in recent years, NFL teams have hired younger and younger head coaches, with the thought process being that they would rather be a year or two early on an ascending star than a year or two late. The success of coaches like Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and DeMeco Ryans has spurred a new way of thinking for NFL decision-makers.
However, the league still has plenty of veteran greybeards that have seen success at the very highest level and cannot be forgotten about either. Who are the youngest coaches in the league, and which ones are getting up there in age? Let’s take a look at all 32 head coaches in the NFL.
List of NFL Head Coaches by Age From Oldest to Youngest
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders | Sept. 15, 1951 (73)
After Ben Johnson opted to join the Chicago Bears, Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders pivoted to hire Pete Carroll as their new head coach, reportedly agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option.
Carroll is 73 years old, making him the oldest head coach in the NFL by a significant margin. In fact, Carroll is now the oldest head coach in NFL history. He has been coaching since 1973, so he’s held a clipboard longer than many NFL head coaches have been alive.
Can the former Super Bowl champion and NCAA national champion right the ship in Las Vegas? It remains to be seen. The end of Carroll’s stint with the Seattle Seahawks was much worse than his earlier years, which isn’t a great sign.
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs | March 19, 1958 (66)
Andy Reid, the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, has already established himself as one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.
Under his leadership, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls, including back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Reid’s innovative offensive strategies have helped shape the Chiefs into a dominant force in the NFL, with 10 straight playoff appearances. His ability to mentor quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes, has been a cornerstone of his success.
Before joining Kansas City, Reid spent 14 seasons as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, where he led the team to nine playoff appearances and a Super Bowl appearance. Reid’s career is marked by his commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, earning him widespread respect throughout the NFL.
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens | September 23, 1962 (62)
John Harbaugh, the Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, has established a winning culture, guiding the Ravens to 12 playoff berths, including four AFC Championship games and a Super Bowl XLVII victory.
Under his leadership, the Ravens have 13 had playoff victories, eight of which came on the road, setting an NFL record. Harbaugh is known for his team-first approach and relentless pursuit of success, often deflecting personal accolades in favor of emphasizing the collective effort of the organization.
His journey to becoming an NFL head coach was unconventional, having served as a special teams coordinator and secondary coach before taking the helm in 2008. Harbaugh’s commitment to excellence has made the Ravens one of the NFL’s most consistently competitive franchises.
Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | November 18, 1963 (61)
Todd Bowles has now led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to three-straight NFC South titles. Bowles ascended to the top post with the Buccaneers after three seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator (2019-21), during which he transformed the defense into one of the NFL’s most formidable units. Under his guidance, Tampa Bay consistently ranked in the top 10 in key defensive metrics, including total yards allowed, sacks, and takeaways.
Before joining Tampa Bay, Bowles served as the head coach of the New York Jets and held defensive coordinator roles with the Arizona Cardinals, where he earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors. His NFL coaching career began in 2000, following an eight-year playing career, including a Super Bowl win with the Washington Redskins. Bowles is known for his defensive acumen and ability to develop talent, making him a respected leader in the NFL.
Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers | December 23, 1963 (61)
Jim Harbaugh, a proven winner in both college and the NFL, brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a collegiate head coach, he boasts a 144-52 record. Harbaugh led the San Francisco 49ers to three consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl XLVII appearance. His ability to develop talent is evident, having coached nine eventual first-round picks at Michigan and 17 Pro Bowlers during his time with the 49ers.
At Michigan, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to an 86-25 record over nine seasons, with six seasons of 10-plus wins and a national title in 2023. In his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers, he led the team to 11 wins and a playoff berth. A former NFL quarterback himself, Harbaugh’s career was marked by leadership and efficiency, traits he’s carried into his coaching career.
Sean Payton, Denver Broncos | December 29, 1963 (61)
Sean Payton was named the Denver Broncos’ head coach on February 3, 2023, bringing 34 years of coaching experience, including 24 in the NFL. Payton is best known for his 15-season tenure as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, where he led the team to nine playoff berths, seven NFC South titles, and a Super Bowl XLIV victory.
He holds the Saints’ record for most wins and the highest winning percentage, with a 152-89 regular-season record. Under Payton, the Saints consistently boasted one of the NFL’s top offenses, leading the league in net yards six times and ranking among the top 10 in scoring offenses for 12 of his 15 seasons.
Payton’s coaching career also includes stints with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles. Before entering the NFL, he coached at several collegiate programs. A former quarterback at Eastern Illinois, Payton’s coaching legacy is marked by developing elite offensive talent, including Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.
Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders | September 11, 1970 (54)
Dan Quinn, the head coach of the Washington Commanders, brought 21 years of coaching experience to the table when he accepted the job, most recently excelling as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. From 2021 to 2023, his defense ranked among the NFL’s best, finishing top five in points allowed per game and first in interceptions.
Quinn was instrumental in developing stars like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, earning recognition as the AP Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021. Before Dallas, Quinn led the Atlanta Falcons to Super Bowl LI and an NFC Championship. He also helmed the legendary Seattle Seahawks defense from 2013-2014, guiding them to consecutive Super Bowl appearances and top NFL defensive rankings.
In his first season at the helm of the Commanders, he helped Jayden Daniels develop into a star, turned around Washington’s defense, and led the team to the NFC Championship Game.
A former standout defensive lineman at Salisbury State, Quinn and his wife Stacey are dedicated to supporting military members through their organization, Quinn’s Corps.
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers | March 15, 1972 (52)
Mike Tomlin was named the 16th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 22, 2007, becoming only the third head coach hired by the team since 1969. At 34 years old, Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in his second season, becoming the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.
Remarkably, Tomlin has never had a losing season in his 16 years as head coach. His tenure has been marked by consistent success, including leading the NFL in sacks for five straight seasons (2017-2021) and guiding the Steelers to multiple playoff berths despite facing significant injuries to key players.
Tomlin is also known for his involvement in community service, actively participating in initiatives that promote leadership and positive role models.
Aaron Glenn, New York Jets | July 16, 1972 (52)
On January 22, 2025, the New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn as their head coach. Glenn started his NFL career as a cornerback with the Jets. After getting selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, he was on the team from 1994-2001 and became a three-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Jets’ All-Time Four Decade Team. Now, he returns to the organization in hopes of ending their 14-season playoff drought.
Glenn was a defensive backs coach with the New Orleans Saints from 2016-20, but the Detroit Lions came knocking ahead of the 2021 season in desperate need of help. That season, their defense ranked either 31st or 32nd in red zone efficiency, points per drive, turnover rate, and average opponent drive distance. They lost six of seven games to close that 2020 season and were outscored 252-150 in the process (no other team allowed more than 237 points over that stretch).
They didn’t need help – at the end of that 5-11 campaign, they needed a culture rebrand, something the experienced Glenn brought and sustained during his time in the Motor City, turning the Lions into one of the best defensive teams in the NFL.
Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys | October 16, 1973 (51)
On January 24, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the team’s head coach. The decision was controversial, as Schottenheimer is a first-time head coach and struggled at times as Dallas’ OC under former head coach Mike McCarthy.
The 2023 Cowboys were the top-ranked scoring offense in Schottenheimer’s first year as offensive coordinator but fell to 23rd amid injuries to Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, and CeeDee Lamb. In Schottenheimer’s 14 seasons as offensive coordinator, it’s the fifth time he’s had a team rank 20th or worse in PPG and the seventh time they’ve ranked in the bottom half of the league.
Schottenheimer has been the offensive coordinator for four franchises over the course of 12 seasons: the Cowboys (2023-24), Seahawks (2018-20), Rams (2012-14), and Jets (2006-11). In that span he’s coached under McCarthy, Pete Carroll, Jeff Fisher, Rex Ryan, and Eric Mangini.
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills | March 21, 1974 (50)
Sean McDermott was named head coach of the Buffalo Bills on January 11, 2017, and has since transformed the franchise into a perennial contender.
Known for his disciplined and determined approach, McDermott has cultivated a winning culture in Buffalo, earning the respect of players and peers alike.
McDermott’s tenure is marked by consistent success, with the Bills achieving 10+ wins and playoff berths each year from 2019 to 2024. His impact extends beyond coaching, as he was appointed to the NFL’s Competition Committee in 2024, the first Bills representative on the committee since Bill Polian.
Before joining the Bills, McDermott served as defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, where he led top-10 defenses and played a crucial role in their 2015 Super Bowl run. His coaching roots trace back to his time under Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he honed his skills working with legendary defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.
Brian Daboll, New York Giants | April 15, 1975 (49)
Brian Daboll was hired as the 20th head coach in New York Giants history on January 28, 2022, and quickly made an impact by leading the team to a successful debut season. He was named the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year after guiding the Giants to nine regular-season victories, their first playoff berth in six years, and their first postseason victory in 11 seasons. This turnaround came after the team had won just four games the previous year.
