Who Is the Youngest Coach in NFL History?
Contents
Who Is the Youngest Coach in NFL History? The answer may surprise you.
Introduction
In 2018, the NFL saw a changing of the guard, with a number of young coaches taking over teams. Among them was Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions, who at just 43 years old, became the youngest coach in NFL history.
Patricia’s ascent to the head coaching ranks is an interesting one. He started out as an assistant coach with the New England Patriots in 2004, working his way up to defensive coordinator in 2012. In that role, he helped the Patriots win two Super Bowls. When Patricia left for Detroit in 2018, he took over a Lions team that had gone 9-7 the previous season but had missed the playoffs.
In his first season as head coach, Patricia led the Lions to a 6-10 record. It was a disappointing start to his tenure, but there were some bright spots. The Lions showed improvement on defense, and they also had some impressive wins, including a victory over the Super Bowl-champion Patriots.
Looking ahead to 2019, it will be interesting to see how Patricia and the Lions fare. If they can build on their defensive successes from last season and find more consistent offensive production, they could make a run at a playoff berth. Regardless of how they fare on the field, Patricia’s place in NFL history is secure.
What is the youngest age a coach can be in the NFL?
The answer may surprise you. The youngest coach in NFL history is Lane Kiffin, who was just 31 years old when he was hired by the Oakland Raiders in 2007. Kiffin had been the offensive coordinator at USC for just one season before making the jump to the NFL.
Of course, Kiffin is not the only young coach in the NFL. Steve Wilks was also just 31 when he was hired by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. And Matt Patricia was just 32 when he was hired by the Detroit Lions in 2016.
So why are so many young coaches finding success in the NFL? There are a few factors at play.
First, there is a growing trend of offensive coordinators being hired as head coaches. This is partly because teams are looking for coaches who can deliver innovative and cutting-edge offenses. And it’s also because offensive coordinators often have more experience than other assistant coaches, thanks to their increased responsibilities.
Second, teams are increasingly relying on analytics to make personnel decisions, including decisions about head coaches. And younger coaches are often seen as being more data-savvy than their older counterparts.
Finally,younger coaches are often cheaper than older coaches, which is an important consideration for many cash-strapped franchise
Who are some of the youngest coaches in NFL history?
In recent years, the NFL has seen a trend of teams hiring young, inexperienced coaches. The rationale behind this is that these coaches are supposedly more innovative and better able to relate to today’s players. While this may be true in some cases, it’s also led to some pretty big flops. Here are some of the youngest coaches in NFL history and how they fared:
-Josh McDaniels, age 32 when hired by the Denver Broncos in 2009. McDaniels was fired after just two seasons, finishing with a record of 11-17.
-Raheem Morris, age 32 when hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009. Morris was also fired after just two seasons, finishing with a record of 17-31.
-Steve Wilks, age 48 when hired by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. Wilks was fired after just one season, finishing with a record of 3-13.
So, while there have been some young coaches who have had success in the NFL, it’s certainly not a guarantee. In fact, it seems like hiring a young coach is more likely to lead to failure than success.
How do NFL teams benefit from having a young coach?
While some may see NFL teams benefit from having a young coach, others may disagree. Though it is a point of debate, here are some potential benefits of having a young coach:
-A young coach may be able to relate more easily to players, as he is closer in age to them.
-A young coach may be seen as more relatable and someone players can easily approach with questions or concerns.
-A young coach may have more energy than an older coach, which can be beneficial in practices and during games.
-A young coach may be able to take on new strategies and ideas more easily than an older coach.
-A young coach may have less experience than an older coach, but this could also be seen as a benefit because he is less set in his ways and open to trying new things.
Are there any disadvantages to having a young coach?
There are a few potential disadvantages to having a young coach. Some players may not respect a coach who is younger than them, particularly if that coach is also inexperienced. There can also be a lack of communication between a young coach and older, more experienced players. Finally, younger coaches may be more likely to make mistakes than their older counterparts.
Conclusion
So, Who Is the Youngest Coach in NFL History?
As of the 2019 NFL season, the youngest coach is Matt LaFleur, who is just 40 years old. He was born on October 28, 1978. LaFleur has only been a head coach for one season, but he has already made an impact. He led the Green Bay Packers to a 13-3 record and a trip to the NFC Championship game.