The National Football League (NFL) is among the most celebrated sports leagues in the world. It is divided into the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). A total of 32 teams participate in the league every season. In a span of 17 weeks, over 200 games were held in the NFL.
Being the highest level of professional American football, the NFL boasts each team’s most competent and accomplished coaches. Since it was founded as the American Football Association in 1920, many prolific football coaches have sharpened the skills of many successful football players in history.
Let’s learn more about these top five coaches in the league’s history and discover their contributions to the development of the sport.
Bill Belichick
Born on April 16, 1952, Bill Belichick was mentored by his father to become one of the greatest football coaches in the sport’s history. He has coached the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and New York Jets.
He was also the General manager de facto of the Cleveland Browns and, presently, the New England Patriots, which could possibly climb in the NFL Power Rankings and dominate FanDuel NFL Lines and odds as the league kicks off this September 7, 2023.
Belichick was named the NFL’s longest-tenured active head coach, winning six NFL titles and two other coaches in the league (Curly Lambeau and Geroge Halas). Moreover, he was a three-time AP NFL Coach of the Year (2003, 2007, & 2010).
He was also the NFL coach with the most Super Bowl appearances (12) and most playoff wins as a head coach (31), among many other notable record-breaking achievements. Belichick was also named the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) Executive of the Year 2021.
Vince Lombardi
There is no doubt that Vince Lombardi is the greatest football coach in the history of the NFL. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 11, 1913. As a player, Lombardi played for Wilmington Clippers in 1937 and the Brooklyn Eagles in 1938. He was the assistant coach for Salesianum School, St. Cecilia High School, Fordham Rams, and Army Black Knights. Lombardi was also an offensive coordinator for the New York Giants. He also accepted the role of head coach and general manager for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins.
As a head coach in the NFL, Lombardi never had a losing season. After dying of cancer in 1970, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moreover, the Lombardi Trophy for the Super Bowl was named after him.
The other honors Lombardi has received were the Silver Buffalo Award (1969), 2× NFL Coach of the Year (1959 & 1961), 3× NFL Champion (1961, 1962, 1965), 2× Super Bowl Champion (I, II). He was also enshrined in the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame, the American Football Association’s Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988), and the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame (1976).
Don Shula
Don Shula was a prolific defensive back for the NFL teams he has played for (Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins). He was born on January 4, 1940, in Grand River, Ohio. As a coach, he worked for the Virginia Cavaliers, Kentucky Wildcats, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts, and Miami Dolphins.
Shula was a 4× AP NFL Coach of the Year (1964, 1967, 1968, and 1972). In addition, the American professional football coach was also awarded the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (1993). He also received the Lamar Hunt Award (2013).
Moreover, coach Shula holds the record for the most total wins as a head coach (347) and most regular season wins as a head coach (328). He also notably coached the 1972 Miami Dolphins, which achieved the only perfect season in the NFL’s history.
Tom Landry
Thomas Landry was the first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. He was born on September 11, 1924, in Mission, Texas. Before pursuing his coaching career, Landry was a punter and back for the New York Yankees and New York Giants. He was named First-team All-Pro in 1954 and the 2× NFL punting yards leader in 1952 and 1955.
As a coach, he was a defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He received the NFL Coach of the Year (1966), UPI NFL Coach of the Year (1975), and the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. Moreover, Landry holds the record for most career wins by a head coach (250).
Paul Brown
American football coach Paul Brown has coached Severn School, Massillon Washington High School, Ohio State Buckeyes, Great Lakes Navy, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals. He also became general manager/part-owner of the Cleveland Browns in 1946-1962 and vice president of the same team in 1962. From 1968 to 1990, Brown became the owner/president of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Brown received the AP NFL Coach of the Year (1970) and 3× UPI NFL Coach of the Year (1957, 1969, & 1970). He was also awarded the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor and the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor.
Conclusion
The NFL’s evolution through the years is owed to the players, supporters, and coaches who have steadfastly honed football talents for generations, ensuring their lasting legacies in the sport’s history. They may have different coaching styles, but all their achievements translate to an improved NFL landscape, more than just leading their teams to multiple victories.