Some Super Bowl Coaching Facts

[Hostile]

Now, I'm not saying any of this is 100% relevant, but it does give me something to think about. I hope it will you too.

There have been 42 Super Bowls so far. 25 different coaches have won the Super Bowl. Before I go on, stop and think about how many men have been Head Coaches in the NFL since the 1966 season for only 25 to have won the Super Bowl. For me doing that put the task in some perspective. If it doesn't mean a thing to you, I apologize for bringing it up.

So I've compiled a list of all 25 men who have won as Head Coaches so far, and I am going to share that list with you. Let me explain what the information is from left to right.

First is the number coach to win. Naturally Lombardi is #1.

Next it will tell you what team they coached.

Next it will show the Super Bowl won. So for Lombardi you will see I & II.

Next there will be a year followed by ... and then a 2nd year. The first year is the year that person became an NFL Head Coach. The second year is the season their team won that coaches 1st Championship. For the first few coaches understand this could mean an NFL Championship or an AFL Championship.

Next it will tell you which team this championship was won with. In other words, for Lombardi the Packers were his 1st team.

Next it will tell you how many years it took for that coach as a Head Coach to win that championship.

Finally for some coaches it will tell you if there was a gap between their head coaching jobs. For example Dick Vermeil took many years off between his last year with the Eagles and his 1st year with the Rams

Okay, here's the list.

1. Vince Lombardi, Packers, I & II, 1959…1961, 1st team, 3 years
2. Weeb Ewbank, Jets, III, 1954…1958, 2nd team, 5 years
3. Hank Stram, Chiefs, IV, 1960…1962, 1st team 3 years
4. Don McCafferty, Colts, V, 1962…1970, 1st team, 9 years
5. Tom Landry, Cowboys, VI & XII, 1960…1971, 1st team, 12 years
6. Don Shula, Dolphins, VII & VIII, 1963…1972, 2nd team, 10 years
7. Chuck Noll, Steelers, IX, X, XIII, & XIV, 1969…1974, 1st team, 6 years
8. John Madden, Raiders, XI, 1969…1975, 1st team, 7 years
9. Tom Flores, Raiders, XV & XVIII, 1979…1980, 1st team, 2 years
10. Bill Walsh, 49ers, XVI, XIX, XXIII, 1979…1981, 1st team, 3 years
11. Joe Gibbs, Commanders, XVII, XXII, & XXVI, 1981…1982, 1st team, 3 years
12. Mike Ditka, Bears, XX, 1982…1985, 1st team, 4 years
13. Bill Parcells, Giants, XXI & XXV, 1983…1986, 1st team, 4 years
14. George Seifert, 49ers, XXIV & XXIX, 1989…1989, 1st team, 1st year
15. Jimmy Johnson, Cowboys, XXVII & XXVIII, 1989…1992, 1st team, 4th year
16. Barry Switzer, Cowboys, XXX, 1994…1995, 1st team, 2nd year
17. Mike Holmgren, Packers, XXXI, 1992…1996, 1st team, 5th year
18. Mike Shanahan, Broncos, XXXII & XXXIII, 1988…1997, 2nd team, 5th year, 4 year gap
19. Dick Vermeil, Rams, XXXIV, 1976…1999, 2nd team, 10th year, 14 year gap
20. Brian Billick, Ravens, XXXV, 1999…2000, 1st team, 2nd year
21. Bill Belichick, Patriots, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, 1991…2001, 2nd team, 7th year, 5 year gap
22. Jon Gruden, Buccaneers, XXXVII, 1998…2002, 2nd team, 5th year
23. Bill Cowher, Steelers, XL, 1992…2005, 1st team, 14th year
24. Tony Dungy, Colts, XLI, 1996…2006, 2nd team, 11th year
25. Tom Coughlin, Giants, XLII, 1995…2007, 2nd team, 12th year, 1 year gap

Okay, now let me point out a couple of things that stood out to me. It took most of these men several years to win their first Super Bowl. I think we all know that. George Seifert's 1st year was taking over a Super Bowl winner. Tom Flores, Barry Switzer, and Brian Billick are the only other ones to do it by their 2nd year as a Head Coach. Like Seifert, we know Switzer had a huge advantage. Madden had left Flores a pretty good team too.

