NFL Head Coach Rankings

Posted on 9/21/2006 7:44:08 PM
Ranking the NFL’s head coaches
by Eric Williams

Every serious football follower has an opinion on who is the best head coach in the NFL and I am certainly no different. Heck, anyone who knows me or has ever read any of my columns, knows I have an opinion on just about everything (although I’ve been told on several occasions just where to take that opinion).

At any rate, here I go once again. This time, I have compiled my list of the best head coaches currently plying their trade in the NFL. So enough with the chit chat, here we go.

1. Bill Belichick: New England Patriots

I’m not a big fan of the stoic Belichick. Heck, to be honest about it, he’s got all the personality of one of my daughter’s pet rocks. However, I’d be a bold-faced liar if I said he wasn’t the best coach in the NFL. Three Super Bowl victories in the last five seasons, with the scary possibility of winning several more, makes Belichick the undisputed best head coach in the NFL.

2. Bill Parcells: Dallas Cowboys

I firmly believe that Parcells is the second best coach in all of football. The two-time Super Bowl winner, who lost a third with the New England Patriots, could be in a position to finally win that elusive third title with his current Dallas Cowboys team that is quickly nearing legitimate Super Bowl contender status.

3. Joe Gibbs: Washington Redskins

I thought long and hard about this selection – especially since Gibbs was away from the game for so long. However, it is still apparent that the man knows how to coach the game of football – and with three Super Bowl rings already in his pocket, putting anything past this genius would be totally ludicrous.

4. Mike Shanahan: Denver Broncos

This was a tough call for me, but I ultimately decided on Shanahan because he seems to produce legitimate contending teams every year. The man is a certified offensive genius who, by the way, has also won two Super Bowl championships – and could be in line for a third – as soon as quarterback Jake Plummer hits the road that is.

5. Bill Cowher: Pittsburgh Steelers

Cowher finally got his much deserved Super Bowl championship last season after lifting the Steelers to the status of perennial playoff participants almost a decade and a half ago. Unfortunately for Steelers fans all over the country, 2006 could be Cowher’s last hurrah.

6. Mike Holmgren: Seattle Seahawks

I had to put Holmgren in my top 10 – especially after last season’s inspiring playoff run that ultimately ended in defeat in the Super Bowl because of several questionable calls by the incompetent group of officials who worked that game.

At any rate, I felt that one Super Bowl victory, and two losses, with two different teams, qualifies Holmgren as a man who knows what it takes to succeed as a head coach in the NFL.

Now, if you were to ask me about his general managerial skills, I’d tell you a completely different story, but since this is based solely on coaching ability and this is where I believe Holmgren fits in.

7. Jon Gruden: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Just a few years ago, I think a lot of people, including myself, would have had Gruden ranked a lot higher. However in this, ‘what have you done for me lately’ league, people only remember the last thing you’ve accomplished.

However, I must admit that Gruden is still a fine coach – and one who does have a Super Bowl ring. If Tampa Bay takes a step back this year, which I think is entirely possible after their atrocious start, then his ranking will undoubtedly fall.

8. Tony Dungy: Indianapolis Colts

Dungy is the first coach on this list who hasn’t won a Super Bowl (although I firmly believe he’s going to win one before he’s through). No matter, - anyone who knows a thing about football knows Dungy is not only one of the best coaches in all of football, but the classiest as well. Dungy’s regular season record is impeccable, but his 5-8 postseason record could definitely use a spit-shine – and as we all know, there’s nothing like some Super Bowl bling to brighten up one’s past, present and future.

9. Marvin Lewis: Cincinnati Bengals

I really like Marvin Lewis and I picked his team to reach the Super Bowl this season. Even if the Bengals don’t reach the Super Bowl this season, Lewis should have plenty of chances with his talented team to at least win one Super Bowl. Lewis makes my top 10 based on the fact that totally turned around the worst franchise in the league in the blink of an eye and now has them on the brink of greatness. I won’t even get into the fact that Lewis is an absolute defensive genius and the mastermind behind one of the best defenses in NFL history (2000 Baltimore Ravens).

10. John Fox: Carolina Panthers

I think Fox is one of the best coaches in the game and I would have ranked him higher if I could have. Personal feelings aside, I must say that Fox has built the Panthers into a legitimate perennial Super Bowl contender – and almost won one, by losing to the Patriots in a thriller by only a field goal in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

11. Andy Reid: Philadelphia Eagles

Reid may be the most mild-mannered head coach in all of football, but one thing has become crystal clear since he took over the Eagles in 1999 – the man can flat out coach. Reid already has one Super Bowl appearance on his resume and could win one before he’s done in Philadelphia.

