The 10 Most Underrated NFL Head Coaches Since 2000
2. Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions
Average nERD: -1.88 (45th)
Average Win Differential: -4.40 (58th)
When one oversees one of the five worst seasons ever in nERD history, it should come as no surprise that one’s average nERD score is going to be pretty low. What helps, however, is that when that horrible season comes in your first year of head coaching, there’s nowhere to go but up! Jim Schwartz inherited the Detroit Lions in 2009, one year after their legendary 0-16 season, and he ran them through 2013. Schwartz never enjoyed the kind of success that others on this list did, as his teams finished with a winning record just once and were promptly booted from the 2011 playoffs by the New Orleans Saints.
The defense he obtained was in shambles when he got there, but he was able to bring it back from a 138.76 Adjusted Defensive NEP per play in 2009 to an average of 32.08 Adjusted Defensive NEP per play over the other four years. In addition, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson certainly helped a ton, but there never seemed to be “oomph” to the offense outside of those two. Schwartz had just two positive nERD seasons in the Motor City, but he was never as bad as his record indicated.
