NFL 2015: How will the first-year coaches perform?

The National Football League is a cruel and unforgiving place. Former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons coach Jerry Glanville famously said that the NFL stands for “Not for Long,” and he would be correct.

Years ago, some coaches could be employed for generations. Chicago Bears head coach George Halas ran the show from 1920-67, although he also owned the team so firing him would have been a task. The same can be said for Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, who stuck around from 1919-49 before coaching the Chicago Cardinals and Washington Redskins. The most recent example would be Tom Landry, who roamed the Dallas Cowboys’ sideline from 1960-89 before being fired by new owner Jerry Jones.

Currently, few coaches can ever stay in the same position for more than a few seasons. Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots has the longest current tenure, ranging from 2000 to the present. Coming into the 2015 season, there are seven coaches taking over new teams, or just under 25 percent of the league. Unlike yesteryear where they would have a few seasons to implement change, these men will be under the microscope immediately.

So how will each perform? Who is in the best spot? Let’s run down all seven in order of best position to worst position.

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