The NFL's Best Coaches Heading Into 2006

[12th man]

They List Shanahan as numero uno, so I thought I would post it.

http://sports.aol.com/nfl/story_nodrambuie/_a/the-nfls-best-coaches-heading-into-2006/20060611160309990001


The NFL's Best Coaches Heading Into 2006
Which Five Give Their Teams the Best Chance to Win?
By IRA MILLER, AOL
AOL
Sports Commentary


There's no such thing as a real NFL coaches convention, but if there were, everyone would have needed name tags this year. Nearly a third of the teams in the league - 10 of 32 - has a new coach.

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And even some of the old stand-bys are nearing the end of the line, such as Bill Parcells, whose next retirement will be his fourth and, almost surely, his last. All the changes may have affected the pecking order, so here's a subjective list of the five best coaches heading into this year:


1. Mike Shanahan, Denver


He went a long time without so much as a playoff victory after John Elway's retirement, but Shanahan proved he still had it last year with an overachieving team that reached the AFC championship game following some much-debated personnel moves in the off-season.


Of course, to really show he still has it, Shanahan must get to the Super Bowl with Jake Plummer, and that's not going to be easy, especially with the team's heir apparent quarterback, Jay Cutler, waiting in the wings. But Denver has a running game and defense good enough that Plummer should be able to continue the development he has shown the last three seasons.


2. Bill Belichick, New England

Not much of a credibility issue here, after three Super Bowl titles since 2001 and the ruthlessness on the personnel side that is required to keep a team on top. Belichick is smart enough that, it appears, he has given quarterback Tom Brady more freedom to run the offense as the years have gone on.


Belichick, of course, is known as a defensive master, but last year the Patriots' defense fell to 26th in the league. You have to think he will get that fixed this season. As to the obvious question, why Shanahan over Belichick, it's this simple: In the last five seasons, during the Patriots' dynasty time, they have played Denver five times. The Broncos won four of the games.


3. Mike Holmgren, Seattle


It is Holmgren's good fortune that his two head-coaching positions came with unlimited patience, particularly this one. Not many owners would have given their coach as much time as Paul Allen gave Holmgren, but Allen's patience was rewarded with last year's trip to the Super Bowl.


Holmgren may be the best in the league at developing quarterbacks, and his work with Matt Hasselbeck might even trump the coaching job he did developing Brett Favre. This team is set up to make another run at the Super Bowl, and the Seahawks appear to have just the right combination of talent and hunger. It's up to Holmgren to prevent them from falling into the trap that consumed the last five Super Bowl losers.


4. Tony Dungy, Indianapolis


Dungy has nurtured two young teams to elite status, the Bucs and now the Colts. Unfortunately, he has had very little success in the post-season, twice reaching a conference championship game and losing to the eventual Super Bowl winner.


Dungy is probably the coach most NFL players would most want to play for. That, of course, is a two-edged sword, because some players perform better when they're not very comfortable, and Dungy is comfortable to play for because he's such a classy man. At some point, however, he has to take a team to the Super Bowl to avoid a lasting asterisk against his record.


5. Andy Reid, Philadelphia


Four straight trips to the NFC title game cemented Reid's reputation, but now he faces a huge challenge in putting back together a team that was torn apart by Terrell Owens. You have to believe Reid knew what he was getting into when he took Owens in the first place, and critics now can argue forever whether that move was worth it.


Nonetheless, this is a man you wouldn't want to play poker with, and because of that, the feeling is he will manage to bring his team back. Reid may be the most unflappable coach in the league, even moreso than the stoic Dungy. Another reason he'll bring the Eagles back is kind scheduling; three of the first four games this season are against the 49ers, Texans and Packers, who were a combined 10-38 last year.


Who may be the next to make this list? Could well be Nick Saban of Miami. He did a nice job in his first season and he has managed to handle the Ricky Williams situation as well as anyone could possibly have. If the Dolphins can revive Daunte Culpepper's career, they will position themselves as a contender for years.


Ira Miller is an award-winning sportswriter who has covered the National Football league for three decades and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. He is the national columnist for The Sports Xchange and his blog can be viewed at www.mysportspage.com.

[minibronco]

Nice read and find. Definitely agree.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

No coach should have to win the Super Bowl with Jake Plummer in order to prove they "still have it." That's asking way too much.

[BABronco]

No coach should have to win the Super Bowl with Jake Plummer in order to prove they "still have it." That's asking way too much.

Agreed... what's the world coming to when I agree with a chief fanUhh

[sirhcyennek81]

Yeah. Brady 1-4 vs Denver. A continuation of Bronco dominance over New England.

