Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches?

Football Man · 08-02-2007, 08:14 AM

1. Bill Belichick
2. Vince Lombardi
3. Bill Walsh
4. Paul Brown
5. Don Shula

Belichick has revolutionized franchise leadership -- in both coaching and personnel management -- in the salary cap era. Unlike the other coaches on this list (and Gibbs, etc.), he can't benefit from a payroll gap between rich and poor franchises.

The current system was designed to create parity, but Belichick has gamed it via value-based player evaluation, a focus on position flexibility, and phenomenal game planning. He's the best coach in NFL history, bar none.

Of course, as we all remember, Belichick also turned the Giants' defense into a powerhouse, winning two Super Bowls as a coordinator during the '80s. . . . A lot has been said about his lack of success in Cleveland. I disagree with that assessment. Belichick inherited a 3-13, then led them to consecutive seasons of 6-10, 7-9, 7-9, and 10-6 (plus a playoff victory over Parcells' Patriots). This steady improvement only abated in his final season, which Art Modell wrecked by his pre-season decision to move to Baltimore, throwing the season (and fan base) into the sewer.

Slingin Sammy 33 · 08-02-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Football Man

Belichick has revolutionized franchise leadership -- in both coaching and personnel management -- in the salary cap era. Unlike the other coaches on this list (and Gibbs, etc.), he can't benefit from a payroll gap between rich and poor franchises.

The current system was designed to create parity, but Belichick has gamed it via value-based player evaluation, a focus on position flexibility, and phenomenal game planning. He's the best coach in NFL history, bar none.

Of course, as we all remember, Belichick also turned the Giants' defense into a powerhouse, winning two Super Bowls as a coordinator during the '80s. . . . A lot has been said about his lack of success in Cleveland. I disagree with that assessment. Belichick inherited a 3-13, then led them to consecutive seasons of 6-10, 7-9, 7-9, and 10-6 (plus a playoff victory over Parcells' Patriots). This steady improvement only abated in his final season, which Art Modell wrecked by his pre-season decision to move to Baltimore, throwing the season (and fan base) into the sewer.

Are you related to Bill B., or do you just have a FatHead of him in your living room.

That being said, I believe Belichick is in the top 10 discussion, not "Best of All-Time", or even top 5. Here's why not:

1) With a 21-6 lead over Indy last year shortly before half of the AFC Championship game NE couldn't close the deal....not a great statement for "game planning" and in-game adjustments

2) He was the Def Coordinator for the Giants, but a guy named Parcells had a lot more to do with those championship teams than Belichick. I don't think two Hall of Fame LBs hurt either (LT & Harry Carson). One who many argue is the greatest game changing defensive player of all-time (LT).

3) Cleveland did happen. Going from 3-13 to 6-10, 7-9, 7-9, 10-6 are "solid-coach" numbers, not "greatest coach of all-time" numbers.

4) The AFC East has not exactly been a powerhouse division the last few years, hence at least 4-5 easy wins per year and an easy route to the playoffs. When Gibbs (since you threw a little dart there) was winning Super Bowls, the Skins were coming out of the NFC East in the 80's and 90-91. During that time the NFC East was the toughest division in football. There was also the 49ers to contend with who were pretty darn good too.

Here's my top five from the last thread on this:

1) Lombardi - 96-34 / 9-1 Playoffs / 7 championships in 11 years.
2) Halas - 318-148-32 / 6-4 Playoffs / 6 championships
3) Shula - 328-156-6 / 3 championships
4) Gibbs - 146-86 / 17-6 Playoffs / 3 championships (with 3 different QBs). 1982 - 1991 9 of 10 seasons with 10 or more wins. (1982 strike season 8-1). If Gibbs can win 1 or 2 more rings before retiring (without any more 5-11 seasons) he will vault to # 2.
5) Landry - 250-162 / 20-16 Playoffs / 2 Championships. 1968 - 1983 13 of 15 seasons with 10 or more wins.

squrrelco3 · 08-02-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

4) Gibbs - 146-86 / 17-6 Playoffs / 3 championships (with 3 different QBs). 1982 - 1991 9 of 10 seasons with 10 or more wins. (1982 strike season 8-1). If Gibbs can win 1 or 2 more rings before retiring (without any more 5-11 seasons) he will vault to # 2.

