NFL Coaching Carousel Slows Down: Ranking the Top Head-Coaching Hires So Far
One of the wildest head-coaching cycles in NFL history is finally starting to calm down.
What began as a shocking offseason — punctuated by the Buffalo Bills’ stunning decision to part ways with Sean McDermott — left the league with 10 head-coaching vacancies, far more than expected. As teams scrambled to secure their top targets, the market moved fast and aggressively.
Now, with five of those jobs officially filled, the initial frenzy has slowed, giving us our first real opportunity to assess how teams fared in their searches.
Evaluating coaching hires is notoriously tricky. Context matters. Roster construction matters. Timing matters. Still, based on résumé, fit, and organizational need, here’s an early ranking of the hires made so far.
1. Jim Harbaugh — New York Giants
When Harbaugh unexpectedly entered the candidate pool just days after Black Monday, he instantly became the crown jewel of the cycle.
The Giants weren’t just looking for an X’s-and-O’s upgrade — they needed a culture reset. Harbaugh offers exactly that. Across 18 seasons as a head coach, he has produced just three losing seasons, a résumé that feels almost surreal for a franchise tied for the fewest wins in the NFL since 2017.
Expecting immediate miracles would be unrealistic, but Harbaugh’s ability to reshape identity, accountability, and expectations makes him uniquely qualified for this job. New York has tried sharp play-callers before. What it lacked was leadership capable of addressing the foundation.
With Harbaugh, the Giants finally have that.
2. Jesse Minter — Baltimore Ravens
Replacing Harbaugh with a trusted disciple might seem unconventional, but the Ravens’ hire of Jesse Minter reflects a calculated balance between continuity and evolution.
Minter is widely respected for his schematic creativity, communication skills, and player development — all vital traits for a Ravens roster built heavily through the draft. His rapid defensive transformation in Los Angeles showcased his adaptability and teaching ability.
The key question remains offense. Finding the right coordinator to guide Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, will be Minter’s most critical early task. That said, Baltimore should have no shortage of interest from offensive minds eager to work with Jackson.
If Minter succeeds there, the Ravens could quickly reestablish their identity.
3. Kevin Stefanski — Atlanta Falcons
With owner Arthur Blank desperate to end Atlanta’s prolonged playoff drought, landing a two-time NFL Coach of the Year qualifies as a strong outcome.
Stefanski’s final stretch in Cleveland (8–26) raises valid concerns, but his resourcefulness and offensive structure should translate well to Atlanta. His wide-zone system is tailor-made for Bijan Robinson, and it offers solutions for a passing game light on proven weapons beyond Drake London.
The main concern is quarterback fit. Stefanski’s system doesn’t naturally align with Michael Penix Jr.’s current strengths, especially coming off a torn ACL. Still, with the NFC South wide open, Atlanta’s floor appears significantly higher than before.
Retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich only strengthens the hire.
4. Robert Saleh — Tennessee Titans
After moving on from Mike Vrabel and enduring a disappointing experiment with Brian Callahan, Tennessee pivoted hard toward experience — and Saleh fits that mold.
His defensive track record, especially in San Francisco amid relentless injuries, is impressive. Saleh plans to retain defensive play-calling duties, which should accelerate improvement on that side of the ball.
The concerns are familiar: offensive staffing and locker-room management. Both were problem areas during his Jets tenure. Still, second chances matter, and Saleh now inherits a franchise with league-leading cap space and a clean slate around rookie quarterback Cam Ward.
As rebuild leaders go, Saleh is a logical choice.
5. Jeff Hafley — Miami Dolphins
This isn’t a bad hire — it’s simply the riskiest.
Hafley quickly revitalized the Packers’ defense and demonstrated creativity in managing personnel gaps. His hiring also aligns well with new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, giving Miami a unified vision as it edges toward a likely reset.
Still, Hafley’s only prior head-coaching experience came at Boston College, and Miami’s roster issues run deep. Filling out a strong, balanced staff will be critical, as this job presents challenges well beyond schematic tweaks.
The Dolphins chose upside and patience over familiarity — a reasonable gamble, but one that carries real uncertainty.
Early Verdict
This coaching cycle may have started chaotically, but the early hires suggest a league leaning back toward culture-builders, teachers, and experienced stabilizers.
Whether these moves age well will depend on quarterback development, staff construction, and organizational patience — the three pillars that decide every coaching legacy.
