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The NFL will have 10 teams—31 percent of the league—entering the 2026 regular season with new head coaches. A few of the hires involve coaches switching teams from 2025, while others bring back men who took a year off from top jobs. As usual, some rising hot-shot coordinators are getting their first opportunities.
With six of the hires completed and four more to go (Bills, Browns, Cardinals, and Raiders), here’s a ranking of how the teams fared in trying to land the best candidates:
Ranking the new NFL head coaches in 2026
David Richard-Imagn Images
1. John Harbaugh, Giants (age: 63)
Harbaugh being let go by the Ravens was a late shocker following an injury-riddled season in Baltimore, with the team falling just short of winning the AFC North and returning to the playoffs. He immediately became the most sought-after head coach by every team in need, with New York getting an early start after firing Brian Daboll in the middle of the season.
Harbaugh won right away with the Ravens and continued to win for most of his tenure, including a Super Bowl victory against his brother, Jim. The Giants have been longing for that savvy and stability since Tom Coughlin led them to two championships. Harbaugh brings that kind of excitement back to Big Blue, adding to the promise of second-year, first-round QB Jaxson Dart.
MORE: How John Harbaugh can turn Dart into his new Lamar Jackson
2. Kevin Stefanski, Falcons (age: 43)
Stefanski goes from facing Harbaugh twice in a year in the AFC North with the Browns to a different, relatively weak division in the NFC South. The Falcons’ offense already showed improvement in the transition from Arthur Smith to Raheem Morris, thanks in part to Zac Robinson (since hired by the rival Buccaneers) running the offense. Stefanski has the right tools to motivate and scheme the underachieving Falcons, potentially turning them from an 8-9 team into outright division contenders.
MORE: Everything to know about new Ravens coach Jesse Minter
3. Jesse Minter, Ravens (age: 42)
There is a lot of Harbaugh and Harbaugh at work here, as Minter leaves Jim and the Chargers to replace John with the Ravens. Minter also won a college national championship as Jim's defensive coordinator at Michigan, two stops after he spent four years being mentored on John's pro staff in Baltimore. The Ravens were looking for their next John, a fresh approach with getting the defense back on track most in mind. The franchise rebounded well with a similar hire post John.
4. Mike McCarthy, Steelers (age: 62)
The Steelers give the well-documented Pittsburgh native a third head-coaching shot after his long layoff from his ring-winning run with the Packers didn't help him much in trying to turn the Cowboys into Super Bowl contenders. With the late notice on Mike Tomlin stepping down, it's no surprise the Steelers went seasoned and safe, vs. taking a chance on a much younger candidate, given McCarthy is still 10 years Tomlin's senior. Moving on McCathy could have been made with an Aaron Rodgers redemption most in mind.
MORE: What Mike McCarthy's hire means for Aaron Rodgers’ possible return to Pittsburgh
5. Robert Saleh, Titans (age: 46)
Saleh had a tumultuous tenure with the Jets, and his optimistic outlook for 2023 was dashed before it even began when Rodgers tore his Achilles on the first pass of Week 1. That set the stage for the disappointment of 2024, which ultimately led to Saleh being relieved of his duties by Woody Johnson and taking a needed “get-well” year as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. The Titans come with less pressure than New York and may now be ahead in potential, with Cam Ward at quarterback.
6. Jeff Hafley, Dolphins (age: 46)
Hafley does have his college head-coaching experience from Boston College and was the typical 180 from going from the cerebral, quicky and offensive-minded Mike McDaniel. Hafley has learned well through a combined 10 pro and college stops, including jumping BC for the Packers' DC to push toward an NFL opportunity. He got noticed and he will bring overall toughness and more player accountability that's been needed in Miami.
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