Sporting News - Head Coach Rankings....

[sbk92]

Sideline to sideline: Who’s the best NFL coach?

SportingNews


There isn’t a single rookie head coach in the NFL this season, so it’s an ideal time to rank ‘em, 1-32. Sporting News' NFL writers and editors factored in championships, won-lost record, creativity, motivational skills, ability to limit turnovers/penalties and hiring and maintaining a quality staff. Then it was time to see what the players working for the top 10 coaches thought.


1. Bill Belichick, Patriots

QB Tom Brady: “I’ve always been privileged to play for Coach Belichick, who I’ve always said is the best coach in the history of the league. In terms of his work ethic and his preparation, he’s as diligent as he’s ever been.”

2. Sean Payton, Saints

QB Drew Brees: ” (Payton’s ranking is) well deserved. I mean, it’s hard to say who’s No. 1. But you certainly can’t argue with what Bill Belichick has done in his tenure there. … With the exception of training camp, guys have fun here. So I would say, more than anything, the way that Sean Payton is able to complement and combine that very disciplined, fair but stern attitude, with, ‘Hey, we’re going to have fun, and we’re going to enjoy what we do,’ (is what makes him a great coach).”

3. Jeff Fisher, Titans

DB Vincent Fuller: “Once he gets that Super Bowl title, which I hope we can bring him in the next couple of years, then he’ll be higher on the list. … He is the longest-tenured coach, so he has the respect there. And he takes care of his players. I don’t have another coach to base things off of, but I always hear horror stories from players who’ve left who complain and say it wasn’t like it was in Tennessee, coachingwise.”

4. Mike Shanahan, Redskins

MLB London Fletcher: ” Coach Shanahan should be the No. 1-rated coach in the league. He’s won back-to-back Super Bowls. He’s a proven winner. His approach to the game, the way he handles this team, is great. … He treats us like men .”

5. Mike Tomlin, Steelers

ILB James Farrior: ” He might even need to be higher. What he’s done since he’s been here has been phenomenal. His first year, he was a little hard on us, but he learned from that and the next year he changed a couple things and we were very successful. “

6. Andy Reid, Eagles

FB Leonard Weaver: “Obviously, Coach Reid hasn’t won (a Super Bowl) yet. … (But) if you’re going to base (the ranking) on wins and success—not just Super Bowls— then definitely Coach Reid is top two, top three.”

7. Tom Coughlin, Giants

TE Kevin Boss: ” He could bump up over those guys who haven’t won Super Bowls because he’s obviously done that just recently. I think that pretty much says it right there: He’s got a Super Bowl and they don’t. I think he deserves to be ahead of them .”

8. Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals

QB Matt Leinart: ” Just looking back at my rookie year, what we were as a team until now — it’s night and day. That’s due a lot to his philosophy and the attitude and discipline he’s brought to us. He’s been extremely hard on me, but I think it’s helped me to be mentally tougher and I think all that will pay off for both of us.”

9. John Harbaugh, Ravens

NT Kelly Gregg: ” The first five picks in the poll are excellent choices, but after that, I would put John Harbaugh around sixth or seventh. Some of those guys above him have won Super Bowls, but he has also gone to the playoffs in his first two seasons as head coach here. “

10. Rex Ryan, Jets

SS Jim Leonhard: ” He’s one of those personalities that people either love or hate. Look past that and look at the X’s and O’s. He’s as good a coach as there is in this league.”

11. Mike McCarthy, Packers
12. Jim Caldwell, Colts
13. John Fox, Panthers
14. Brad Childress, Vikings
15. Wade Phillips, Cowboys
16. Mike Smith, Falcons
17. Tony Sparano, Dolphins
18. Marvin Lewis, Bengals
19. Norv Turner, Chargers
20. Lovie Smith, Bears
21. Mike Singletary, 49ers
22. Jack Del Rio, Jaguars
23. Pete Carroll, Seahawks
24. Gary Kubiak, Texans
25. Eric Mangini, Browns
26. Josh McDaniels, Broncos
27. Todd Haley, Chiefs
28. Chan Gailey, Bills
29. Tom Cable, Raiders
30. Jim Schwartz, Lions
31. Raheem Morris, Buccaneers
32. Steve Spagnuolo, Rams

This story first appeared in the August 30, 2010 edition of Sporting News magazine.

 

[sbk92]

I would definitely rank Sparano over Phillips.

 

[Jon88]

I would rank Phillips as #1!

Go Cowboys!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

15th for Phillips... Yeah, that's probably about right.

 

[sbk92]

15th to 20th is probably where I'd put him.

Or in other words, a JAG.

 

[Midswat]

Phillips should be higher than a few names on that list. Childress, specifically.

I also think Reid is a bit high. I firmly believe that the lions share of his (and McNabb's success) derives from having those monster Jim Johnson defenses and playing in weak NFC East's for most of the past decade.

Also . . . Shannahan at #4? C'mon . . .

 

[Jon88]

Phillips should be higher than a few names on that list. Childress, specifically.

I also think Reid is a bit high. I firmly believe that the lions share of his (and McNabb's success) derives from having those monster Jim Johnson defenses and playing in weak NFC East's for most of the past decade.

Also . . . Shannahan at #4? C'mon . . .

"He treats us like men."

lol

What has Shanahan done since Elway retired?

I'll wait.

 

[sbk92]

"He treats us like men."

lol

What has Shanahan done since Elway retired?

I'll wait.

What has Wade Phillips done his entire career?

 

[Midswat]

What has Wade Phillips done his entire career?