:Broncos:

[ND Bronco Fan]

How things change in one year, last year every article concerning Shanahan had him on the hot seat.

[Tombstone RJ]

Funny that there is no mention of Cowher. He's usually slobbered over.

[penguintheory]

Belichick gets the ceremonial literary fellatio.

Belichick is smart enough that, it appears, he has given quarterback Tom Brady more freedom to run the offense as the years have gone on.

This doesn't even make sense. Belichick is a genius, so Tom Brady now has more freedom to run the offense? Makes no sense, even from the English perspective.

[Tombstone RJ]

Belichick gets the ceremonial literary fellatio.



This doesn't even make sense. Belichick is a genius, so Tom Brady now has more freedom to run the offense? Makes no sense, even from the English perspective.

I don't know why this is so confusing. The article is simply saying Belicick is smart enough to give Brady more freedom to controll the offense. In other words, he's smart enough not to micro-manage the best QB in the NFL.

[Ballhawk]

Denver was so close to going 15-1, that I take exception to being descibed as overachievers. If anything we underachieve in the AFCC game.

[ZachKC]

Denver was so close to going 15-1, that I take exception to being descibed as overachievers. If anything we underachieve in the AFCC game.
There isn't a team in the NFL who can't say they were "so" close to a 3 game swing.

[ludo21]

There isn't a team in the NFL who can't say they were "so" close to a 3 game swing.


We also pulled some games out that were close, so 10-6 was also possible.

I agree, the, "we could have been this" argument, sucks.

[youcandoit1687]

shanny and BB could be debated but the head to head record is very telling IMO. another distinction is that bellichick has a smudge on his record in cleveland(36-44) whiile shanny was never on a "loser team"

All-time------BB---MS
Rseason...... 99-77 122-74
Pseason...... 11-2 8-5
SBs............ 3 2
H2H............ 1 4
Lseasons..... 5/11 2/12

BBs playoff record is better but the losing seasons,head-to-head, and reg season records are all in Shanny's favor

[12th man]

We also pulled some games out that were close, so 10-6 was also possible.

I agree, the, "we could have been this" argument, sucks.
I agree. that especially goes to the people who say we overacheived. I hate when people say that at all.

[Ballhawk]

There isn't a team in the NFL who can't say they were "so" close to a 3 game swing.

It is not about the wins, but the fact that we were in each and every game for 15 straight weeks after a poorly played opening game. That is consistancy not overachieving. Teams just do not go 13-2 by overachieving.

[12th man]

It is not about the wins, but the fact that we were in each and every game for 15 straight weeks after a poorly played opening game. That is consistancy not overachieving. Teams just do not go 13-2 by overachieving.
Exactly. we were what we were last year. there were close games we should have lost but found a way to win it in the end, and some we should have won that were very close games.( like the giant game.) with the scheadule we had last year, how did we over acheive. that was one tough schedule,and we were one hell of a team.

[Kaylore]

Of course, to really show he still has it, Shanahan must get to the Super Bowl with Jake Plummer, and that's not going to be easy, especially with the team's heir apparent quarterback, Jay Cutler, waiting in the wings.
I don't get this part. How is it that Cutler's mere presence makes it harder to get to the Super Bowl?

[Ballhawk]

I don't get this part. How is it that Cutler's mere presence makes it harder to get to the Super Bowl?I think the writer is assuming Shanny will only have 1 more shot to get to the SB with Plummer, then Cutler will take over. Somehow I guess winning with Cutler will not be as impressive as winning with Jake.

As least that is what I took away.

[Kaylore]

Tony Dungy doesn't belong on that list. He's another Marty Schottenheimer.

[Spider]

What the herminator isnt on the list ? ROFL!

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Tony Dungy doesn't belong on that list. He's another Marty Schottenheimer.

Dungy is Manning's biatch.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

What the herminator isnt on the list ? ROFL!

Give Herm some time, he's only been a head coach for five years.

[Tombstone RJ]

Tony Dungy doesn't belong on that list. He's another Marty Schottenheimer.

Yep, Cowher should replace Dungy, and I'm not a big Cowher fan. In fact, I'd say Cowher was overhyped before winning the SB. However, I have much more respect for him now, epseically with that wild card streak to the SB and a win over a good Seattle team.

[youcandoit1687]

What the herminator isnt on the list ? ROFL!

i was just gonna add him...

39-41
2 losing seasons out of 5
2-3 and no SBs

[Spider]

i was just gonna add him...

