Courtesy CBS Sports.com
New Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn joins a list of 39 first-time NFL coaching hires since 2008. The Falcons chose to follow a formula, hiring a respected coordinator without head coaching experience, that brought them the very successful Mike Smith. But what has the recent history been when it comes to hiring coaches who have never been a head coach in the NFL before?
Of the 36 first-year head coaches hired since 2008, only one has won a Super Bowl -- Raves coach John Harbaugh.
But it goes deeper than that. Of those 36 first-year head coaches, only eight of them were able to win their division during their coaching tenure. The league is littered with guys who got the job and failed at it.
I don't question the Falcons hire. I believe Dan Quinn is exactly what they needed for this market and this franchise. But recent history does show you why many owners are unwilling to hire an unknown commodity rather than going with a veteran NFL head coach.
First year records are listed:
2014:
Bill O’Brien (Houston) 9-7
Mike Pettine (Cle) 7-9
Jay Gruden (Wash) 4-12
Mike Zimmer (Minn) 7-9
27-37 (no playoffs)
2013:
Chip Kelly (Philadelphia) 10-6
Marc Trestman (Chi) 8-8
Gus Bradley (Jax) 2-14
Mike McCoy (SD) 9-7
Doug Marrone (Buf) 6-10
Rob Chudzinski (Cle) 4-12
Bruce Arians (Ari) 10-6
49-61 (Philly – SD Playoffs)
2012:
Dennis Allen (Oak) 4-12
Mike Mularkey (Jax) 2-14
Joe Philbin (Mia) 7-9
Greg Schiano (TB) 7-9
Chuck Pagano (Indy) 11-5
31-49 (Indy Playoffs)
2011:
Ron Rivera (Car) 6-10
Pat Shurmur (Cle) 4-12
Jason Garrett (Dal) 8-8
Leslie Frazier (Minn) 3-13
Hue Jackson (Oak) 8-8
Jim Harbaugh (SF) 13-3
Mike Munchak (Tenn) 9-7
51-61 (SF Playoffs)
2010:
No new hires, Chan Gailey, Pete Carroll, Mike Shanahan.
2009:
Rex Ryan (NYJ) 9-7
Jim Caldwell (Indy) 14-2
Josh McDaniels (Den) 8-8
Todd Haley (KC) 4-12
Tom Cable (Oak) 5-11
Jim Schwartz (Det) 2-14
Raheem Morris (TB) 3-13
Steve Spagnuolo (StL) 1-15
Mike Singletary (49ers) 8-8
54-90 (Jets – Colts Playoffs)
2008:
Mike Smith (Atl) 11-5
John Harbaugh (Bal) ***** 11-5
Tony Sparano (Mia) 11-5
Jim Zorn (Wash) 8-8
41-23 (Falcons – Ravens – Dolphins Playoffs)