Leader – The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.
That’s what every National Football League owner seeks out when hiring a head coach. Many of the greatest coaches of all-time like, the great, Don Shula, Marty Schottenheimer, and the namesake of the Super Bowl Trophy, Vince Lombardi, were leader of teams that epitomized the characters of leadership through and through, whether it be on the field or off of it. While leading a team into battle comes directly with the job description, a truly great coach does things that set them apart from the masses to truly leave their legacy on the game of football, and hopefully earn them a spot in the hallowed halls of Canton, Ohio. While a leader demands respect and provides guidance in pursuit of the championship chase, along the way the incorporation of creativity into the playbook, motivation to their players, and strategic game planning against the opposing team is what truly makes the great coaches great, and creates the culture of excellence that leads to a Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.
With 2020 soon wrapping up, thank God, I thought it was best to look back over the last 20 years of head coaching in the NFL and determine who are the ultimate leaders in the locker room. Over the last 20 years, there has been 160 head coaching position open and filled, but only a few have stood the test of time and separated themselves from the pack, sure to land them in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the near future.
1. Bill Belichick - New England Patriots
Record: (279-133)
Head Coach Accolades: 17 Division titles, 6 Super Bowl victories
When asking any owner who would be an ideal head coach to lead your team to the Super Bowl, they immediately would say “Bill Belichick”. When hired by the New England Patriots in 2000 he was “given the keys to the Cadillac” after the recent fire of Pete Carroll. While starting his head coaching career in New England wasn’t necessarily daffodils and roses from the start, posting a 5-11 record his first season, it ignited a fire and complete culture change to take place in Foxborough. To this date that is his the only losing season with the New England Patriots. After the 5-11 season, Bill proceeded to draft the best quarterback ever out of the University of Michigan named Tom Brady and hasn't looked back since, even after TB12's departure for Tampa Bay. You know... this guy...
The bond between head coach and quarterback led to only 1 season of less than 10 wins out of 19 together. On top of that Bill has won the AFC East 11 straight times (that will sadly come to an end this year) and has been to the Super Bowl 9 times and has won it 6. These numbers over a 20-year period are unheard of it and shall be the highest bar set for any head coaching position. Now that’s all on the field, what about off the field? Well, Bill has built a culture in Massachusetts like no other, he is able to turn around young rookies, undisciplined players, and even old-time vets and get the best out of them. Bill Belichick at the end of his coaching tenure will go down as the best head coach of all-time, and that is why I have ranked #1 head coach over the last 20 years.
2. Andy Reid - Philadelphia Eagles/Kansas City Chiefs
Record: (218-129)
Head Coach Accolades 8 Division titles, 1 Super Bowl victory
From the face mask shield fogging up to the play calling sheet that was the local diner’s menu, Andy Reid comes in as the 2nd best head coach during this 20-year period. He began his head coaching career in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Similar to Belichick, drafting a franchise quarterback by the name of Donovan McNabb out of Syracuse University propelled Andy Reid’s coaching career, leading them to 4 straight conference championship games from the years 2001 to 2004. Finally, in 2004 Andy Reid was able to get over the hump and make it to the big dance versus Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Ultimately it wasn’t the result Andy wanted and the Philadelphia Eagles
lost 24-21. Andy continued on having a record of 8-8 or better for the next 6 out of 7 years until 2012 hit and the team saw a massive regress posting a record of 4-12. He then moved on to Kansas City and again followed a similar strategy as before drafting a franchise quarterback in Patrick Mahomes from Texas Tech University.
This has already led to one Super Bowl victory with potential for many more to come from this duo. Reid has shown the creativity and play calling scheme that can compete with the best and it shows year-in and year-out.
He knows how to get the best out of his guys, many past players have said such things as:
“I love him for giving me a chance to play in the National Football League.” – Travis Kelce
“His heart is like gold.” – Frank Clark
“I love the fact that he’s always willing to listen to you no matter what.” – Tyreek Hill
See, these little things that a head coach does off the field, can pay dividends on the field. This is what separates Andy Reid from other head coaches. Again, I state foggy mask and dinner menus don’t mean anything, Andy’s resume speaks for itself and that’s why he is the #2 head coach over the last 20 years.
3. Mike Tomlin
Record: (144-74)
Head Coaching Accolades: 6 Division titles, 1 Super Bowl victory
Motivation is the word that comes to mind when someone brings up Mike Tomlin’s name. The man is energetic, powerful, and determine week-in and week-out. When Mike joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007 this team was ready to go to battle for this man at any time. Mike was given massive shoes to fill after the retirement of Bill Cowher in 2006. Mike Tomlin became the 10th African American head coach in NFL history and the first in the Steelers franchise. He began his head coaching career with a 10-6 record and an AFC North title. Not a bad for a first-time head coach.
He followed up that performance with a 12-4 record, another AFC North title, and a Super Bowl victory in 2008. Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers have not won another Super Bowl since 2008 but have made the playoffs 6 out of 11 years. The most impressive thing that Mike Tomlin’s resume shows is not one losing season. Mike has finished 8-8 or better in every season he has coached. Mike Tomlin, I will say filled those shoes left from Bill Cowher immensely well. Steeler nation appreciates the hard work, determination, and energy he brings to this team and this city and for that, he comes in at #3 head coach over the last 20 years.
Throughout history, dynasties have come and gone; from the Qin or the Tang, the Windsors, the Yamatos, the Ottomans, the Romans, and the Hans. One day rulers of their respective countries and municipalities, and have one day ceased to exist, yet the legacy lives on. In the NFL, coaches come and go in what seems to sometimes be a revolving door in some organizations, but every once in awhile, for the few lucky teams, a coaching candidate that can change an organization's culture, on and off the field, usher in a decade or two of success and hopefully a couple Super Bowls along the way. While dynasties past and present have come and gone, the legacies remain, and for Belichick, Reid, and Tomlin, the legacies will always remain. Hopefully in the next 20 years we can talk about how Adam Gase is one of the worst coaches to ever stand on the sidelines.