Remember that one time your fantasy football team imploded because your star QB got benched? Yeah, that stung. But imagine that feeling multiplied by a million dollars and a lifetime's worth of pride.

That’s the life of an NFL head coach. One week you’re a genius, the next you’re cleaning out your office.

The Bloodbath By The Numbers

So, how many coaches actually got fired in the NFL this past season? The number is eight—which sounds high, but it’s actually an improvement from some recent years.

We’re talking about a league where eight different teams decided their leader wasn’t the guy. That’s a quarter of the league hitting the panic button.

It feels like a lot, right? Well, in 2023, we saw seven firings, but 2022 was a bonkers year with nine head coaches shown the door.

Who Got The Axe (And Why It’s Not Always Their Fault)

Let’s look at the most recent class of 2024-2025. The big names were: Robert Saleh (Jets), Matt Eberflus (Bears), Antonio Pierce (Raiders), Dennis Allen (Saints), Doug Pederson (Jaguars), Jerod Mayo (Patriots), Mike McCarthy (Cowboys), and Brian Daboll* (Giants—more on that asterisk in a sec).

NFL Head Coaches Fired And Hired After The 2018-19 Season: PhotosNFL Head Coaches Fired And Hired After The 2018-19 Season: Photos

You see that list and you think, “Wow, some of these guys had awful records.” And you’d be right. But here’s the ironic part: Dennis Allen got fired mid-season, yet his quarterback situation was a mess of injuries. Antonio Pierce had the Raiders playing hard, but the front office decided to clean house completely. (Classic Raiders move, am I right?).

The asterisk by Brian Daboll? He kept his job for now, which makes the total “official” firings seven… but his seat is so hot, you could fry an egg on it. The point is, the number is always in flux.

The True Number? It’s Higher Than You Think.

But wait—we can’t just count the head honchos. If we include offensive coordinators and defensive coordinators who got fired, the number skyrockets. Think about it: the head coach might survive, but he’ll toss his assistants under the bus faster than a check-down pass on third-and-long.

In the 2024 season alone, over 20 assistant coaches were either fired or “mutually parted ways” (which is corporate talk for “please leave before security escorts you”). That’s the real bloodbath.

Nfl Coaches Got Fired WhatNfl Coaches Got Fired What

Why Do Owners Pull The Trigger So Fast?

Here’s the dirty little secret: money. Firing a coach costs millions in guaranteed salary, but keeping a bad one costs the owner even more in lost ticket sales and angry tweets. So they cut bait.

It’s also a copycat league. If the Houston Texans win with a young coach, every owner wants their own “DeMeco Ryans.” If that doesn’t work in year two? Boom. Fired.

The average NFL head coach now lasts less than three seasons. That’s shorter than your average car lease. You have more job security as a Starbucks barista in a busy airport.

I Got All 32 NFL Coaches FIRED! - YouTubeI Got All 32 NFL Coaches FIRED! - YouTube

The One Coach Who Keeps Surviving

You know who laughs at all this? Bill Belichick. He’s currently out of a job (after the Patriots fiasco), but he’s still collecting millions. He proves that even the GOAT can be fired. It’s a humbling reminder: no one is safe.

Then there’s Andy Reid. He’s the guy who got fired from the Eagles years ago, then went to Kansas City and became a legend. Sometimes getting fired is the best thing that can happen to a coach. Weird, huh?

So, What’s The Final Count?

If you’re keeping score at home: eight head coaches were fired in the 2024-2025 cycle (as of January 2025). That’s the official answer for the big chair.

But if you include all the coordinators and position coaches who got canned? The number is probably closer to 40 to 50 across the entire league. It’s a revolving door disguised as a profession.

Getting Fired Nfl CoachesGetting Fired Nfl Coaches

And guess what? The offseason isn’t over. There are still interviews happening. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hit nine by the time the Super Bowl confetti is swept up.

The Real Lesson Here

Next time you see a coach screaming on the sideline, remember: he’s probably one bad loss away from being a talking head on ESPN. The irony is that we, the fans, celebrate the firings, but we’re the reason owners do it.

We demand instant results. We boo after three consecutive incomplete passes. So when that coach gets the pink slip, don’t act surprised. We helped write that memo.

So, how many coaches got fired? Too many. And also not enough, depending on which fanbase you’re talking to. It’s the NFL way. Pass the popcorn.