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From Herman Edwards, pretty long read and a weird format, but interesting to see his perspective (edit: in a hilarious sort of way. He's not calling out anyone)
Being an NFL coach is the highest level you can achieve in the coaching ranks. It's a great league, and it's competition at the highest level. I had the pleasure and honor of being in the league for 29 years and coaching for 19. And let me tell you, every coach who holds one of those 32 jobs is qualified. Every one of them deserves to hold that whistle and coach the best football players in the world.
But although all 32 NFL head-coaching jobs are good jobs, every coach enters a different situation when he takes over a football team. And, as a coach, you have to come to grips with two things:
1. What type of team did I acquire?
2. How do I get this team to win a Super Bowl?
Winning a Super Bowl is the ultimate goal, of course. But, as a coach, time is never on your side. Do you have an older team with playoff aspirations? Do you have to start a rookie QB? What does the salary-cap situation look like? How many draft picks do you have?
These are all parts of the equation of coaching a team. That's not an excuse; it's a fact.
And, of course, the best situation you enter as a coach is one with an established organization. The New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens, the Green Bay Packers. These are teams that never seem to rebuild -- they just reload.
However, at the end of the day, what all coaches should ask themselves is: Once I set this whistle down, did I make the players and the organization better when I was here? Now, that sometimes doesn't equate to wins. But that is the true definition of coaching.
Going into the 2012 NFL season, I've ranked all 32 NFL coaches on five tiers (Hall of Fame-worthy, elite, ascending, jury is still out and first-year coaches).
Note: Coaches are ranked by overall wins inside individual tiers. Overall experience includes the 2012 NFL season.
Hall of Fame-worthy
These are coaches at the top of the profession. They are on the path to Canton when they retire.
Bill Belichick
Record: 192-104
HC experience: 18th year (13th season with Patriots)
Playoff appearances: 10
Playoff record: 17-7
Super Bowl wins: 3
Bill Belichick -- Twelve full seasons with the Patriots. Five Super Bowl appearances. Three Super Bowl wins. What more do you need to know? Belichick has been the best head coach in the NFL since 2001. He has built a team with players who truly understand the importance of the team concept; his players follow the "Patriot Way"; and everyone leaves his ego at the door. He has done a terrific job of evolving with the game. His first couple of years in Cleveland he wanted to run the football and play solid defense. Now, he understands it's a quarterback league and recognizes the importance of a great offense. He has helped redefine the importance of the tight end position.
He also has lost a lot of young coordinators to head-coaching jobs, which means he's been doing an excellent job developing young coaches. Does it help to have Tom Brady at the helm? Yes. And has Belichick come up short in Super Bowls recently? Yes. Regardless, he is still the best coach in the NFL.
Mike Shanahan
Record: 165-124
HC experience: 26th year (3rd season with Redskins)
Playoff appearances: 7
Playoff record: 8-5
Super Bowl wins: 2
Mike Shanahan -- When Shanahan was in Denver (where he won two Super Bowls), he was considered one of the better coaches in the league. But he also had John Elway at QB. In Washington, he's been in a tough spot because the team has lacked a franchise guy at that spot. And he hasn't made the playoffs since 2005 with the Broncos. Now, with rookie QB Robert Griffin III, Shanahan has the perfect QB to run his offense.
Shanahan runs a zone-blocking scheme on offense with a lot of bootlegs and play-action. Most of the runs are inside zone and outside zone. And the vast majority of passes are off of play-action. Owner Dan Snyder has never been afraid to spend money, so even without future No. 1 draft picks, this team should improve significantly the next couple of years with RG3 at the helm.
Tom Coughlin
Record: 153-121
HC experience: 17th year (9th season with Giants)
Playoff appearances: 9
Playoff record: 11-7
Super Bowl wins: 2
Tom Coughlin -- I go way back with Tom to 1984, when he was a WR coach in Philadelphia and I was still playing. I've seen him grow up as a head coach. He did an amazing job growing a team in Jacksonville, and he has created a consistent winner in New York. Nine playoff appearances, two Super Bowl wins -- a great track record. All of this while competing in the New York market and hearing rumors of being fired seemingly every year.
Tom is a throwback football coach. Everyone has heard about "Tom Coughlin time," but that's simply to enforce structure. That's one of the ways he stresses the little things that are important. And it's why his teams are always disciplined. He protects his players when things aren't going well and for the most part keeps his emotions in check. Bottom line: He makes his football players better. And that's what you want from your head coach.
Jeff Fisher
Record: 147-126
HC experience: 18th year (1st season with Rams)
Playoff appearances: 6
Playoff record: 5-6
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jeff Fisher -- Jeff is simply a terrific football coach. He did a fantastic job in Houston/Tennessee for 17 years and now has a new challenge in guiding a young St. Louis team that has a lot of holes on the roster.
