The Most Underachieving NFL Head Coaches Ever For All 32 Teams

28 of 32

13 Aug 2000: Head Coach Steve Mariucci of the San Francisco 49ers watches from the sidelines during the Pre-Season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The 49ers defeated the Chiefs 33-10.Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /

Steve Mariucci (San Francisco 49ers)

Most people think it was an end of an era when Steve Mariucci took over as head coach from George Siefert in 1997. The reality is different. The fact is Mariucci still had a really good football team on his hands. Steve Young was at quarterback. Jerry Rice was at wide receiver along with an emerging young man named Terrell Owens. Garrison Hearst was at running back too.

His first year they had the #1 defense in the NFL too with veteran names like Merton Hanks, Ken Norton, Kevin Greene, and Chris Doleman leading the charge. After going 13-3 it looked like their year. So to lose 23-10 at home to Green Bay was a colossal letdown, and a sign of things to come for Mariucci.

The next year was probably the best team he would coach during his time in San Francisco. The 49ers went 12-4, had the #1 offense in the league and got over the Packers hump in a thrilling wild card playoff game. The next week Hearst broke his ankle and everything fell apart against the Atlanta Falcons. For Mariucci to never ever reach a Super Bowl with that team isn’t the best look.

Home/NFL Hot Takes