The NFL’s Worst Coaches of 2023: Ranking the Bottom 5
Zack Cook
Host · Writer
1. Frank Reich - Carolina Panthers
It doesn't get any worse than the coaching performance that Frank Reich mustered with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. Reich was hired to usher in a new era of Panthers football after they traded up to draft quarterback Bryce Young, and he failed miserably. The Panthers got off to a 1-10 start in 2023, which saw Reich canned during his first year on the job. Reich's dismissal was quick but hardly surprising given what we know of Panthers' owner David Tepper.
5. Arthur Smith - Atlanta Falcons
For the amount of youthful talent the Atlanta Falcons have, specifically on offense, it's unacceptable that this group couldn't win the lackluster NFC South. Many were left scratching their heads around the usage of players such as Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts, which led to the pitchforks coming out for Arthur Smith. Smith's inability to find success with a roster that could have easily broken out in 2023 was his downfall, and it cost him his job.
4. Josh McDaniels - Las Vegas Raiders
At the end of the day, some coaches have a ceiling as a coordinator, which is how we've been left feeling about Josh McDaniels. There are a lot of traits that helped him find success with the New England Patriots as their offensive coordinator, but those didn't carry over into being a head coach with the Las Vegas Raiders. After McDaniels was fired, it's no coincidence the team got its act together under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.
3. Brandon Staley - Los Angeles Chargers
With the amount of talent that the Los Angeles Chargers have on both sides of the football, it's hard to believe how little Brandon Staley got out of this group over the last 2.5 seasons. Under Staley, the Chargers were consistently viewed as potential contenders, but they never amounted to that, and it ended in his dismissal. Staley has no one to blame but himself for what transpired with the Chargers during his short tenure.
2. Ron Rivera - Washington Commanders
Ron Rivera was never able to figure it out during his time with the Washington Commanders. In his four years as head coach, Rivera never posted a winning record, and 2023 was his worst year on the job, ending in a 4-13 season. The Commanders are still missing a franchise quarterback and a real offensive line, but Rivera deserves his fair share of the blame for the team's performance in 2023, and that's a big reason why he's now unemployed.
1. Frank Reich - Carolina Panthers
It doesn't get any worse than the coaching performance that Frank Reich mustered with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. Reich was hired to usher in a new era of Panthers football after they traded up to draft quarterback Bryce Young, and he failed miserably. The Panthers got off to a 1-10 start in 2023, which saw Reich canned during his first year on the job. Reich's dismissal was quick but hardly surprising given what we know of Panthers' owner David Tepper.
5. Arthur Smith - Atlanta Falcons
For the amount of youthful talent the Atlanta Falcons have, specifically on offense, it's unacceptable that this group couldn't win the lackluster NFC South. Many were left scratching their heads around the usage of players such as Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts, which led to the pitchforks coming out for Arthur Smith. Smith's inability to find success with a roster that could have easily broken out in 2023 was his downfall, and it cost him his job.
