Top 5 All-Time Head Coaches?

[Slingin Sammy 33]

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]

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...