Last offseason there was a thread that was unfortunately lost by the server crash about the top head coaches in football. Obviously I don't have the results in front of me but as I recall there was much admiration for Belichick, Andy Reid and John Fox in particular. I'd like to see what people think now, a year into the future. Here's my top 5: 1) Bill Belichick 2) John Fox 3) Jon Gruden 4) Mike Shanahan 5) Mike Holmgren
That's a decent top five. I might tinker with the order depending on the time of season and how their teams are doing, but that would just be me being indecisive. On August 24, 2006, I'd go with that list. I could see someone arguing for Gibbs, Parcells, or Reid. Maybe even Dungy, although I can't imagine why.
1) Bill Belicheck - can't argue with the resume 2) Bill Parcells - knows how to build a team better than anyone 3) Mike Shanahan - year in and year out contenders 4) Bill Cowher - always produces a solid team and now has a SB 5) Mike Holmgren - has won a SB; teams are typically competitive Up and coming: John Fox (needs to win a SB); Andy Reid (see John Fox); Marvin Lewis (some questionable acquisitions but can certainly coach); Eric Mangini (has the pedigree, can he get it done?)
Gruden's results are undeniable. I left Bill Cowher off of my list because he only wins with great teams--he can't take average talent to the next level. I left Marvin Lewis off my list because he seems compelled to collect as many convicts as possible on his team, and because he got into a fistfight with Chad Johnson during a playoff game last year. I left Parcells off my list because he hasn't won a superbowl in 15 years and always leaves teams in bad hands.
I imagine it is difficult to say Cowher only wins with great teams. Considering that he has been the coach there forever and they typically live with home grown talent.
No "Mangenius" on the list? Even though he hasn't coached a regular season game I thought some homer's here would have had him. We'll have to wait a few years for the verdict on him!
1. Belichick Hard to argue with 3 SB's 2. Cowher He would be 2nd without winning a SB. All he does is win. How many AFC championshios has he gone to with different QB's. 3. Holmgren 4. Shottenheimer He might not win the big game but wins year after year. 5. Reid/Fox/Shanhan/Fox/Dungy/Edwards BTW Parcells would not make my top 15. One has to wonder who was responsible for his winning seasons him or Belichick.
So let me get this straight. Bill Cowher gets a team quarterbacked by KORDELL STEWART to several AFC Championship games. Last I checked..Kordell was a BELOW average quarterback. Bill Cowher deserves to be in any top 5 listing..PERIOD
I dont get the love for Gibbs hes not really that great of a coach anymore. His style of offense that used to work doesnt anymore. But he still is a smart coach because he handed over the offense and defense to coaches that know how to win in todays nfl, Saunders and Williams run that team now.
For all the times that Bill Cowher got his teams into the playoffs, how often did he win games? He deserves credit for finally capturing a super bowl last season, but it's worth noting that the Indy game was the only contest in which the Steelers weren't the pretty decisive favorites. Kordell may have been mediocre but the Steelers lived on the ground anyway. When his teams are good he wins. When they are mediocre (like in the late '90s) they lose.
