NFL's longest-tenured head coaches with John Harbaugh out in Baltimore

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.

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.

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.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin warms up for a game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Nov. 30, 2025.

Record with Steelers (through 2025 regular season): 193-114-2 (.628)

Record with Chiefs: 149-64 (.700)

Record with Bills: 98-50 (.662)

Record with Rams: 92-57 (.617)

T3. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers

Record with 49ers: 82-67 (.550)

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