In recent years, NFL teams have been willing to hire head coaches who are younger and younger. If teams find a talented up-and-coming coach with a promising future, they would rather hire them a year or two early than miss out on them by being a year or two late.
There were 15 head coaches age-45 or younger when the season started. Let’s break down this season’s youngest NFL coaches, followed by a look at the youngest head coaches in league history. Also, check out our full list of NFL head coaches by age.
Who Are the Youngest Head Coaches in the NFL?
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, alhough 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 defens, 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.
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams | January 24, 1986 (38)
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 six seasons, McVay led the Rams to four playoff berths and two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl LVI.
McVay has achieved five winning seasons and three NFC West titles with the Rams. He reached his 100th career regular-season game in 2023, boasting a 61-39 record, one of the highest winning percentages among active coaches in their first 100 games.
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.
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.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts | May 11, 1985 (39)
Shane Steichen is 16-17 in two seasons as the Indianapolis Colts head coach, including 7-9 this season. Indianapolis didn’t live up to preseason expectations, and recently, 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.
DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans | July 28, 1984 (40)
Prior to becoming a coach, 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.
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.
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.
Under McDaniel, the Dolphins’ offense excelled, featuring standout performances from QB Tua Tagovailoa, who led the league in passing yards (4,624), and WR Tyreek Hill, who recorded the seventh-most receiving yards in NFL history (1,799). The team also set a franchise record with 56 sacks on defense. Six Dolphins were selected to the Pro Bowl, including Hill and Tagovailoa.
McDaniel’s leadership and offensive play-calling have revitalized the Dolphins, making them a top contender in the NFL. While the team has struggled mightily in 2024, it’s mainly because Tagovailoa was sidelined for a significant stretch after suffering his fourth concussion in five years.
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 37-44-1 and a postseason record of 5-2.
In 2023, he led the Bengals to their third consecutive winning season with a 9-8 record despite injuries to key players. Taylor adapted the offense, particularly after QB Joe Burrow’s injury, guiding QB Jake Browning to a strong finish.
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 Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
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.
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 in franchise history.
In his first season with the Panthers, Carolina only won five games but Bryce Young took a significant step forward in his development. 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)
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.
Sirianni’s tenure in Philadelphia has had plenty of ups (including a Super Bowl appearance and Maxwell Club NFL Coach of the Year award in 2022) and downs (including the team’s brutal second-half collapse and Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023).
With 34 regular-season victories in his first three seasons, Nick Sirianni holds the record for the most wins by any head coach in their first three years with the Eagles. He is also the only coach in Eagles history to start his tenure with three consecutive playoff appearances.
Sirianni has overseen two of the largest single-season win improvements in the team’s history. He is just the second head coach in NFL history, alongside Bill Walsh, to increase his team’s win total by five or more games in back-to-back seasons.
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.
MORE: List of Current NFL Head Coaches
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.
Who Are the Youngest Head Coaches in NFL History?
While Macdonald is currently the NFL’s youngest active head coach at 37 years old, how does that stack up against the youngest head coaches in league history?
Sean McVay holds the distinction of being the youngest head coach ever hired, as he was just 30 years and 11 months old when the Rams hired him in 2017. Here’s a look at the 10 youngest head coaches of all time.
- Sean McVay | 30 years, 11 months
Los Angeles Rams – 2017 - Lane Kiffin | 31 years, 8 months
Oakland Raiders – 2007 - Harland Svare | 31 years, 11 months
Los Angeles Rams – 1962 - John Michelosen | 32 years, 2 months
Pittsburgh Steelers – 1948 - Raheem Morris | 32 years, 4 months
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2009 - David Shula | 32 years, 7 months
Cincinnati Bengals – 1992 - Josh McDaniels | 32 years, 8 months
Denver Broncos – 2009 - John Madden | 32 years and 10 months
Oakland Raiders – 1969 - Don Shula | 33 years, 4 days
Baltimore Colts – 1963 - Al Davis | 33 years, 6 months
Oakland Raiders – 1963
