NFLPA 5 Worst NFL Coaches Report Card Rankings: Former COY Cracks List

1. Josh McDaniels - Formerly Las Vegas Raiders: D

The Josh McDaniels saga played out in a way that few some coming in 2023. Only eight games (3-5) into his second season as the Raiders head coach, the organization could take no more. McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler were fired amid rumors of a 'toxic culture' in Vegas.

The NFLPA scores echo that sentiment, as only 39% of players felt McDaniels was efficient with their time. This percentage was by far the worst mark in this category. He also ranked dead last in the likelihood of listening to the locker room.

Antonio Pierce, who was promoted from linebackers coach to replace McDaniels as interim head coach and now official head coach, is reportedly very well-liked by players. He's also a favorite of FanDuel, as his COY odds of +2000 put him in the top ten.

4. Dennis Allen - New Orleans Saints: B-

While the Saints fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell, and receivers coach Kodi Burns, Dennis Allen survived his second straight mediocre campaign in New Orleans. The Saints finished 9-8 and failed to make the playoffs, a season after going 7-10 in Allen's first year leading the team. The 51-year-old now sports a .343 career winning percentage and has never taken an NFL team to the postseason.

Like Stefanski, Allen was criticized for not listening to the locker room, where he ranked 29th of 32 teams. Also, like the reigning Coach of the Year, Allen has long +5000 odds to win the award this season.

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3. Arthur Smith - Formerly Atlanta Falcons: C+

After a third straight 7-10 finish, the Atlanta Falcons had enough of Arthur Smith at the helm. Smith was fired on Black Monday after Atlanta failed to make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year. 

Smith ranked 30th on the NFLPA survey in both efficiency in utilizing time with players and listening to the locker room.

The 41-year-old will get to learn those things from one of the coaches on our Top-5 NFLPA Coaches list. Smith was hired as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator shortly after being relieved of his duties in Atlanta.

2. Ron Rivera - Formerly Washington Commanders: C

Our second straight coach, no longer at the helm of his former team, Ron Rivera, did not score well in the NFLPA annual report card. Rivera never posted a record better than .500 in his four seasons with the Washington Commanders. His only playoff appearance came when Washington won a weak NFC East at 7-9 in 2020. Following a 4-13 record, Rivera's worst as an NFL coach, the Commanders decided to go in a different direction.

Only 76% of players felt Rivera was efficient with their time, which ranked 26th overall. He was the only man to receive a grade of C overall for 2023.

Get caught up on all the NFL Coaching Changes ahead of the 2024 season.

1. Josh McDaniels - Formerly Las Vegas Raiders: D

The Josh McDaniels saga played out in a way that few some coming in 2023. Only eight games (3-5) into his second season as the Raiders head coach, the organization could take no more. McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler were fired amid rumors of a 'toxic culture' in Vegas.

The NFLPA scores echo that sentiment, as only 39% of players felt McDaniels was efficient with their time. This percentage was by far the worst mark in this category. He also ranked dead last in the likelihood of listening to the locker room.

Antonio Pierce, who was promoted from linebackers coach to replace McDaniels as interim head coach and now official head coach, is reportedly very well-liked by players. He's also a favorite of FanDuel, as his COY odds of +2000 put him in the top ten.