39-41
2 losing seasons out of 5
2-3 and no SBs
LOL .........

[BroncoBuff]

1. Belichick
2. Shanahan
3. Parcells
4. Holmgren

OVERRATED: Herm, Cowher, Gruden

[youcandoit1687]

Give Herm some time, he's only been a head coach for five years.

mike shanahan was 54-26 and had won two SBs by the end of his fifth year coaching...just saying...

[Bob's your Information Minister]

mike shanahan was 54-26 and had won two SBs by the end of his fifth year coaching...just saying...

And I'm just saying you're WRONG.

Mike Shanahan was 41-27 with one SB win after five years.

Moving onto the right organization did wonders for Shanahan. Perhaps it can do the same for Edwards?

[Tombstone RJ]

1. Belichick
2. Shanahan
3. Parcells
4. Holmgren

OVERRATED: Herm, Cowher, Gruden, Dungy

You forgot one, so I added him in there....

[Spider]

Give Herm some time, he's only been a head coach for five years.
What Herminator on a ten year plan ?

[Tombstone RJ]

And I'm just saying you're WRONG.

Mike Shanahan was 41-27 with one SB win after five years.

Moving onto the right organization did wonders for Shanahan. Perhaps it can do the same for Edwards?

Yah, Shanny was really struggling, ya know, with his SB victory with the Niners and all...Hilarious!

[Kaylore]

i was just gonna add him...

39-41
2 losing seasons out of 5
2-3 and no SBs Hilarious! And Bob is trying to say that those numbers are comparable to Shanahan's.

I can't wait to hear a whole slew of new "Hermisms" after losses this year about drinking kool-aid and riding buses.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Yah, Shanny was really struggling, ya know, with his SB victory with the Niners and all...Hilarious!

I was referring to his head coaching tenure with the Raiders.

[Spider]

Hilarious! And Bob is trying to say that those numbers are comparable to Shanahan's.
LOL bob is more full of **** then a christmas goose

[BroncoBuff]

You forgot one, so I added him in there....
Yeah .... Dungy is the #1 WORST playoff head coach EVER ...

... despite amassing phenomenal regualr season records for both the Bucs and Colts.

[youcandoit1687]

And I'm just saying you're WRONG.

Mike Shanahan was 41-27 with one SB win after five years.

Moving onto the right organization did wonders for Shanahan. Perhaps it can do the same for Edwards?

well if u want to count a 4 game season then whatever bob, youre just weird like that. the fact remains that he has a way better record and stats than your boy herm and still will after the sixth season, seventh season, etc.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Hilarious! And Bob is trying to say that those numbers are comparable to Shanahan's.


Mmm, not at all.

All I'm saying is that Shanahan was unsuccessful in his first head-coaching gig for a variety of reasons. Coming to Denver was great for him.

Maybe the same can be true for Herm coming to KC.

[12th man]

You forgot one, so I added him in there....
Have to add Jim Mora Jr.

[Tombstone RJ]

I was referring to his head coaching tenure with the Raiders.

Shanahan's stint in faider land IS the anomoly of his career, not par for the course.

[12th man]

Mmm, not at all.

All I'm saying is that Shanahan was unsuccessful in his first head-coaching gig for a variety of reasons. Coming to Denver was great for him.

Maybe the same can be true for Herm coming to KC.
Actually one reason. Al Davis. It's Davis' way or the highway.

[youcandoit1687]

Have to add Jim Mora Jr.

playoffs?Hilarious! you're talking about PLAYoffs?Hilarious!

[Spider]

since we are talking about coaches .. i wonder if Marty Schottinhiemer Sp? had a son would mart let his son Marry John Elways daughter ? and if they did marry could you imagine the Holiday get togethers ?

[12th man]

playoffs?Hilarious! you're talking about PLAYoffs?Hilarious!
yeah that's good stuff. but I was talking about his son.

[PatsWin2002]

I will be interested to see if Herm will continue to have poor clock mismanagement and questionable in-game decision making.

If he keeps that stuff up, with all other things being equal, Shanny will eat him for lunch just the way Belichick did. Bank on it.

[12th man]

I will be interested to see if Herm will continue to have poor clock mismanagement and questionable in-game decision making.

If he keeps that stuff up, with all other things being equal, Shanny will eat him for lunch just the way Belichick did. Bank on it.
hahaha! poor herm. He went to NY and had to deal with Belichic, and now comes here and as to deal with shanny. I mean he had/has to deal with two of the best coaches who have one multiple SB's, and now Denver is in a postion where they can win another one. He has it rough. Oh well, sh1t happens.

