ||
| Dave Campo (DAL) | 2000 5-11 (4th) | 2001 5-11 (5th) | 2002 5-11 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Marty Mornhinweg (DET) | 2001 2-14 (5th) | 2002 3-13 (4th) (Fired) | ||
| Chris Palmer (CLE) | 1999 2-14 (6th) | 2000 3-13 (6th) (Fired) |
The Ugly 1990s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season | 5th Season |
| Dan Henning (SD) | 1989 6-10 (5th) | 1990 6-10 (4th) | 1991 4-12 (5th) (Fired) | ||
| Joe Bugel (PHX) | 1990 5-11 (5th) | 1991 5-11 (5th) | 1992 4-12 (5th) | 1993 7-9 (4th) (Fired) | |
| Dick MacPherson (NE) | 1991 6-10 (4th) | 1992 2-14 (5th) (Fired) | |||
| Tom Flores (SEA) | 1992 2-14 (5th) | 1993 6-10 (5th) | 1994 6-10 (5th) (Fired) | ||
| Chuck Knox (LAR) | 1992 6-10 (4th) | 1993 5-11 (4th) | 1994 4-12 (4th) (Fired) | ||
| Dave Shula (CIN) | 1992 5-11 (4th) | 1993 3-13 (4th) | 1994 3-13 (3rd) | 1995 7-9 3rd) | 1996 1-6 (Fired) |
| Rich Kotite (NYJ) | 1995 3-13 (5th) | 1996 1-15 (5th) (Resigned and never coached in the NFL again) | |||
| Ted Marchibroda (BAL) | 1996 4-12 (5th) | 1997 6-9-1 (5th) | 1998 6-10 (4th (Not retained) | ||
| Bruce Coslet (CIN) | 1997 7-9 (4th) | 1998 3-13 (5th) | 1999 4-12 (5th) | 2000 0-3 (Fired) | |
| Mike Ditka (NO) | 1997 6-10 (4th) | 1998 6-10 (3rd) | 1999 3-13 (5th) (Fired) |
The Ugly 1978–1980s
| Head Coach and Team | 1st Season | 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 4th Season |
| Bud Wilkinson (STLC) | 1978 6-10 (4th) | 1979 3-10 (Fired) | ||
| Mike McCormack (BAL) | 1980 7-9 (4th) | 1981 2-14 (Tied for 5th) (Fired) | ||
| Ed Biles (HOU) | 1981 7-9 (3rd) | 1982 1-8 (13th in AFC/Strike Season) | 1983 0-6 (Fired) | |
| Frank Kush (BAL/IND) | 1982 0-8-1 (14th in AFC/Strike Season) | 1983 7-9 (4th) | 1984 4-11 (Fired) | |
| Dan Henning (ATL) | 1983 7-9 (4th) | 1984 4-12 (4th) | 1985 4-12 (4th) | 1986 7-8-1 (3rd) (Fired) |
| Marion Campbell (PHI) | 1983 5-11 (4th) | 1984 6-9-1 (5th) | 1985 6-9 (Fired) | |
| Hugh Campbell (HOU) | 1984 3-13 (4th) | 1985 5-9 (Fired) | ||
| Leeman Bennett (TB) | 1985 2-14 (5th) | 1986 2-14 (5th) (Fired) | ||
| Rod Dowhower (IND) | 1985 5-11 (4th) | 1986 0-13 (Fired) | ||
| Darryl Rodgers (DET) | 1985 5-11 (4th) | 1986 5-11 (3rd) | 1987 4-11 (5th/Strike Season) | 1988 2-9 (Fired) |
| Frank Gansz (KC) | 1987 4-11 (5th/Strike Season) | 1988 4-11-1 (5th) (Fired) | ||
| Ray Perkins (TB) | 1987 4-11 (4th/Strike Season) | 1988 5-11 (3rd) | 1989 5-11 (5th) | 1990 5-8 (Fired) |
| Marion Campbell (ATL) | 1987 3-12 (4th/Strike Season) | 1988 5-11 (4th) | 1989 3-9 (Fired) |