Top 10 Oldest NFL Coaches: Pete Carroll Celebrates 74th Birthday

Pete Carroll Leads Top 10 Oldest Coaches in the NFL, Celebrates 74th Birthday on MNF

Las Vegas welcomed a new face to the head coaching position in 2025 – the oldest coach in NFL history.

Pete Carroll brings 18 years of NFL head coaching experience and a Super Bowl title to the Raiders as the team's third coach in the last three seasons. His first coaching job was with the New York Jets in 1994, but he was fired after a 6-10 campaign.

Since then, Carroll has led teams in New England (1997-99) and Seattle (2010-23). He ranks 17th all-time in NFL wins with 171 entering tonight's "Monday Night Football" matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Carroll celebrates his 74th birthday on Sept. 15 as the Raiders host the Chargers in primetime, putting him far above the league average age for coaches.

Here’s a closer look at the 10 oldest active NFL coaches as of Sept. 15, 2025:

1. Pete Carroll – Las Vegas Raiders | 74 Years Old

• Started coaching in 1973 as a graduate assistant at the University of Pacific.

• Entered the NFL as a position coach in the 1980s, became a coordinator in 1990.

• Brings 18 years of head coaching experience and a Super Bowl title.

2. Andy Reid – Kansas City Chiefs | 67 Years, 180 Days Old

• Began NFL head coaching with the Eagles in 1999; 14 seasons with Philadelphia.

• Moved to Kansas City, tallying 143 wins through 2024.

• Fourth all-time in NFL coaching wins with 273, chasing Bill Belichick’s 302.

3. John Harbaugh – Baltimore Ravens | 62 Years, 357 Days Old

• Started NFL career under Andy Reid in Philadelphia.

• Became Ravens head coach in 2008 after serving as special teams coordinator.

• Maintains Baltimore as one of the NFL’s top-five winning teams since hiring.

4. Todd Bowles – Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 61 Years, 301 Days Old

• Started as Jets secondary coach in 2000, then defensive coordinator for Arizona.

• Head coach of Jets (2015-18) and Buccaneers (2022-present).

• Former NFL defensive back with 20+ years of coaching experience.

. Jim Harbaugh – Los Angeles Chargers | 61 Years, 266 Days Old

• 17 years as college coach and NFL assistant before San Francisco 49ers head coaching (2011-14).

• Returned to college at Michigan for 9 years, then joined Chargers.

• Brings a mix of NFL and college coaching experience to the AFC West.

6. Sean Payton – Denver Broncos | 61 Years, 260 Days Old

• Started as Philadelphia quarterbacks coach before 1999.

• Head coach of New Orleans Saints (2006-2021), missed only 2022 season.

• Broncos acquired him in 2023 via trade; part of a close-knit top wins group with Carroll and John Harbaugh.

7. Dan Quinn – Washington Commanders | 55 Years, 4 Days Old

• Former defensive coordinator under Carroll in Seattle (2013-14).

• Head coach in Atlanta, reached a Super Bowl, now leading Washington in his second season.

• Represents the younger mid-50s group of NFL head coaches.

8. Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh Steelers | 53 Years, 184 Days Old

• Hired by Steelers in 2007 at a very young age.

• Has never had a losing season; won a Super Bowl in his second season.

• On track to break into top 10 for all-time NFL coaching wins.

9. Aaron Glenn – New York Jets | 53 Years, 61 Days Old

• First-year head coach in 2025.

• Coached in Cleveland, New Orleans, and Detroit before joining the Jets.

• Former three-time Pro Bowl cornerback turned rising NFL coach.

10. Brian Schottenheimer – Dallas Cowboys | 51 Years, 334 Days Old

• Nearly 20 years as NFL assistant before becoming Cowboys head coach in 2025.

• Son of Marty Schottenheimer, who coached 327 games and 200 wins.

• Debut season; will aim to build a long-term legacy in Dallas.