Only 8 of them did it on a team other than the first team that hired them as Head Coach. None of them did it with their 3rd team or beyond.

It is this last fact that draws my attention. Parcells was on his 4th team with us. Wade is on his 4th team with us. We would be Mike Shanahan's 3rd team if he got hired here. I'm not saying any one of those guys were doomed to fail because of this fact, but it did open my eyes a little bit. The trend has changed a little bit in that of the 8 coaches on their 2nd team before winning it, 6 of them are among the last 8 coaches to win it. The other 2 guys on their 2nd time are the 3rd and 6th guys to win it.

Is this relevant? I don't know. It does make me want to stick to my hope that Jason Garrett is our next Head Coach and that he is here for a long haul. It makes me wonder if Wade has a prayer. It makes me wonder if I would really want Mike Shanahan or not. I think I would. It tells me I probably wouldn't want Mike Holmgren, even though I respect him. It makes me curious about Bill Cowher since the 2nd team is a trend right now. But it also points out the fact no coach has won it for 2 different teams.

Discuss if you wish.

 

[Kangaroo]

Now, I'm not saying any of this is 100% relevant, but it does give me something to think about. I hope it will you too.

There have been 42 Super Bowls so far. 25 different coaches have won the Super Bowl. Before I go on, stop and think about how many men have been Head Coaches in the NFL since the 1966 season for only 25 to have won the Super Bowl. For me doing that put the task in some perspective. If it doesn't mean a think to you, I apologize for bringing it up.

So I've compiled a list of all 25 men who have won as Head Coaches so far, and I am going to share that list with you. Let me explain what the information is from left to right.

First is the number coach to win. Naturally Lombardi is #1.

Next it will tell you what team they coached.

Next it will show the Super Bowl won. So for Lombardi you will see I & II.

Next there will be a year followed by ... and then a 2nd year. The first year is the year that person became an NFL Head Coach. The second year is the season their team won that coaches 1st Championship. For the first few coaches understand this could mean an NFL Championship or an AFL Championship.

Next it will tell you which team this championship was won with. In other words, for Lombardi the Packers were his 1st team.

Next it will tell you how many years it took for that coach as a Head Coach to win that championship.

Finally for some coaches it will tell you if there was a gap between their head coaching jobs. For example Dick Vermeil took many years off between his last year with the Eagles and his 1st year with the Rams

Okay, here's the list.

• Vince Lombardi, Packers, I & II, 1959…1961, 1st team, 3 years
• Weeb Ewbank, Jets, III, 1954…1958, 2nd team, 5 years
• Hank Stram, Chiefs, IV, 1960…1962, 1st team 3 years
• Don McCafferty, Colts, V, 1962…1970, 1st team, 9 years
• Tom Landry, Cowboys, VI & XII, 1960…1971, 1st team, 12 years
• Don Shula, Dolphins, VII & VIII, 1963…1972, 2nd team, 10 years
• Chuck Noll, Steelers, IX, X, XIII, & XIV, 1969…1974, 1st team, 6 years
• John Madden, Raiders, XI, 1969…1975, 1st team, 7 years
• Tom Flores, Raiders, XV & XVIII, 1979…1980, 1st team, 2 years
• Bill Walsh, 49ers, XVI, XIX, XXIII, 1979…1981, 1st team, 3 years
• Joe Gibbs, Commanders, XVII, XXII, & XXVI, 1981…1982, 1st team, 3 years
• Mike Ditka, Bears, XX, 1982…1985, 1st team, 4 years
• Bill Parcells, Giants, XXI & XXV, 1983…1986, 1st team, 4 years
• George Seifert, 49ers, XXIV & XXIX, 1989…1989, 1st team, 1st year
• Jimmy Johnson, Cowboys, XXVII & XXVIII, 1989…1992, 1st team, 4th year
• Barry Switzer, Cowboys, XXX, 1994…1995, 1st team, 2nd year
• Mike Holmgren, Packers, XXXI, 1992…1996, 1st team, 5th year
• Mike Shanahan, Broncos, XXXII & XXXIII, 1988…1997, 2nd team, 5th year, 4 year gap
• Dick Vermeil, Rams, XXXIV, 1976…1999, 2nd team, 10th year, 14 year gap
• Brian Billick, Ravens, XXXV, 1999…2000, 1st team, 2nd year
• Bill Belichick, Patriots, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, 1991…2001, 2nd team, 7th year, 5 year gap
• Jon Gruden, Buccaneers, XXXVII, 1998…2002, 2nd team, 5th year
• Bill Cowher, Steelers, XL, 1992…2005, 1st team, 14th year
• Tony Dungy, Colts, XLI, 1996…2006, 2nd team, 11th year
• Tom Coughlin, Giants, XLII, 1995…2007, 2nd team, 12th year, 1 year gap

