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New York Jets: Ranking every coach in franchise history

By Michael Pallas

28 Jul 1998: General view of the new helmets for the New York Jets during the 1998 New York Jets Training Camp at the Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
28 Jul 1998: General view of the new helmets for the New York Jets during the 1998 New York Jets Training Camp at the Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /
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The New York Jets have had 18 head coaches in franchise history (including two interim coaches), but who are the best?

The New York Jets will be hiring their 19th coach in their 50 AFL/NFL season in 2019. Two of the previous 18 were interims who coached a combined six games for the franchise when one coach was fired and after the other resigned. (We will get to both of those coaches later.)

The 18 coaches have combined for a record of 401-491-8 in the regular season, 12-13 in the playoffs, and of course the one Super Bowl victory. Only two coaches have reached the 100 games coached plateau with the Jets, and only five have coached five or more seasons in Gotham.

In the history of this organization, there are memorable coaches, ones fans want to forget, and others who were okay, but not exactly memorable for anything. Lets take a look at the list.

Note: This list will exclude Mike Holovak and Ken Shipp, because they were hired as interim coaches and not retained beyond those six combined games. All information on coach records gathered from Pro Football Reference.

16. Rich Kotite (1995-96), 4 -28 record

After two seasons with the Jets, fans and the organization wish that Kotite’s time with the Jets could be wiped from the record books. The only good thing the came from Kotite’s time in New York was the second number one pick in franchise history — Keyshawn Johnson.

In his two seasons with the Jets, the team combined for 3.7 yards per carry and 10 total rushing touchdowns, and they scored a combined 502 points. This was a former offensive coordinator who couldn’t help the team generate any offense whatsoever.

You can see why the Jets have kept trying the defensive coaches, as he was the last head coach the team has had the coached as an assistant on the offensive side of the ball. He is forever marred by his record, and he is the worst coach in team history.

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