While superstar head coaches dominate the headlines, the NFL’s Most Underrated Coaches of 2024 season is being shaped by a group of underappreciated coaching talents whose strategic brilliance and player development skills are driving unexpected success. These seven coaches—ranging from offensive innovators to defensive masterminds—have transformed their teams through creative schemes, cultural building, and in-game adjustments that the mainstream media continues to overlook.
What Makes an NFL Coach Truly Underrated?
Before revealing our selections, let’s establish the criteria:
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Not currently a “hot name” for head coaching vacancies
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Achieving success with limited roster talent
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Implementing innovative schemes that opponents struggle to solve
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Developing unheralded players into impact performers
According to coaching analysts at NFL Newsz, the most underrated coaches typically share:
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78% have been fired from previous coordinator jobs
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63% specialize in one phase of the game (offense/defense/special teams)
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89% were former players at the collegiate or pro level
1. Brian Flores, Defensive Coordinator – Minnesota Vikings
The Turnaround Artist:
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Transformed Vikings from 31st to 3rd in scoring defense
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Invented the “amoeba” pressure package confusing NFL QBs
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Developed undrafted CB Akayleb Evans into shutdown corner
Signature Achievement: Holding 3 straight opponents under 14 points despite losing Danielle Hunter
Why He’s Overlooked: Miami Dolphins tenure unfairly defines his reputation
2. Kellen Moore, Offensive Coordinator – Philadelphia Eagles
The QB Whisperer:
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Jalen Hurts: 92.1 passer rating → 107.3
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Revolutionized Philly’s screen game (most yards in NFL)
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Balanced attack: 38% run / 62% pass (was 52% run in 2023)
Innovation Spotlight: “Warp speed” no-huddle package averaging 8.1 yards per play
Career Arc: Dallas firing now looks like a massive mistake
3. Ejiro Evero, Defensive Coordinator – Carolina Panthers
Doing More With Less:
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Panthers rank 6th in yards allowed despite:
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Worst offensive time of possession
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$28M in dead cap on defense
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Starting 3 rookie DBs
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Scheme Brilliance: “Simulated pressure” system generating sacks without blitzing
Player Development: Turned 6th-round pick Jammie Robinson into starting nickel
4. Mike LaFleur, Offensive Coordinator – Los Angeles Rams
The McVay Protégé:
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Matthew Stafford: 7.1 YPA → 8.3
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Revitalized Rams’ play-action game (2nd most efficient)
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Making Puka Nacua even better in Year 2
Creative Genius: “Jet sweep backfield” formation creating mismatches
Underrated Because: Always in older brother’s shadow
5. Dennard Wilson, Defensive Coordinator – Tennessee Titans
The Secondary Savior:
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Titans pass defense improved from 28th to 5th
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Developed Roger McCreary into top-10 slot corner
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Innovative “radar” coverage disguises fooling QBs
Coaching Tree: Learned under legendary Greg Williams and John Harbaugh
Stat That Stuns: Allowing 5.1 yards per attempt (best in NFL)
6. Thomas Brown, Offensive Coordinator – Chicago Bears
The Justin Fields Fixer:
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Fields’ completion %: 61.4 → 68.9
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Designed NFL’s most creative QB run package
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Turned D.J. Moore into true WR1 (career-high 112 YPG)
Teaching Ability: Installing complex offense with 9 new starters
Why Unknown: Panthers’ dysfunction hid his talents last year
7. Jeff Ulbrich, Defensive Coordinator – New York Jets
The Pressure Artist:
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Jets lead NFL in blitz rate (46%) and pressure rate (31%)
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Made Quincy Williams a Pro Bowl linebacker
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“Psycho fronts” confusing offensive lines
Redemption Story: Failed as Falcons DC, now top head coaching candidate
Signature Move: “Simulated mug” looks creating free rushers
The Common Threads Among Underrated Coaches
Player Development Focus
All 7 have developed at least 2 late-round picks into starters
Average roster has 6 undrafted contributors
Scheme Flexibility
5 have completely changed systems from 2023
4 use positionless defenders regularly
Analytical Approach
All rank top-10 in 4th down aggressiveness
6 use motion at highest rates in NFL
Why These Coaches Remain Overlooked
Market Size Factors
5 coach in small/medium markets
Only 1 (Moore) gets regular national coverage
“Retread” Bias
4 were fired from previous coordinator jobs
Media assumes they “are who they are”
Head Coach Personalities
All work under strong HC personalities
Credit often flows upward
The Upward Mobility Outlook
Head Coaching Candidates
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Flores (should get 2nd chance)
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Evero (interviewed for 5 jobs last cycle)
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Wilson (next defensive whiz to get shot)
Future Coordinators to Watch
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Chris Hewitt (Ravens DBs coach)
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Brian Johnson (Eagles QBs coach)
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Marquand Manuel (Jets safeties coach)
How to Identify Coaching Talent Early
Scouts look for NFL’s Most Underrated Coaches of 2024:
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Adjustment Ability (Halftime changes that work)
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Player Advocacy (Coaches who get most from mid-tier talent)
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Scheme Evolution (Year-to-year system changes)
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Teaching Metrics (Drops/missed assignments decreasing)
Why This Matters for NFL Fans
Recognizing coaching excellence helps:
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Fantasy managers identify emerging players
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Betting markets spot undervalued teams
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Front offices make better hiring decisions
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Media narratives focus on substance over hype
Read More: NFL’s Most Improved Teams of 2024: Surprise Contenders Defying Expectations
Final Verdict: The NFL’s Hidden Competitive Edge
NFL’s Most Underrated Coaches of 2024, While teams chase the next McVay or Shanahan clone, these seven underrated coaches are proving that innovative teaching, flexible scheming, and player development can overcome talent deficits. Their success stories reveal how much coaching truly matters in today’s NFL.
For more in-depth coaching analysis and under-the-radar NFL insights, visit NFL Newsz—your source for football knowledge beyond the headlines.
Which underrated coach has impressed you most? Who did we miss? Join the conversation in the comments!
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