The 40 Most Underachieving NFL Head Coaches Of All Time, Ranked

Bill Belichick. Don Shula. Vince Lombardi. Just the mere mention of these legendary coaches is enough to conjure up images of iconic Super Bowl victories and greatness on the gridiron. But having a well-known name in the National Football League isn't always a good thing. These 40 NFL head coaches are remembered for their disappointing performances. And for those fans unfortunate enough to have had them lead your favorite team, we think you'll agree.

40. Jeff Fisher (Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams)

If you want to become a legendary head coach, you have to win games. Jeff Fisher? He's remembered for doing the opposite. While he did manage to amass 173 regular season wins over his 22 years in the league, he also finished with 165 losses, tied for the most all-time. And following six consecutive losing seasons — five of which made up his entire stint with the St. Louis Rams — Fisher was canned 13 games into the 2016 campaign.

39. Walt Kiesling (Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers)

In 1942 Walt Kiesling led the Steelers to a 7-4 record, the first winning season in the team's nine-year history. Too bad he went 4-15-4 in the three seasons prior... Then, following stints as co-coach of the Steagles and Card-Pitt — temporary teams made up of the men who didn't go off to fight in World War II — Kiesling returned to Pittsburgh and ended his coaching career with a record of 30-55-5. He also famously released NFL legend Johnny Unitas before he'd even played a snap for the team.

38. Mike Ditka (New Orleans Saints)

It may seem strange to see a Hall of Famer and two-time NFL Coach of the Year winner on this list, but Iron Mike's three seasons with the New Orleans Saints were nothing short of disastrous. Ditka's tenure in the Big Easy was marred by his quick temper and questionable personnel choices, and after posting a 15-33 record, he was unceremoniously fired. Afterward, Ditka declared he'd never coach again.

37. Nick Saban (Miami Dolphins)

Nick Saban may arguably be the best college football coach of all time, but he was far from legendary at the pro level. Despite a promising 9-7 record in his first year, the Dolphins whiffed by trading for the injury-riddled Daunte Culpepper instead of signing future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. That ultimately led to a quarterback carousel and Saban's very first losing season at 6-10. And no sooner did the 2006 campaign end than Saban accepted the head coaching job at Alabama. The rest is history.