He is a players' coach all the way and isn't afraid to take on personalities other coaches would stay away from (Albert Haynesworth, Randy Moss, Janoris Jenkins). Offensively, Fisher will run the ball until the defense proves it can stop it. Defensively, he always has a penetrating defense, one that is getting after the QB. I always said his defenses play to the echo of the whistle. He also likes to take risks on special teams.
Jeff has a great opportunity in St. Louis and should be excited about having a potential franchise QB in place in Sam Bradford. With multiple first-round picks the next couple of years, thanks to the RG3 deal, I'm excited to see how this team progresses under Jeff.
Andy Reid
Record: 136-90
HC experience: 14th year (all with Eagles)
Playoff appearances: 9
Playoff record: 10-9
Super Bowl wins: 0
Andy Reid -- Reid is the longest-tenured coach in the NFL -- and for good reason. Nine playoff appearances, seven NFC East titles and one Super Bowl appearance will do that. People look at him as a laid-back guy and a players' coach, but he is a leader and in total command of his players. And if you don't think he is fiery, just look at how he got in Cullen Jenkins' face in Week 2 of the preseason. He is a great offensive mind and has a fantastic multidimensional offense that's all about getting guys in space. He knows how he wants to attack defenses, and he passes to set up the run.
There are great expectations on this Eagles team, but it all hinges on whether QB Michael Vick can stay healthy. Reid knows that. He has created those expectations with success. Philly fans were calling for his head last season, but he had a group of good players who didn't have enough practice time because of the lockout; he didn't have a team. With a full offseason together, Reid will have these guys prepared, and he now knows how to use them. This year, he'll reward ownership's faith in him.
Mike Tomlin
Record: 60-28
HC experience: 6th year (all with Steelers)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-3
Super Bowl wins: 1
Mike Tomlin -- Only 40 years old, Mike already has two Super Bowl appearances -- and one victory. The Steelers have won at least nine games in all five of his years as HC. Like John Harbaugh, Tomlin's first HC job was with a team that had a great foundation and was steeped in tradition. The Steelers know what they are doing as an organization. He had a huge task replacing legendary Bill Cowher and has done an excellent job. Tomlin was the right choice and fit their philosophy.
People thought he would change the defense because he's a 4-3 guy, but he kept Dick LeBeau and the 3-4. And that defense has continued to be terrific on first down, forcing offenses into third-and-long, then blitzing from everywhere. Yes, Tomlin has lost his past two playoff games, including Super Bowl XLV, but he will be the head coach in Pittsburgh for a long time.
Elite
These coaches have proved over time that they can succeed in this league. They have either helped to stabilize a franchise or have a record of continued success. If they haven't yet hit 100 wins as an NFL coach, they are on track to do so.
Norv Turner
Record: 111-117
HC experience: 15th year (6th season with Chargers)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 4-4
Super Bowl wins: 0
Norv Turner -- Norv has been a head coach for 14 years in this league. Although some people might think he's not "elite," just remember this: Only 35 coaches have won 100-plus games in the NFL. Norv is one of them.
He's a brilliant offensive mind and knows how to attack defenses. He's a great playcaller. Although he appears laid-back, he's big on discipline. People watch him and think that, because he isn't demonstrative, he isn't fiery. That's not true.
Part of the problem for the Chargers recently has been the turnover of defensive coordinators. This season will be San Diego's third straight with a new defensive coordinator. Hopefully, first-round pick Melvin Ingram can develop because the Chargers haven't had a game-changer on defense since Shawne Merriman was going good.
This team needs to have success in the playoffs. And, under Turner, it hasn't lived up to very high expectations so far.
John Fox
Record: 87-83
HC experience: 11th year (2nd season with Broncos)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 6-4
Super Bowl wins: 0
John Fox -- I've known John forever. He was a former teammate of mine in college at San Diego State. He did great work building a program down in Carolina for nine years, including three trips to the playoffs and a Super Bowl appearance. He's going to sleep smiling now because he has Peyton Manning. And he's never had a good QB his entire career. Now his defense can finally play with some leads.
When he was a DB coach in Pittsburgh early in his career, he molded his philosophy: play good defense, run the ball and don't turn it over. He's terrific with the players. When you've been coaching in this league for 11 years, you've survived a lot. Fox is one of the best in the game today.
Lovie Smith
Record: 74-60
HC experience: 9th year (all with Bears)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 3-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Lovie Smith -- Lovie is one of the most competitive guys I've been around in the NFL. Going into his ninth year in Chicago, he has made it to a Super Bowl. He stresses toughness and defense, which is exactly what the Bears are all about. He has earned the players' respect, and they will always play hard for him. He's a very calm and consistent coach, win or lose.
