Rookie Head Coaches in the NFL

While no one likes to lose a game and everyone wants to feel positive about Coach Zorn, the stats are not in his favor as a rookie coach.

- Currently there are 28 head coaches in the NFL who have coached at least one season. The combined record of these 28 coaches during their first year is 190-258.

- Only 7 head coaches have achieved a winning record in their rookie year, 5 coaches had a .500 record, and the rest (16) had losing records.

- If you average the wins of all these 28 head coaches in their rookie year it comes out to 6.79, losses averaged at 9.21.

- Out of these 28 coaches, the best record achieved was 10-6 (Mangini, Herm Edwards, Sean Payton, and Mike Tomlin); worst record 3-13 (Rod Marinelli, Lane Kiffin).

Well, I know we all want Zorn to go 10-6, but the odds are against him. I hope he beats the odds, but losing seasons or .500 seasons are what typically happens to rookie coaches. Good night.

While no one likes to lose a game and everyone wants to feel positive about Coach Zorn, the stats are not in his favor as a rookie coach.

- Currently there are 28 head coaches in the NFL who have coached at least one season. The combined record of these 28 coaches during their first year is 190-258.

- Only 7 head coaches have achieved a winning record in their rookie year, 5 coaches had a .500 record, and the rest (16) had losing records.

- If you average the wins of all these 28 head coaches in their rookie year it comes out to 6.79, losses averaged at 9.21.

- Out of these 28 coaches, the best record achieved was 10-6 (Mangini, Herm Edwards, Sean Payton, and Mike Tomlin); worst record 3-13 (Rod Marinelli, Lane Kiffin).

Well, I know we all want Zorn to go 10-6, but the odds are against him. I hope he beats the odds, but losing seasons or .500 seasons are what typically happens to rookie coaches. Good night.

Sounds about right to me.

Most new coaches are taking over a crappy team that needs to be rebuilt.

Zorn is taking over a playoff team. There are certain expectations zorn will have to deal with.

Most new coaches are taking over a crappy team that needs to be rebuilt.

Zorn is taking over a playoff team. There are certain expectations zorn will have to deal with.

Zorn took over a playoff team with issues that were not entirely addressed during the preseason.

Most new coaches are taking over a crappy team that needs to be rebuilt.

Zorn is taking over a playoff team. There are certain expectations zorn will have to deal with.

He's a rookie HC taking over a team with holes and installing a brand new system. I think he gets a pass.

While no one likes to lose a game and everyone wants to feel positive about Coach Zorn, the stats are not in his favor as a rookie coach.

- Currently there are 28 head coaches in the NFL who have coached at least one season. The combined record of these 28 coaches during their first year is 190-258.

- Only 7 head coaches have achieved a winning record in their rookie year, 5 coaches had a .500 record, and the rest (16) had losing records.

- If you average the wins of all these 28 head coaches in their rookie year it comes out to 6.79, losses averaged at 9.21.

- Out of these 28 coaches, the best record achieved was 10-6 (Mangini, Herm Edwards, Sean Payton, and Mike Tomlin); worst record 3-13 (Rod Marinelli, Lane Kiffin).

Well, I know we all want Zorn to go 10-6, but the odds are against him. I hope he beats the odds, but losing seasons or .500 seasons are what typically happens to rookie coaches. Good night.

Fantastic post.

Any Redskin fan who predicted a playoff berth this year needs to adjust their expectations.

Hope for the best, but don't expect it. It's year 1.

Fantastic post.

Any Redskin fan who predicted a playoff berth this year needs to adjust their expectations.

Hope for the best, but don't expect it. It's year 1.

I concur with the above sentiment. And also commend you on a very nice, substantive post. Well done.

ummm...do we really have that many holes?? lets be honest here we have great defensive personel. we also have solid nfl verterans on our offensive front. Portis isnt a sleeper, neither are moss and randle el' I know there are a few issues, but has anybody ever thought that its the systems and not necessarily the players? I am a patient man, but to be honest we ALL want to see some offensive before an of us are sold that Dr Z is the long term solution. I dont know who you blame at the situation....The dan? vinny? or the individual head coaches themselves?

the problem with this is that Dan and his expert vinny will think about rebuilding again when zorn fails.

the problem with this is that Dan and his expert vinny will think about rebuilding again when zorn fails.
I hope you are wrong but we'll see. I think Zorn needs to be given through the 2009 season regardless of how this season goes. The only way I want to see another rebuilding next year is if Zorn goes Patrino and quits on the team. If he's still fighting at season's end (even if they are 0-14) then give him 2009. A one and done for Zorn isn't really giving him a chance and someone else will benefit what he learns here as a HC.