However, I have to be honest and say that I dropped Reid out of my top 10 after last season’s atrocious job and his overly conservative play calling in game two this year against the New York Giants.

12. Jeff Fisher: Tennessee Titans

Fisher is another coach who almost won a Super Bowl title but fell just short. Personally, I’ve thought very highly of Fisher since way before he ever landed in his current position with the Titans. I know his team is in the midst of a major rebuilding mode, but once they come of age, Fisher could find himself back in the “Big Dance.”

13. Jack Del Rio: Jacksonville Jaguars

Del Rio has been nothing short of masterful since he took over as the Jags’ head coach three years ago. Jacksonville has quietly built one of the best defensive teams in the league and if Del Rio can ever get the Jags offense up to snuff, he could find himself with a Super Bowl ring quicker than anyone ever expected.

14. Lovie Smith: Chicago Bears

Smith is another coach who has been nothing short of spectacular in rebuilding the Chicago Bears in just a couple of seasons. Smith’s defensive prowess may be nearly unmatched and not only has he transformed the Bears into a legitimate contender in the NFC, but it looks as if his young team will remain contenders for quite a few more years.

15. Dennis Green: Arizona Cardinals

I really like Dennis Green and I thin he’s a fine coach. However, he had several talented teams in Minnesota and couldn’t get the job done. Now, Green is in the middle of a major rebuilding process with the Cardinals that seems to finally be headed in the right direction. I’m giving Green one more season after this one to get the Cards into the playoffs or else, it’s adios amigo.

16. Marty Schottenheimer: San Diego Chargers

I know a lot of people love ripping Schottenheimer for his lack of winning an NFL championship in two decades as a head coach, but the man is certainly knows the game – and may be in a position to win one in the next couple of seasons with his current team – the San Diego Chargers, who have been knocking on the door for the past two seasons.

Unfortunately for Schottenheimer, if this team doesn’t eventually kick down the door altogether, he may retire without ever having won his sport’s biggest game.

17. Jim Mora: Atlanta Falcons

Mora is definitely a chip off the old block. Just like his father, Jim Sr., the younger Mora has shown in a short period of time that he knows how to lead an NFL team. The Falcons have been a fairly solid defensive team since his arrival and finally seem to have some stability in the front office because of Mora’s presence. If the Falcons are as real as they appear after two weeks, Mora’s ranking will be adjusted accordingly.

18. Nick Saban: Miami Dolphins

I may be the most faithful Dolphins fan in the world, but I couldn’t bring myself to rank Saban any higher than this. Yes, he did a masterful job in his rookie season last year, but until he guides the ‘Fins into the playoffs, I can’t in good conscience, rank him any higher than this. Like Mora however, if the Dolphins prove themselves to be legitimate contenders, Saban’s ranking will rise.

And by the way, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t point out Saban’s major miscue in this season’s opening game against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, when Saban meekly – and belatedly - threw out his challenge flag on an obvious call that would have denied the Steelers the touchdown they were rewarded on the play.

19. Brian Billick: Baltimore Ravens

I’m sorry, but Billick has been absolutely atrocious for a couple of years now. If people think he had anything to do with the Ravens Super Bowl championship in 2000, think again. The defense, led exclusively by current Bengals head coach, Marvin Lewis, won it for them!

If Billick, a “former offensive genius” doesn’t immediately improve the Ravens with Steve McNair at quarterback, then I say it’s time to hit the road Jack – or should I say, Bill.

20. Herm Edwards: Kansas City Chiefs

I really like Herman Edwards and I think he will immediately upgrade the Chiefs dreadful defense and change the team’s overall lackadaisical demeanor. However, I believe Edwards has a tendency to play it too close to the vest sometimes. I am already on record as saying that the Chiefs offense, which has been one of the best in the league for the past four years, is going to take a serious setback because of Edwards’ conservatism.

21. Tom Coughlin: New York Giants

I won’t mince words - I don’t like Tom Coughlin one iota. His reputation as a no-nonsense coach who can eventually turn his players against him is well known. However, I do have to give him some credit for helping the Jaguars, an expansion team at the time of his hiring, on the road to respectability.

He has also guided his teams into the playoffs five times in his 10 seasons as a head coach. However, I am guaranteeing that Coughlin will not be the coach for long in New York and that some “offensive genius” will be the one to ultimately enjoy the fruits of Eli Manning’s success as he matures.

22. Romeo Crennel: Cleveland Browns

The only reason I have Crennel ranked this low is because of his short period of time as a head coach. However, I think he is an absolutely fine coach and one I will be pulling for to succeed in Cleveland – which I think he will eventually do.

