National Football League – All Time Greatest Head Coaches

In the NFL, possibly more than in any other sport, the coaches often make the difference between winning and losing. This is especially true of the head coaching position as they are responsible for not only the players but an entire crew of assistant coaches as well.

Legendary head coaches have been known to sleep in their offices for weeks on end during the NFL season. Football is their life and the time they sacrifice, for the good of the game and their teams, is immeasurable.

Vince Lombardi – The Godfather Of NFL Head Coaches

The debate over who is the greatest head coach of all time has been raging since the beginning of time. For us though, while many could be deemed worthy of the title, the debate starts and ends with the legendary Vince Lombardi. His 105-35-6  overall record earned him a .740 winning percentage that is still the best ever in the NFL for coaches with at least 100 games coached.

Lombardi started his NFL coaching career with the New York Giants as their offensive coordinator in 1954. He was a key figure in the Giants 1956 NFL Championship Game victory before he moved on to become the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. While other coaches have won more games and/or coached more games, Lombardi set the standard for what an NFL head coach is all about. His post-season record of 9-1 (he lost his first ever post-season game in 1960) included three NFL Championships and back-to-back Super Bowl wins in the 1966 and 1967 seasons.

Lombardi was so respected for his contributions to the game that the NFL named the former “World Championship Game Trophy” the Lombardi Trophy in his honor just a week after his passing in September 1970. Upon his death from cancer at the age of 57, then US President Richard Nixon sent a telegram expressing condolences that was simply signed “The People” in the ultimate show of respect. No one can know how many more Championships Lombardi would have won if not for his untimely passing at such a young age.

George “Papa Bear” Halas Put The “Bear” In The Chicago Bears

No one says Chicago Bears like George Halas. Not only did he move the team to Chicago, but he also came up with their name, played two ways as a receiver and defensive end, coached the team and even sold tickets outside of the stadium before the games. Halas had an incredible 324-151-31 record during his legendary coaching career.

Don Shula Reaches “Perfection” With The Miami Dolphins

Deemed by many to be the greatest head coach ever, Don Shula retired from football with a career record of 328-156-2 that is good for a .678 winning percentage and the most wins ever by an NFL head coach. Shula also guided the Miami Dolphins to the only modern day “perfect season” in NFL history when the Dolphins went 17-0 and won Super Bowl VII with a 14-7 over the Washington Redskins.

Greatest NFL Head Coaches – Honorable Mention

Below are some retired head coaches and the teams they spent the majority of their career with that deserve honorable mention.

Give respect where respect is due as NFL head coaches make the NFL what it is today.