Lovie uses a Tampa 2 defense and will not be swayed from it. Each player knows his responsibilities in the defense, and, with Brian Urlacher in the middle, the Bears play it better than any other team. With a potentially elite QB in Jay Cutler and finally a true No. 1 receiver in Brandon Marshall, along with an offense tailored to Cutler's strengths, Lovie knows expectations are high for this Bears team this season. Especially given that he's been to the playoffs only once in the past five seasons.
Marvin Lewis
Record: 72-77-1
HC experience: 10th year (all with Bengals)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 0-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Marvin Lewis -- I met Marvin when he did an internship with us in Kansas City while I was the HC. I knew he was going to be a great coach then. In the five seasons before he took over, this franchise was 19-61. This will be his 10th season in Cincinnati, and even though he hasn't won a playoff game, he has helped turn around the franchise. A defensive guy, Marvin has won more games than any other Bengals head coach. He has had tough going with ownership. Cincinnati has a reputation for doing things a little differently, and Marvin has had to deal with some players who maybe weren't his first choice to bring on the roster. But the ownership there loves Marvin and has stuck with him through thick and thin.
With a potential franchise QB in Andy Dalton and a budding star in WR A.J. Green, Marvin looks to have this team on the rise again after trading away Carson Palmer.
Mike McCarthy
Record: 68-36
HC experience: 7th year (all with Packers)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-3
Super Bowl wins: 1
Mike McCarthy -- I remember Mike back when he was a graduate assistant in Kansas City and I was the head coach. He had a tireless work ethic -- one he still has today. He learned under Paul Hackett, who learned under Bill Walsh. Mike understands the philosophy of the West Coast offense. He likes to run multidimensional formations and pass to set up the run. He is energetic and fiery but has the personality to handle the spotlight, which is important in Green Bay. He couldn't have gone to a better place for his first head-coaching job. He had Brett Favre to start and now Aaron Rodgers, two elite QBs who make the players around them better.
Mike knows that the Packers need to run the ball more effectively this year and that the defense has to at least slow down the pass. You can bet that playoff loss will be used as motivation for this team all season long.
Sean Payton
Record: 67-37
HC experience: 7th year (all with Saints)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-3
Super Bowl wins: 1
Sean Payton -- Suspended for this season after the bounty scandal, but there's no need to talk about that here. Payton is a great football coach. Period. Coming up through the coaching ranks, everyone knew he would be a talent. He is an outstanding offensive mind and playcaller during the game. He does a better job than any other offensive coordinator at mixing up run and pass and taking chances. You never know what he's going to do.
His offense is predicated on shifts and motions designed to get players in ideal matchups and confuse the defense. Of course, the key to executing that offense is that he has QB Drew Brees running it. And it gives his defense the ability to take some chances, as well, knowing it will be playing with leads.
He also has done a fantastic job giving hope to a city that was in disarray after Katrina. Anytime you go through that as a head coach and help a city gain pride back, it speaks to what you represent as a person.
John Harbaugh
Record: 49-24
HC experience: 5th year (all with Ravens)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-4
Super Bowl wins: 0
John Harbaugh -- He's done an excellent job taking over a good football team and not trying to change its identity. Coming from a family of coaches, he understood that the strength of this team was the defense, and his philosophy fits perfectly in Baltimore. He's a tough-minded guy who wants a disciplined football team that plays with an edge.
Harbaugh has won double-digit games in three of his four seasons and was on the cusp of the Super Bowl last season. But he has yet to appear in the big game, which, for a veteran team like the Ravens, is a realistic expectation every year.
With Ray Rice signed long term and some speed on the outside, this offense should take off with QB Joe Flacco running the show. Harbaugh and GM Ozzie Newsome also do a terrific job of drafting players to fit their system.
Ascending
These NFL coaches are rising stars. They have done enough to show that they have the potential to be elite coaches.
Gary Kubiak
Record: 48-50
HC experience: 7th year (all with Texans)
Playoff appearances: 1
Playoff record: 1-1
Super Bowl wins: 0
Gary Kubiak -- Kubiak coached under Mike Shanahan for many years in Denver and is still running Shanahan's offensive system today. The offense is a zone-blocking scheme that relies on bootlegs and misdirection. The difference between Kubiak and Shanahan is that Kubiak now has a team the Redskins hope to resemble in a couple of years. Kubiak has a great owner in Bob McNair, who stayed with Kubiak when the fans and media were calling for his head. Despite several disappointing seasons, McNair let Kubiak build this football team, and now Houston is in a position to make a deep playoff run.
