Longest-Tenured Head Coaches in NFL History
As of January 13, 2026, the NFL coaching landscape has undergone significant changes, with nine teams dismissing their head coaches during the 2025-26 season. Notably, John Harbaugh was fired from the Baltimore Ravens after 18 years, and Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This shift has led to Andy Reid becoming the longest-tenured head coach in the league, having been at the helm of the Kansas City Chiefs for 13 years.
Following Reid are Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills), Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams), and Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers), each with nine years of tenure. Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers) and Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals) have six years each. This changing of the guard prompts a look back at the longest-tenured head coaches in NFL history.
Historic Tenures
Curly Lambeau and Tom Landry are tied for the longest tenure, each serving 29 seasons. Lambeau founded the Green Bay Packers in 1919 and played 10 seasons before becoming a player-coach in 1929. He led the Packers to six NFL championships, including the pre-Super Bowl era, and was named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Landry, the first coach of the Dallas Cowboys, set an NFL record with 20 consecutive winning seasons and led the team to two Super Bowl wins.
Don Shula, with 26 seasons, is the third-longest tenured coach, leading the Miami Dolphins to two Super Bowl victories and achieving the only perfect season in NFL history in 1972. Bill Belichick, with 24 seasons, is fourth, having led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl victories and ranking first among all NFL coaches in playoff wins. Chuck Noll and Steve Owen are tied for fifth, each serving 23 seasons, with Noll leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories and Owen leading the New York Giants to two NFL championships.
These coaching legends have set the standard for longevity and success in the NFL. Their achievements serve as a benchmark for current and future coaches, highlighting the importance of consistency, innovation, and leadership in the ever-changing landscape of professional football.
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