NFL Coaching Carousel: Teams Begin Search for New Head Coaches
The NFL regular season has come to a close, and with it, the search for new head coaches has begun for several teams. The Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, and Cleveland Browns have already parted ways with their head coaches, while the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants made similar moves during the season.
The Las Vegas Raiders fired Pete Carroll on Monday morning after a disappointing 3-14 season. The Atlanta Falcons, on the other hand, fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night, following a second consecutive 8-9 finish. The Cleveland Browns also made a change, firing coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons and a 5-11 finish this year.
Teams That Have Made Coaching Changes
In addition to the Raiders, Falcons, and Browns, the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants also made coaching changes during the season. The Titans fired Brian Callahan in October after a 1-5 start, while the Giants fired Brian Daboll in November after a 2-8 start.
Las Vegas Raiders
Pete Carroll’s tenure with the Raiders ended with a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, but it was not enough to save his job. The team’s owner, Mark Davis, announced the decision to relieve Carroll of his duties as head coach, citing the need for a change in leadership.
“We appreciate and wish him and his family all the best,” Davis said in a statement. “Moving forward, General Manager John Spytek will lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club’s next head coach.”
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention after a 37-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 9. Despite winning their final four games, the team’s 8-9 finish was not enough to save coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.
“I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement.
Cleveland Browns
Kevin Stefanski was named the Associated Press coach of the year in 2020 and 2023, but his tenure with the Browns ended after six seasons and a 5-11 finish this year. The team’s owners, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, announced the decision to fire Stefanski, citing the need for a change in leadership.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons,” the Haslams said in a statement. “He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary.”
New York Giants
Brian Daboll was fired by the Giants in November after a 2-8 start to the season. The team went 2-5 under interim coach Mike Kafka, who was promoted from offensive coordinator. The new coach will inherit quarterback Jaxson Dart, whom the Giants selected with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Tennessee Titans
Brian Callahan was fired by the Titans in October after a 1-5 start to the season. The team went 2-9 under interim coach Mike McCoy. Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, started all 17 games at quarterback.
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