Thread: Ranking all 32 NFL head coaches

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=tsn-166944

Sideline to sideline: Who’s the best NFL coach?

There isn’t a single rookie head coach in the NFL this season, so it’s an ideal time to rank ‘em, 1-32. Sporting News' NFL writers and editors factored in championships, won-lost record, creativity, motivational skills, ability to limit turnovers/penalties and hiring and maintaining a quality staff. Then it was time to see what the players working for the top 10 coaches thought.

1. Bill Belichick, Patriots
QB Tom Brady(notes): “I’ve always been privileged to play for Coach Belichick, who I’ve always said is the best coach in the history of the league. In terms of his work ethic and his preparation, he’s as diligent as he’s ever been.”


2. Sean Payton, Saints
QB Drew Brees(notes): ” (Payton’s ranking is) well deserved. I mean, it’s hard to say who’s No. 1. But you certainly can’t argue with what Bill Belichick has done in his tenure there. … With the exception of training camp, guys have fun here. So I would say, more than anything, the way that Sean Payton is able to complement and combine that very disciplined, fair but stern attitude, with, ‘Hey, we’re going to have fun, and we’re going to enjoy what we do,’ (is what makes him a great coach).”

3. Jeff Fisher, Titans
DB Vincent Fuller(notes): “Once he gets that Super Bowl title, which I hope we can bring him in the next couple of years, then he’ll be higher on the list. … He is the longest-tenured coach, so he has the respect there. And he takes care of his players. I don’t have another coach to base things off of, but I always hear horror stories from players who’ve left who complain and say it wasn’t like it was in Tennessee, coachingwise.”

4. Mike Shanahan, Redskins
MLB London Fletcher(notes): ” Coach Shanahan should be the No. 1-rated coach in the league. He’s won back-to-back Super Bowls. He’s a proven winner. His approach to the game, the way he handles this team, is great. … He treats us like men .”

5. Mike Tomlin, Steelers
ILB James Farrior(notes): ” He might even need to be higher. What he’s done since he’s been here has been phenomenal. His first year, he was a little hard on us, but he learned from that and the next year he changed a couple things and we were very successful. “

6. Andy Reid, Eagles
FB Leonard Weaver(notes): “Obviously, Coach Reid hasn’t won (a Super Bowl) yet. … (But) if you’re going to base (the ranking) on wins and success—not just Super Bowls— then definitely Coach Reid is top two, top three.”

7. Tom Coughlin, Giants
TE Kevin Boss(notes): ” He could bump up over those guys who haven’t won Super Bowls because he’s obviously done that just recently. I think that pretty much says it right there: He’s got a Super Bowl and they don’t. I think he deserves to be ahead of them .”

8. Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals
QB Matt Leinart(notes): ” Just looking back at my rookie year, what we were as a team until now — it’s night and day. That’s due a lot to his philosophy and the attitude and discipline he’s brought to us. He’s been extremely hard on me, but I think it’s helped me to be mentally tougher and I think all that will pay off for both of us.”

9. John Harbaugh, Ravens
NT Kelly Gregg(notes): ” The first five picks in the poll are excellent choices, but after that, I would put John Harbaugh around sixth or seventh. Some of those guys above him have won Super Bowls, but he has also gone to the playoffs in his first two seasons as head coach here. “

10. Rex Ryan, Jets
SS Jim Leonhard(notes): ” He’s one of those personalities that people either love or hate. Look past that and look at the X’s and O’s. He’s as good a coach as there is in this league.”

11. Mike McCarthy, Packers
12. Jim Caldwell, Colts
13. John Fox, Panthers
14. Brad Childress, Vikings
15. Wade Phillips, Cowboys
16. Mike Smith, Falcons
17. Tony Sparano, Dolphins
18. Marvin Lewis, Bengals
19. Norv Turner, Chargers
20. Lovie Smith, Bears
21. Mike Singletary, 49ers
22. Jack Del Rio, Jaguars
23. Pete Carroll, Seahawks
24. Gary Kubiak, Texans
25. Eric Mangini, Browns
26. Josh McDaniels, Broncos
27. Todd Haley, Chiefs
28. Chan Gailey, Bills
29. Tom Cable, Raiders
30. Jim Schwartz, Lions
31. Raheem Morris, Buccaneers
32. Steve Spagnuolo, Rams