Okay, now let me point out a couple of things that stood out to me. It took most of these men several years to win their first Super Bowl. I think we all know that. George Seifert's 1st year was taking over a Super Bowl winner. Tom Flores, Barry Switzer, and Brian Billick are the only other ones to do it by their 2nd year as a Head Coach. Like Seifert, we know Switzer had a huge advantage. Madden had left Flores a pretty good team too.

Only 8 of them did it on a team other than the first team that hired them as Head Coach. None of them did it with their 3rd team or beyond.

It is this last fact that draws my attention. Parcells was on his 4th team with us. Wade is on his 4th team with us. We would be Mike Shanahan's 3rd team if he got hired here. I'm not saying any one of those guys were doomed to fail because of this fact, but it did open my eyes a little bit. The trend has changed a little bit in that of the 8 coaches on their 2nd team before winning it, 6 of them are among the last 8 coaches to win it. The other 2 guys on their 2nd time are the 3rd and 6th guys to win it.

Is this relevant? I don't know. It does make me want to stick to my hope that Jason Garrett is our next Head Coach and that he is here for a long haul. It makes me wonder if Wade has a prayer. It makes me wonder if I would really want Mike Shanahan or not. I think I would. It tells me I probably wouldn't want Mike Holmgren, even though I respect him. It makes me curious about Bill Cowher since the 2nd team is a trend right now. But it also points out the fact no coach has won it for 2 different teams.

Discuss if you wish.

Here is some more info I put together starting last year and posted it several times very few coaches make it back to the Superbowl with a 2nd team.

Parcells won with giants lost with his second team
Shula lost with the Colts switch to the Dolphins went to 4 superbowls with the dolpins going 1-2-1
Vermil lost with his 1st team Egirls and won with the 2nd team Rams
Dan Reeves-Broncos and Atl lost all them
Holgrem made it back was 1-1 with Greenbay than lost with seattle

So how guys that have been before as a headcoach and won lost on their second round guys that lost the 1st time won on the next return and if you noticed very few return to the Superbowl with other teams

 

[Hostile]

Here is some more info I put together starting last year and posted it several times very few coaches make it back to the Superbowl with a 2nd team.

Parcells won with giants lost with his second team
Shula lost with the Colts switch to the Dolphins went to 4 superbowls with the dolpins going 1-2-1
Vermil lost with his 1st team Egirls and won with the 2nd team Rams
Dan Reeves-Broncos and Atl lost all them
Holgrem made it back was 1-1 with Greenbay than lost with seattle

So how guys that have been before as a headcoach and won lost on their second round guys that lost the 1st time won on the next return and if you noticed very few return to the Superbowl with other teams

Shula won 2. VII & VIII. How could he have a tie?

 

[Kangaroo]

Shula won 2. VII & VIII. How could he have a tie?

Sorry for the confusion he lost his 1st with the Dolphins won 2 in he lost his last one. I was trying to show how he lost won lost my fault for not clarifying

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Cool post Sir Hos.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Shula won 2. VII & VIII. How could he have a tie?

McNabb wants clarification on that also.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Very interesting post. Thanks for the work on it.