Was Wade Phillips ranked #4th?

Was Jon88 commenting on Wade or otherwise suggesting Wade was the better coach?

unce

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

What body of work does Shanahan have with the Redskins? What is the criteria for this list? I think it's utterly simplistic to have Shanahan as the #4 HC because of his two Super Bowls. It's like everybody forgot the past 10 years. It's that same mentality that would lead to the idiotic conclusion that if Chuck Noll were to return, he would autotmaticlaly be the best HC in the elague because of his 4 Super Bowls.

 

[Midswat]

What body of work does Shanahan have with the Redskins? What is the criteria for this list? I think it's utterly simplistic to have Shanahan as the #4 HC because of his two Super Bowls. It's like everybody forgot the past 10 years. It's that same mentality that would lead to the idiotic conclusion that if Chuck Noll were to return, he would autotmaticlaly be the best HC in the elague because of his 4 Super Bowls.

I get your intention, but disagree with the analogy. Knoll coached and had success in a different era. The league was different back then.

Shanny's success wasn't that long ago.

I just think 4th is too high for him.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I get your intention, but disagree with the analogy. Knoll coached and had success in a different era. The league was different back then.

Shanny's success wasn't that long ago.

I just think 4th is too high for him.

In 16 years of being a head coach, outside of those 2 Super Bowls, he has but only ONE PLAYOFF WIN. That's where the argument gets weak when people try to say that Elway didn't win a Super Bowl until Shanahan's arrival, which is true, but he was already winning games and playoffs long before Shanahan.

 

[Midswat]

In 16 years of being a head coach, outside of those 2 Super Bowls, he has but only ONE PLAYOFF WIN. That's where the argument gets weak when people try to say that Elway didn't win a Super Bowl until Shanahan's arrival, which is true, but he was already winning games and playoffs long before Shanahan.

I wasn't aware of that.

What is suprising about that is . . . he has coached in such a putrid division for so long.

The NFC East, he'll find, is a little tougher than the AFC West.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I wasn't aware of that.

What is suprising about that is . . . he has coached in such a putrid division for so long.

The NFC East, he'll find, is a little tougher than the AFC West.

Oh yeah! His first stint as a HC was with the Raiders and he stunk it up there. In Shanahan's last 3 years with the Broncos, his record was 24-24. I'll tell you what. I'd rather have Reid as an HC than Shanahan. Can it be denied that Reid has been the better coach the past 10 years?

 

[sbk92]

Oh yeah! His first stint as a HC was with the Raiders and he stunk it up there. In Shanahan's last 3 years with the Broncos, his record was 24-24. I'll tell you what. I'd rather have Reid as an HC than Shanahan. Can it be denied that Reid has been the better coach the past 10 years?

I don't know. I think you're right that Reid has been better the last ten years. Not by much, but better. However, Shanahan has shown the ability to win it all. Reid hasn't. He's had teams that were capable and I always felt he was out coached in big games.

I do know one thing though. Either of those guys could be diagnosed with Alzheimer's and still be a better head coach than the fat guy we have here.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I don't know. I think you're right that Reid has been better the last ten years. Not by much, but better

10 playoff wins in 10 myears IS much more than 1 playoff win in 10 years.

However, Shanahan has shown the ability to win it all. Reid hasn't. He's had teams that were capable and I always felt he was out coached in big games.

With certain variable in place, sure he's "shown the ability" to win it all, but where was that ability 10 years after?

I do know one thing though. Either of those guys could be diagnosed with Alzheimer's and still be a better head coach than the fat guy we have here.

Shanahan's one playoff win in 10 years is less relevant than the playoff win that Wade just won. Also... how was Wade able to beat Reid 3 times in a row? In fact, Wade is 5-2 against Reid with the Cowboys, but don't let those littl factopids get in the way of your PMS/menopausal ranting.

 

[sbk92]

10 playoff wins in 10 myears IS much more than 1 playoff win in 10 years.

You can't discount the previous success. You can't cherry pick seasons. You have to look at the whole career.

Shanahan was in a rebuilding mode after Elway. Reid hasn't had to do that until this season with Kolb.

Shanahan's one playoff win in 10 years is less relevant than the playoff win that Wade just won. Also... how was Wade able to beat Reid 3 times in a row? In fact, Wade is 5-2 against Reid with the Cowboys, but don't let those littl factopids get in the way of your PMS/menopausal ranting.

Actually Shanahan's is much more relevant. Because he built the team. Fat Wade arrived after an all timer. He didn't build shat. He can't build shat. As evidenced by his entire career. He's a binge eating Barry Switzer.

 

[Midswat]

Actually Shanahan's is much more relevant. Because he built the team. Fat Wade arrived after an all timer. He didn't build shat. He can't build shat. As evidenced by his entire career. He's a binge eating Barry Switzer.

It doesn't matter how many times you say this . . . it doesn't make it true.

14 out of the 53 players were brought here during Parcells tenure.

Four of the 14 came during Parcells final year with the team. Meaning they've spent the majority of their careers being coached by Wade. Only a fool would even attempt to try and give Parcells credit for their development. Especially considering two of which were undrafted free agents, meaning they needed significant development time.

Parcells gets no credit for two of the remaining 10 (Ware & Newman) because those are well documented Jerry/Stephen picks that Parcells was against selecting.

The remaining 8 I'll give credit to Parcells . . . but three (Barber, James, Ratliff) of which improved significantly when not coached by BP and his antiquated schemes.

You should print this out and read it daily.