Examining the NFL's Novice Head Coaches of 2025

NFL 2025 Rookie Head Coaches:

Once again in 2025, fresh faces will take the reins of several NFL teams. This time, seven new coaches are stepping onto the sidelines, five of them rookies and the others being former head coaches. With these changes, we'll dive into each new rookie coach's background and the outlook for their respective teams.

Lowdown on the Rookies:

Ben Johnson – Chicago BearsJohnson, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is now tasked with breathing new life into the Chicago Bears' offense. Desperate to improve from last season's dismal showing, the Bears are banking on Johnson's innovative play-calling and ability to maximize their offensive firepower.
Brian Schottenheimer – Dallas CowboysFollowing Mike McCarthy's dismissal, Schottenheimer, Dallas' former offensive coordinator, gets his first chance to lead an NFL team. With a new face and possibly a healthy Dak Prescott, the Cowboys hope for improved production in Big D.
Liam Coen – Jacksonville JaguarsCoen faces a daunting task in Jacksonville after a rocky season for the team last year. Following Doug Pederson's departure, the Jaguars are counting on Coen, who previously worked with current QB Trevor Lawrence in Los Angeles, to propel them back to contention.
Kellen Moore – New Orleans SaintsMoore comes on board with the New Orleans Saints after leading the offensive charge for the Super Bowl Champion Eagles in 2023. He'll be looking to make the most of Derek Carr's arm while shoring up the Saints' defense.
Aaron Glenn – New York JetsFresh off an impressive defensive run with the Detroit Lions, Glenn takes over in New York with the Jets striving to recover from a turbulent two-year Aaron Rodgers era. With talented coordinators Tanner Engstrand and Steve Wilks on board, Glenn looks to bring stability and improvements to both sides of the ball.

Rookie Head Coach History

Recent data shows that new head coaches typically improve their teams in their first season. Though improvement isn't guaranteed, the switch often injects fresh energy into the locker room, which can deliver positive results. Some notable success stories include DeMeco Ryans, who guided the Texans to a 10-win season in 2023 after taking over a 3-win team, and Brian Daboll, who led the Giants to the playoffs in his rookie year.

When assessing the rookie head coaches of 2025, three teams are likely to improve their win-loss records, and two might finish at or above .500. Teams inheriting lackluster offenses, particularly those scoring less than 19.5 PPG, often see instant improvements in their first seasons. This bodes well for Ben Johnson with the Bears and Liam Coen with the Jaguars, as each has considerable room to improve their offenses from last season.

The Road Ahead

As these new coaches navigate their debut campaigns,betting patterns and historical precedents will play a role. Be on the lookout for rookie head coaches to shine brightest on the road, struggle as large favorites, and find success against divisional opponents. Regularly following the VSiN NFL Analytics Reports will help keep you in the know on these coaching trends and other key off-season insights in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL season.

Sports betting enthusiasts may find increased interest in the 2025 NFL season, as seven new head coaches, including Ben Johnson with the Chicago Bears and Liam Coen with the Jacksonville Jaguars, look to make their marks.
Expert picks next season might favor Ben Johnson and Liam Coen, given their tasks of upgrading offensively challenged teams like the Bears and Jaguars, respectively.
Odds for the Dallas Cowboys' success, led by Brian Schottenheimer, might be influenced by the health of Dak Prescott and his ability to perform offensively.
The elusive breakthrough of the New Orleans Saints under Kellen Moore could hinge on the performance of Derek Carr and improvements made on both sides of the ball.
In 2025, Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets could face challenges through the early stages of their rebuilding efforts, given their recent turbulent history.
As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, history suggests that point spreads for coaching transitions, such as those involving rookies like Johnson, Schottenheimer, Coen, Moore, and Glenn, may provide interesting betting opportunities, particularly in divisional matchups and on the road.