Another thing that would be interesting to analyze is what type of personalites these HEAD Coaches have. Are they "old school" disciplinarians (likely more common in older days, hehe) or are they "nice guys" aka Player's Coaches?

Even Dungy who is soft spoken, is, I think, very detailed oriented and demanding. I don't see too many softies on the list.

I still feel, despite NFL being all business now, and the players expecting different treatment, the coaches that are "harder" are more "successful" overall. This is a game, with YOUNG men. Even the "older" and veteran players aren't always "mature" and NEED/BENEFIT from strong guidance.

Sometimes I feel I have higher expectations of the Pee Wee soccer team I coach. If you don't show for practice, you don't start. You talk back, you sit and have a time out at practice. Some of the basics aren't too hard. Heck, if we have a big game or a tournament, my kids love the idea of having an EXTRA practice to get ready and have a better chance to win the game/tournament. THEY want it, and they have since age 5 (they are 8-9 now). Never, ever in 35 years of being in sports have I been on, seen, or coached a sports team that felt having extra time off during the season would be more beneficial than doing repetitions and strategizing. What a crock. I'm not saying you make the team run a marathon, but set plays, technique work and refreshers, etc, never did I see more of that ever do anything but HELP the cause.

Anyway, I don't know all the coaches, but I think it's interesting to analyze their personalities. Most don't let the inmates rule the asylum from the names I see. Particulalry, the Cowher, Johnsons, Gruden's, Parcells, Ditka's, Belichek's, etc. Do you see a theme with those personalities. They are LEADERS, and respected, not necessarily "liked" first. Players end up loving them because they teach them to be winners and leaders and coach not only athletic ability but good human qualities as well.

Tom Landry was no sideline firecracker, no yeller or mouth-foamer, but he was respected, and feared, and DEMANDED a lot and gave a lot. Accountability!

LarryCanadian

 

[Hostile]

Very interesting post. Thanks for the work on it.

Another thing that would be interesting to analyze is what type of personalites these HEAD Coaches have. Are they "old school" disciplinarians (likely more common in older days, hehe) or are they "nice guys" aka Player's Coaches?

I'll give it a shot. This is flawed to a degree because it is my opinion.

Disciplinarians
Lombardi
Ewbank
Landry
Shula
Noll
Madden
Walsh
Gibbs
Parcells
Ditka
Johnson
Holmgren
Belichick
Gruden
Cowher
Coughlin

Player's Coaches
Stram
McCafferty
Flores
Seifert
Switzer
Shanahan
Vermeil
Billick
Dungy

Even Dungy who is soft spoken, is, I think, very detailed oriented and demanding. I don't see too many softies on the list.

I agree. There are no cupcakes.

I still feel, despite NFL being all business now, and the players expecting different treatment, the coaches that are "harder" are more "successful" overall. This is a game, with YOUNG men. Even the "older" and veteran players aren't always "mature" and NEED/BENEFIT from strong guidance.

I like tough coaches, but I think they can push it too far. I think Parcells did here.

Anyway, I don't know all the coaches, but I think it's interesting to analyze their personalities. Most don't let the inmates rule the asylum from the names I see. Particulalry, the Cowher, Johnsons, Gruden's, Parcells, Ditka's, Belichek's, etc. Do you see a theme with those personalities. They are LEADERS, and respected, not necessarily "liked" first. Players end up loving them because they teach them to be winners and leaders and coach not only athletic ability but good human qualities as well.

The thing I notice most about them is that they all were smart coaches who taught their teams to cut down mistakes.

Tom Landry was no sideline firecracker, no yeller or mouth-foamer, but he was respected, and feared, and DEMANDED a lot and gave a lot. Accountability!

Landry was very feared by his players despite the no yelling. They knew he missed nothing. There was no shucking and jiving him. He was way too smart.

 

[DallasEast]

McNabb wants clarification on that also.

:laugh1:

 

[Kangaroo]

I'll give it a shot. This is flawed to a degree because it is my opinion.