Hiring Wade Philips was a great move because Kubiak was able to turn the defense over to him. After a playoff win last year, the question is: Can the Texans handle success?
Ken Whisenhunt
Record: 44-42
HC experience: 6th year (all with Cardinals)
Playoff appearances: 2
Playoff record: 4-2
Super Bowl wins: 0
Ken Whisenhunt -- A former NFL tight end and Steelers offensive coordinator, Ken knows what he wants to do on offense. He wants to minimize mistakes and be balanced between the run and pass. The players respect that he is a former player. He has seen it all. Players love honesty and consistency, and he has brought both to the Cardinals' organization -- one that hasn't had a lot of success or excitement in the past.
His overall record doesn't really reflect the job he has done turning around that team. Although he rode the hot hand of Kurt Warner to a Super Bowl appearance, his biggest issue is that he's never had a franchise QB to work with -- and it doesn't look as if one is on the roster right now. His future in Arizona is dependent on whether John Skelton or Kevin Kolb turns into a reliable starter. He also has struggled with his defense, but Ray Horton will help him this year.
Mike Smith
Record: 43-24
HC experience: 5th year (all with Falcons)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 0-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Mike Smith -- He's been in the NFL since 1999, and I'm glad he's doing well in his first opportunity as a head coach. It couldn't have happened to a better guy. He's a tough-minded guy who has a great demeanor with the players, and he emphasizes defense (he was Jacksonville's DC from 2003 to 2007). He has done a great job stabilizing a franchise that was in disarray after Bobby Petrino left and Michael Vick had his off-field issues.
Smith's offensive philosophy is run-heavy and methodical at moving the ball down the field to control the clock -- which is the philosophy of most head coaches when they come from the defensive side as a coordinator. He lost both his coordinators from last season, but new DC Mike Nolan will find a way to get after the QB. That was Atlanta's Achilles' heel last year. Smith understands that he has an elite QB in Matt Ryan and needs to play to his strengths. This offense needs to make bigger plays down the field.
Smith has had so much success early in his career that now it's all about the playoffs for him. The Falcons haven't performed up to their ability in the playoffs. He needs to take the next step and have success in the postseason.
Rex Ryan
Record: 32-22
HC experience: 4th year (all with Jets)
Playoff appearances: 2
Playoff record: 4-2
Super Bowl wins: 0
Rex Ryan -- This is a big year for Rex. He has done a good job in a tough New York market (trust me, I know). When he came in, the team immediately took on his personality and bravado. He wanted people to recognize that there is another team in New York besides the Giants. He comes from a family of defensive coaches, so it's no surprise that he's a very defensive-oriented coach. Rex believes in good defense, running the football and solid special teams. Last year, he tried to open up the offense and it didn't work. He also lost touch with his locker room.
But he hired Tony Sparano to take command of the offense so he can focus on the defense. And the players love playing for him. Rex will have the defense ready to go, but the offense has been a mess this preseason.
Jim Schwartz
Record: 18-31
HC experience: 4th year (all with Lions)
Playoff appearances: 1
Playoff record: 0-1
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jim Schwartz -- A longtime assistant coach and coordinator with the Ravens and Titans, Schwartz took over a team that knew it had to rebuild. He is nearing the end of the process and has done a great job. The Lions stuck with him, and he has rewarded them. They've improved every year under him (2-14, 6-10, 10-6), and now a team that was a perennial doormat for years has some serious expectations.
This team has taken on his personality, which is extremely emotional and fiery. I like the way the Lions play, but he has to remember that, although it takes emotion to play football, you have to make decisions on the sideline when you're calm. He has to do a little better job of controlling his emotions -- and his players will follow his lead on and off the field.
Jim Harbaugh
Record: 14-4
HC experience: 2nd year (all with 49ers)
Playoff appearances: 1
Playoff record: 1-1
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jim Harbaugh -- He did a fabulous job in his first year with the 49ers, surpassing all expectations. He comes from a coaching family, and it was just a matter of time until he left college for the NFL. I watched him at Stanford; his teams were always tough and were always going to run the ball. Even with a great signal-caller such as Andrew Luck at QB, Harbaugh was running the ball. He has helped give QB Alex Smith confidence and tailored the offense to his strengths. The 49ers are going to lean on the ground game, not turn the ball over and play great special teams -- something they can do with P Andy Lee and K David Akers.
Harbaugh has instilled an attitude in this team that now expects greatness. With a Super Bowl-caliber defense, this team will be a force for years to come.
Jury is still out
These coaches have yet to define their legacies. They might be tied to a young QB or entering a season with high expectations. Either way, the full extent of their coaching ability isn't yet known.
