3 Former Detroit Lions Coaches Rightfully Ranked Among NFL’s Worst Hires Since 2000

It’s no secret that the Detroit Lions have had their share of struggles over the past few decades. When Dan Campbell was appointed head coach in 2021, skeptics were quick to lump him in with a long line of coaching misfires by the franchise. His now-famous “knee cap biting” comment was widely mocked, but it has since come to symbolize the gritty, no-nonsense culture he aimed to build — and ultimately delivered. Today, many of those early critics have come around, acknowledging the turnaround he’s helped lead in Detroit.

The Lions’ problems for years stemmed from poor decisions at the top. Flawed hires at the general manager level led to subpar rosters and, in turn, underwhelming head coaching appointments. It’s no coincidence that after addressing leadership at the top, the Lions finally began building a winning team.

From 2000 through 2020, Detroit endured a string of losing seasons — finishing with five or fewer wins in 10 different years. Among the most notorious of these was their infamous 0-16 season in 2008, a symbol of just how far the team had fallen. That two-decade span, full of false starts and coaching failures, served as the foundation for a recent ranking by CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, who listed the 25 worst head coaching hires in the NFL since 2000. Unsurprisingly, three former Lions head coaches made the cut.

Lions Coaches Featured Prominently in “Worst Hires” List

Rod Marinelli appears at No. 10 on Benjamin’s countdown.

“When you go winless in a season, there’s plenty of blame to share. Lions fans understandably direct much of it toward then-president and CEO Matt Millen, whose roster construction left much to be desired. But Marinelli was the one leading the team every week, and even his area of expertise — defense — failed miserably as Detroit endured blowout after blowout,” wrote Benjamin.

Though respected for his defensive acumen, Marinelli’s stint as a head coach was a disaster. Over three seasons (2006-2008), he posted a 10-38 record, with the 0-16 season marking the low point.

Coming in just ahead of him at No. 9 is Matt Patricia.

“Yet another Belichick disciple who couldn’t replicate the Patriots’ magic elsewhere. Patricia inherited a roster that had been competitive under Jim Caldwell but quickly saw the team’s culture deteriorate. High-profile players, including eventual Super Bowl champ Darius Slay, clashed with him often,” Benjamin noted.

Patricia’s tenure (2018–2020) was marked by dysfunction and regression. Though he only lasted two and a half seasons, his 13-29-1 record felt longer to many fans. Ultimately, his firing — along with GM Bob Quinn — cleared the path for a much-needed overhaul under principal owner Sheila Hamp, who made significant changes that have since paid off.

Ranked at No. 7 is Marty Mornhinweg.

“Marty had a strong reputation as an offensive mind, working with big names like Andy Reid and Mike Holmgren. But his time as Detroit’s head coach was an embarrassment. The moment he chose to kick off in overtime in 2002 remains unforgettable for all the wrong reasons,” Benjamin explained.

Mornhinweg’s two-year run (2001-2002) produced just five wins against 27 losses. It’s a stretch Lions fans would rather forget.

Some might argue that Steve Mariucci also deserves a dishonorable mention. Hired with high expectations after a successful stint with the 49ers, Mariucci went just 15-28 from 2003 to 2005 before being dismissed. When you combine his tenure with those of Mornhinweg and Marinelli, the Lions posted a combined 30-93 record from 2001 to 2008. Add in Dick Jauron’s 2005 interim stint and the team went 31-97 in that span — a truly bleak era.

Thankfully, under Dan Campbell’s leadership, those dark chapters are fading into history as the Lions finally move forward with purpose and promise.