You’ve probably heard the adage that good coaches don’t win games, but bad ones lose them, right? Well, that’s true.
According to expected win-loss totals, which are based on the point differential for a given team, even the best coaches aren’t worth as much as one might think over the long haul, when the variables tend to even out. Extreme blowouts can skew the results a bit, but there are more of those in college ball, where conferences and schedules are less balanced.
Besides, Barry Switzer didn’t make the cut. These are the most underrated coaches in NFL history, and W-L expectations were part of the criteria.
Note: Eligibility was restricted to non-Hall of Famers with at least 40 career victories and a .500-or-better win percentage in either the AFL or NFL, or both.
Bottom Line: Marty Schottenheimer
Barry Sweet / AP Photo
Look, we’re not here to defend Marty Schottenheimer’s brutal postseason record, which speaks for itself. We’ll just say that, given the rather modest talent at his disposal, a lesser coach doesn’t come close to 13 playoff appearances in 21 seasons.
Here’s the list of quarterbacks who got them there: young Bernie Kosar, very old Steve DeBerg, old Dave Kreig, very old Joe Montana, old Steve Bono, untested Elvis Grbac, young Drew Brees and young Philip Rivers.
Uh, detect a trend there?
