NFL
As a former college basketball and AAU coach, I am very hard on coaches who don’t evolve. Former Jets and Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan and former NFL head coach Norv Turner only knew one way to win. When that way is taken away from them, they didn’t adjust. The Houston Rockets’, Mike D’Antoni and the Chiefs’ Andy Reid are the same way, and as the competition gets better, their styles get exposed. The coaches below have all evolved and are either young stars on the rise or consistent veterans.
Top 7 NFL Coaches:
7) Mike Vrabel: Tennessee, Titans:
(Photo Credit: AtozNashvilleSports.com)
The question that will be asked is, how can The Sports Whisperer have a rookie coach in his top 7? One of the very first things Vrabel did when he was announced as the Head Coach was hire former Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur. The Rams doubled their output in points under LaFleur from 2016 to 2017. LA was 1st in scoring and 10th in overall offense. The Titans also signed, speedy running back, Dion Lewis from New England. I expect this offense under Marcus Mariota to be one of the best in the league. Veteran Dean Pees has over 40 years of NFL experience. He spent the last 5 years as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. He will now run this Titans defense. This coaching staff will help this team win at least 10 games.
6) Pete Carroll: Seattle Seahawks:
There are only three coaches in the history of the NFL to win a college national championship and a Super Bowl. (Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer and Carroll). Carroll is 66-years-old and in his 9th season as the Seahawks coach. In 2013, Seattle went 13-3 and won their first NFL Title. Since that time, they have gotten worse every year. 12-4, 10-6, 10-5-1, and 9-7. If Carroll doesn’t make the playoffs this year, look for the organization to part ways with the future Hall of Fame Coach.
5) Mike Zimmer: Minnessota Vikings:
In 2017 the Minnesota Vikings finished the season 13-3 and made it to the NFC Championship Game. They did this with a 3rd string quarterback and a back up running back. Without a franchise quarterback, Zimmer has taken Minnesota to the playoffs 2 out of 4 years. In a division that has AAron Roders, that is an amazing accomplishment. He is a very underrated head coach.
4) Sean McVay: Los Angeles RAMS:
In 2016, Under coach Jeff Fischer, the Rams scored 224 points. Under McVay, they scored 478 points last season. McVay is the youngest coach in the NFL but roamed the sidelines like a seasoned veteran. The Rams had one of the best off-seasons of any team and I expect them to compete for a Super Bowl in 2018. Quarterback Jared Goff, threw for 3,804 yards and had 28 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. I expect him to be even more productive now that he is familiar with McVay’s system. Having a veteran like Wade Phillips run the defense takes a lot a pressure off the head coach.
3) Mike Tomlin: Pittsburgh Steelers:
Tomlin has coached the Steelers for 11 years, he has made the post-season 8 times and won a Super Bowl in 2008. I have never seen a fan base so divided on their head coach. Half of Pittsburgh loves Tomlin, half of them want him fired. He has an 8-7 record in the post-season, but he has been to 2 Super Bowls and 3 AFC Championship games. In 11 years he has never finished the season below .500.
2) Doug Pederson: Philadelphia Eagles:
In his 2nd season on the sidelines, Pederson led the Eagles to their 1st ever Super Bowl title. His 4th and goal play, where Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass, was one of the best calls I have ever seen. Pederson, for one game, out coached Bill Belichick.
(Photo Credit:Yahoo Sports)
Quarterback Carson Wentz is only 25-years old. In 13 games last season he had more touchdown passes (33) than Tom Brady (32). I wrote last year in my pre-season article “If I was going to take a team and a quarterback over the next 5 years it would the Eagles and Carson Wentz” Nothing has changed my mind.
1) Bill Belichick: New England Patriots:
As an assistant and head coach Belichick has coached in 21% of all Super Bowls played. He won two as a defensive coordinator with the New York Giants and 5 as a head coach with the New England Patriots. It doesn’t seem to matter who comes and goes in the Patriots locker room. If you can play football, Belichick will get the most out of you. In 17 years on the New England sideline he only had one losing season, his first year when the Patriots went 5-11. Belichick continues to evolve and is one of the most aggressive coaches on both sides of the ball. He is the best coach in the NFL and the greatest football coach of all-time.
Follow The Sports Whisperer on Twitter: MonteAJP23
