Jan 13, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam (left) and new head coach Hue Jackson talk during a press conference at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

There’s nothing more emblematic of today’s media climate than snap judgments on whether a coach won or lost his introductory press conference.

Even before a game is played, a verdict has to be reached on whether an incoming coach “won” or “lost” his first chance to speak with the local media and connect with the fanbase. And it has to be analyzed and scrutinized as an immediate indication of the success or failure to come.

That was never more apparent than on Monday when two NFL press conferences went in distinctly opposite directions of vibes. Aaron Glenn wowed reporters and the NFL intelligentsia with his no-nonsense approach in “winning” his introductory press conference. On the other side, new Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen “lost” his press conference by awkwardly saying “Duuuuuuval” and generally looking like Jack McBrayer playing an NFL head coach for a late night skit.

But in truth, winning and losing press conferences is nothing more than catnip for the masses that depend on such tropes for content purposes. Us included!

In reality, there’s nothing more meaningless than coaches winning or losing a press conference. Remember Nick Sirianni? He famously bombed his introductory press conference with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now he’s coaching in his second Super Bowl.

As for others who “won” their press conferences? Well, let’s just say that it was the high point for some of these coaches, owners, and players.

Hue Jackson – Cleveland Browns

Hue Jackson’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns is without a shadow of a doubt the worst in NFL history and the ultimate example of how winning a press conference is totally meaningless. Jackson may have gone 1-0 in press conferences, but he stacked up a 3-36 record against actual NFL competition.

Thomas Brown – Chicago Bears

The interim coach of the Chicago Bears did not have big shoes to fill in stepping in for Matt Eberflus. Although Brown impressed in front of the microphones, he went 1-4 as Bears head coach.

Alex Meruelo – Arizona Coyotes

Alex Meuelo bought the Arizona Coyotes in 2019. A few years later and the NHL took over operations before a sale to Ryan Smith and a move to Utah. At least Coyotes fans will always have that press conference though.

Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons

After “winning” the press conference, Kirk Cousins was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. and his huge contract is now seen as an albatross that the Falcons franchise is desperately trying to get out from underneath of.

Russell Wilson – Pittsburgh Steelers

In fairness to Wilson, the Steelers did make the NFL playoffs in 2024. But it wasn’t thanks to great quarterback play. Wilson and Justin Fields traded snaps and stats to see who could be the most mediocre signal caller all season. Wilson ranked 22nd in QBR in 2024, just one spot ahead of the aforementioned Cousins.

Jerod Mayo – New England Patriots

Unfortunately for Jerod Mayo, he didn’t even make it to a second season as head coach of the New England Patriots. He was fired after one season and replaced by another former Pats player in Mike Vrabel.

Kalen DeBoer – Alabama Football

The former Washington head coach had a tall task in replacing Nick Saban at Alabama. And even though he made a good first impression, the Tide failed to reach 10 wins for the first time since Saban’s first year all the way back in 2007.

Aaron Rodgers – New York Jets

Rodgers’ tenure in New York has been marred by injuries, conspiracy theories, throwing teammates under the bus, whining, griping, a massive drop off in productivity, and did we mention a lot of losing too?

Vic Fangio – Denver Broncos

The veteran defensive coordinator coached three seasons in Denver and never had a winning season before being let go in 2021.

Jeremy Pruitt – Tennessee Volunteers

Pruitt has the infamy of not only failing on the field, where he led Tennessee to a 16-19 record over three seasons, but also being fired and getting handed a six year show cause penalty from the NCAA for various recruiting violations. All of his wins from 2019 and 2020 were vacated. But you can stack up his press conference win with all those other hypothetical victories the SEC loves to brag about.

Jim McElwain – Florida Gators

In spite of two divisional titles in his first two seasons, McElwain lasted just halfway through his third year before things went up in flames in the swamp.

James Franklin – Penn State

Paul Finebaum sure did love awarding press conference trophies! James Franklin: 1-0 in introductory press conferences, 1-14 against Top 5 teams.

Kevin Warren – Big Ten Conference

Kevin Warren’s tenure as Big Ten commissioner was dubious to say the least. His handling of the COVID pandemic drew a ton of criticism, he left the conference’s massive television deal’s unfinished, and then he left for the NFL and a position with the Chicago Bears. Is it merely coincidence that the Big Ten started winning national championships once their embattled commissioner departed?