How Many Coaches Got Fired This Year

So, you’ve been following the sports news, and you’ve noticed a recurring headline: “Coach fired.” It feels like a seasonal ritual, right up there with pumpkin spice and holiday returns. But how many coaches actually got fired this year? Buckle up, because the number is more chaotic than a toddler on a sugar high.

The Great Coaching Carousel of 2024

As of mid-December, eleven NFL head coaches have been shown the door this year—though some were shown it mid-season, like really aggressively. That’s over a third of the league’s franchises deciding, “You know what? This guy’s playbook isn’t working. Let’s try a dartboard.” Throw in college football, and the number balloons to over 30 head coach changes across Division I alone. It’s like a reality TV show where the prize is a whistle and a lot of gray hair.

Why so many? Because owners have the patience of a hungry raccoon. If you don’t win immediately, they assume you’re secretly working for the other team. One loss streak, and boom—your office is a cardboard box.

The NFL’s Revolving Door

Let’s start with the pros, where the money is silly and the job security is laughable. The average NFL coaching tenure is now around 3.5 years—that’s shorter than a goldfish’s attention span. This year, we saw names like Brandon Staley (Chargers) and Ron Rivera (Commanders) get the pink slip, but the real surprise? The Panthers fired Frank Reich after just 11 games. Eleven games! That’s less time than it takes to grow a playoff beard.

And it’s not just head coaches. Coordinator firings are even crazier. We’re talking about 31 offensive coordinators getting canned across the league since February. That’s one per team, basically. It’s like the NFL collectively decided that every quarterback’s struggles were definitely the coordinator’s fault. “Hey, your QB threw five interceptions? Clearly, it’s the guy who drew up the play on a napkin.”

Getting Fired Nfl Coaches

College Football’s Circus

Now, college football is a whole different beast—like a circus, but with more boosters and less clowns (debatable). This year, 16 FBS schools have changed head coaches, including big names like Texas A&M (Jimbo Fisher) and Northwestern (Pat Fitzgerald, under much darker circumstances). The fun fact? Jimbo Fisher’s buyout was $77 million. That’s $77 million to tell a guy, “Thanks for the memories, please leave the keys.” That buyout could fund a small moon mission.

And here’s a surprising stat: In 2023, the average Power Five coach lasted 4.7 years, but this year, that number is already dropping. Why? Because every school now thinks they’re Alabama. Lose two games in September? “We need to fire everyone and start over. Maybe hire the coach’s dog?” Spoiler: The dog would do a better job of keeping morale up.

Jon Gruden Reacts To NFL Coaches Getting Fired - Barstool Rundown

The Toxic Comparison

Let’s compare sports to, say, your job. If you messed up a project at work, would your boss fire you after three months? Probably not. But in coaching, you lose a game by 20 points, and the internet is already drafting your resignation letter. The pressure is so intense that one coach was fired this year because his team blew a 10-point lead in the playoffs. That’s like firing a chef because your pasta was slightly mushy.

And the timing? Five coaches got fired on “Black Monday” alone—the first Monday after the regular season. That’s not a holiday; that’s a purge. You wake up, grab coffee, and see your favorite coach being escorted off the field. It’s less “Monday blues” and more “Monday you’re-done.”

25% of all NFL coaches got fired this year. - YouTube

The Weirdest Firing of the Year

But wait—there’s a wild card. The weirdest firing this year goes to the Las Vegas Raiders, who fired Josh McDaniels after 25 games. That’s not shocking, except they also fired their interim coach two weeks later. That’s right—they fired the guy who was temporarily supposed to fix things. It’s like hiring a babysitter for one night, then firing her because the kids are still annoying in the morning. The Raiders set a record for “most coaches fired in a calendar year” with three. That’s a new level of organizational chaos.

And in college, the University of South Florida fired Jeff Scott after just 20 games—a tenure so short, it’s barely a speed dating session. But here’s the kicker: Scott still gets paid $4.5 million over the next two years. So, he’s effectively been fired to a tropical beach, laughing all the way to the bank. That’s the silver lining of getting canned: you become a professional yacht owner.

Which NFL Coaches Hired In 2025 Will Be Fired First And Which Will Last

Why This Matters to You

You might think, “I don’t care about millionaires losing their jobs.” But you should, because it’s pure entertainment gold. Every firing is a soap opera episode: the rumors, the press conferences, the owner crying on TV (looking at you, Jerry Jones). This year, the total number of firings across all major U.S. sports—NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college—is over 80. That’s 80 people waking up one morning to find their keycard doesn’t work.

And the best part? Most of them will be rehired within two years. It’s a game of musical chairs where the music never stops, and the chairs are on fire. So, the next time you see a coach get canned, just remember: they’re probably not crying. They’re smiling because they’re about to sign a new contract with the Jets. Because the Jets are always looking for volunteers.

So, how many coaches got fired this year? Enough to fill a small army of clipboard-holders. And next year, expect even more. Because in sports, the only thing hotter than a winning streak is the hot seat.