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The Most Underachieving NFL Head Coaches Ever For All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 30: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers motions from the sidelines during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 30: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers motions from the sidelines during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals)

How can it be anybody but Lewis? Here’s a man who has been around since 2003. In that time he’s managed two different rosters for the Bengals that could’ve been considered legitimate Super Bowl-worthy contenders. First it was the era of Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson and then the run of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. This in addition to the good running games and defenses they’ve always had as well.

A lot of coaches would’ve killed to have that level of consistent talent to work with. What did Lewis do with it? He went 0-7 in the playoffs. To not get a single playoff win in seven tries across 15 seasons is a staggering bit of underachievement. It seems like every time they reach January, everything goes wrong. They look overmatched, unprepared, and undisciplined. Such things fall directly at the feet of the head coach. Lewis has had way more chances than he deserves.

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