By Brian Thomas 
In the high-stakes world of the NFL, the head coach stands as the ultimate architect of success. They are the visionaries and motivators who define a franchise’s destiny. This article will rank delves the league’s top 32 leaders heading into the 2025 season:
32. Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys)
Cowboy fans weren’t exactly enthused by this hire, but one thing we’ll credit Schottenheimer for is having a plan. Whether or not it executes remains to be seen, but he is aiming to build a high-character squad. At age 52, the first-time head coach will finally have a chance to lead an NFL franchise, and his long-time experience as an assistant should help the Cowboys be formidable again — especially if Dak Prescott can avoid injury.
31. Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars)
With Liam Coen calling the offensive plays with the Buccaneers last season, they had a top-five offense and elite passing in 2024. Coen will be coming into a Jaguars team tasked with trying to get something out of Trevor Lawrence, who has been underwhelming since his first-overall pick in 2021. But with a strong offensive pedigree and Travis Hunter now in the mix, Coen could very well get things figured out in Duval County.
30. Kellen Moore (New Orleans Saints)
Can Kellen Moore bring the Saints out of football purgatory? With Derek Carr officially hanging up his boots, it appears rookie Tyler Shough is odds-on favorite to be the QB1 for the Saints this year. The rest of their roster is aging and isn’t good enough to contend. Still, Saints fans will have a reason to be excited to have a head coach who just came off of winning a Super Bowl as an OC, and it will be a “new leaf” moment for a franchise that desperately needed it.
29. Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears)
After turning the Detroit Lions into an offensive powerhouse as their OC since 2022, Ben Johnson was interviewed by a plethora of NFL teams for a head coaching role before deciding on the Chicago Bears. Chicago might not be the easiest team to fix, but he still has plenty of talent to work with both on offense and defense. Bears fans will understandably be excited to see if Johnson will replicate the magic he performed in Detroit.
28. Aaron Glenn (New York Jets)
Aaron Glenn returns to the Big Apple with a mandate to build a solid culture and environment within the New York Jets. It could turn out to be a smart hire, considering he used to play for the team once upon a time, and perhaps understands the team’s culture better than most. He previously was the DC for a Lions team that earned the NFC’s top seed, finishing top-five in run defense, takeaways, and leading the league in third-down defense. But with Aaron Rodgers gone, Justin Fields takes the reins as the shot-caller and doesn’t come with a solid track record of success.
27. Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Brian Daboll had an impressive 2022 season, leading the Giants to their first playoff berth in six years. His subsequent seasons with the Giants have seen a regression with a 6-11 record in 2023 and a 3-14 mark in 2024 (a combined 18-32-1 record). With the additions of Jaxson Dart, Russell Wilson, and Abdul Carter, the Giants are in a better position to make improvements this year. Anything less than that would likely spell the end of his job.
26. Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans)
Though his inaugural 2024 season ended with a 3-14 record, Callahan was previously the offensive coordinator for the high-flying Cincinnati Bengals and played a key role in their Super Bowl LVI berth and guiding Joe Burrow to elite status. He’s also worked with other top quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Matthew Stafford. So, it stands to reason that the addition of Cam Ward could do wonders for the Titans and Callahan in 2025.
25. Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons)
This season will be ‘do or die’ time for Raheem Morris. The charismatic leader of the Falcons is more than capable of leading the team to a strong finish in a weaker NFC South, especially as Michael Penix Jr. is expected to further grow his game in his 2nd year. His players love him, and play hard for him. But anything less than a playoff finish this season would likely be the end of his Falcons stint.
24. Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
The two-time Coach of the Year’s stock may have declined now, but he made the Browns relevant again. Stefanski’s offensive schemes look much better once he has a competent QB at his disposal. Speaking of QBs, while 40-year-old Joe Flacco will likely be starting on opening day, the Browns may find themselves in a four-way battle for the QB1 role. Rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will be in the mix, as well as Kenny Pickett. By the end of the season, it’s anyone’s guess who will be the starter.
23. Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals)
The Arizona Cardinals have seen slow but steady improvement under Jonathan Gannon. His first season finished 4-12, but went 8-9 in his second year. The improved record defied expectations considering the injuries in his roster. If Marvin Harrison Jr. can elevate his game to be an elite wide receiver in his second year for the Cardinals, we wouldn’t be shocked to see Gannon shoot higher up this list.
22. Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts)
What Shane Steichen lacks in a star quarterback is made up for by the fact that he has considerable backup in that position. Daniel Jones could still very well be a decent QB if he has a good offensive line. Anthony Richardson has been less than consistent, but competition could ultimately be a good thing here. This year’s squad could be Steichen’s best in the time he’s been at the Colts, but it won’t matter much if the kinks at QB aren’t ironed out.
21. Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins)
Things have clearly become a bit stale for Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins, and 2025 might be his last chance to turn things around. Normally placed higher on these lists, his team had a losing record last year and has yet to record a win in the postseason. Success will once again hinge on Tua Tagovailoa’s availability, and if Tyreek Hill can stay locked in. They still have some of the strongest pass rushers in the league when healthy, so all hope may not be lost yet.
20. Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks)
The Seattle Seahawks strung together some impressive performances with Geno Smith at quarterback, going 10-7 in 2024. Now, with new QB Sam Darnold and OC Klint Kubiak, the offensive line and running game should see major changes this season. While the Seahawks aren’t expected to be contenders, they find ways to keep themselves in the mix, and Macdonald remains one of the sharper defensive minds in the game.
19. Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers were a bit fiesty down the stretch last season, going 4-5 in their final nine games and dramatically increasing their offensive production. And after Canales helped revitalize the careers of both Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, there still may be hope for Bryce Young. In other words, we’re looking forward to what Canales can cook up in Carolina in his second year.
18. Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals)
After a dismal first two years at the franchise, Zac Taylor now has four-straight winning seasons in addition to a 5-2 playoff record. Despite this, they missed out on the playoffs yet again last year. With the likes of Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase in your ranks, that’s not good enough. Burrow’s injury issues could give him the benefit of the doubt, but this squad isn’t going to last forever, and the question remains how many more chances Taylor will get.
17. DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans)
The defensive-minded head coach has now engineered consecutive 10-win seasons for the Houston Texans, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see him move further up this list in the coming years. Fostering the talent of an increasingly influential CJ Stroud has helped achieve this success. Now with new offensive coordinator Nick Caley in the mix, 2025 stands to be an intruiging year for the Texans.
16. Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders)
Dan Quinn is on his second tour as an NFL head coach, and if his first season with the Washington Commanders is any indication, he’s learned a few new tricks. He orchestrated a stunning turnaround in 2024, leading the Commanders to a 12-5 record — their most wins since 1991 — and guiding them all the way to the NFC Championship Game. He became the first head coach in franchise history to win 10-plus games and multiple playoff games in his inaugural season. They have a win-at-any-cost mentality (such as their eagerness to go for it on 4th downs) that is to be admired.
15. Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Bringing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs for three consecutive years while maintaining around a .500 record is an accomplishment in itself. Bowles’ overall head coaching record stands at 53-65 and 1-3 in the postseason, but his ability to consistently field top-tier defenses and keep his team competitive, especially in the post-Tom Brady era, solidifies his standing as a highly respected leader in the NFL.
14. Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers)
Matt LaFleur went from success with Aaron Rodgers to developing Jordan Love into a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, which earns our respect. Although the franchise has experienced some volatility in recent years under his leadership (especially against better teams in the conference), many consider them a dark horse candidate. Whether or not that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but if Jordan Love is allowed to operate in a more dynamic offense and the likes of Devonte Wyatt has a breakout season, anything can happen.
13. Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots)
With Drake Maye and a good defense on the roster, Mike Vrabel’s return to Foxboro comes at a good time. During his six seasons with the Tennessee Titans, he accrued a 54-45 regular-season record, often getting the absolute most out of rosters that weren’t always overflowing with top-tier talent. His no-nonsense approach and ability to connect with players earned him the 2021 AP Coach of the Year award when he led the Titans to the AFC’s No. 1 seed despite significant injuries.
12. Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings)
Making your team a contender without a star quarterback is always impressive, and Kevin O’Connell has rapidly proven himself as one of the NFL’s brightest young head coaches. In just three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2022-2024), O’Connell has compiled a remarkable 34-17 (.667) regular season record, including leading the team to 13 wins in 2022 and 14 wins in 2024, becoming the first coach in Vikings history with multiple 13-win seasons. He earned the 2024 AP Coach of the Year award for his stellar performance, and he’s looking ever-increasingly like a guy who is a perpetual winner.
11. Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders)
Despite his age, Pete Carroll’s pedigree is something that should excite Raiders fans heading into the 2025 season. He will undoubtedly inject energy into the franchise that has been lacking for some time. With former Seahawks QB Geno Smith reuniting with Carroll alongside rookie first-rounder Ashton Jeanty and the budding Brock Bowers, there is much reason to believe that he can turn the franchise around quickly this year.
10. Sean Payton (Denver Broncos)
The Super Bowl XLIV champion and one of the NFL’s premier offensive masterminds wasted little time making his presence felt in Denver. After an incredible 15-season run with the New Orleans Saints where he compiled a franchise-best 152-89 (.631) regular season record and guided Drew Brees to unprecedented heights, Payton came out of retirement to revitalize the Broncos. In just two seasons in Denver, he’s led them to an 18-16 record and remarkably guided the team back to the playoffs in 2024, ending a nine-year drought.
9. Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills)
Sean McDermott pulled the Buffalo Bills out of a 17-year playoff drought and instilled a defensive-minded, disciplined culture rooted in fundamentals — emphasizing “complementary football.” Under his leadership, the Bills have posted an impressive 86-45 (.656) regular season record over eight seasons, including six straight double-digit victory campaigns and five consecutive AFC East division titles. But, the next step is to figure out a way to get past the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs with quarterback Josh Allen.
8. Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions)
The Lions’ transformation under Dan Campbell has been one of the more intriguing stories in the NFL the past few years. The former New Orleans Saints assistant followed-up a 12-win season in 2023 with an incredible 15-win season in 2024, and it wasn’t for defensive injuries would have likely reached the Super Bowl. With both his offensive and defensive coordinators leaving for other NFL head coaching jobs in the offseason, the question remains how Campbell’s team will cope in 2025.
7. Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers)
18 consecutive .500+ seasons (an NFL record) is an incredible statistic, and his ability to connect with his players makes him one of the best coaches in the game. The fact Tomlin was able to accomplish this while juggling under-par QB options is noteworthy, but now with Aaron Rodgers in the ranks, the question remains if that will be enough to record a result in the postseason. Regardless, the tough culture he built at Pittsburgh has made his side a difficult match-up week in, week out.
6. Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles)
The Philadelphia Eagles have been incredible under Nick Sirianni’s leadership. Going to the Super Bowl twice in three years (winning one) and having a 6-3 postseason record with a 70% regular-season win percentage ranks him amongst the best in the league. A lot of this credit should also go to their GM and having exceptional coaches like DC Vic Fangio, and they have built an impressive winning culture within the club.
5. Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers)
Jim Harbaugh returns to the NFL and brings a championship pedigree and a proven track record of turning programs around. A winner at both college and NFL level, his demanding approach and emphasis on disciplined football are expected to immediately reshape the Chargers’ identity. If he can take Justin Herbert and help him achieve postseason success, then the sky is the limit for the franchise.
4. John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens)
Being consistently good in the NFL is a difficult feat to accomplish, and John Harbaugh is consistency personified. But now is the time for the Super Bowl XLVII champion to add to his collection. He has arguably the league’s best quarterback in Lamar Jackson, and they have not won multiple games in the postseason in more than a decade. Despite that, he has just one losing season since 2016 and double-digit win seasons in six out of the last seven years, making him amongst the league’s best.
3. Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers)
The one thing eluding Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers is the Lombardi Trophy, and it seems like the only thing stopping them is the matter of simply staying healthy. He’s led his team to multiple Super Bowl appearances without a bonafide star quarterback similar to other teams — proving that his offensive mind is one of the NFL’s best. Current QB Brock Purdy is often labeled a system quarterback… but what coach wouldn’t want a QB that fits their system?
2. Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams)
Sean McVay has all the makings of being a future Hall of Fame coach, winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 and turning the team into a force to be reckoned with. His brilliant offensive mind and aggressive play-calling have enabled his team to be consistent playoff contenders, and it would be no shock to see him add more titles to his résumé in the coming years.
1. Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs)
Now considered one of the winningest head coaches of all time, Andy Reid has little left to prove at this stage. The three-time Super Bowl winner was just shy of the coveted three-peat last season, but the fact that they even got themselves into that position is a testament in itself. Making it to five Super Bowls in seven years is simply ridiculous, and we wouldn’t put it past “Big Red” and the Chiefs to reach the grand stage yet again this season.
Angel Atienza-Romero