Disciplinarians
Lombardi
Ewbank
Landry
Shula
Noll
Madden
Walsh
Gibbs
Parcells
Ditka
Johnson
Holmgren
Belichick
Gruden
Cowher
Coughlin

Player's Coaches
Stram
McCafferty
Flores
Seifert
Switzer
Shanahan
Vermeil
Billick
Dungy

I agree. There are no cupcakes.

I like tough coaches, but I think they can push it too far. I think Parcells did here.

The thing I notice most about them is that they all were smart coaches who taught their teams to cut down mistakes.

Landry was very feared by his players despite the no yelling. They knew he missed nothing. There was no shucking and jiving him. He was way too smart.

Just my view here. I never thought a coach had to be a yeller but he has to be a guy the players get a oh you know what when they mess up. They are respected and their is no doubt they are in charge. Like Dungy he has a calm demeanor on the sideline but he never looks confused; dumbfounded or anything else on that sideline he stands there like a General surveying the field and you know he is in charge kind of what i call the Stonewall Jackson effect; then you have guys like Jimmy reminds me of the Patton type a bully one his pokes and prods people to victory.

Yes Hostile I think you are right the coaches have to be smart and respected by the players.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Belichek, Shanahan, and Vermeil have their demanding and tough side as well, but I understand why you put them on that side of the ledger. Even Seifert I felt could be "pissy". All of these guys are a bit more demanding than our current coach I believe. I don't think Phillips has to "change" that much, but if he's the same, Jerry and the assistants have to be tougher, and have Phillips' and Jerry's support if they do the cussing, disciplining, and calling out of players.

I agree that some (Ditka, Parcells, Gruden...) can go overboard with the tough guy routine, but in some ways I'd prefer that to the too soft routine. They sort of remind of the General Patton in that regard. Hard ***, not really a likeable guy, but got results, and for every 1 that hated him, 10 loved him, even though it often meant dying! Yeah, I realize this is football and not WW2, but you get what I mean. Sometimes demanding and yelling at people doesn't mean you are an idiot, it shows you have high expectations and respect them enough and care enough to try and teach them. No different than any parent's job really.

Aside from quitting on the team, I think Parcells biggest error with this team wasn't being too "hard" on them, it was more being too conservative for too long (except with Romo, he was obviously right about "eating the cheese" or at least the reigning him in part, and focussing that talent). I did hate Parcells stubborness in scheme (I think our D plays better aggressive, as we saw late in year, sans the 3-4 unexplainable plays in last 2 games), and his style of keeping the game close (works in Miami this year - 13 turnovers - wow, but rarely wins the big one, and rarely works year after year after year - because it's difficult to win 4-5 close games in a row as is required for SB).

Thanks for analyzing the coaches. Love this post. It is interesting. As you mentioned the Switzers and Seiferts inherited veteran, talented teams, that had proven championships and leaders in the locker room. Dallas doesn't have that, so I think you need better and tighter/tougher coaching.

LarryCanadian

 

[Hostile]

Belichek, Shanahan, and Vermeil have their demanding and tough side as well, but I understand why you put them on that side of the ledger. Even Seifert I felt could be "pissy". All of these guys are a bit more demanding than our current coach I believe. I don't think Phillips has to "change" that much, but if he's the same, Jerry and the assistants have to be tougher, and have Phillips' and Jerry's support if they do the cussing, disciplining, and calling out of players.

I agree that some (Ditka, Parcells, Gruden...) can go overboard with the tough guy routine, but in some ways I'd prefer that to the too soft routine. They sort of remind of the General Patton in that regard. Hard ***, not really a likeable guy, but got results, and for every 1 that hated him, 10 loved him, even though it often meant dying! Yeah, I realize this is football and not WW2, but you get what I mean. Sometimes demanding and yelling at people doesn't mean you are an idiot, it shows you have high expectations and respect them enough and care enough to try and teach them. No different than any parent's job really.

Aside from quitting on the team, I think Parcells biggest error with this team wasn't being too "hard" on them, it was more being too conservative for too long (except with Romo, he was obviously right about "eating the cheese" or at least the reigning him in part, and focussing that talent). I did hate Parcells stubborness in scheme (I think our D plays better aggressive, as we saw late in year, sans the 3-4 unexplainable plays in last 2 games), and his style of keeping the game close (works in Miami this year - 13 turnovers - wow, but rarely wins the big one, and rarely works year after year after year - because it's difficult to win 4-5 close games in a row as is required for SB).