Pete Carroll
Record: 49-52
HC experience: 7th year (3rd with Seahawks)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 2-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Pete Carroll -- Entering his third season in Seattle, this is a big year for Carroll. He has had a chance to build this program with his philosophy for a couple of years. The issue is that he doesn't know yet whether he has a QB to build around.
Carroll likes his teams to be physical and to run the ball to control the clock. Defensively, he wants speed on the edges and on the back end. He wants to put offenses in known down-and-distances so he can blitz and force turnovers. He's a very competitive guy and will always create competition among players -- that's why the Seahawks had three QBs taking No. 1 snaps in training camp before Carroll chose Russell Wilson as the starter.
He's a very loose coach and will have fun with the players. His personality didn't really fit in New York and New England in the early 1990s, but it fits well in today's coaching world.
Chan Gailey
Record: 28-38
HC experience: 5th year (3rd with Bills)
Playoff appearances: 2
Playoff record: 0-2
Super Bowl wins: 0
Chan Gailey -- Chan worked on my staff in Kansas City as the offensive coordinator. He's a great offensive mind. He'll take the players he has and put them in a position to have success. Offensively, this team will be fun to watch. And defensively, it should be much better. Chan understands there are raised expectations for this team, and the Bills have improved every year he's been there.
Chan is an old-school football coach. He's good with the players but very demanding. He'll get after them. Remember, he took the Cowboys to the playoffs both years he coached them (1998 and 1999). He didn't win in the playoffs, but he got there. So, as a former coach for Jerry Jones, he knows a little something about big expectations.
Romeo Crennel
Record: 26-41
HC experience: 6th year (second with Chiefs)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Romeo Crennel -- Romeo is a great guy, and I'm glad he's finally getting a chance again in Kansas City. He has inherited a team that has a lot of youth but that also has leaders. Romeo is familiar with GM Scott Pioli from their time together in New England. The players will play hard for him, and he demands respect. He'll run the defense and turn the offense over to OC Brian Daboll. Romeo is in a position to be in Kansas City for a while because the team is well-positioned in the division for the future.
Mike Mularkey
Record: 43-24
HC experience: 3rd year (first with Jaguars)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Mike Mularkey -- Mularkey was last a head coach in 2004 and 2005 with the Bills and most recently was the Falcons' OC from 2008 through last season. He was brought to Jacksonville for one reason: to get QB Blaine Gabbert to play up to his potential. That's Mularkey's job. Period. The defense has some pieces and has kept the Jaguars in games, but this offense will be in trouble if Gabbert doesn't improve. As good as Maurice Jones-Drew was last season, he had 343 carries but only eight TDs. And he's still holding out.
With a new owner, Shad Khan, Mularkey will have a chance to grow with this team.
Jason Garrett
Record: 13-11
HC experience: 3rd year (all with Cowboys)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jason Garrett -- Having been in the Cowboys' organization as a player as well as a coach, Garrett is familiar with how things work in Dallas. He knows the dynamics of the organization and knows Jerry Jones will have a great deal of input on personnel acquisitions and the draft. But Jones will also put what he considers a winning team into the coach's hands.
The big problem in Dallas in expectations. There are always expectations with that star on the side of the helmet. And Garrett didn't live up to them last season, missing the playoffs.
He'll realize that he needs to balance the offense, running the ball more, and coach the other side of the ball, as well. In only his second full season as a head coach, he'll protect the defense more this season.
Mike Munchak
Record: 9-7
HC experience: 2nd year (all with Titans)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Mike Munchak -- Munchak has been with the Titans' organization since 1994 when the team was the Houston Oilers. He's a pro's pro and a players' coach. He has seen it all. He was under Jeff Fisher for a long time, so he understands players -- both what they're going through and how to deal with them. And the players love him.
He was the offensive line coach from 1997 to 2010, so he's going to emphasize running the ball. The keys for this team are how well Chris Johnson runs the football and how quickly Jake Locker adapts to being a starting QB in the NFL. Locker should provide an upgrade over Matt Hasselbeck because of his ability to make plays outside the pocket.
Munchak did a nice job with this team last year, going 9-7 when there weren't many expectations. I think he'll continue to do a solid job in his second year.
Ron Rivera
Record: 6-10
HC experience: 2nd year (all with Panthers)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Ron Rivera -- I'm excited Ron finally got an opportunity to coach in the NFL. He's from my hometown, and I've known him since he was in high school. He knows exactly what he needs to build a successful football team, and, following John Fox, there were pieces in Carolina. He wants to run the Chargers' offense, which is balanced with the run and the pass, and he takes shots deep. He already had great RBs and a vertical threat in Steve Smith, but needed a big, athletic QB with a strong arm. Enter Cam Newton.