23. Art Shell: Oakland Raiders

I’m an old school guy, so it goes without saying that I love myself some Art Shell, who epitomizes what it means to be “old school.”

The Hall of Fame tackle, who became the first African-American head coach in the league history way back in 1989, knows what it takes to succeed, both as a player and a coach.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Shell’s “old school” approach is going to work on many of the Raiders’ “new school” players, who seem to relish the fact that they are wallowing in mediocrity, not to mention sullying the Raider franchise’s rich history.

Personally, if I was Shell, I’d invite all of my old Raiders teammates in for a game against the franchise’s current players, just to show them how the games is really supposed to be played.

I can just see it now, Stabler, Upshaw, Branch, Casper, Bilentikoff and Shell would probably trounce this current team so badly, they’d probably just give up on the game altogether. Hmmmm, that’s not a bad idea. Maybe I should give Shell a call.

This group of first-year head coaches doesn’t get a ranking from me just for the simple fact that they are in their first seasons and have nothing to be judged on. However, I have written a short summary of my feelings on each and their respective futures.

24. Mike Nolan: San Francisco 49ers

I like Mike Nolan and I respect his knowledge of the game. However, giving Nolan anything less than three or four years to restore the 49ers, would be an atrocity. After initially watching the 49ers in his rookie season last year, I thought Nolan was in way over his head. However, the Niners – and quarterback Alex Smith in particular – seem to finally be headed in the right direction – along with their coach.

N/A

Brad Childress: Minnesota Vikings

Of all the new head coaches in the league this year, I like Childress the most and think he has the best chance to win right away. Not only did he inherit a team with plenty of talent, but he has a vast knowledge of the West Coast offense and more importantly, a quarterback (Brad Johnson) who knows how to run it efficiently and won’t make the costly mistake that hurts his team. In just his first season, Childress has already begun to make former head coach, Mike Tice, look like the complete buffoon he is.

Sean Payton: New Orleans Saints

Payton is another guy I like a lot. Although he didn’t inherit a team nearly as talented as Childress, Payton does have a good beginning foundation – especially on offense, with quarterback, Drew Brees and running backs, Deuce McCallister and Reggie Bush. If Payton can get the Saints defense to play at an above average level, the Saints could become, (gasp) a winning team, in the near future. Football fan or not, if you’re not pulling for Payton, the Saints and the state of Louisiana as a whole, then you’d better go see the Wizard and get a heart.

Eric Mangini: New York Jets

Everybody seems to think the 35-year-old Mangini is going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Until further notice, I am totally withholding judgment – although I will say that Mangini has the Jets playing very well in the early going of this season.

N/A Dick Jauron: Buffalo Bills

Jauron is getting another shot with the Bills after failing to improve the Chicago Bears during his first stint as a head coach a decade ago. However, I will say that most players love playing for Jauron and the man certainly knows how to build a defense, which the Bills have surprisingly sprung on unsuspecting opponents in the early stages of 2006.

N/A Scott Linehan: St. Louis Rams

Linehan also walked into a fairly manageable situation in St. Louis, where the Rams have some talented players a few remnants left over from the glory years. If Linehan, who is known for his offensive proficiency, can get the Rams defense up to speed, to along with the Rams offensive talent, then the Rams could be back quicker than you can say, Martha Stewart.

N/A Gary Kubiak: Houston Texans

If Kubiak hasn’t learned anything after coaching under Mike Shanahan for the last 11 years, shame on him. I will say that Kubiak’s tenure in Houston didn’t get off to the best start when the Texans idiotically decided to draft defensive end Mario Williams with the first overall selection although they could have had the exciting Reggie Bush – an offensive player who would have meshed perfectly with his offensive-minded new head coach.

N/A Rod Marinelli: Detroit Lions

I’m glad the Lions finally hired a coach with a no-nonsense approach. Unfortunately, they also hired a guy with no prior head coaching experience. Personally, I think it’s just a matter of time before the Lions turn to offensive coordinator, Mike Martz to lead this team back to the land of the living. Don’t you just miss Barry Sanders?

N/A Mike McCarthy: Green Bay Packers

McCarthy doesn’t have a clue and inexperienced team is already reflecting that fact. If McCarthy doesn’t get young quarterback, Aaron Rodgers on the field at some point this year, I’m calling for his firing. I know that may be a little harsh, but if you’ve seen the Packers lately, you know they don’t have anytime to waste.

Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun and syndicated freelance writer who can be heard every Wednesday at 3:15pm EST on www.BetUSradio.com. Contact Eric at [email protected].

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