Kliff Kingsbury has been a huge part of the Washington Commanders’ success this NFL season. Washington had a middling offense in the 2023 season, with Sam Howell acting as the de facto starting quarterback, but after adding Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels as the orchestrator and Kingsbury as the offensive coordinator, the team’s offensive outlook has changed dramatically.
Let’s take a closer look at Kingsbury’s time as a coach across college and pro football.
What Is Kliff Kingsbury’s Record as an NFL Coach?
Kingsbury’s primary coaching credentials are from his work in college football. His success with the likes of quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Johnny Manziel, and Case Keenum at that level earned Kingsbury a gig as an NFL head coach with the Arizona Cardinals and the 2019 No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray as his QB.
Kingsbury’s record as an NFL head coach was 28-37-1 after an abysmal 2022 season when he lost Murray to a season-ending injury.
In his first year as Washington’s OC, however, the Commanders went 12-5 during the regular season and are one win away from the Super Bowl, as Kingsbury receives rave reviews for his utilization of his Rookie of the Year quarterback.
How Many Times Has Kingsbury Made the NFL Playoffs?
Kingsbury made the NFL playoffs in 2021 as the Cardinals’ head coach, going up against the NFC West division-rival Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. The team’s offense, which had kicked into gear with an 8-0 start to the regular season, sputtered during the playoffs as they whimpered out of contention with a 34-11 loss.
After a disastrous 2022 season and spending 2023 back in the college ranks, Kingsbury returned to the NFL fold in 2024. Including the Commanders’ postseason run to this point, Kingsbury’s playoff record currently sits at 2-1.
How Many NFL Stints Has Kingsbury Had?
Kingsbury is one of several NFL coaches and coordinators who have shared the quarterback room with Tom Brady. Selected as a sixth-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, Kingsbury was a member of the New England Patriots roster that beat the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl that season.
He then spent time on the practice-squad rosters of the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos. The New York Jets ran him out for an NFL appearance in 2005, which proved to be his first and final time spending time on the pitch during the regular season.
After being assigned to NFL Europe, a practice-squad stint with the Buffalo Bills, and spending some time in the CFL, Kingsbury moved to coaching.
After spending six seasons as the Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach, Kingsbury moved on to the NFL to become the Cardinals’ HC in 2019. He spent four years in Arizona, reaching the playoff on just one occasion (2021).
How Did Kingsbury Perform in College Football?
Kingsbury spent time with several college prospects who would go on to make an impact at the NFL level. During his time at Houston as offensive coordinator, the Cougars recorded the nation’s highest-scoring offense in 2011. His quarterback at the time, Keenum, is currently a backup for the Houston Texans.
Kingsbury then spent time at Texas A&M during the Manziel era before being appointed as Texas Tech’s head coach. It was here that he crossed paths with Baker Mayfield as a true freshman. Mayfield would later transfer to Oklahoma and win the Heisman Trophy.
Soon after that, Kingsbury was the head coach of eventual three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, helping the legendary Kansas City Chiefs quarterback unlock his full potential as a playmaker.
