Is BB now the longest tenured head coach?

[PromisedLand]

With Bill Cowher's resignation in Pittsburgh, does that mean Bill Belichick is now the longest tenured head coach in the NFL? I can't think of anyone who has been in his job longer.

 

[NE39]

Shanahan has been with Denver for the longest tenure.

Brian Billick, Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid were hired to their current gigs the year before Belichick came to NE.

I'm not sure how you count Joe Gibbs as well, since he left and came back.

 

[RayClay]

Looks like Billick, 1999. Is that right?

 

[PatsRI]

nope, Fisher too.

 

[NE39]

I forgot Fisher.

That means Belichick has the 6th-longest tenure.

 

[RayClay]

Shanahan, of course.

 

[DarrylS]

Three out of thirty two, that is a very high turnover ratio.. but look at the top 3, and the top 4 as of yesterday winners all.

 

[PromisedLand]

Good answers, guys. I should have had my coffee before I asked the question!

Shanahan has been in Denver since when, 95 or 96?
Billick since 99? 98?
Fisher?
Holmgren?
BB since 2000 of course.

How about Tony Dungy? I think he went to Indy from Tampa the same year Gruden went to Tampa, which was after we played the Raiders in 2001, is that right? If so that would give him less tenure in his current job than BB.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Here's a link to the best historical,statistical site i've ever seen. You click on the team. Get record,coach,another click or two individual game stats.

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/teams.nsf

 

[PromisedLand]

Here's a link to the best historical,statistical site i've ever seen. You click on the team. Get record,coach,another click or two individual game stats.

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/teams.nsf

Good link, thanks. According to the data there we have

Shanahan and Fisher since 1995
Billick, Holmgren and Reid since 1999
Belichick since 2000
Dungy, Gruden and Schottenheimer since 2002

So BB is actually 6th now.

 

[cstjohn17]

Here's a link to the best historical,statistical site i've ever seen. You click on the team. Get record,coach,another click or two individual game stats.

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/teams.nsf

Great site, thank you.

It is interesting to note the relative success of the coaches with the longest tenure. Not to mention the SB rings, the last 6 out of the last 7.

The NFL is not a sentimental business, they would be gone if they weren't performing. Also shows you that continuity can help.

Cowher - disapointing 8-8, but still better than most
Shanahan - 9-7, not in the play-offs but still a winning record
Reid - playoffs
Holmgren - playoffs
Billick - playoffs
Fischer - weasel, almost playoffs
Dungy - playoffs
Belichick - playoffs

 

[patsfaninpa]

You're welcome guys. Couldn't help but notice we finished the season one game over .500 in franchise history. Been a long time getting there.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Good link, thanks. According to the data there we have

Shanahan and Fisher since 1995
Billick, Holmgren and Reid since 1999
Belichick since 2000
Dungy, Gruden and Schottenheimer since 2002

So BB is actually 6th now.

Most of them were on thin ice earlier this year too,and could be back on it pending the playoffs. Fisher was in the last year of his deal but had a team option Tennessee picked up so they could control that situation. But if he loses Chow that could change early next season, and I think they pay him relative peanuts too so he is likely elsewhere after 2007 anyway. Reportedly Jerry Jones has been coveting him as Tuna's replacement. Holmgren could still leave if his nose remains out of joint over being stripped of his GM title in 2005 and after promising there would be no post SB jinx season in Seattle he's looked ragged. If they get upset by Dallas he could decide to bail. McNair and Garcia likely saved Billick and Reid's jobs through 2007. Shanahan and Belichick are likely the only two who pretty much remain at their own will.

Dungy could go any time probably of his own volition, Gruden has to be on thin ice in Tampa and still without a viable QB, and Schotsie is still likely to get canned if the Chargers implode in the playoffs or he might leave of his own volition if they don't.

 

[Peter Pat]

Actually Jeff fisher is the longest tenured coach by a lot, He has been the head coach for 13 years. he had only 2 less years than Cowher. people forget he was coaching them when they were the Houston Oilers.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Actually he is but not by a lot - he and Shanny both became HC's in 1995. He did take over the Oilers for the last 6 games of 1994, but only as an interim HC. Didn't get the full appointment until after the season. He has roughly a 4 weeks edge on Shanahan since Fisher was named HC on January 5th while Shanahan didn't get the job until January 31, 1995.