There's an old saying about what NFL means for players and coaches who fail to meet expectations – Not For Long.
While there's a short list of coaches with real staying power, the ranks of longest-tenured NFL head coaches is being rearranged this week, most notably after the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 6 fired John Harbaugh, ending the Super Bowl-winning coach's 18-year run with the franchise.
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Harbaugh's tenure was second-longest among active NFL coaches, behind only Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin is preparing the Steelers for an AFC wild-card showdown against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12 after Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed the potential game-winning kick in the Steelers' 26-24 win over the Ravens that clinched the AFC North title on Jan. 4.
Tomlin hasn't been immune to calls for the Steelers to part ways with their longtime coach this season, but that conversation will be shelved as long as the Steelers remain Super Bowl contenders.
For now, here's a look at the longest-tenured NFL coaches, which aside from Harbaugh was also changed by the Cleveland Browns' firing of Kevin Stefanski (six years in Cleveland) on Jan. 5, this year's "Black Monday."
For those wondering, Curly Lambeau in Green Bay (1921-49) and Tom Landry in Dallas (1960-88) are tied for the longest tenure leading one team at 29 seasons.
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1. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin warms up for a game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Nov. 30, 2025.
Age: 53
Number of seasons: 19
Record with Steelers (through 2025 regular season): 193-114-2 (.628)
2. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 67
Number of seasons: 13
Record with Chiefs: 149-64 (.700)
T3. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
Age: 51
Number of seasons: 9
Record with Bills: 98-50 (.662)
Playoff berths: 8
T3. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
Age: 39
Number of seasons: 9
Record with Rams: 92-57 (.617)
T3. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
Age: 46
Number of seasons: 9
Record with 49ers: 82-67 (.550)
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
T6. Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
Age: 46
Number of seasons: 7
Record with Packers: 76-40-1 (.654)
Playoff berths: 6
T6. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 42
Number of seasons: 7
Record with Bengals: 52-63-1 (.453
T8. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
Age: 49
Number of seasons: 5
Record with Lions: 48-36-1 (.571)
Playoff berths: 2
T8. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 44
Number of seasons: 5
Record with Eagles: 59-26 (.694)
T10. Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Age: 42
Number of seasons: 4
Record with Dolphins: 35-33 (.515)
Playoff berths: 2
T10. Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age: 62
Number of seasons: 4
Record with Buccaneers: 35-33 (.515)
Playoff berths: 3
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is NFL's longest-tenured head coach? It's still Mike Tomlin

5 days ago
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