Fansided

11 Best young coaches in the NFL

By Robert Judin

Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Josh McDaniels – New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator (39-years-old)

Josh McDaniels’ tenure with the Denver Broncos came to an abrupt end in 2010. After the Broncos started 3-9, McDaniels was fired and Eric Studesville took over for the remainder of the season.

The very next year, Denver was led to the playoffs by Tim Tebow’s magical run as a starting quarterback and even defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card game.

After a brief stop in St. Louis as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2011, McDaniels returned to the New England Patriots in 2012 and helped them establish the NFL’s top-rated offense in points and yards. New England averaged 427.9 yards per game and 34.8 points per game.

Yes, McDaniels has benefited from having Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, but he’s still labeled as an offensive genius. And you can’t help but wonder if McDaniels could have turned the Broncos around with a little more time.

It’s not like successful head coaches haven’t bombed in their first stints as a head coach before. When Bill Belichick took over as head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1991, it took him four years to have a winning season, and the Browns were knocked out of the divisional round of the playoffs. Cleveland regressed and finished 5-11 in 1995, and Belichick was fired.

But if Belichick had not gotten a second chance with the Patriots, we would have missed out on one of the greatest head coaches of all-time. Sometimes things just don’t click right away for a young head coach. Like players, coaches, too, need to develop, and McDaniels might be the next breakout star when he inevitably gets another shot.

Next: 4. Dan Quinn

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