Jeff Fisher Is the Most Overrated Head Coach in NFL History

Jeff Fisher St. Louis Rams
Jasen Vinlove USA TODAY Sports

Amid talk they will move to Los Angeles, the St. Louis Rams beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 Thursday night in what could be their final home game in St. Louis. At 6-8 the Rams still have a mathematical chance to make the playoffs, and if they finish 8-8 that would be the most wins they’ve had in Jeff Fisher’s four seasons as head coach.

With the prospect of relocation and the uncertainty attached to that, reports have indicated that Fisher and Rams’ general manager Les Snead are expected to be back in 2016 and that Fisher will not be fired.

Fisher is under contract through next season, and it’s unclear if he wants to return. Without a contract extension, Fisher would surely spend the 2016 season on the hot seat if the Rams don’t become a playoff contender. The timing for a head coaching change is not great for the Rams, with bigger picture issues obviously taking the attention of owner Stan Kroenke, but Fisher stands outs as the most overrated head coach in NFL history and he should not have great job security.

Fisher has a 26-35-1 record during his tenure with the Rams, with no playoff appearances. Combined that with 17 seasons as head coach of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (six games in 1994, through 2010), and Fisher has a 168-155-1 regular season record over 21 seasons. A berth in Super Bowl XXXIV is the highlight of Fisher’s coaching career, but three of his five career playoff wins came during that run and his teams have just six playoff appearances over his 21 seasons as head coach.

A regular season record above .500 is fine, if you have to find a positive on Fisher’s head coaching resume. But just six postseason appearances in 21 seasons, and just two seasons with nine or more wins over his last 11 combined seasons with the Titans and Rams, stands out as unexpected considering whatever league-wide reputation Fisher has.

It’s hard to find a head coach in any pro sport with more false job security than Fisher has. There’s something to be said for sticking with a coach through a downturn, with hopes for better things to come, but mediocre results for an extended period have to catch up with Fisher before too long.

Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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