Ten NFL head coaches call their own plays.
This number is derived from the current landscape of NFL offensive strategy. While 31 out of the 32 NFL teams utilize an official offensive coordinator, head coaches oversee the play-calling responsibilities for approximately one-third of these teams. This trend is significantly influenced by the widespread adoption of offensive philosophies popularized by coaching trees like Shanahan and McVay, which often see the head coach retaining direct control over play selection.
To understand this breakdown:
- Total NFL Teams: There are 32 teams in the National Football League.
- Teams with an Official Offensive Coordinator: All but one team employs an official offensive coordinator, meaning 31 teams have an OC.
- Head Coaches Calling Plays: For about one-third of these 31 teams, the head coach takes on the role of offensive play-caller.
- Calculated: (1/3) * 31 ≈ 10.33.
- Rounded to the nearest whole number for practical application, this results in 10 head coaches.
This approach allows for direct strategic oversight by the head coach, shaping the team's offensive identity firsthand.
