NFL Coaches and CEOs: Firing Alone Won't Fix the Problem

Replacing the top leader is often an easy but ineffective solution, experts say

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The annual tradition of firing NFL head coaches and business CEOs continues, with 10 top NFL coaches getting the axe this year. However, experts argue that firing the leader alone is not enough to fix the underlying problems that led to an organization's failures. The CEO is just one part of a larger system, and the real issues often lie in factors like illogical organizational models, conflicting agendas, and lack of alignment between the board and the CEO's vision.

Why it matters

This trend of high CEO and head coach turnover highlights the tendency for organizations to scapegoat the top leader when things go wrong, rather than addressing the systemic issues. Experts warn that this 'easy' solution often falls short of driving real change and improvement.

The details

The article cites examples like the firing of Disney CEO Bob Chapek, despite the company's struggles predating his tenure. It also notes that even highly successful CEOs like Bob Iger struggled to turn Disney around, underscoring that the CEO is just one part of a complex system. Other common issues include illogical organizational structures, conflicting agendas, and lack of alignment between the board and CEO on the company's vision and the resources needed to achieve it.

  • The annual tradition of firing NFL head coaches as the season ends continues.
  • In 2025, approximately one in nine CEOs were replaced in 1,500 large companies, including the CEOs of Disney, HP, Lululemon, PayPal and Procter & Gamble.

The players

Sean McDermott

An NFL head coach who took the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs in eight out of nine seasons before being fired.

John Harbaugh

An NFL head coach who was fired after 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

Bob Chapek

The former CEO of Walt Disney Co. who was fired after a rough three-year tenure.

Bob Iger

The former and current CEO of Walt Disney Co., who is considered one of the best CEOs in decades and helped rebuild the company through major acquisitions.

Alice Mann

The founder and CEO of Mann Partners, and the author of the article.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The CEO is but one part of a whole system that must play well together, including the board, key team members, business partners, core customers, and suppliers.”

— Alice Mann, Founder and CEO of Mann Partners (fastcompany.com)

What’s next

The article does not mention any specific next steps, as it is focused on the broader trend of firing CEOs and head coaches as a solution to organizational problems.

The takeaway

Firing the CEO or head coach alone is often an easy but ineffective solution to an organization's problems. The real issues typically lie in the larger system, including the board, team, and organizational structure. To drive meaningful change, leaders need to focus on aligning the entire organization around a shared vision and the resources required to achieve it.