A former linebacker with the great Bears defense of the 1980s, Ron knows the importance of a strong presence in the middle. That's why he drafted LB Luke Kuechly to go along with Jon Beason. Ron is starting to build his defense.
I spoke to him at the Super Bowl, and, like all first-year head coaches, he had some growing pains. But he feels better prepared going into this season.
Leslie Frazier
Record: 6-16
HC experience: 3rd year (all with Vikings)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Leslie Frazier -- Leslie is a class act. He won a Super Bowl as a cornerback with the great 1985 Bears team. Players respect him and will play hard for him. He has taken over a tough situation in Minnesota, inheriting a team that thought it was ready to win immediately but now needs to rebuild. On top of that, he is starting a second-year QB in Christian Ponder and his best player, RB Adrian Peterson, is coming off a major knee injury. Leslie likes to play a Tampa 2 defense, relying on the front four to get pressure on the QB. But the Vikings don't have enough players on defense to run it as the Bears do right now.
There's pressure on him this season. He needs to show improvement in his third year, coming off a 3-13 season, to keep his job.
Pat Shurmur
Record: 4-12
HC experience: 2nd year (all with Browns)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Pat Shurmur -- Shurmur is in a difficult situation in Cleveland. He didn't have success last season with second-year QB Colt McCoy, and now he has to start rookie QB Brandon Weeden. The Browns are rebuilding and don't have enough firepower on offense to win the AFC North. Shurmur is a West Coast offense guy from the Mike Holmgren coaching tree. He wants to spread the ball around and protect the QB. He needs a complete back to run the offense and finally has that in Trent Richardson -- if Richardson can stay healthy.
The problem is that the Browns have a new owner who will be measuring this season on improvement from last year, but he might hire someone new after the season regardless.
First-year coaches
With no body of work on which to evaluate these coaches, they are listed in no particular order.
Joe Philbin -- Philbin is in a tough spot in Miami. He has taken over a team that had to clean house on offense because of off-field issues (Marshall, Chad Johnson) and just traded one of its best defensive players (Vontae Davis). Philbin is trying to instill a new offensive system, change the philosophy, and build the team in his mold. Coming from Green Bay, he expects success.
However, this team passed on several QB options and will be starting rookie QB Ryan Tannehill without many offensive weapons. Philbin is tied to Tannehill. Tannehill will determine Philbin's success as a football coach early in his career.
Chuck Pagano -- Pagano is a good defensive-minded coach who was the DC for the Ravens last season. Hiring him was a good move for Indianapolis because he will hire good coaches around him, such as OC Bruce Arians, who will help develop Luck. Pagano understands that the Colts are in a complete rebuild, but he couldn't have walked into a better situation. He has a couple of years to mold this team and grow with the organization. Plus, he has a franchise QB in Luck. In a couple of years, we'll know what kind of coach he is by how much progress this team has made.
Greg Schiano -- A longtime head coach at Rutgers, Schiano takes over a Bucs team that didn't handle success well. He built a program at Rutgers based on discipline (and not necessarily blue-chip recruits) and led a team that competed hard and was successful late in his tenure. He will try to instill the same toughness in Tampa Bay, bringing accountability. He's a focused coach and a taskmaster. He'll give this young team tough love, which is exactly what it needs. There is talent on this team, especially after a great offseason, but Schiano's success depends on whether QB Josh Freeman can develop.
Dennis Allen -- Allen, the youngest coach in the NFL (39 years old), is facing a definite rebuild in Oakland. There's a lot of coaching to be done there. He has to ingrain his philosophy, starting with cleaning up the lack of discipline and exorbitant number of penalties being committed. With Al Davis controlling so much for decades, Allen has to change all that. GM Reggie McKenzie and Allen understand that there will be growing pains. However, because of a terrible cap situation and a lack of draft picks, their hands were tied this offseason. It will be difficult for Allen to have success this season.
But although all 32 NFL head-coaching jobs are good jobs, every coach enters a different situation when he takes over a football team. And, as a coach, you have to come to grips with two things:
1. What type of team did I acquire?
2. How do I get this team to win a Super Bowl?
Winning a Super Bowl is the ultimate goal, of course. But, as a coach, time is never on your side. Do you have an older team with playoff aspirations? Do you have to start a rookie QB? What does the salary-cap situation look like? How many draft picks do you have?
These are all parts of the equation of coaching a team. That's not an excuse; it's a fact.
And, of course, the best situation you enter as a coach is one with an established organization. The New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens, the Green Bay Packers. These are teams that never seem to rebuild -- they just reload.
However, at the end of the day, what all coaches should ask themselves is: Once I set this whistle down, did I make the players and the organization better when I was here? Now, that sometimes doesn't equate to wins. But that is the true definition of coaching.
