8 Greatest Coaches the NFL Has Seen

A coach is the leader behind any team’s victory. They help unleash athletes’ potential and improve their performance. This is particularly important in a team sport. In this article, you’ll find the list of the best NFL coaches throughout history.

What Makes a Great Coach

It is not only about titles. It is about the whole body of work a professional does that makes an impact on the whole industry. The great performance shows consistency in the result as well as the ability to adjust and adapt.

Working with a great coach is often a secret to a team’s success. Because athletes get to learn from experts and enhance their skills. This applies to all spheres of life – an expert mentor can assist one in becoming better at what one does. For instance, take academic writing. A lot of college students struggle with it as it requires advanced skills and preparation.

Often the case, students do not know where to start or how to approach a task. That’s why paper writing help by WritePaper is an immense opportunity to access expert advice. It is a professional academic writing platform that offers assistance to all students in need. Experienced writers deliver writing, editing, and proofreading as well as guidance on the fundamentals of success in this field. By collaborating with experts, one can learn from the best, use examples, and develop skills based on that.

This is a valuable opportunity for students to get help, whether they do not have time for an essay or lack confidence in their performance. Learning from the best is a game-changer in every sphere.

The great leader and coach are defined by several factors, such as:

• Innovative strategy and leadership;
• Consistent performance;
• Team performances in championships and competitions;
• Ability to bounce back from failures;
• Working with multiple teams based on individual approaches to each of them;
• Making an impact on the sport and industry as a whole.

Taking all of these sports factors into consideration, this list was created. The coaches are given in no particular order, as all of them have their unique strengths.

Top NFL Coaches of All Time

George Allen

George Allen was a one-of-a-kind leader with a unique approach. He worked with the Los Angeles Rams (1966-1970) and Washington (1971-1977). In his career, he achieved 3 division titles, 7 playoff berths, and a place in the Hall of Fame.

In 12 years, he had never had a losing season, which is a great indicator of consistency in the tactics. It is safe to say that he made a permanent impact on the industry. George Allen started to hire full-time special coaches for the team and could trade draft picks for veterans (with Washington). He was all about working 24/7, strict discipline, and motivation to win. His career’s winning percentage is .712, which is quite impressive.

Marty Schottenheimer

The teams he worked with are:

• Cleveland (1984-1988);
• Kansas City (1989-1998);
• Washington (2001);
• San Diego (2002-2006).

Marty Schottenheimer won 8 division titles and had only two losing seasons with all 4 teams. His tactics were about the organization, fundamental approach, and cohesion to increase productivity. This can be compared to what an architect does – building something almost from scratch. For example, playoff teams from rosters.

He is a strong case of what a comprehensive and structured approach can do to a team.

Bill Cowher

Bill Cowher worked with Pittsburgh from 1992 to 2006. He gained 8 division titles and 12-9 playoffs. He is also a Super Bowl XL Champion and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He made the playoffs for the first 6 years in a row, which only Paul Brown managed to do as well. Bill Cowher is a passionate coach with a unique approach and a bit arrogant team tactics. He was a great motivator and loyal leader to his team.

Marv Levy

Marv Levy worked with Kansas City (1978-1982) and Buffalo Bills (1986-1997). In his career, he acquired 6 division titles, 4 Super Bowl appearances (all of them were lost, however), and 11 to 8 playoffs. All of that is because of his outstanding coaching techniques.

With Buffalo, he won four consecutive AFC Championships. His path to fame was not straightforward, but he made it there. He started by coaching football and basketball to prep students and reached A-list celebrities and professionals. And he introduced a unique no-huddle offense with Buffalo. Another important lesson from him is about getting back on track after a failure, overcoming stress, and making it to the top again.

Vince Lombardi

He has an amazing track record with both teams he coached (Green Bay and Washington):

• 9-1 playoffs;
• 6 division titles;
• 3 NFL Championships;
• 2 Super Bowl Championships.

One of the major impacts he gave this sport is the coaching ethos. There is a multitude of books, documentaries, and even plays about his career and approach. In his methods, he combined a bit of father figure and philosopher. He was a cultural icon and an amazing leader.

Not only did he bring his athletes to victories, but he preached winning well and the priority of desire to win rather than the victory itself.

Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick has one of the longest and most fruitful careers in the NFL. He worked with Cleveland from 1991 to 1995 and with New England from 2000 till the present. He won 17 division titles (7 AFC Championships) and 6 Super Ball Championships. His playoff ratio is 31 to 13.

He defined his area, to put it simply. He is not only about training and applying strategies but also about exploiting market inefficiencies. He is a great communicator; you will never see him screaming at his players. And he is also a master when it comes to defensive tactics.

Don Shula

This is another long-standing legend in the NFL. Don Shula coached the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969. After that, he worked with Miami from 1970 to 1995. He won 16 division titles and 2 Super Bowl Championships. His playoff score is 19 to 17.

He brought both teams to their heights and worked with some legendary athletes like Bob Griese and Dan Marino. His methods were about balance, resilience, and teamwork. Don Shula is known for consistency – he won more games than any other NFL coach ever.

Bill Walsh

Bill Walsh only worked with San Francisco from 1979 to 1988. He acquired 6 division titles and 3 Super Bowl victories. The playoff ratio is 10 to 4. He was a revolutionary leader with a three-step drop offense, short throws, and quick reads. He could make the best out of the worst situation.

Short-passing is so prominent in football, all thanks to him. His coaching was holistic and also included a culture of mutual respect, accountability, and leadership. Contrary to others, his approach was more like a business than a military, which proved to be extremely effective.

In Summary

A coach can make or break the team. This role is based on leadership, tactics, philosophy, and a holistic approach to the game. These legendary NFL coaches made a significant impact on the sport we know and love today.