Who are 10 of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL right now?

NFL teams have hired the best defensive coordinators who have helped their teams set incredible records and win titles. Each of the 32 teams in the league has a defensive tactician coordinating the defence line. This article breaks down some of the best defensive coordinators in NFL 2023 and their achievements.

Legendary names like Tom Landry, Bill Belichick, and George Allen are among the best defensive coordinators in NFL history. They revolutionised the position through their talents and tactics. Today, we focus on the best defensive coordinators available in 2023, their stats, salaries, and what it takes to succeed.

What is the role of a defensive coordinator?

Most NFL teams employ a supporting staff to help the head coach. They include the offensive coordinator, the special team coordinator, and the defensive coordinator. The three executives often report directly to the head football coach. They also have other coaches underneath them who answer to them. The defensive coordinator runs the team's defence. Their duties include:

What makes a good defensive coordinator?

The defence coordinators should have qualities similar to NFL coaches since they are trainers. They need good leadership and listening skills, the ability to communicate and connect with everyone, and an innovative and competitive spirit.

Who is the best NFL defensive coordinator?

The Patriots' Bill Belichick and Lou Anarumo of the Cincinnati Bengals have earned enormous respect for shaping their teams' defences in 2022 and 2023. Here is a breakdown of the best NFL defensive coordinators right now and their achievements.

10. Steve Wilks - San Francisco 49ers

Steve Wilks joined the 49ers from the Carolina Panthers in February 2023, bringing his 14-year experience to the team. He served as the Panthers' secondary/defensive pass game coordinator in 2022 before getting elevated to interim head coach. The Panthers went 6-6 and finished second in the NFC South in 2022 under Wilks. He also trained the Chicago Bears (2006-09), San Diego Chargers (2009-2011), and Cleveland Browns (2019).

9. Ejiro Evero - Carolina Panthers

Evero ranks among the best upcoming defensive minds in the NFL. He helped the Denver Broncos achieve the top-10 expected points allowed per play mark (-0.068) in 2022, the seventh-fewest yards per game in the league. His outstanding campaign convinced the Panthers to sign him in 2023.

8. Brian Flores - Minnesota Vikings

Flores has over 15 years of NFL experience. He spent the 2022 season as Pittsburgh Steelers' senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach. The Steelers conceded just seven rushing touchdowns under Flores, the fewest in the 2022 NFL season, tying with New England. Brian joined the Vikings in February 2023.

7. Raheem Morris - Los Angeles Rams

Raheem Morris is among the most respected and best defensive coordinators of all time. He joined LA Rams in 2021 and helped them win the 2022 Super Bowl. The Rams have the league's second-most overall defence grade (88.2) and a 90.0 run-defence grade.

6. Don Martindale - New York Giants

The Giants' defensive tactician has earned a reputable name in his 19-year career in the NFL. Martindale received the 2023 Paul "Dr Z" Zimmerman Award alongside retired Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell and the late Bobb McKittrick for their contributions to the sport.

5. Stephen Spagnuolo - Kansas City Chiefs

Stephen served as the Giants' coordinator from 2015-2017 before joining the Chiefs in 2019. He streamlined Kansas City's defence and helped them win the 2020 and 2023 Super Bowls. The Chiefs recorded the second-best coverage grade (90.8) in 2022 with a 77.7% completion percentage. Spagnuolo earned more respect after successfully converting Chris Jones from an interior player to the backline.

4. Dan Quinn - Dallas Cowboys

Dan joined Quinn in January 2021 and has over 28 years of experience in the NFL, including six as a defence coordinator. The tactician helped the Cowboys lead the NFL in total pressures (337) in 2022. They also tied fifth in interceptions with 16.

3. Victor Fangio - Miami Dolphins

Victor ranks third among the best defensive minds in the NFL. He served as the Denver Broncos' head coach from 2019-2021 and a consultant for the Eagles in 2022 before signing for the Dolphins. His tactical coaching abilities rank him among the best defensive coordinators in the NFL of all time.

2. Lou Anarumo - Cincinnati Bengals

Anarumo had quickly risen to the top of the pyramid since 2019, when he joined the Bengals as a defensive coordinator. Cincinnati allowed 26.3 points per game in 2019 (25th best in the league) under Lou's first season. They ranked 21st in 2020, 13th in 2021 and fifth in 2022, allowing just 19.6 points per game.

1. Bill Belichick and Stephen Belichick - New England Patriots

The Patriots' defensive coordinator remains unoccupied, but credit goes to the head coach, Bill Belichick and his son, Stephen Belichick, the outside linebackers coach. Bill and Stephen technically make the defence calls in the team. Many experts rank Bill as the greatest defensive coach in NFL history.

The Patriots have been a top-seven team in the NFL in overall expected points allowed per play since 2020. They raked No. 1 in 2022 with an EPA per play of -0.117.

Who is the best defensive coordinator turned head coach?

Bill Belichick was arguably the greatest defensive coordinator in NFL before becoming the best NFL head coach in history. He is the only head coach in NFL history to win six Super Bowl titles. Belichick is also among the longest-serving NFL coaches in history.

NFL defensive coordinators' salary

According to sources, the average salary of a defensive coordinator in the NFL is $1 million. Victor Fangio is the highest-paid after penning a three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins in February 2023, earning around $4.5 million annually.

Former England Patriots defensive coordinator and the head coach of Las Vegas Raiders, Josh McDaniels, earned $4 million annually at the Patriots. Todd Bowles earned $3 million annually at Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2021 to 2022 before getting promoted to head coach.

Best defensive coordinators in college football history

College football has also produced exceptional defensive tacticians. Some have even moved from college to the NFL. Phil Parker of the Iowa Hawkeyes tops the list of the best defensive coordinators in college football.

His defences have managed top-15 in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in Expected Points Added (EPA) allowed per play in the last five seasons. They also had two top-five finishes in that span. Here is a list of the top 10 best college defensive coordinators.

Having an excellent defensive coordinator is crucial to a team's success. Most of the best NFL assistant tacticians on our list have served for four or fewer years on their teams. It is a demanding role that keeps evolving.

The NFL's best defensive coordinators are true legends and have inspired generations of young coaches. They have worked with some of the best defenders in the league and nurtured more talents. Teams with solid defensive units and a strong offensive line often have higher chances of succeeding in the NFL.

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Defensive coordinator	College team
Phil Parker	Iowa Hawkeyes
Jim Knowles	Ohio State Buckeyes
Jesse Minter	Michigan Wolverines
Glenn Schumann and Will Muschamp	Georgia Bulldogs
Manny Diaz	Penn State Nittany Lions
Jon Headcock	Iowa State Cyclones
Joe Rossi	Minnesota Golden Gophers
Morgan Scalley	Utah Utes
Kurt Mattix	San Diego State Aztecs
Brad White	Kentucky Wildcats

Defensive coordinator	NFL Team
Bill Belichick and Stephen Belichick	New England Patriots
Lou Anarumo	Cincinnati Bengals
Victor Fangio	Miami Dolphins
Dan Quinn	Dallas Cowboys
Stephen Spagnuolo	Kansas City Chiefs
Don Martindale	New York Giants
Raheem Morris	Los Angeles Rams
Brian Flores	Minnesota Vikings
Ejiro Evero	Carolina Panthers
Steve Wilks	San Francisco 49ers