5 NFL HCs to be fired midway through their first season in-charge ft. Nathaniel Hackett

Several teams go through head coaching changes every NFL offseason. Head coaches are fired for several reasons, including not living up to orgnizational expectations and controversies on and off the football field. Change is sometimes needed for a team to make progress. Firing a head coach and introducing a culture change to the franchise is one way to do so.

Bringing in a new head coach also comes with a major adjustment period for the team. The new system often takes time to set in motion. This is why most new head coaches are given at least a couple of years to prove their worth to the team that hired them before they were ever in danger of losing their job.

While this is usually the case, there are always exceptions to the rules. Some head coaching hires haven't even survived their first season in their new job before their NFL team fires them and moves on immediately. Here are the five head coaches who have failed to complete a full NFL season in their position since the official merger in 1970.

#1 - Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos - 2022 NFL season

Denver Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett

Nathaniel Hackett has put together a successful career as an offensive coordinator, most recently with the Green Bay Packers. He turned his success into his first head coaching job with the Denver Broncos in the 2022 NFL season. Great coordinators don't always translate into great head coaches, and such is the case for Hackett.

The Broncos entered the 2022 season with high expectations after landing their preferred head coach and acquiring superstar quarterback Russell Wilson. Things didn't work out according to plan, as the Broncos have a disappointing 4-11 record. While Wilson is locked into a long-term contract, Hackett was fired after 15 games.

#2 - Urban Meyer, Jacksonville Jaguars - 2021 NFL season

Jacksonville Jaguars HC Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer is a head coaching legend in college football, including with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Florida Gators. His name often came up in rumors about NFL head coaching vacancies, but he eventually accepted a pro job with the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to the 2021 season.

The Jaguars also selected Trevor Lawrence as the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They believed their future was bright. Things quickly became disastrous as Urban Meyer became involved in several controversial situations off the field and apparently lost the respect of his players in the locker room. The Jaguars also played to just a 2-11 record before firing Meyer in his first season.

#3 - Bobby Petrino, Atlanta Falcons - 2007 NFL season

Atlanta Falcons HC Bobby Petrino

Bobby Petrino and his brief stay with the Atlanta Falcons is one of the most controversial head coaching situations in NFL history. He was hired prior to the start of the 2007 season after a solid run as a coordinator and in college football. The Falcons struggled to set a 3-10 record before Petrino ditched his position.

Petrino shockingly decided to resign as the head coach of the Falcons. He was reportedly receiving interest from college football programs to become their head coach, but he infamously promised owner Arthur Blank he wasn't going to leave Atlanta. He went back on his word a day later and accepted the head coaching position with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

#4 - Pete McCulley, San Francisco 49ers - 1978 NFL season

San Francisco 49ers HC Pete McCulley

Pete McCulley was hired to be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 1978 season. He had no head coaching experience at all, but served as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 49ers were in a transitional period, rebuilding their roster with young players. They appear to be outmatched and severely missing talent, but their lack of preparation and organization is reportedly why McCulley was fired after nine games. He has just a 1-8 record.

#5 Lou Holtz, New York Jets - 1976 NFL season

New York Jets HC Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz is a legendary college football head coach, mostly for his success with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This earned him a shot at the pro level, having been hired by the New York Jets to take over as their head coach for the 1976 season. He became the first coach in pro football history since the 1970 merger to fail to survive one full season.

Following a rough 3-10 start to the year, Holtz resigned from his position with one game remaining in the regular season. He left his job to return to the college football world, where he was immediately hired as the head coach of the Atkansas Razorbacks.