From new coach to old guard
Zimmer talked this summer about how many NFL head coaches don't get much time to grow into the job, and he had a point: Of the six head coaches who broke in with Zimmer in 2014, three already have been fired by their teams while the remaining four already are tied for the 13th-longest tenures of any active NFL coach. Here's a look at the NFL Coaching Class of 2014 through three seasons:
Bill O'Brien, Houston: Three 9-7 seasons and one win in three playoff games.
Regular-season record: 27-21
Jim Caldwell, Detroit: Records of 11-5, 7-9 and 9-7. Lions lost both playoff games.
Regular-season record: 27-21
Mike Zimmer, Vikings: Records of 7-9, 11-5 and 8-8. Lost only playoff game.
Regular-season record: 26-22
Jay Gruden, Washington: Followed 4-12 first season with 9-7 and 8-7-1 records.
Regular-season record: 21-26-1
Mike Pettine, Cleveland: Started 7-9 but was fired after a 3-13 second season.
Regular-season record: 10-22
Lovie Smith, Tampa Bay: Went 6-10 after a two-win first season but was fired.
Regular-season record: 8-24
Ken Whisenhunt, Tennessee: Fired after the seventh game of his second season.
Regular-season record: 3-20