10. John Madden: More Than a Game

John Madden, the legendary icon had arguably the largest impact on the NFL than any coach in history. Not only did he boast a stout .759 winning percentage he also was a legend in the broadcast booth. On top of his accolades, many in today’s world recognize him as the face of the most popular football video game. Make no mistake, John Madden’s impact has him worthy of making this list.

• Career Winning Percentage: .759

9. Bill Parcells: The Big Tuna’s Impact 

Bill Parcells, known as “The Big Tuna,” left a long-lasting impact on multiple franchises during his coaching career. With two Super Bowl victories and a reputation for turning struggling teams into contenders, Parcells’ emphasis on building a strong foundation and maximizing player potential solidified his status as a coaching legend. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .569

8. Joe Gibbs: Three Super Bowl Triumphs 

Joe Gibbs, the esteemed head coach of the Washington Redskins, guided his team to three Super Bowl victories. Gibbs had the ability to adapt to different personnel while he emphasized strong team unity. There was no one more loyal to his franchise than Gibbs. He went on to coach the team for a second stint from 2004-2007.

• Career Winning Percentage: .621

7. Tom Landry: The Mastermind of the Flex Defense 

Tom Landry, the legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys, revolutionized defensive strategy with the introduction of the Flex Defense. He also created the 4-3 defense which has become a standard in today’s NFL. Landry’s innovative formations and calm demeanor on the sidelines made him one of the most respected figures in the game. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .607

6. Paul Brown: The Innovator

Paul Brown, an unparalleled innovator, left his mark on football as both a coach and an executive. Brown was the first Head Coach in history to study game film and test his players on the playbook. Brown’s groundbreaking contributions to the passing game, unwavering attention to detail, and emphasis on fundamentals paved the way for future generations of coaches.

• Career Winning Percentage: .672

5. Chuck Noll: The Builder of Dynasties 

Chuck Noll, the legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, crafted a dynasty that dominated the NFL throughout the 1970s. Garnering four Super Bowl victories, Noll instilled a culture of resilience and discipline, while building one of the best dynasties in football history. Noll built his teams through the draft and insisted on developing his players. A system the Steelers continue to utilize to this day.

• Career Winning Percentage: .566

4. Bill Walsh: Architect of the West Coast Offense 

Bill Walsh, a true visionary, transformed the landscape of offensive football. As the mastermind behind the San Francisco 49ers, Walsh orchestrated three Super Bowl victories and popularized the West Coast Offense. This system is still used today by many NFL teams with great success.

• Career Winning Percentage: .609

3. Don Shula: The Epitome of Consistency 

Don Shula’s extraordinary career spanned over three decades while he left his imprint on the NFL. As the winningest coach in league history (328), Shula’s unwavering dedication to preparation and consistency propelled the Miami Dolphins to unprecedented success. The Dolphins are of course still the only team to complete a perfect season. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .677

2. Bill Belichick: The Maestro of Strategy 

Bill Belichick, the great mastermind behind the New England Patriots dynasty, is widely regarded as the greatest strategic genius in NFL history. Already the winner of a record six Super Bowl victories, Belichick’s meticulous game planning and attention to detail have solidified his status amongst the greats. Now the only question left on his illustrious resume is if he can win one without Tom Brady. 

• Career Winning Percentage: .662

1. Vince Lombardi: The Epitome of Excellence 

Vince Lombardi, the iconic coach of the Green Bay Packers, epitomized the essence of excellence in the NFL. He went on to capture five NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowls. Lombardi’s unwavering commitment to discipline and work ethic laid the groundwork for future generations of coaches. Lombardi never had a losing season in his 10-year career. The Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor and rightfully so. Lombardi is still the greatest NFL Head Coach we have ever seen.

• Career Winning Percentage: .738

Looking for more all-time great lists? Check out our top 10 tight ends of all time feature.

The post Top 10 NFL Coaches of All Time appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Menachem Ickovitz

John Madden’s impact on the NFL is still felt today. He was a head coach, announcer and what he may be best known for is the Madden video games. He coached some of the best while working for the Oakland Raiders and had a very good relationship with Raiders’ owner Al Davis.

Madden was an assistant with the Raiders in 1967 and 1978 and then went on to be head coach for the Raiders from 1969 ”“ 1978. In that time he won an AFL Championship as an assistant as well as a Super Bowl as the head coach. He never had a losing season and had a career regular-season record of 103 ”“ 32 ”“ 7. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

As an announcer he worked for the four major networks. His primary partner for many of those years was Pat Summerall. The Madden-Summerall duo had the best NFC games of the week which would often feature the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers or the Green Bay Packers. At this point is where the “infatuation” with Brett Favre started and was greatly lampooned by Frank Caliendo.

In 2002, Madden joined the Monday Night Football booth where he worked alongside Al Michaels. The Madden-Michaels booth was a great one and in 2006 they moved from Monday nights on ABC to Sunday Night Football on NBC. Madden was made for primetime and primetime was made for Madden.

His larger than life personality made him a great pitch-man for any number of products or an excellent guest star in movies like The Replacements or Little Giants.

One of the yearly highlights with Madden was the All-Madden Team. Being named to the All-Madden Team did not just mean you were the best player; it was given to gritty, hard-working guys who would continue to play through the pain. Some of the notable multi-time All-Madden players include Jack Youngblood, Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Mark Bavaro, Ronnie Lott and Jackie Slater. Of course Madden would reveal the team in an interesting way year after year.

Of course, to people too young to remember the man, he continues to be immortalized by the popular video game that bears his name. As time goes on, Madden will continue to be part of the NFL lexicon due to the popularity of the game and that helps connect young fans to the history of the NFL.

John Madden passed away at the age of 85. May all those who cared for him find solace in an appropriate time.

The post Remembering Legendary Head Coach John Madden appeared first on Pro Football Mania.