Black Monday has become synonymous with shocking coaching firings as teams look to make major changes after the regular season wraps up. While some of these moves are understandable due to poor performance, others come out of nowhere.
With Black Monday again here in the NFL, let’s look at six of the most surprising coaching dismissals in league history, ranking them by how unexpected and impactful they were.
6. Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions (2017)
Jim Caldwell’s firing after the 2017 season still stands as one of the most perplexing decisions in the NFL. Caldwell had been fairly successful with the Detroit Lions, leading them to two playoff appearances in four seasons and never finishing with a losing record. In fact, in 2017, he finished the season with a 9-7 record, which was enough to keep most coaches safe. However, the Lions decided to part ways with Caldwell, replacing him with Matt Patricia, a former assistant from the New England Patriots.
Caldwell’s firing didn’t make sense, given that he was one of the most stable coaches Detroit had in recent years. His 36-28 record in four seasons with the Lions was a significant improvement over previous regimes. On top of that, Caldwell’s dismissal led to a disastrous stint for the Lions under Patricia, who posted a 13-29 record over three seasons and was fired in 2020. Meanwhile, Caldwell’s experience continued to shine as he went on to serve as a special advisor to the Carolina Panthers.
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5. Mike Shanahan, Denver Broncos (2008)
Mike Shanahan’s firing on Black Monday after the 2008 season shocked the NFL, especially considering his legacy with the Denver Broncos. Shanahan had led the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles in the late ‘90s, transforming the franchise into a perennial contender. However, by 2008, things had started to unravel. The Broncos missed the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons, and after finishing 8-8 that year, the team decided it was time for a change. Despite Shanahan’s significant contributions to the Broncos’ success, the front office chose to move on.
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Under his leadership, the team had a 138-86 record over 14 seasons, including two Super Bowl victories. Despite his history of success, the Broncos struggled to find stability after Shanahan’s firing, with coaches like Josh McDaniels and John Fox coming and going. While Fox led Denver to another Super Bowl appearance in 2013, the franchise didn’t return to the playoffs until 2015, which shows how important Shanahan had been to the team’s success.
4. Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears (2012)
Lovie Smith’s firing after the 2012 season remains one of the most head-scratching moves in Chicago Bears’ history. Despite leading the team to an 81-63 record over nine seasons, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2006, Smith was let go after a strong 10-6 season. This firing was particularly surprising because Smith’s Bears had started the season 7-1, only to falter down the stretch and miss the playoffs. Still, with a career that included four double-digit win seasons, it seemed as though Smith deserved more time.
The Bears struggled to regain any sort of success after Smith’s firing. The team went through multiple head coaches like Marc Trestman and John Fox, none of whom could bring sustained success to Chicago. Smith’s firing has faced growing criticism over the years, especially since Chicago has only managed to finish with a winning record once since his departure. Meanwhile, Smith’s career continued, and he had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans, demonstrating his potential to excel in the NFL.
3. Doug Pederson, Philadelphia Eagles (2020)
Doug Pederson’s firing on Black Monday following the 2020 season surprised many, especially given his role in leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl victory. Pederson had done what no other coach had done before by securing a championship for the Eagles, but just a few seasons later, his tenure came to an unexpected end. Despite winning the Super Bowl in 2017, Pederson’s Eagles struggled, finishing 9-7 the following year and then falling to 4-11-1 in 2020. Still, it was shocking to see a coach who had brought the city its first championship title fired just three seasons later.
What made the firing especially confusing was the chaos surrounding the team’s quarterback situation. In his final year, Pederson’s relationship with quarterback Carson Wentz deteriorated, which played a role in the team’s struggles. Ultimately, despite a historic Super Bowl win, Pederson’s lack of progress in subsequent seasons led to his dismissal. Afterward, the Eagles underwent a rebuilding phase but managed to bounce back quickly, while Pederson went on to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2. Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers (2014)
The firing of Jim Harbaugh after the 2014 season remains one of the most shocking moves in NFL history. Harbaugh had enjoyed immense success with the San Francisco 49ers, leading the team to three NFC Championship Games in four years, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2012. Under his leadership, the 49ers compiled a 44-19-1 record, a remarkable achievement. Despite this, Harbaugh’s relationship with general manager Trent Baalke began to deteriorate, leading to his surprising departure.
Harbaugh’s firing came after the 49ers fell short of another Super Bowl appearance in 2014, but his success during his tenure was undeniable. Over the course of his four years with the team, the 49ers were consistently one of the most competitive teams in the NFL. After leaving San Francisco, Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach at the University of Michigan, elevating the program to national prominence. Following a national title win with Michigan, he returned to the NFL in 2024, signing a five-year, $16 million-per-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
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1. Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins (2021)
Brian Flores, who was dismissed by the Miami Dolphins in 2021 after three seasons, tops the list of surprising Black Monday firings. Flores had done an impressive job turning the Dolphins around. After starting his first season 0-7, he led Miami to a 10-6 finish in 2020 and nearly made the playoffs in 2021 with a 9-8 record. Despite showing significant progress and building a competitive team, Flores was fired in what seemed like a bizarre decision, especially considering his ability to turn around a franchise that had been mired in mediocrity for years.
The reason behind Flores’ firing went beyond team performance. Tensions between Flores and the Dolphins’ front office, particularly owner Stephen Ross, played a major role. Flores later accused Ross of offering him money to lose games, a claim that led to a lawsuit against the NFL for racial discrimination in hiring practices. Flores’ dismissal rocked the NFL, especially since the Dolphins were on the rise under his leadership. Afterward, Flores quickly found a new home as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the surprise of his firing, he quickly proved that his talent was still in high demand.
Honorable Mention
Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles (2012)
Andy Reid’s firing after the 2012 season was a jolt to the NFL, especially considering his long tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. Reid had been with the Eagles for 14 seasons, guiding the team to five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance. Despite his success, the Eagles opted to part ways with Reid after a dismal 4-12 season. What made this firing particularly surprising was Reid’s track record, as he was one of the most consistent and successful coaches in the league, and his ability to keep the team competitive year after year was undeniable.
Reid’s firing also highlighted the harsh reality of the NFL’s “what have you done for me lately?” mindset. While his last season was a disaster, Reid had previously built a solid foundation in Philadelphia. His Eagles were constantly in playoff contention, and his leadership had established the team as a force in the NFC. After his firing, Reid quickly found success with the Kansas City Chiefs. Over his 12-year tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs, he has guided the team to 11 playoff berths, secured nine straight division titles, made six consecutive appearances in the AFC Championship Game, reached the Super Bowl four times, and won three Super Bowl championships.
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