When it comes to success in the NFL, head coaches play a pivotal role in leading their teams to victory.
The best NFL head coaches make a difference on and off the field. By developing innovative game plans and a winning locker room culture, these head coaches have stood above the rest in terms of their performance over the past two seasons.
Each coach brings a unique coaching style and a wealth of experience to their respective teams, making them pivotal figures in the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL.
Here are the top five coaches in the NFL, based on their winning percentage since the 2021 season. Click below to jump to a coach.
- Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs — 26-8, .765%
- Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills — 24-9, .727%
- Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys — 24-10, .706%
- Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles — 23-11, .676%
- Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers — 23-11, .676%
1. Andy Reid, KC Chiefs — 26-8 Record, .765% Winning Percentage
Andy Reid, the venerable head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, tops the list with an impressive .765 winning percentage since 2021. Reid’s coaching tenure in the NFL spans over two decades, earning him a reputation as one of the league’s most respected coaches. He is known for his offensive genius and exceptional leadership skills. Under his guidance, the Chiefs have been a perennial Super Bowl contender, winning Super Bowl LIV in the 2019 season.
Andy Reid’s Coaching Tree
Several of Reid’s former assistants have gone on to become successful head coaches in the NFL, including Doug Pederson, John Harbaugh, and Sean McDermott.
Other coaches have also broken through under Reid, including Matt Nagy, Todd Bowles, Ron Rivera, Steve Spagnuolo, and more.
2. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills — 24-9 Record, .727% Winning Percentage
Sean McDermott has quickly established himself as one of the rising stars in NFL coaching circles. As the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, McDermott has turned the team into a formidable force in the AFC. Known for his defensive expertise, he has instilled a winning culture in Buffalo and has guided the Bills to back-to-back AFC East titles.
Sean McDermott’s Coaching Tree
Sean McDermott worked under Andy Reid during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he learned valuable lessons that have shaped his coaching philosophy.
Since turning the Bills franchise around, several of McDermott’s former coaches have gone on to earn head coaching jobs, including Brian Daboll (Giants) and David Culley (Texans).
3. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys — 24-10 Record, .706% Winning Percentage
Mike McCarthy, the seasoned head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has experienced success throughout his coaching career. Before joining the Cowboys, McCarthy spent over a decade as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, where he won Super Bowl XLV. In Dallas, he has reinvigorated the Cowboys’ offense and guided them to the top of the NFC East.
Mike McCarthy’s Coaching Tree
McCarthy has mentored numerous assistants over the years, but his coaching tree hasn’t been as successful as other NFL bosses.
A few of his previous assistants have earned head coaching jobs in the NFL and NCAA, including Ben McAdoo (Giants), Joe Philbin (Dolphins), and Jeff Jagodzinski (Boston College).
4. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles — 23-11 Record, .676% Winning Percentage
Nick Sirianni, the current head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, burst onto the scene in 2021 and quickly made an impact. As a young and dynamic coach, he has shown remarkable adaptability and a keen eye for player development.
In his first two seasons with the Eagles, head coach Nick Sirianni has led the team to two of the largest win-total improvements in franchise history.
In fact, he is only the second NFL head coach ever to add at least five-plus wins to their overall record in consecutive seasons, joining Bill Walsh, who accomplished the feat in 1983-84 with the San Francisco 49ers.
Nick Sirianni’s Coaching Tree
Nick Sirianni’s coaching tree is still developing, but his success with the Eagles has already drawn attention to his innovative approach.
Most recently, the Eagles lost both their offensive and defensive coordinator from the team’s 2022 Super Bowl run. The Arizona Cardinals poached Jonathan Gannon to be their next head coach while the Indianapolis Colts added Shane Steichen to help jump-start their rebuild.
4T. Kyle Shanahan, SF 49ers — 23-11 Record, .676% Winning Percentage
Tied with Nick Sirianni is Kyle Shanahan, the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
Shanahan, the son of former NFL head coach Mike Shanahan, has made his own mark on the league with his offensive brilliance.
He guided the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV and has shown a remarkable ability to develop young quarterbacks and craft innovative game plans.
Kyle Shanahan’s Coaching Tree
Kyle Shanahan worked under his father, Mike Shanahan, and later coached alongside Dan Quinn, who went on to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
More recently, Shanahan’s former assistants have become among the most highly sought-after head coaches, including Robert Saleh and Demeco Ryans, who have earned head coaching jobs with the NY Jets and Houston Texans.
