Harbaugh firing shakes up list of NFL’s longest-tenured head coaches

There’s an old saying about what NFL means for players and coaches who fail to meet expectations – Not For Long.

While there’s a short list of coaches with real staying power, the ranks of longest-tenured NFL head coaches is being rearranged this week, most notably after the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 6 fired John Harbaugh, ending the Super Bowl-winning coach’s 18-year run with the franchise.

Harbaugh’s tenure was second-longest among active NFL coaches, behind only Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin is preparing the Steelers for an AFC wild-card showdown against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12 after Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed the potential game-winning kick in the Steelers’ 26-24 win over the Ravens that clinched the AFC North title on Jan. 4.

Tomlin hasn’t been immune to calls for the Steelers to part ways with their longtime coach this season, but that conversation will be shelved as long as the Steelers remain Super Bowl contenders.

For now, here’s a look at the longest-tenured NFL coaches, which aside from Harbaugh was also changed by the Cleveland Browns’ firing of Kevin Stefanski (six years in Cleveland) on Jan. 5, this year’s ‘Black Monday.’

For those wondering, Curly Lambeau in Green Bay (1921-49) and Tom Landry in Dallas (1960-88) are tied for the longest tenure leading one team at 29 seasons.

1. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 53
Number of seasons: 19
Record with Steelers (through 2025 regular season): 193-114-2 (.628)
Playoff berths (Super Bowls): 13 (2; won Super Bowl 43, lost Super Bowl 45)

2. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 67
Number of seasons: 13
Record with Chiefs: 149-64 (.700)
Playoff berths (Super Bowls): 10 (4; won Super Bowl 54, lost Super Bowl 55, won Super Bowl 57, won Super Bowl 58, lost Super Bowl 59)

T3. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

Age: 51
Number of seasons: 9
Record with Bills: 98-50 (.662)
Playoff berths: 8

T3. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams

Age: 39
Number of seasons: 9
Record with Rams: 92-57 (.617)
Playoff berths (Super Bowls): 7 (2; lost Super Bowl 53, won Super Bowl 56)

T3. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 46
Number of seasons: 9
Record with 49ers: 82-67 (.550)
Playoff berths (Super Bowls): 5 (1; lost Super Bowl 54, lost Super Bowl 58)

T6. Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers

Age: 46
Number of seasons: 7
Record with Packers: 76-40-1 (.654)
Playoff berths: 6

T6. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 42
Number of seasons: 7
Record with Bengals: 52-63-1 (.453
Playoff berths (Super Bowls): 2 (1; lost Super Bowl 56)

T8. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions

Age: 49
Number of seasons: 5
Record with Lions: 48-36-1 (.571)
Playoff berths: 2

T8. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 44
Number of seasons: 5
Record with Eagles: 59-26 (.694)
Playoff berths (Super Bowls): 5 (2; lost Super Bowl 57, won Super Bowl 59)