I agree with your assesment of Gibbs however you are slightly off in your stats...Gibbs also went 7-9 in 1988, the year after he won his second Super Bowl...

bridaman51 · 08-02-2007, 08:28 AM

what about Steve Spurrier?????

I would have to put Don Shula in the top 5 he is the winningest coach of all time. Lombardi, the dang superbowl trophy is named after him. but you can make a case for many others. here is a name that has not been mentioned I dont think (maybe because he coached the BOYS) Jimmy Johnson. He won some superbowls took a one win team and made them a beast there in the 90's. Maybe not top 5 but possibly top 10. he is defenetely a great eye for talent, he just never got his quarterback in Miami, then no coach has really. If you look at his time in Miami though he did take them to the playoffs and they have pretty much been crap in that division since he left.

ncskinsfanec · 08-05-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridaman51

what about Steve Spurrier?????

I would have to put Don Shula in the top 5 he is the winningest coach of all time. Lombardi, the dang superbowl trophy is named after him. but you can make a case for many others. here is a name that has not been mentioned I dont think (maybe because he coached the BOYS) Jimmy Johnson. He won some superbowls took a one win team and made them a beast there in the 90's. Maybe not top 5 but possibly top 10. he is defenetely a great eye for talent, he just never got his quarterback in Miami, then no coach has really. If you look at his time in Miami though he did take them to the playoffs and they have pretty much been crap in that division since he left.

Jimmy Johnson? Please! He was lucky that the Minnesota braintrust was so incompetent in the Hershal Walker trade!

GhettoDogAllStars · 08-02-2007, 03:47 PM

1. Noll
2. Walsh
3. Gibbs
4. Shula
5. Landry

jayfrank12 · 08-02-2007, 03:50 PM

joe gibbs.no way.with the worst D last year IN THE NFL 31ST This guy drafts no linemen of any kind.thanks NASCAR JOE.TOP 5 NO WAY SORRY.

GhettoDogAllStars · 08-02-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayfrank12

joe gibbs.no way.with the worst D last year IN THE NFL 31ST This guy drafts no linemen of any kind.thanks NASCAR JOE.TOP 5 NO WAY SORRY.

Gibbs won 3 Superbowls, has a 162-93-0 career record, and he's in the Hall of Fame. Who cares if he had a bad season last year. Would he need to win the Superbowl every year to be worthy in your eyes?

ncskinsfanec · 08-05-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayfrank12

joe gibbs.no way.with the worst D last year IN THE NFL 31ST This guy drafts no linemen of any kind.thanks NASCAR JOE.TOP 5 NO WAY SORRY.

What are you, about 18 years old. Stop with the NASCAR Joe stuff (even though both of his drivers are top five in the points). In Joe Gibbs' heydey he could coach circles around some of these bums coaching today. I'll still take him today over any coach in the league (yes, even that hoody in New England with the questionable tatics)!

Jamaican'Skin · 08-02-2007, 05:27 PM

My list in no particular order include Lombardi, Shula, Gibbs, Walsh, and Landry

CHIEF CHUCKING MY SPEAR · 08-02-2007, 07:11 PM

Lombardi
Walsh
Gibbs
Landry
Noll
Shula
Halas
Belichick
Brown
Madden(Great Video Games)

GusFrerotte · 08-05-2007, 01:52 AM

1 Lombardi
2 Landry
3 Shula
4 Noll
5 Walsh

Coach Gibbs is in the top ten, but he better start turning things around this season or he is going to be outta there(top ten that is). He might be outta there(DC) if he can't produce. I will get ragged for this assesment, but it is the truth. You are only as good as your last game or season. IF Coach goes down a loser, the luster of that HOF career will be soiled for good. I think this is it for Coach. He will either go out on top or just leave in failure. We have the future QB crowned with a solid supporting cast. If we can't get to the playoffs this year, it will be a while til we do it again.

ncskinsfanec · 08-05-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

1 Lombardi
2 Landry
3 Shula
4 Noll
5 Walsh

Coach Gibbs is in the top ten, but he better start turning things around this season or he is going to be outta there(top ten that is). He might be outta there(DC) if he can't produce. I will get ragged for this assesment, but it is the truth. You are only as good as your last game or season. IF Coach goes down a loser, the luster of that HOF career will be soiled for good. I think this is it for Coach. He will either go out on top or just leave in failure. We have the future QB crowned with a solid supporting cast. If we can't get to the playoffs this year, it will be a while til we do it again.