Thanks for analyzing the coaches. Love this post. It is interesting. As you mentioned the Switzers and Seiferts inherited veteran, talented teams, that had proven championships and leaders in the locker room. Dallas doesn't have that, so I think you need better and tighter/tougher coaching.

LarryCanadian

I really agree with that part in bold above.

 

[LarryCanadian]

The dumbfounded sideline face can lose the respect of players, owners, co-coaches, fans, and media alike.

Phillips has it. Sorry, it's there. That bewildered look. Campo had it, and it drove me nuts. You are better off staring everyone down and yelling and cussing, because at least is LOOKS like everyone is screwing up your plan that still makes sense to YOU at least, whereas the bewildered look makes the coach look lost.

In all fairness, this team of players (quite a few dumbies, and unprepared players is a problem for sure) seems to bring this out in EVERY coach. Parcells even looked dumbfounded a few years at the end there. In disbelief. I think Parcells frustration at getting through to many of these players and getting them over the hump in terms of preperation and focus is one of the reasons he "quit" on them. He just felt he couldn't do it, at least as coach anymore. Now I think he feels he still might and it was the players.

This scares me! It also suggests that at least some personnell changes could really help this team, as in "addition by subtraction".

LarryCanadian

 

[Hostile]

The dumbfounded sideline face can lost respect of players, owners, co-coaches, fans, and media alike.

Phillips has it. Sorry, it's there. That bewildered look. Campo had it, and it drove me nuts. You are better off staring everyone down and yelling and cussing, because at least is LOOKS like everyone is screwing up your plan that still makes sense to YOU at least, whereas the bewildered look makes the coach look lost.

In all fairness, this team of players (quite a few dumbies, and unprepared players is a problem for sure) seems to bring this out in EVERY coach. Parcells even looked dumbfounded a few years at the end there. In disbelief. I think Parcells frustration at getting through to many of these players and getting them over the hump in terms of preperation and focus is one of the reasons he "quit" on them. He just felt he couldn't do it, at least as coach anymore. Now I think he feels he still might and it was the players.

This scares me! It also suggests that at least some personnell changes could really help this team, as in "addition by subtraction".

LarryCanadian

It is the same in college football. People do read body language and the face is part of that. That is one of the reasons why I think Charlie Weis will ultimately fail.

 

[masomenos]

Wow, very interesting post Hos!

 

[cowboyjoe]

Hostile, I got a good for you to compile. In the coaches that have won the super bowl. How many were disciplinarians like Jimmy Johnson and Parcells were, and how many of them were soft coaches, say like a wade phillips?

See what you come up with that,

 

[DallasEast]

Hostile, I got a good for you to compile. In the coaches that have won the super bowl. How many were disciplinarians like Jimmy Johnson and Parcells were, and how many of them were soft coaches, say like a wade phillips?

See what you come up with that,

Dude, keep reading the thread...

I'll give it a shot. This is flawed to a degree because it is my opinion.

Disciplinarians
Lombardi
Ewbank
Landry
Shula
Noll
Madden
Walsh
Gibbs
Parcells
Ditka
Johnson
Holmgren
Belichick
Gruden
Cowher
Coughlin

Player's Coaches
Stram
McCafferty
Flores
Seifert
Switzer
Shanahan
Vermeil
Billick
Dungy

I agree. There are no cupcakes.

I like tough coaches, but I think they can push it too far. I think Parcells did here.

The thing I notice most about them is that they all were smart coaches who taught their teams to cut down mistakes.

Landry was very feared by his players despite the no yelling. They knew he missed nothing. There was no shucking and jiving him. He was way too smart.

 

[cowboyjoe]

sorry, i didnt see it, thanks

 

[cowboyjoe]

to me the tough head coaches do a better job than the softees

 

[cowboyjoe]

oh by the way, someone a friend of mine told me walsh was a softee, he didnt do any hitting etc in practice, is that true?