Broncos decision to fire Hackett puts him on this extremely short list

Broncos decision to fire Nathaniel Hackett puts him on this extremely short list

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Nathaniel Hackett, Head Coach of the Denver Broncos embraces Cam Robinson #74 of the Jacksonville Jaguars following their side's victory in the NFL match between Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 30, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

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15 Oct 2000: A view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet as it lays on the field during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 31-28. /

Pete McCulley, San Francisco 49ers: 1978

It would be nearly 30 years before another first-year head coach was fired before the season ended and that ended up happening with the San Francisco 49ers.

After firing both Monte Clark and Ken Meyer in 1976 and 1977, respectively, after just one season each, the 49ers brought in Pete McCulley to try and turn things around. McCulley had been serving as a receivers coach with Washington for a season but when the Niners job came open, general manager Joe Thomas, who became close to the McCulley during their days with the Baltimore Colts, brought him in.

But things did not work out at all for McCulley, who went 1-8 in nine games, forcing Thomas to fire him. Fred O’Connor took over on an interim basis and went 1-6 to close out the year. Thomas and O’Connor were both fired after the season.

The 49ers ended up bringing in a guy named Bill Walsh. That kind of worked out for the organization.

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