I'm tempted to rag on you, but you're entitled to your opinion.

08-02-2007, 08:14 AM	#1
Football Man Camp Scrub Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 12	Re: Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches? 1. Bill Belichick 2. Vince Lombardi 3. Bill Walsh 4. Paul Brown 5. Don Shula Belichick has revolutionized franchise leadership -- in both coaching and personnel management -- in the salary cap era. Unlike the other coaches on this list (and Gibbs, etc.), he can't benefit from a payroll gap between rich and poor franchises. The current system was designed to create parity, but Belichick has gamed it via value-based player evaluation, a focus on position flexibility, and phenomenal game planning. He's the best coach in NFL history, bar none. Of course, as we all remember, Belichick also turned the Giants' defense into a powerhouse, winning two Super Bowls as a coordinator during the '80s. . . . A lot has been said about his lack of success in Cleveland. I disagree with that assessment. Belichick inherited a 3-13, then led them to consecutive seasons of 6-10, 7-9, 7-9, and 10-6 (plus a playoff victory over Parcells' Patriots). This steady improvement only abated in his final season, which Art Modell wrecked by his pre-season decision to move to Baltimore, throwing the season (and fan base) into the sewer.

08-02-2007, 08:28 AM	#4
bridaman51 Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roanoke Virginia Age: 47 Posts: 335	Re: Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches? what about Steve Spurrier????? I would have to put Don Shula in the top 5 he is the winningest coach of all time. Lombardi, the dang superbowl trophy is named after him. but you can make a case for many others. here is a name that has not been mentioned I dont think (maybe because he coached the BOYS) Jimmy Johnson. He won some superbowls took a one win team and made them a beast there in the 90's. Maybe not top 5 but possibly top 10. he is defenetely a great eye for talent, he just never got his quarterback in Miami, then no coach has really. If you look at his time in Miami though he did take them to the playoffs and they have pretty much been crap in that division since he left.

08-02-2007, 03:47 PM	#6
GhettoDogAllStars Playmaker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Age: 43 Posts: 2,762	Re: Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches? 1. Noll 2. Walsh 3. Gibbs 4. Shula 5. Landry __________________ To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.

08-02-2007, 03:50 PM	#7
jayfrank12 Camp Scrub Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 13	Re: Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches? joe gibbs.no way.with the worst D last year IN THE NFL 31ST This guy drafts no linemen of any kind.thanks NASCAR JOE.TOP 5 NO WAY SORRY.

08-02-2007, 05:27 PM	#10
Jamaican'Skin The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kingston, Jamaica Age: 38 Posts: 2,418	Re: Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches? My list in no particular order include Lombardi, Shula, Gibbs, Walsh, and Landry

08-02-2007, 07:11 PM	#11
CHIEF CHUCKING MY SPEAR Impact Rookie Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: va Age: 58 Posts: 890	Re: Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches? Lombardi Walsh Gibbs Landry Noll Shula Halas Belichick Brown Madden(Great Video Games)

08-05-2007, 01:52 AM	#12
GusFrerotte Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Detroit area Posts: 4,153	Re: Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches? 1 Lombardi 2 Landry 3 Shula 4 Noll 5 Walsh Coach Gibbs is in the top ten, but he better start turning things around this season or he is going to be outta there(top ten that is). He might be outta there(DC) if he can't produce. I will get ragged for this assesment, but it is the truth. You are only as good as your last game or season. IF Coach goes down a loser, the luster of that HOF career will be soiled for good. I think this is it for Coach. He will either go out on top or just leave in failure. We have the future QB crowned with a solid supporting cast. If we can't get to the playoffs this year, it will be a while til we do it again.

Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches?

Locker Room Main Forum