Going into the 2012 NFL season, I've ranked all 32 NFL coaches on five tiers (Hall of Fame-worthy, elite, ascending, jury is still out and first-year coaches).
Note: Coaches are ranked by overall wins inside individual tiers. Overall experience includes the 2012 NFL season.
Hall of Fame-worthy
These are coaches at the top of the profession. They are on the path to Canton when they retire.
Bill Belichick
Record: 192-104
HC experience: 18th year (13th season with Patriots)
Playoff appearances: 10
Playoff record: 17-7
Super Bowl wins: 3
Bill Belichick -- Twelve full seasons with the Patriots. Five Super Bowl appearances. Three Super Bowl wins. What more do you need to know? Belichick has been the best head coach in the NFL since 2001. He has built a team with players who truly understand the importance of the team concept; his players follow the "Patriot Way"; and everyone leaves his ego at the door. He has done a terrific job of evolving with the game. His first couple of years in Cleveland he wanted to run the football and play solid defense. Now, he understands it's a quarterback league and recognizes the importance of a great offense. He has helped redefine the importance of the tight end position.
He also has lost a lot of young coordinators to head-coaching jobs, which means he's been doing an excellent job developing young coaches. Does it help to have Tom Brady at the helm? Yes. And has Belichick come up short in Super Bowls recently? Yes. Regardless, he is still the best coach in the NFL.
Mike Shanahan
Record: 165-124
HC experience: 26th year (3rd season with Redskins)
Playoff appearances: 7
Playoff record: 8-5
Super Bowl wins: 2
Mike Shanahan -- When Shanahan was in Denver (where he won two Super Bowls), he was considered one of the better coaches in the league. But he also had John Elway at QB. In Washington, he's been in a tough spot because the team has lacked a franchise guy at that spot. And he hasn't made the playoffs since 2005 with the Broncos. Now, with rookie QB Robert Griffin III, Shanahan has the perfect QB to run his offense.
Shanahan runs a zone-blocking scheme on offense with a lot of bootlegs and play-action. Most of the runs are inside zone and outside zone. And the vast majority of passes are off of play-action. Owner Dan Snyder has never been afraid to spend money, so even without future No. 1 draft picks, this team should improve significantly the next couple of years with RG3 at the helm.
Tom Coughlin
Record: 153-121
HC experience: 17th year (9th season with Giants)
Playoff appearances: 9
Playoff record: 11-7
Super Bowl wins: 2
Tom Coughlin -- I go way back with Tom to 1984, when he was a WR coach in Philadelphia and I was still playing. I've seen him grow up as a head coach. He did an amazing job growing a team in Jacksonville, and he has created a consistent winner in New York. Nine playoff appearances, two Super Bowl wins -- a great track record. All of this while competing in the New York market and hearing rumors of being fired seemingly every year.
Tom is a throwback football coach. Everyone has heard about "Tom Coughlin time," but that's simply to enforce structure. That's one of the ways he stresses the little things that are important. And it's why his teams are always disciplined. He protects his players when things aren't going well and for the most part keeps his emotions in check. Bottom line: He makes his football players better. And that's what you want from your head coach.
Jeff Fisher
Record: 147-126
HC experience: 18th year (1st season with Rams)
Playoff appearances: 6
Playoff record: 5-6
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jeff Fisher -- Jeff is simply a terrific football coach. He did a fantastic job in Houston/Tennessee for 17 years and now has a new challenge in guiding a young St. Louis team that has a lot of holes on the roster.
He is a players' coach all the way and isn't afraid to take on personalities other coaches would stay away from (Albert Haynesworth, Randy Moss, Janoris Jenkins). Offensively, Fisher will run the ball until the defense proves it can stop it. Defensively, he always has a penetrating defense, one that is getting after the QB. I always said his defenses play to the echo of the whistle. He also likes to take risks on special teams.
Jeff has a great opportunity in St. Louis and should be excited about having a potential franchise QB in place in Sam Bradford. With multiple first-round picks the next couple of years, thanks to the RG3 deal, I'm excited to see how this team progresses under Jeff.
Andy Reid
Record: 136-90
HC experience: 14th year (all with Eagles)
Playoff appearances: 9
Playoff record: 10-9
Super Bowl wins: 0
Andy Reid -- Reid is the longest-tenured coach in the NFL -- and for good reason. Nine playoff appearances, seven NFC East titles and one Super Bowl appearance will do that. People look at him as a laid-back guy and a players' coach, but he is a leader and in total command of his players. And if you don't think he is fiery, just look at how he got in Cullen Jenkins' face in Week 2 of the preseason. He is a great offensive mind and has a fantastic multidimensional offense that's all about getting guys in space. He knows how he wants to attack defenses, and he passes to set up the run.
