The Most Underachieving NFL Head Coaches Ever For All 32 Teams
By Erik Lambert
Sam Rutigliano (Cleveland Browns)
It seems rare to have a former Cleveland Browns coach with an actual history of postseason appearances, and Sam Rutigliano is one who managed to get the Browns into the dance not only once but twice in eight seasons with the team as head coach.
Rutigliano saw a steady rise in his first three seasons as head coach of the Browns, winning eight games in 1978, nine games in 1979, and 11 games in 1980.
The rise of the Browns in the late 70s didn’t amount to anything, however, as Rutigliano’s 11-win team in 1980 was one-and-done in the postseason.
They would return to postseason play in 1982 before losing to the Raiders in the Wild Card round.
After a 1-7 finish in 1984, Rutigliano was fired and replaced by Marty Schottenheimer.
He would later become the head football coach at Liberty.