Daboll became the first Giants coach to win the award since Jim Fassel in 1997 and only the fifth coach in team history to receive the honor. Under Daboll’s leadership, the Giants showed remarkable resilience and improvement, especially in close games. His coaching acumen and ability to connect with players revitalized the franchise, making him a key figure in the team’s return to prominence.
The team has struggled over the last two years, but the front office stuck with Daboll in hopes that he can right the ship.
Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots | August 14, 1975 (49)
On January 12, 2025, the New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their head coach. The former Tennessee Titans head coach returned to the franchise where he won three Super Bowl rings as a linebacker.
Vrabel had also interviewed with the New York Jets and Chicago Bears’ head coaching vacancies, but he opted to return to New England, where he played for eight seasons. Throughout the course of Vrabel’s coaching career, he has a 54-45 record in the regular season and a 2-3 record in the postseason.
In Tennessee, Vrabel’s teams weren’t always effective, but they did finish eighth in PFN’s Defense+ metric in 2021 and 12th in 2022. The Patriots fell from ninth in Defense+ in 2023 to 30th in 2024.
Now, the Patriots can expect to field a better run defense in 2025. From 2018-23, Tennessee ranked fourth in defensive EPA per rush (0.11) and seventh in rushing defense success rate (63%). The 2024 Patriots had a below-average run defense, ranking 23rd in EPA per rush and 20th in run defense success rate.
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions | April 13, 1976 (48)
Dan Campbell was named head coach of the Detroit Lions on January 20, 2021. With 25 years of NFL experience, including 11 as a player and 14 as a coach, Campbell brought a new culture of grit and collaboration to Detroit.
In his third year, he led the Lions to a historic 12-5 season, tying the franchise record for wins and securing their first division title since 1993. The team advanced to the NFC Championship for the first time since 1991, marking the Lions’ most successful season in decades.
In 2024, he led the Lions to 15 wins and they entered the playoffs looking like the favorite to win Super Bowl 59, but they were upset by the Commanders in the Divisional Round.
Under Campbell’s leadership, the Lions have excelled in all aspects of the game, and his impact was felt beyond the field as he fostered a resilient, winning culture.
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons | September 3, 1976 (48)
Raheem Morris was named the 19th head coach in Atlanta Falcons history on January 25, 2024, after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams from 2021-2023. During his tenure with the Rams, Morris helped the team achieve two playoff appearances and win Super Bowl LVI.
In his three seasons with Los Angeles, Morris’s defense ranked among the NFL’s best, finishing fourth in red zone efficiency and seventh in rushing yards allowed per game. His 2023 defense, despite being one of the youngest in the league, secured a playoff berth and saw standout performances from rookies Kobie Turner and Byron Young, who combined for 17 sacks.
In his first season in Atlanta, the team won eight games and missed the playoffs.
Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers | November 3, 1979 (45)
Matt LaFleur was named the 15th head coach of the Green Bay Packers on January 8, 2019. Over his first five seasons, LaFleur led the Packers to a 56-27 regular-season record (.675), the best in the NFC and tied for third in the NFL during that span. His 56 wins are tied for the second-most by any head coach in NFL history over their first five seasons, trailing only George Seifert.
LaFleur guided Green Bay to the playoffs four times in five years, including three straight 13-win seasons and two NFC Championship Game appearances. In 2021, he was the runner-up for AP NFL Coach of the Year. LaFleur also coached QB Aaron Rodgers to back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021.
Before joining the Packers, LaFleur served as the offensive coordinator for the Rams (2017) and Titans (2018) and coached QBs for the Redskins (2010-13) and Falcons (2015-16).
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers | December 14, 1979 (45)
The San Francisco 49ers hired Shanahan as their head coach on Feb. 6, 2017, and he’s now in his eighth season with the club. He replaced Chip Kelly, who was fired after just one 2-14 season.
Shanahan has guided the Niners to four NFC Championship Game appearances and two Super Bowls. Every year that Shanahan has been to the playoffs with San Francisco, they have made the NFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl.
His sustained level of success shouldn’t be surprising, as his father, Mike Shanahan, was a legendary NFL head coach. Mike served as the Denver Broncos’ head coach from 1995 to 2008. He won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, defeating the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII and the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Shanahan is Denver’s all-time leader in regular-season games coached, regular-season wins, and playoff wins, and he was inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.
