Coaching Assessment in NFL: Eric Eager's Approach

Eric Eager, a football analytics expert, has conducted research on assessing the value of NFL coaches. Using top-down analysis, he examines the impact of coaches on the point spread. His approach involves examining game-by-game data, including quarterbacks, coaches, and point spreads. By comparing expected outcomes based on player performance to actual outcomes, Eager identifies coaching effects that may be missed by the market. The study highlights the challenges of attributing coaching value due to the noise in football data and the limited sample size. Eager's analysis reveals both positive surprises, such as the effectiveness of Pete Carroll, and negative surprises, like the underperformance of Matt LaFleur. While acknowledging the need for further refinement, Eager's research represents a step forward in understanding the impact of coaching in the NFL.