Most Overrated Head Coaches in NFL History

Jon Gruden signed a 10-year, $100 million contract with the Raiders in 2018. Ben Margot / AP Photo

Coaching in the NFL can mean everything, and good ones tend to rise to the occasion.

But just because a coach wins a title or reaches the playoffs doesn’t mean he’s lived up to the hype. There have been coaches who have cost organizations Super Bowls and dynasties just by their inability to get out of the way.

These are the coaches who fit that description. They are the most overrated head coaches in NFL history.

20. Marty Schottenheimer

Washington Redskins head coach Marty Schottenheimer talks with linebacker Kevin Mitchell during a 2001 preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City — Schottenheimer’s first game as coach of the Redskins. Orlin Wagner / AP Photo

Note: All stats are through the 2020 season.

NFL tenure: 21 years (1984-98, 2001-06)

Teams: Cleveland Browns (1984-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-98), Washington Redskins (2001), San Diego Chargers (2002-06)

Regular-season record: 200-126-1 (.613)

Playoff record: 5-13 (.278)

Championships: 0

Why Marty Schottenheimer Is Overrated

Marty Schottenheimer coached four NFL teams. Barry Sweet / AP Photo

Marty Schottenheimer was a great coach. But when the playoffs rolled around, so did Marty Ball.

It was this uncharacteristic conservative streak that led to six straight playoff losses, five of which came at home, to close his career.

19. Don Coryell

San Diego Chargers head coach Don Coryell, left, gives instructions to assistant Phil Tyne during practice on the opening day of the Chargers’ 1979 preseason camp in La Jolla, Calif. Lenny Ignelzi / AP Photo

NFL tenure: 14 years (1973-86)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1973-77), San Diego Chargers (1978-86)

Regular-season record: 111-83-1 (.572)

Playoff record: 3-6 (.333)

Championships: 0

Why Don Coryell Is Overrated

Don Coryell went 3-6 in the postseason. Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Let’s start by saying we regret having to put Air Coryell on this list, but the truth can’t be ignored. Coryell lit the NFL on fire with his pass-happy, offensively driven teams, especially in San Diego.

But Coryell and the Chargers couldn’t ever get over the hump to the Super Bowl, losing consecutive home playoff games in 1980 and 1981 and in the AFC championship game in consecutive seasons in 1981 and 1982.

Thus, the narrative was set that high-flying offenses couldn’t get it done when it counted most.