Grading the 9 new head coaching hires in the NFL

As per usual, almost a third of all NFL head coaches have been fired. These hirings have been more scrutinized than any in the NFL’s history, and today we will take a hard look and grade all of them. We usually see anywhere from 5 to 9 new coaches every year, and this year we will be on the high end of that.

Check out the best Sportsbook bonuses!

1.

4.6/5

FanDuel Promo Code

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days ($50 Bonus Bets per day)

Open FanDuel

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

2.

4.5/5

BetMGM Promo Code

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: $5

Open BetMGM

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

3.

4.5/5

DraftKings Promo Code

New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): New DraftKings Customer Offer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES ($50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days for 21 days)*, Min. Deposit: 5

Open DraftKings

Get bonus now

To be eligible for DraftKings Sportsbook and the Promotion, you must be physically located in AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY, WV, CA-ONT or CA-AB (each an “Eligible Jurisdiction” or, collectively, the “Eligible Jurisdictions”). Must be 21+ years of age or older (18+ if in DC/NH/PR/WY/CA-AB) (19+ in CA-ONT). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.

4.2/5

Fanatics Promo Code

Get Up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Open Fanatics

Get bonus now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

5.

Caesars Promo Code

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit

Best Alternative

Open FanDuel

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Brian Daboll, New York Giants

Daboll arriving with ex-Bills executive Joe Schoen makes his hire all the more encouraging. This combination gives the Giants the chance to completely change a toxic organization’s culture. The big question going in will be if quarterback Daniel Jones career is salvageable? If it is, this could be a quick turnaround in New York; if he can’t, then this is a rebuild that will be difficult, but if the Giants front office gives Daboll the necessary time to get it turned around, this could be a great hire.

Grade A

Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders

McDaniels can design a flashy offense, but is he a head coach? Every other coach to fall out of the Belichick coaching tree has failed, and that includes McDaniels, who failed before in Denver a little over a decade ago. Then more recently, you had the weird situation with the Colts where he backed out at the last minute. In truth, the Raiders had their coach in Rich Bisaccia, who earned the job guiding the Raiders through a landmine of distractions and ending up in the playoffs. This will end badly for the Raiders and probably within two years.

Grade D-

Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears

Eberflus is a head-scratcher to me, he is a defensive coordinator, and his defenses have been good at times but, for the most part, average. They signed Packers assistant coach Luke Getsy which is encouraging but to me, that Packers offense was pretty much controlled by Matt Lafleur, which means he learned under a good coach, but it doesn’t mean he is ready for this job with a young quarterback. To me, this is kind of like hiring Matt Nagy all over again if he was a defensive coordinator.

Grade D+

Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos

Hackett nearly led a Kyle Orton-led Bills team to the playoffs and a Blake Bortles-led Jaguars team to the Super Bowl, so he’s built from scratch before. The only thing needed to be a playoff team in Denver is a quarterback; the question is can they get the right guy? If they do, this will go down as a great hire; he will be gone in two/three years. All in all, I like this hire, and Hackett will improve this team. For more NFL news, click here!

Grade B

Lovie Smith, Houston Texans

What the hell is going on in Houston? The Bears should have never fired Smith, but since that firing, he has a head coaching record of 44-73 in College, and he is 64 years old! Do the Texans think Lovie is the best man for the job? They were not allowed to hire who they wanted, so they hired a man like Smith, who would be a place-holder for the next coach the Texans wanted to hire. This hire makes no sense at all!

Grade F

Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Who wouldn’t want to follow the inept Urban Meyer! Pederson is a highly creative offensive coach, and with Trevor Lawrence at his disposal, Pederson’s creative juices should be flowing. As long as he doesn’t start getting lap dances at bars or kicking players, he should get the necessary three or four years to get it turned around in Jacksonville.

Grade B

Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

McDaniel hails from the famed Mike Shanahan Washington staff produced Matt LaFleur, Sean McVay and recent boss Kyle Shanahan. Will he follow in their success? It will be difficult in Miami as an organization seems inept. This hire is a swing for the fences after the Brian Flores mess. McDaniel is a young creative coach who will bring excitement to the Dolphins. When I first heard about this hiring, I was not a big fan, but I am starting to like it the more I see McDaniel. Hopefully, the owner stays out of the way.

Grade B-

Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

O’Connell is a bright, energetic coach who has done well with the Rams, but the question has to be asked? How much influence did Sean McVay have in Los Angeles, and can O’Connell be a good head coach? I think the answer is yes, and with Aaron Rodgers getting up there in age, this hiring might vault the Vikings to the top of the NFC North within the next two years.

Grade B-

Best Brand

FanDuel Promo

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days

Join now!

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

Best Slots

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bonus here!

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Newcomer

DraftKings Promo

New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES

Join now!

To be eligible for DraftKings Sportsbook and the Promotion, you must be physically located in AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY, WV, CA-ONT or CA-AB (each an “Eligible Jurisdiction” or, collectively, the “Eligible Jurisdictions”). Must be 21+ years of age or older (18+ if in DC/NH/PR/WY/CA-AB) (19+ in CA-ONT). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Award

Fanatics Promo

Get Up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash

Get bonus now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints

With another dire salary-cap situation and a QB spot in flux, this felt like the right time to lean into the reset button. Smith is a stop-gap and nothing more. He failed as the raiders coach a little less than a decade ago, and he is being set up for failure again here.

Grade D-