Shanahan is considered one of the best coaches and offensive minds in football. Many teams have attempted to replicate the “Shanahan scheme” to varying degrees of success. The annual dominance of Shanahan’s offense has led to many 49ers assistants leaving for better jobs, including head coaching gigs in recent years.
Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers | May 7, 1981 (43)
Dave Canales was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers on January 25, 2024, becoming the seventh head coach in franchise history.
Before joining Carolina, Canales served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, leading the team to an NFC South title and a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Under his guidance, quarterback Baker Mayfield had a career year with 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and a 64.3% completion rate. Running back Rachaad White also excelled, nearly reaching 1,000 rushing yards and ranking third among NFL running backs in receiving yards.
Prior to his time in Tampa Bay, Canales spent 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, contributing to a Super Bowl title and multiple playoff appearances. He played a key role in developing quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith.
Canales brings a strong background in offense and player development to the Panthers, aiming to turn around the young, rebuilding squad.
Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles | June 15, 1981 (43)
Nick Sirianni is the son of a coach, as his father was the head coach of Southwestern Central High School in West Ellicott, New York.
In 2009, the former collegiate wide receiver was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control coach, and he would remain with the organization for four seasons. He was eventually promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach.
Sirianni left to join the San Diego Chargers, whom he coached for five years in a variety of roles including offensive quality control coach, quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach. In 2018, the Indianapolis Colts gave Sirianni his first job as an offensive coordinator. He helped lead the Colts to the playoffs twice in his three years running the offense.
On Jan. 24, 2021, the Eagles hired Sirianni as their head coach, replacing Doug Pederson. After an up-and-down start to Sirianni’s tenure in Philadelphia, he’s now on top of the world after leading the team to victory in Super Bowl 59. His record as a head coach is 48-20 in the regular season and 6-3 in the playoffs.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns | May 8, 1982 (42)
Kevin Stefanski was named the Cleveland Browns’ 18th head coach on January 13, 2020. Stefanski is 40-42 in five seasons with the Browns, and he was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year following the 2020 and 2023 seasons.
He guided Cleveland to two postseason appearances and two 11-win seasons in his first four seasons, becoming only the second coach in franchise history to achieve multiple 11-win seasons alongside Paul Brown.
It’s unclear how much blame Stefanski deserves for the Browns’ horrendous 2024 season. He did take a franchise that was dead and out and got them to two postseason appearances and prior to 2024, his worst record was 7-10. Deshaun Watson has only played 19 games over three seasons and when he has played, he has been dreadful, ranking dead last in PFN’s QB+ metric this season.
It’s worth noting that Stefanski and Browns GM Andrew Berry signed extensions with the club in June.
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals | January 4, 1983 (42)
Jonathan Gannon was named the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals on February 14, 2023, after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Eagles from 2021-2022. Gannon brings 16 years of NFL experience, having worked with teams like the Colts, Vikings, Titans, Rams, and Falcons before joining the Cardinals.
In his first season with Arizona, Gannon led the Cardinals to three wins over postseason-bound teams, including two impressive victories on the East Coast in December. The Cardinals also set a franchise record in 2023 by having eight games without a turnover.
In 2024, Arizona won eight games and missed the playoffs, but it’s worth noting that they played one of the NFL’s hardest schedules.
During his tenure with the Eagles, Gannon’s defense ranked in the top 10 both seasons, including a second-place finish in total defense in 2022. His 2022 Eagles defense led the NFL with a franchise-record 70 sacks and boasted four players with 10+ sacks, a first in NFL history.
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins | March 6, 1983 (41)
The Miami Dolphins hired Mike McDaniel as their head coach on February 7, 2022. McDaniel’s coaching career began with the Denver Broncos as an intern in 2005 at age 22.
His big break came with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was an assistant under Kyle Shanahan for five seasons from 2017-2021. After spending four of those seasons as the 49ers’ run game coordinator, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021 at age 38. The offense thrived, and McDaniel was able to run his own team.
In his first two seasons, McDaniel led the Dolphins to consecutive playoff appearances, becoming just the third coach in franchise history to do so in his first two years. In 2023, Miami achieved its first 11-win season in 15 years and led the NFL in total offense (401.3 yards per game) for the first time since 1994.
Unfortunately, the team took a step back in 2024 and missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record. Now, entering 2025, McDaniel is on the hot seat.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals | May 10, 1983 (41)
Zac Taylor was named the 10th head coach in Bengals history on February 4, 2019. Entering his sixth season in 2024, Taylor has a regular-season record of 46-52-1 and a postseason record of 5-2.
