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Packers' Matt LaFleur is the Only New Head Coach With a Winning Record in 2019

By Sean Facey

Matt LaFleur has had a fantastic year, especially when compared to other new head coaches in 2019.
Matt LaFleur has had a fantastic year, especially when compared to other new head coaches in 2019. / Al Pereira/Getty Images

2019 was the year of new head coaches in the NFL. Eight coaches found themselves piloting new teams this year, and each of them found varying degrees of success.

Only one, however, has managed to lead his team to a winning record -- Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

At 12-3, LaFleur enters Week 17 a solid five games ahead of his next closest counterpart in Bruce Arians. In fact, Arians, who has gone 7-8 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is the only other coach with a shot at even reaching a .500 record.

The massive difference in performance between LaFleur and the rest of the pack speaks to how level-headed he has been this season. Despite the up-and-down performance of his offense, he has managed to steer the Packers in the right direction, and they have a shot at claiming the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.

Of course, it helps to have a superstar quarterback like Aaron Rodgers playing under center, but even he has had some cold streaks this year.

It has been LaFleur's leadership that has helped guide the Packers back to relevance following a 10-loss season, and two straight playoff absences. The fruits of his labors are reflected in how he stacks up to other coaches who tried their hands with new teams in 2019. Unlike many teams with first-year head coaches, the Packers are probably quite content with their choice.