Some college football coaches are legends on campus but turn into total disasters when they try their luck in the NFL.
Whether it was stubborn schemes, locker room mutinies, or just being in over their heads, these coaches quickly learned that the pros are a whole different ballgame. Here are 10 college football masterminds who flopped in the NFL.
10. Steve Spurrier (Washington Commanders, 2002-2003)
Spurrier thought his Fun ‘n’ Gun offense would light up NFL defenses just like it did at Florida. Instead, his Washington team went 12-20, and Spurrier dipped back to college faster than you can say “Go Gators.”
9. Nick Saban (Miami Dolphins, 2005-2006)
Saban is the king of college football, but in the NFL, he lasted just two seasons before bolting for Alabama. Dolphins fans still wonder what could’ve been if he had landed Drew Brees instead of Daunte Culpepper.
8. Greg Schiano (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2012-2013)
Schiano tried to bring his Rutgers tough-guy routine to the NFL, but his authoritarian approach rubbed players the wrong way. When you’re forcing your team to rush the victory formation, you’re not exactly making friends.
7. Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles, 2013-2015 & San Francisco 49ers, 2016)
Kelly’s fast-paced offense took the NFL by storm for about a year, and then defenses caught up. After gutting the Eagles’ roster and leading the 49ers to a 2-14 record, he packed his bags for college again.
6. Lane Kiffin (Oakland Raiders, 2007-2008)
Kiffin’s NFL stint was a disaster from the start, mostly because he and Al Davis hated each other. His tenure ended in a legendary press conference where Davis called him a liar and fired him via overhead projector.
5. Bobby Petrino (Atlanta Falcons, 2007)
Petrino barely made it through one season before sneaking out of Atlanta in the middle of the night for the Arkansas job. He left a farewell note for his players instead of talking to them in person—real leadership vibes there.
4. Urban Meyer (Jacksonville Jaguars, 2021)
Urban’s brief stint in Jacksonville was so chaotic it felt scripted. Kicking his own kicker, skipping team flights, and calling his assistants losers? Yeah, this one was doomed from the start.
3. Mike Riley (San Diego Chargers, 1999-2001)
Riley is a great college coach, but in the NFL, his Chargers went 14-34. The biggest highlight of his tenure was letting the team draft Ryan Leaf—so yeah, it didn’t go well.
Read More: 19 NFL “Draft Busts” That Proved Everyone Wrong
2. Lou Holtz (New York Jets, 1976)
Holtz only lasted 13 games before realizing the NFL wasn’t for him. He resigned before the season even ended, proving some coaches are just built for Saturdays, not Sundays.
Read More: 15 Superstar Athletes Who Were Cut From Youth Teams
1. Dennis Erickson (Seattle Seahawks, 1995-1998 & San Francisco 49ers, 2003-2004)
Erickson dominated at Miami but turned two NFL teams into punching bags. He somehow made the 49ers worse after taking over, which is a pretty impressive feat.
Read More: Ranking the 10 Greatest San Francisco 49ers Players Ever