In 2024, he led the Bengals to their fourth consecutive winning season with a 9-8 record, but Cincinnati ultimately missed the playoffs.
In 2022, Taylor’s Bengals tied a team record with 12 regular-season wins and earned their second straight AFC North title. The team advanced to its second consecutive AFC Championship, with Taylor becoming the 13th head coach to win five of his first six postseason games.
In 2021, he led the Bengals to an AFC title and a Super Bowl appearance while overseeing the development of star players like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans | June 10, 1984 (40)
Brian Callahan was hired as the 20th head coach in Tennessee Titans history on January 24, 2024. With 18 years of coaching experience, including 14 in the NFL, Callahan spent the previous five seasons (2019-23) as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. During his tenure in Cincinnati, he helped guide the team to two AFC North titles, two AFC Championship appearances, and a Super Bowl berth.
Under Callahan’s leadership, QB Joe Burrow developed into one of the league’s top passers, setting multiple franchise records and earning Pro Bowl honors. Callahan also oversaw an offense featuring standout wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, along with running back Joe Mixon, who consistently ranked among the NFL’s best.
Callahan’s experience working with top-tier offenses and quarterbacks, combined with his success in Cincinnati, earned him head-coaching buzz and then the Titans’ job. Now, the Titans will have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Callahan will have an opportunity to develop Tennessee’s quarterback of the future.
DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans | July 28, 1984 (40)
Prior to becoming a coach, DeMeco Ryans was a standout linebacker in the NFL, suiting up for the Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. Over the course of his career, he totaled 971 tackles, 13.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions. He was a first-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in tackles in 2006.
In 2017, he made the transition to coaching, joining the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive quality control coach, and later working his way up to inside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. Ryans thrived as a coach, earning the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2022 as the 49ers’ DC. It didn’t take long for Ryans to start getting head-coach buzz, and the Texans hired him as their head coach on Jan. 31, 2023 – a full circle moment since he took over the team that drafted him.
In his first year as head coach, Ryans led the Texans to a 10-7 record, securing a playoff berth and their seventh AFC South title. Houston made history by becoming the first NFL team to win their division with both a rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, and a first-year head coach. Ryans and Stroud also became the fourth rookie QB and head coach duo to win a playoff game, defeating the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the Wild Card round.
Under Ryans, Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. were named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year, marking a sweep of the top rookie awards. Ryans was named the PFWA’s Coach of the Year, and the Texans boasted top-10 rankings in turnover margin and rushing defense. Ryans’ leadership has revitalized the Texans, making them a rising force in the NFL.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts | May 11, 1985 (39)
Shane Steichen is 17-17 in two seasons as the Indianapolis Colts head coach, including 8-9 this season. Indianapolis didn’t live up to preseason expectations, and there has been a lot of talk about the poor culture and lack of accountability under Steichen.
While there were rumblings that the Colts might move on from Steichen, owner Jim Irsay confirmed that he and general manager Chris Ballard will be back next season.
The giveaway and takeaway math hasn’t been great throughout Steichen’s tenure in Indianapolis, and that caps his appeal. From 2022-2024, the Colts ranked 25th in turnover margin (85 turnovers committed, ahead of only the Cleveland Browns), making sustaining success near impossible. Over the past three seasons, the Colts have won more than two consecutive games just once, something that isn’t surprising given this glaring flaw.
Like it or not, coaches and quarterbacks are tied to one another, and Anthony Richardson is well behind where he was expected to be at this point. Injuries have certainly played into that, but we just haven’t seen the signs of growth that you’d hope for, and the falls at the feet of the head coach.
Steichen previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he helped lead the team to Super Bowl LVII in 2022.
Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings | May 25, 1985 (39)
Kevin O’Connell was named the 10th head coach in Minnesota Vikings history on February 16, 2022, after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
In his first two seasons, O’Connell became the fastest coach in team history to reach 20 wins, achieving this milestone in just 30 games.
Despite losing QB Kirk Cousins to free agency, O’Connell guided the Vikings to 14 wins with Sam Darnold under center. Minnesota was the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL season, with the NFL’s third-best offense and 13th-best defense, according to PFN’s metrics.
O’Connell has developed a reputation as one of the NFL’s best offensive minds, and he recently inked a lucrative multi-year extension with Minnesota.
Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars | Nov. 8, 1985 (39)
How Liam Coen became the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars was one of the wildest coach-hiring sagas in NFL history. Coen initially withdrew his name from the Jaguars’ head-coaching search and verbally agreed to an extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becoming one of the highest-paid offensive coordinators in the NFL.
