Chargers: Ranking Brandon Staley and every NFL head coach after 2021

15. Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Kevin Stefanski was unable to come off of his Coach of the Year award from 2020 and turn it into momentum in the 2021 season. Granted, Stefanski had to deal with an injured Baker Mayfield, who played horrendously last season. Stefanski is a good head coach that can climb this list, he just needs more on the resume.

14. Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts

Frank Reich would be higher on this list if his team didn't choke it away against the Jacksonville Jaguars and actually made the playoffs this season. That would have been three playoff berths in four years for the Colts, which is no small feat. That being said, Reich was a big reason why Carson Wentz was brought in and the Colts have been held back by quarterback play. That hurts his ranking.

13. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

Call it recency bias but Zac Taylor has done something that nobody below him on this lits (besides Mike McCarthy) has done: made the AFC Championship. And heck, there is a chance (albeit a small one) that he makes it to the Super Bowl as well. Considering the Bengals were the least talented team in the league when he took over, that is quite the turnaround, even if it is mostly because of the LSU guys.

12. Ron Rivera, Washington Football Team

I might be overrating Ron Rivera here but he is a classic example of a coach that can go into any situation and make it better. Sure, Washington did not play great this season but they also lost their quarterback in Week 1 against the Chargers and also lost the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has a winning record in more than 10 years coached in the league and has two Coach of the Year awards.