The Most Beloved Coach in History?

I think Coy's interest is what got Gibbs thinking, but I think his primary reason for coming back is the challenge of it all.

If he came back just for Coy, he came back for the wrong reason, and that's just not his style to jump into something without considering the big picture.

So you cross Parcells off? If Bellichek coaches another team he's done? Didn't Lombardi coach three teams? Or was it just two?

What about Ditka? Wonder how the Bears would like that (Or maybe he'd return to New Orleans! ;) )

I guess I think the difference is that Gibbs had several opportunities to go back into coaching but didn't want to b/c he put family first.

And, although his son's interest in coaching may have been the catalyst, I think, based on his statements, Gibbs came back to Washington for two main reasons: 1) The challenge; 2) He loves the Washington Redskins. Remember, this is the man who said he couldn't see himself coaching for another team.

Of all the other coaches you've mentioned Daseal, only Noll and Walsh fit into the one team coach category. But to that extent I agree with you, if Walsh or Noll came back to "save" the 49'ers or Steelers they would probably get a similar reaction.

It's not just the previous winning records that separate these coaches from the rest, it's their dedication to the team and its fans.

Yeah Bill Walsh definitely should be mentioned.

When it comes to love and respect from the players, I think Gibbs is a little different than Parcells and Lombardi because those guys tend to berate players and scare them into doing their jobs. They tended to be taskmasters. Then you have a guy like Vermeil who just tends to lead the players through raw emotion. Gibbs is kind of a hybrid; he's a big disciplinarian and yet he finds a way to provide just the right amount of encouragement when players need to hear it most. He's really good at knowing when you need a kick in the ass and when you need a slap on the back. You don't see players throwing towels in his face like Antonio Bryant did to Parcells, because Gibbs treats his players with respect and a touch of love mixed in as well.

The other thing, you never see nasty disputes come out in public when Gibbs is involved. During the Coles saga over the last few weeks, Gibbs would say "LC and I have had conversations and we understand each other." And that's all he would say. You just know those disputes got nasty too. When you keep the fights behind closed doors you are handling it with dignity and respect. Coles moves on, Gibbs moves on, and all the while the players left on the team realize that whatever differences Coles had with the coach, they were discussed in private. No backbiting in the media. No he said, she said. Just men being men. Dan Snyder handled it differently with that flatscreen TV comment, which was dumb, but on Gibbs' end it was all class.

It's the little things about a head coach sometimes.

So you cross Parcells off? If Bellichek coaches another team he's done? Didn't Lombardi coach three teams? Or was it just two?

What about Ditka? Wonder how the Bears would like that (Or maybe he'd return to New Orleans! ;) )
Fair point. What I was trying to say is that Vermeil was forever associated with Philly... until he won a Super Bowl with St. Louis. I'd say Parcells is not beloved. Respected, certainly, but do you think Patriots fans love Parcells? He went to the friggin' Jets! Giants fans may still love him, but it's only because they haven't had a decent coach since - and he's coaching an in-division rival!

Lombardi is inexorably linked with the Packers. It's almost a good thing he didn't coach long for Washington - I think it would have changed his mystique.

As for Ditka - he is da Bears. New Orleans? Never happened.

Gibbs is a natural leader who understands how to motivate people. That's why he was able to make a successful transition to NASCAR.

He would probably be very successful in whatever he chooses to do, simply because of his leadership abilities, his understanding of people, and his incredible work ethic.

What I wouldn't give to have that kind of motivation and dedication...

I think Coy's interest is what got Gibbs thinking, but I think his primary reason for coming back is the challenge of it all.

If he came back just for Coy, he came back for the wrong reason, and that's just not his style to jump into something without considering the big picture.


Excellent post Matty! :food-smil

The fan's love a winner regardless of how nice a man is, the more you win the more you are liked, but if your looking for the coach that is the most beloved by his player's which is a truer test because they deal with the man unlike the fan's, George Allen would in all liklyhood head up that list, the players he coached simply loved the man.

Well gibbs is my fav. but Madden is a close second. lol

How could you omit Bill Walsh from that list?

Seems as though Walsh would also fall into Gibbs category, of being a players coach. Can't say which one I'd rather have, since I don't know the inside scoop on him.

I think Walsh has a BIG EGO........he's not a humble as Gibbs or a lot of others on the list......it was always "Walsh's system"......or "The Genius" and I think it showed on Walsh...........I didn't really hear his former players talk about Walsh much...........

Or course it could be just Forty Whiner hating me with my 2 cents......:)