Former Bear Lovie Smith became the 15th head coach since the NFL-AFL merger to be fired after completing a winning season.
Of the previous 14 occasions, the team that changed its coach had a winning record the next season just seven times, and reached the playoffs five times.
And only one finished with a better record under the new guy: the 2002 Buccaneers with Jon Gruden — whom Tampa Bay fired six years later after he had a winning season.
| Coach, team | Fired after | Following season, coach |
| George Allen, Rams | 9-4-1 (missed playoffs) in 1970 | 8-5-1 (missed playoffs), Tommy Prothro |
| Charley Winner, Cardinals | 8-5-1 (missed playoffs) in 1970 | 4-9-1 (missed playoffs), Bob Hollway |
| Bum Phillips, Oilers | 11-5 (lost wild card) in 1980 | 7-9 (missed playoffs), Ed Biles |
| Leeman Bennett, Falcons | 5-4 (lost wild card) in 1982 | 7-9 (missed playoffs), Dan Henning |
| John Mackovic, Chiefs | 10-6 (lost wild card) in 1986 | 4-11 (missed playoffs), Frank Gansz |
| Marty Schottenheimer, Browns | 10-6 (lost in wild card) in 1988 | 9-6-1 (lost AFC title game), Bud Carson |
| Jerry Glanville, Oilers | 9-7 (lost wild card) in 1989 | 9-7 (lost wild card), Jack Pardee |
| Buddy Ryan, Eagles | 10-6 (lost wild card) in 1990 | 10-6 (missed playoffs), Rich Kotite |
| Art Shell, Raiders | 9-7 (missed playoffs) in 1994 | 8-8 (missed playoffs), Mike White |
| Tony Dungy, Buccaneers | 9-7 (lost wild card) in 2001 | 12-4 (won Super Bowl), Jon Gruden |
| Steve Mariucci, 49ers | 10-6 (lost divisional round) in 2002 | 7-9 (missed playoffs), Dennis Erickson |
| Marty Schottenheimer, Chargers | 14-2 (lost divisional round) in 2006 | 11-5 (lost AFC title game), Norv Turner |
| Jon Gruden, Buccaneers | 9-7 (missed playoffs) in 2008 | 3-13 (missed playoffs), Raheem Morris |
| Eric Mangini, Jets | 9-7 (missed playoffs) in 2008 | 9-7 (lost AFC title game), Rex Ryan |