Assessing the Novice NFL Lead Coaches in 2025

After a hard-fought 2024 season that saw roster overhauls, spectacular returns, and nail-biting playoff races, the NFL world is ready for another exciting chapter in 2025 - the fresh start of seven rookie head coaches leading their respective franchises. Unlike previous years, more than half of these young leaders are completely new to the coaching scene, providing a spark of energy and innovation in the league.

These seven coaches are stepping into some big shoes, but the stats show a glimmer of hope for fans of these struggling teams. On average, rookie coaches have led their teams to improved records in their first season, and it's not uncommon for these newbies to boost winning percentages by as much as four wins.

Let's meet the newcomers who'll be lighting up the sidelines this season:

Ben Johnson - Chicago BearsThe offensive mastermind behind the Detroit Lions' recent success, Johnson brings his creative, player-friendly approach to the Windy City. Armed with an arsenal of offensively-talented Bears, Johnson has the potential to breathe new life into the floundering franchise.

Brian Schottenheimer - Dallas CowboysA veteran coach with experience in numerous roles throughout the league, Schottenheimer hopes to build on the Cowboys' existing offensive talent and return Dallas to its championship glory days. Will his coaching prowess be enough to quell the increasingly ambitious fan base?

Liam Coen - Jacksonville JaguarsWith roles at three different locations over the past six seasons, Coen arrives in Jacksonville with dreams of turning the struggling team into an offensive powerhouse. Can he help QB Trevor Lawrence regain his rookie form, leading the Jaguars to a surprising season?

Kellen Moore - New Orleans SaintsThe man behind the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning offense, Moore steps forward as a new head coach in the NFL's vibrant South. With a quarterback-centric philosophy, Moore's arrival in New Orleans promises to shake up the NFC South's balance of power.

Aaron Glenn - New York JetsAfter guiding Detroit's defense to impressive improvements, Glenn is now ready to turn his attention to the Jets. A rebuilding team with question marks at many key positions, can the rookie head coach provide the leadership necessary to steer New York towards relevance?

While the seven newcomers vacantly gaze upon the NFL's vast expanse, eyes will be on the industry veterans coaching their new teams. With fresh starts and new opportunity, temperature-checked rosters, and a renewed competitive fire, these coaches could redefine what it means to lead in the NFL.

So buckle up, football fans, as the 2025 season promises to be an exhilarating ride filled with rookie mistakes, veteran redemptions, and thrilling rivalries that push teams and coaches alike to their limits. Here's to a season filled with memorable moments, nail-biting finishes, and, of course, passionate debates among armchair quarterbacks everywhere.

Rookie Head Coach Recent History

Curious about the track record of rookie NFL head coaches? Well, you're in luck! Here's a brief overview of what history tells us:

Over the last 10 seasons, out of the 40 rookie coaches who lasted a full season, 60% improved their teams' win-loss records.
The average win improvement by rookie coaches over the last decade is 1.7, with those who did improve averaging a boost of 3.96.
Many success stories have emerged recently, such as DeMeco Ryans guiding the Texans to a 10-7 record and playoff win following a 3-13-1 campaign the year prior.

Notable Rookie Records

Matt LaFleur of Green Bay set a benchmark for rookie coaches by going 13-3 in his first season, followed by two more seasons of the same tally.
Kevin O'Connell of Minnesota also won 13 games in 2022 but regressed the following season before rebounding once more to 14-3 in 2023.
On the other hand, the worst single-season performance by a rookie coach over the past decade was Zac Taylor's 2-14 record in 2019. Despite these early struggles, Taylor's career quickly turned around, leading his team to the Super Bowl in his fourth season.

With the new NFL season approaching, football enthusiasts might be interested in sports betting, as the odds could favor the teams led by rookie coaches who have a history of improving their teams' records.
The point spread for the Chicago Bears, under the guidance of Ben Johnson, could be intriguing, given his proven offensive skills and the talents of the Bears' players.
Expert picks for the New Orleans Saints, under the leadership of Kellen Moore, could lean towards the Saints due to Moore's success with the Eagles' offense and his quarterback-centric philosophy.
NFL fans and analysts might find themselves debating the performances of the seven newcomers, especially in terms of how they compare to the industry veterans coaching their new teams, as the 2025 season unfolds, with its promise of rookie mistakes, veteran redemptions, and thrilling rivalries.