NFL Coaching Turmoil: Seven Head Coaches Face Job Threats in Second Half
Owners have shown unusual patience this season with no coaching dismissals by Week 9, but seven head coaches must improve their teams' records or risk being let go.
By Martin Reynolds ·
No NFL head coach has been fired through Week 9 this season, a stark contrast to the previous four years where at least one job change occurred by that point each year. While the Indianapolis Colts dismissed general manager Chris Ballard, the league has remained steady on the coaching front, leaving seven head coaches in precarious positions as the second half approaches.
Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets stands out with a 5-20 record in his tenure. Unless the Jets win seven of their final nine games or go 8-1, Glenn is unlikely to retain his job. The team holds three first-round picks in the 2027 draft and may acquire additional capital before the trade deadline on Tuesday.
Jim Harbaugh faces a similar pressure in Los Angeles, where the Chargers are 0-7 after posting 11-6 records in his first two seasons. The decision to hire Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator has not yielded results, and quarterback Justin Herbert has shown a decline in performance. If Harbaugh stays through the season, a new offensive coordinator will be installed.
Dan Quinn, who led the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game two years ago, is navigating a difficult stretch. The team went 5-12 last season and currently sits at 2-4-1. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has missed games due to injury both last year and this season, yet the Commanders are only two games behind the New York Giants in the NFC East.
Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently cooled his hot seat after the team won two consecutive games and three of their last four. This run has returned Tampa Bay to the NFC South race. Bowles won the division in his first three seasons, but the team collapsed last year after a 6-2 start to finish 8-9. A single playoff win may not be enough to secure his position long-term.
Shane Steichen’s situation in Indianapolis is complicated by the team’s shift into rebuild mode following the firing of the general manager. The Colts, currently 2-6, have already traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Running back Jonathan Taylor may be the next player to move. Steichen has never gone better than 9-8 in his first three seasons and has not reached the playoffs.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Dallas Cowboys (3-5) were expected to be contenders but have struggled with consistency that cannot be fully attributed to injuries. The team’s defensive issues persisted after a coordinator change. Owner Jerry Jones is known for keeping coaches he must still pay, but a strong finish is required to save Schottenheimer’s job.
Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles has lost six straight games despite a resume that includes three division titles, two NFC championships, and one Super Bowl. Key absences include quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season, and offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who retired. Running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith also missed games. The team is now relying on Joe Milton III, previously on the Dallas practice squad, to lead the offense. Philadelphia’s history of firing coaches shortly after championship runs, such as with Doug Pederson, suggests that Sirianni’s record may not protect him if the losing continues.
