Black Monday And Beyond: NFL Coaching Turnover Hits Frenzy

Kaitlyn Nielsen | Sports Editor

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Black Monday or the Purge. Is the day following the regular NFL season when teams will “clean house”? This year marks one for the history books as fans have seen the coaching staff be shaken from half the league. No one was spared on the day, from veteran staff to fresh and young faces, all in the hopes of bringing in more wins in the 2026 season. Among some notable firings have been: Jonathan Gannon, Pete Carroll, and Kevin Stefanski. 

Gannon has been a part of the Arizona Cardinals for the past three seasons. Following the 3-14 finishes for the team, he was relieved from his position due to delivering far below expectations. A far more surprising release was Pete Carroll from the Las Vegas Raiders. Only working for the team for a singular season, it was a surprise to a lot of fans; however, similar to Gannon, the team delivered a 3-14 finish. Kevin Stefanski was a two-time award-winning Coach of the Year for the Browns. However, their season was underwhelming, finishing with a 5-12 record. Even though Stefanski was able to lead the team to a playoff appearance within the last six seasons. His overall performance was disappointing for the fans and team alike. 

However, shakeups like these don’t just end with the regular season. Many coaches were shown the door much earlier. Brian Callahan from the Titans was released midseason due to a 1-5 start. A similar fate was met for the Giants' coach Brian Daboll. Once praised for his offensive work, he met his end in November after a 2-8 start for the team. 

The wave of unemployment for coaches has more to do than just poor records; it is reflective of the lack of patience and sky-high expectations that fill the league. Coaches are now seen by NFL franchises as similar to pro players. Their contracts are short and are based on their performance, resulting in them being so merciless. 

For a veteran coach like Carroll, the message is clear: past success and performance can’t save a coach from release if their wins don’t come quickly. With empty positions to fill, teams have begun to move very quickly to fill those spots. They have mixed seasoned strategists with new and rising potential. Some teams have taken it as far as restructuring their entire staff. 

As the offseason for the NFL progresses, fans are anticipating more drama and firings to continue. One thing is for certain: the 2026 season will bring revival for many teams. The lingering question is, just because new leaders are coaching on Sundays, how can those leaders translate their knowledge into a championship contention?