Where does Andy Reid rank among active NFL coaches?
By Grant Tuttle
Andy Reid is known for being one of the best offensive minds in the game but is also known for poor clock management. So, where does he rank? We discuss.
Being a coach in the NFL is not an easy job. If a coach has been able to hold on to their job for longer than five years, chances are they are a solid coach. Coaching in the NFL has more of a direct impact on a team’s success of the three major sports.
Andy Reid has been the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs for six seasons and has led the team to three consecutive AFC West titles—the first such streak in franchise history. Among active NFL coaches, where does he belong? Yes, the Super Bowl ring has eluded him to date, but he’s also a model of consistent success, not to mention one of the most creative coaches in the game.
Today, we rank the active NFL coaches starting with the rookie coach in Arizona all in search of finding where Reid belongs.
32. Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals
Coaching history:
Known for his “Air Raid” system, Kingsbury is set to take over the Arizona Cardinals. After spending his head coaching career at Texas Tech, he struggled to ever find a strong footing in the ranks of the top teams in the Big 12. While the Red Raiders’ offense always seemed to work to an extent, the defense was typically putrid. The NFL has shifted into being an offensive league and that is why Kingsbury is getting a chance with the Cardinals for at least 2019-2020.
Coaching record:
35-40 (Head coach Texas Tech)
2019-2020 outlook:
On the hot seat
Kingsbury may be the first coach that has been hired from the Patrick Mahomes “tree.” While known for his innovative, pass-friendly offense, he has struggled to lead successful football teams. Kyler Murray is an interesting piece, but the lack of weapons on offense other than 35-year-old wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is troubling for a franchise that wants to turn things around after last year’s abysmal 3-13 performance. Unless the defense for the Cardinals can put on a clinic, I believe that Kingsbury could find himself on the hot seat faster than he may even deserve.
31. Pat Shurmur, New York Giants
Coaching history:
Pat Shurmur has not and likely will not be a good head coach; however, the Giants make baffling front office moves (and lack thereof) more than most NFL franchises. Despite being a head coach for three full seasons, there have been coaches that have beaten his win total in one season. Shurmur has been an offensive coordinator for several years of his career and, with any luck, the Giants will have a replacement for Eli Manning at quarterback in Daniel Jones. Unfortunately, I don’t see them getting lucky.
Coaching record:
15-34 (Browns, Eagles and Giants Head Coach)
2019-2020 outlook:
On the hot seat
Again, the Giants front office makes strange decisions, so who really knows? If Shurmur wins 7 games this season, they may extend him for reasons that are unclear. That being said, Shurmur has never been a successful head coach at any level. It is hard for me to imagine the Giants holding on to him if he has yet another bad season.
30. Adam Gase, New York Jets
Coaching history:
Known for being an offensive expert, Adam Gase enters his first season in New York. After a series of lackluster years in Miami, Gase will attempt to lead the offseason champion Jets to a playoff run. Gase was an offensive coordinator for Peyton Manning-led Super Bowl teams in 2013-2014. He got an opportunity to be a head coach for the Dolphins after a short offensive coordinator gig in Chicago.
Coaching record:
23-25 (Miami Dolphins head coach)
2019-2020 outlook:
Middle of the road
Adam Gase has received more chances than he deserves. Peyton Manning can make any coach appear better than they are. In Miami, he had one winning season with a 10-6 record. The Jets are hopeful that he can lead the team to more production with youngster Sam Darnold at the helm. With a boost from Le’Veon Bell, the Jets look to field a competitive offense in 2019 and 2020.
29. Matt Patricia, Detroit Lions
Coaching history:
Another New England Patriots coordinator, another lackluster head coach. Patricia served as the Patriots defensive coordinator for five seasons. He chose football over rocket science, but it is not rocket science to say that the Lions were not a good football team last year. As a first-time head coach last season, there is always a real chance of growth. Unfortunately, New England coordinators have a bad track record.
Coaching record:
6-10 (Detroit Lions head coach)
2019-2020 outlook:
On the hot seat
Patricia needs to make the Lions a competitive team to keep his job. The team does not need to be a playoff-caliber team, but it needs to have a push. Squaring up with the Bears, Packers, and Vikings twice a year will prove to be a difficult task, but competitiveness is the only way that Matt Patricia has a chance to survive in Detroit.
28. Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins
Coaching history:
Flores brings a new mindset to the Dolphins. After 11 years on the Patriots defensive staff, Flores gets a chance to change the narrative of former New England coaches. The Dolphins will now try to be a defensive-minded team after a few years of being led by former offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
Coaching record:
N/A (First-time head coach)
2019-2020 outlook:
Losing season
The transition to a defensive team may prove to be difficult for Miami. The team has very few players that are potential All-Pros. Luckily for the Dolphins, the team likely looking for a rebuild with a chance to get a high pick in the 2020 Draft. Flores will likely get a few years to try and fix Miami’s seemingly endless woes.