[PatsWin2002]

hahaha! poor herm. He went to NY and had to deal with Belichic, and now comes here and as to deal with shanny. I mean he had/has to deal with two of the best coaches who have one multiple SB's, and now Denver is in a postion where they can win another one. He has it rough. Oh well, sh1t happens.

We'll find out if Shanny is playing chess and Herm is still playing checkers. Ha!

[youcandoit1687]

yeah that's good stuff. but I was talking about his son.
lol sorry i ges jim mora SR. wouldnt have had his playoff rant if he was in the playoffs often enough to choke

[kmartin575]

mike shanahan was 54-26 and had won two SBs by the end of his fifth year coaching...just saying...

Shanahan has also coached a more stable franchise. New York has a history of boneheaded moves, even before Herm Edwards came there. It's kind of hard to succeed on a team where when the fans are shouting "Warren Sapp" the team drafts a freaking tight end who has turned out to be pretty much a nobody. Shanahan was more successful but he was also with a better franchise.

[kmartin575]

Yeah .... Dungy is the #1 WORST playoff head coach EVER ...

... despite amassing phenomenal regualr season records for both the Bucs and Colts.

No, that title belongs to Marty Schottenheimer.

[Ballhawk]

Herm is in a "been there done that" situation. He is inheriting a team with a stud RB (CuMart) an aging QB (Testaverde) and old or unproven WR corps (Chrebet and Coles) and a D that has one good DL, LB and CB... (Abraham, Lewis and Glenn).

Give him 4 years and KC will be the celler dwellers of the AFC east.

[kmartin575]

Herm is in a "been there done that" situation. He is inheriting a team with a stud RB (CuMart) an aging QB (Testaverde) and old or unproven WR corps (Chrebet and Coles) and a D that has one good DL, LB and CB... (Abraham, Lewis and Glenn).

Give him 4 years and KC will be the celler dwellers of the AFC east.

I think it's a little too early to say that. Not saying Herm Edwards is as good as Bill Belichick or that he ever will be, but Belichick was pretty crappy in his first coaching job in Cleveland and now he is pretty damn good. Tony Dungy was pretty crappy in Tampa Bay but now in Indianapolis he has done pretty damn good. Coaches have turned there fortunes around plenty of times and it easily can happen to Herm. Herm wasn't even all that bad in New York. Going to the playoffs 3 out of 5 years is better than most coaches can claim they have done.

[penguintheory]

I don't know why this is so confusing. The article is simply saying Belicick is smart enough to give Brady more freedom to controll the offense. In other words, he's smart enough not to micro-manage the best QB in the NFL.

Am I misreading? I don't see how it takes a genius to drop the reins and let your QB run his own offense. I can see how it takes a genius to engineer that offense and make it work around your quarterback, or a genius to train your quarterback to become a superstar maybe, but calling Belichick "smart" for basically doing less on offense? Sounds like the writer is throwing a bone to Patriots fans. Typical.

[Kaylore]

I think it's a little too early to say that. Not saying Herm Edwards is as good as Bill Belichick or that he ever will be, but Belichick was pretty crappy in his first coaching job in Cleveland and now he is pretty damn good. Tony Dungy was pretty crappy in Tampa Bay but now in Indianapolis he has done pretty damn good. Coaches have turned there fortunes around plenty of times and it easily can happen to Herm. Herm wasn't even all that bad in New York. Going to the playoffs 3 out of 5 years is better than most coaches can claim they have done.
Not at all. Tony Dungy is exactly what he was in Tampa: a coach who could put some players together and get some nice regular season wins, but when it came to playoff time he chokes.

[BroncoBuff]

Has anybody ever thought of just how similar the careers of Marty Schottenheimer and Dan Reeves are? Conservative, run-oriented coaches, great reg season reacords with multiple teams, post-season choke histories (though Reeves' chockes came a week or two later than Marty's...)

Very similar careers ...

[Kaylore]

Has anybody ever thought of just how similar the careers of Marty Schottenheimer and Dan Reeves are? Conservative, run-oriented coaches, great reg season reacords with multiple teams, post-season choke histories (though Reeves' chockes came a week or two later than Marty's...)

Very similar careers ...
All Reeves needed to do was find a more imaginiative offensive coordinator and he would have had more success. In a lot of those Super Bowl loses we were just out-matched man for man. We made a game out of it in the first few quarters but once they started defensing Elway, things just fell apart.

[Atlas]

All Reeves needed to do was find a more imaginiative offensive coordinator and he would have had more success.

Ummmmmm, Shanny was offensive coordinator.