This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/bilbobiggers on 2024-05-03 18:43:15.
Much like a QB class means the group of QBs who enter the league in the same year, a head coach class means the group coaches who get their jobs in the same hiring cycle. For instance, the latest cycle gave us the HC class of 2024: Brian Callahan, Dave Canales, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Macdonald, Jerod Mayo, Raheem Morris, Antonio Pierce and Dan Quinn
I set out to establish the BEST and the WORST HC classes of recent years. I looked through every hiring cycle of the 32-team era (since 2002) and put together my top 3 candidates in either direction.
3 WORST: CLASS OF 2016
Mike Mularkey (Titans), Doug Pederson (Eagles), Adam Gase (Dolphins), Ben McAdoo (Giants), Dirk Koetter (Bucs), Chip Kelly (49ers), Hue Jackson (Browns)
This one at least has a Super Bowl winner in Pederson, and that’s why it doesn’t rank higher. The rest of the guys here combine for 1 playoff win and none of them lasted more than 3 seasons.
2 WORST: CLASS OF 2012
Chuck Pagano (Colts), Joe Philbin (Dolphins), Jeff Fisher (Rams), Greg Schiano (Bucs), Dennis Allen (Raiders), Mike Mularkey (Jaguars), Romeo Crennel (Chiefs)
Pagano is the only coach in this class who sustained a winning record with the team that hired him. Schiano, Mularkey and Crennel were trainwrecks, Philbin and Allen are not remembered fondly and Jeff Fisher’s Rams tenure remains a notorious punchline.
1 WORST: CLASS OF 2005
Nick Saban (Dolphins), Romeo Crennel (Browns), Mike Nolan (49ers)
This is the only head coach class of the 21st century without a single winning record. Saban (0.469) bailed on the Dolphins after pinky-promising he wouldn’t; Nolan (0.327) famously selected Alex Smith over Aaron Rodgers, then proceeded to ruin his first years; and by god is that Romeo Crennel again (0.375)?
3 BEST: CLASS OF 2006
Sean Payton (Saints), Mike McCarthy (Packers), Brad Childress (Vikings), Gary Kubiak (Texans), Eric Mangini (Jets), Dick Jauron (Bills), Herm Edwards (Chiefs), Scott Linehan (Rams), Rod Marinelli (Lions), Art Shell (Raiders)
Two Super Bowl winners and longtime skippers of their franchises in Payton and McCarthy, plus Kubiak, who led the Texans to their first competitive era, and Childress, with an NFC title game appearance to his (and Brett Favre’s) name. The presence of Rod ‘0-16’ Marinelli keeps this class from ranking any higher, though.
2 BEST: CLASS OF 2017
Sean McVay (Rams), Kyle Shanahan (49ers), Sean McDermott (Bills), Doug Marrone (Jaguars), Anthony Lynn (Chargers), Vance Joseph (Broncos)
McVay and Shanahan are probably the most influential names of the modern NFL and have already combined for 4 conference titles as head coaches. McDermott broke the longest playoff drought in the major leagues and turned the Bills into perennial contenders. All three are also pretty young. This class has a very bright future, but it still hasn’t reached…
1 BEST: CLASS OF 2002
Tony Dungy (Colts), Marty Schottenheimer (Chargers), Jon Gruden (Bucs), John Fox (Panthers), Bill Callahan (Raiders), Steve Spurrier (Washington), Dom Capers (Texans)
This is a pretty loaded group. 4 out of 7 are Super Bowl coaches, by far the most of any class. Two of them won rings, which ties 2006 for most SB winners. It’s also the only class of the 32-team era (so far) to already deliver a Hall of Fame coach, with Tony Dungy. Aside from the main courses there’s also good old Marty, who (like always) deserved better. Not even Steve Spurrier’s sad days in Washington can keep this class from the top spot, in my book.
edit: got Nolan’s and Crennel’s winning % mixed up