Coaches' salaries no predictor of wins
4 teams that employ highest-paid staffs have losing records
Published April 17, 2005
The Bears had the least experienced coaching staff in the NFL in Lovie Smith's first season, and they will be the least experienced again. They also were the lowest paid, according to an NFL Coaches Association survey.
Although the New England Patriots had the fifth-highest-paid staff, it was hard to draw a parallel between winning and coaching salaries last season. The Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles ranked 21st in coaching salaries.
Dallas Cowboys coaches were the league's highest paid, averaging $301,710, with 15 coaches reporting to the survey. The Bears averaged $186,407, with 17 coaches reporting. The Cowboys were 6-10; the Bears, 5-11.
Seven of the 12 playoff teams ranked in the top half of coaching salaries. The four highest-paid staffs—Dallas, Tampa Bay, Washington and Kansas City—had losing records. The next four—New England, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and San Diego—were in the playoffs. Two of the four lowest-paid staffs—Indianapolis and Minnesota—made the playoffs.
In the NFC North Division, the Packers ranked 27th at $210,279 and the Vikings 31st at $190,187, but both made the playoffs. The Lions ranked ninth at $241,250 and finished 6-10.
The Eagles ($222,648) have dominated the NFC East for four years yet have the lowest-paid staff in the division.
