Best Head Coaches Currently In The NFL

Tomlin seems to have developed a habit of not having the Steelers ready to play at crucial times.

I used to think Marvin Lewis was the worst coach at any level of football until Rex Ryan came along.

I'd take Tomlin out of your list, move Coughlin & Payton up one slot and put Shanny in at #5.

Tomlin has been to the playoffs 4 out of 6 times, has been to two superbowls and won one. He is still an elite coach and still above Shanahan in my opinion, seeing as how Shanahan is still not above .500 in Washington and has not won a playoff game in Washington. But hopefully next year he proves me wrong. Steelers are always in contention, they will probably be a playoff team again next year.

Tomlin has been to the playoffs 4 out of 6 times, has been to two superbowls and won one. He is still an elite coach and still above Shanahan in my opinion, seeing as how Shanahan is still not above .500 in Washington and has not won a playoff game in Washington. But hopefully next year he proves me wrong. Steelers are always in contention, they will probably be a playoff team again next year.

Tomlin had the benefit of taking over an established team with a strong front office vs. the train wreck Shanahan took over.

Tomlin had the benefit of taking over an established team with a strong front office vs. the train wreck Shanahan took over.

Having the best defensive coordinator in the game helps too. But what impressed me with Tomlin is the team seemed to get better after Cowher left. I really never thought much of the Steelers as a force back under iron jaw. Solid team, but beatable. Tomlin's team seem better prepared and dangerous in every facet of the game.

Tomlin had the benefit of taking over an established team with a strong front office vs. the train wreck Shanahan took over.

I agree with that, I am just saying Shanahan has taken the Skins to the playoffs once, lost in the first round and Redskins fans already think he is a top 5 coach in the NFL. I like the direction but I still need to see more from Shanahan and the team before I put him above coaches that have recent superbowl wins and have been in superbowl contention for the past 5 years. I could easily see the redskins missing the playoffs especially with RG3's questionable health. But I like I said I like the direction the team is heading in.

There have been quite a few coaches that have turned around bad teams and looked good for a year and then the team ends up sinking badly... Schartz, Morris, and Whisenhunt come to mind. So lets just calm down with annointing Shanahan a top 5 coach after one playoff appearance.

I agree with that, I am just saying Shanahan has taken the Skins to the playoffs once, lost in the first round and Redskins fans already think he is a top 5 coach in the NFL. I like the direction but I still need to see more from Shanahan and the team before I put him above coaches that have recent superbowl wins and have been in superbowl contention for the past 5 years. I could easily see the redskins missing the playoffs especially with RG3's questionable health. But I like I said I like the direction the team is heading in.

There have been quite a few coaches that have turned around bad teams and looked good for a year and then the team ends up sinking badly... Schartz, Morris, and Whisenhunt come to mind. So lets just calm down with annointing Shanahan a top 5 coach after one playoff appearance.

Does the fact that he's had a stellar coaching career prior to coming to our "train wreck" matter at all? I mean he's a Super Bowl winner! To base his standing as an NFL coach just on what he's done here undervalues his coaching career.

So yes, in my opinion he belongs on that top 5 list...

Having the best defensive coordinator in the game helps too. But what impressed me with Tomlin is the team seemed to get better after Cowher left. I really never thought much of the Steelers as a force back under iron jaw. Solid team, but beatable. Tomlin's team seem better prepared and dangerous in every facet of the game.

Tomlin's team last year was not better prepared and in big games just didnt seem ready to play. I have a lot of friends in Pgh and there was a lot of grumbling about Tomlin not having the team ready.

I dont know what exactly John Harbough does in baltimore.

He was a special teams coach before the Ravens tapped him to be their HC (their second choice).

He doesnt call the O or D plays. (I believe he has 0 input as well)

I assume he has some input on the overall gameplans but before Calwell took over, Cameron made it very clear that the entire offensive scheme and play calls was his and his alone (much to his demise and stubborness).

Baltimore media does give him credit for having an "open grievance" meeting with players mid-way through the season where alot of players (like the recently cut Pollard) spoke openly and bluntly to John about what they dont like. Reports are that Harbaugh let the players vent w/out reprecussion . . and vent they did.

Reprecussions didnt come until the offseason.

I suppose he gets credit for ultimately axing Cameron .. conflicting reports about whether that was all harbaugh decision, all Bischotti decision or a harbaugh-newsome-bischotti decision.

I get that they just won the SB and have been to the playoffs all 5 years of his HC tenure . . . i just dont get what exactly he does.

being a head coach is about leadership. if you don't call the plays, but the plays are working, who cares?

rex has lead his team into being a bunch of egos that have more hype than substance. coughlin runs a much tighter ship. zorn let people walk over him.

as long as you employ the right people and make the important calls (like firing an O coordinator that isn't working) at the right times... well, that's why you're there.

part of why a lot of coordinators fail as head coaches is because a different skill set is required. X's and O's is still important, but it's a secondary skill at that point.

As a HC you have input in every aspect of the team. Just because he doesn't call plays doesn't mean he's not involved.

yeah, i suppose and I hear what you two are saying.

I listen to baltimore sports talk radio on my daily commutes, it seems John does less than most other "hands off" head coaches.

I prefer the Xs and Os type head coach. I hate belicheck but it seems his intelligence and success can be traced to his roots as a low end video guy who would compile weekly video clips of the opponents to help the coordinators identify weaknesses and strengths.