However, the next day Coen never showed up to sign his agreement and the Bucs couldn’t reach him. When they finally got Coen on the phone, he lied about his whereabouts and met with the Jaguars behind Tampa Bay’s back, accepting an offer to become Jacksonville’s next head coach. Coen is 39 years old and has just one season of NFL playcalling experience, so it remains to be seen if he can turn around the Jaguars.
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams | January 24, 1986 (39)
On January 12, 2017, Sean McVay was named the 23rd head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, becoming the youngest head coach in modern NFL history at 30 years old. In his first eight seasons, McVay led the Rams to six playoff berths and two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl LVI.
McVay has achieved seven winning seasons with the Rams. He reached his 100th career regular-season game in 2023, and he boasts an impressive 88-57 record.
Under McVay’s guidance, the Rams’ offense and defense have consistently ranked among the NFL’s best. McVay remains one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL, continuing to shape the Rams into a formidable contender.
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears | May 11, 1986 (38)
On January 21, 2025, the Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson as their head coach. Johnson was one of the most highly coveted candidates during the NFL’s current coaching cycle, drawing interest from numerous teams. After turning down a head coaching opportunity last offseason to chase a title with the Detroit Lions, Johnson accepted the Bears’ job.
Johnson became a key figure in the Lions’ offense in 2019 and assumed full control as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2022. He helped Detroit average an NFL-best 33.1 points per game this season while also ranking No. 1 in PFN’s Offense+ metric. The unit’s stock soared this season, but the improvement was a steady progression. Now, he’ll try to help former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams realize his full potential.
Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks | June 26, 1987 (37)
The Seattle Seahawks named Mike Macdonald the ninth head coach in franchise history on January 31, 2024.
Macdonald joined Seattle after spending nine of the last 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, including the last two as their defensive coordinator. His 2023 Ravens defense made history by finishing first in the NFL in points allowed (16.5 points per game), points per drive (1.35), yards per play (4.6), sacks (60), takeaways (31), and DVOA (-23.3%) while also leading in point differential (+203) and turnover margin (+12).
In his first season with Seattle, he led the team to 10 wins, although they just missed the playoffs. Macdonald helped the Seahawks turn around their defense, going from the NFL’s 29th-ranked unit to the sixth-best defense, according to PFN’s Defense+ metric. Seattle’s best trait this season was its ability to generate pressure, as the Seahawks generated pressure without blitzing at the third-highest rate of any defense (36.5%).
This unit improved more than anyone could have expected in Macdonald’s first season, proving that he has a bright future as a head coach.
Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints | July 5, 1988 (36)
Fresh off helping the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore became the New Orleans Saints’ head coach. This had been in the works for a while, but New Orleans had to wait until the Eagles’ season was over before finalizing the move.
Moore’s name has been on the head coaching radar for quite some time now, and the more the rules shift toward the offensive side of the ball, it’s no wonder he received plenty of buzz, as he led successful offenses in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia as a coordinator.
Philadelphia ranked seventh in red zone trips per game this season, thanks in large part to a suppressed turnover rate. Under Moore’s watch this season, the Eagles had the fourth-lowest giveaway rate, a large reason why this team was able to dominate the postseason, unlike a season ago (when they ranked 30th in turnover rate).
Who Is the Oldest NFL Head Coach?
The NFL’s oldest head coach is actually a new hire: Raiders HC Pete Carroll. Carroll is 73 years old, making him the oldest head coach in the NFL by a significant margin.
In fact, Carroll is now the oldest head coach in NFL history. He has been coaching since 1973, so he’s held a clipboard longer than many NFL head coaches have been alive. When Carroll started his coaching career, Saints head coach Kellen Moore was still 15 years away from being born.
Who Is the Youngest NFL Head Coach?
The youngest head coach in the NFL used to be Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald, who is 37 years old. However, after the Saints hired Moore, he now holds the title at 36 years old.
Moore is a former quarterback who threw for 14,667 yards during his time as a player at Boise State. After a six-year NFL career as a backup quarterback with the Cowboys and Lions (playing in just three games), he made the transition to coaching and became widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the league.
How Old Do You Need To Be To Coach in the NFL?
There is no specific age requirement to being a head coach in the NFL, but much like the rules NFL players go through to be draft-eligible, coaches need to be at least three years removed from high school to be eligible for employment.