There are great expectations on this Eagles team, but it all hinges on whether QB Michael Vick can stay healthy. Reid knows that. He has created those expectations with success. Philly fans were calling for his head last season, but he had a group of good players who didn't have enough practice time because of the lockout; he didn't have a team. With a full offseason together, Reid will have these guys prepared, and he now knows how to use them. This year, he'll reward ownership's faith in him.
Mike Tomlin
Record: 60-28
HC experience: 6th year (all with Steelers)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-3
Super Bowl wins: 1
Mike Tomlin -- Only 40 years old, Mike already has two Super Bowl appearances -- and one victory. The Steelers have won at least nine games in all five of his years as HC. Like John Harbaugh, Tomlin's first HC job was with a team that had a great foundation and was steeped in tradition. The Steelers know what they are doing as an organization. He had a huge task replacing legendary Bill Cowher and has done an excellent job. Tomlin was the right choice and fit their philosophy.
People thought he would change the defense because he's a 4-3 guy, but he kept Dick LeBeau and the 3-4. And that defense has continued to be terrific on first down, forcing offenses into third-and-long, then blitzing from everywhere. Yes, Tomlin has lost his past two playoff games, including Super Bowl XLV, but he will be the head coach in Pittsburgh for a long time.
Elite
These coaches have proved over time that they can succeed in this league. They have either helped to stabilize a franchise or have a record of continued success. If they haven't yet hit 100 wins as an NFL coach, they are on track to do so.
Norv Turner
Record: 111-117
HC experience: 15th year (6th season with Chargers)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 4-4
Super Bowl wins: 0
Norv Turner -- Norv has been a head coach for 14 years in this league. Although some people might think he's not "elite," just remember this: Only 35 coaches have won 100-plus games in the NFL. Norv is one of them.
He's a brilliant offensive mind and knows how to attack defenses. He's a great playcaller. Although he appears laid-back, he's big on discipline. People watch him and think that, because he isn't demonstrative, he isn't fiery. That's not true.
Part of the problem for the Chargers recently has been the turnover of defensive coordinators. This season will be San Diego's third straight with a new defensive coordinator. Hopefully, first-round pick Melvin Ingram can develop because the Chargers haven't had a game-changer on defense since Shawne Merriman was going good.
This team needs to have success in the playoffs. And, under Turner, it hasn't lived up to very high expectations so far.
John Fox
Record: 87-83
HC experience: 11th year (2nd season with Broncos)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 6-4
Super Bowl wins: 0
John Fox -- I've known John forever. He was a former teammate of mine in college at San Diego State. He did great work building a program down in Carolina for nine years, including three trips to the playoffs and a Super Bowl appearance. He's going to sleep smiling now because he has Peyton Manning. And he's never had a good QB his entire career. Now his defense can finally play with some leads.
When he was a DB coach in Pittsburgh early in his career, he molded his philosophy: play good defense, run the ball and don't turn it over. He's terrific with the players. When you've been coaching in this league for 11 years, you've survived a lot. Fox is one of the best in the game today.
Lovie Smith
Record: 74-60
HC experience: 9th year (all with Bears)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 3-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Lovie Smith -- Lovie is one of the most competitive guys I've been around in the NFL. Going into his ninth year in Chicago, he has made it to a Super Bowl. He stresses toughness and defense, which is exactly what the Bears are all about. He has earned the players' respect, and they will always play hard for him. He's a very calm and consistent coach, win or lose.
Lovie uses a Tampa 2 defense and will not be swayed from it. Each player knows his responsibilities in the defense, and, with Brian Urlacher in the middle, the Bears play it better than any other team. With a potentially elite QB in Jay Cutler and finally a true No. 1 receiver in Brandon Marshall, along with an offense tailored to Cutler's strengths, Lovie knows expectations are high for this Bears team this season. Especially given that he's been to the playoffs only once in the past five seasons.
Marvin Lewis
Record: 72-77-1
HC experience: 10th year (all with Bengals)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 0-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Marvin Lewis -- I met Marvin when he did an internship with us in Kansas City while I was the HC. I knew he was going to be a great coach then. In the five seasons before he took over, this franchise was 19-61. This will be his 10th season in Cincinnati, and even though he hasn't won a playoff game, he has helped turn around the franchise. A defensive guy, Marvin has won more games than any other Bengals head coach. He has had tough going with ownership. Cincinnati has a reputation for doing things a little differently, and Marvin has had to deal with some players who maybe weren't his first choice to bring on the roster. But the ownership there loves Marvin and has stuck with him through thick and thin.
With a potential franchise QB in Andy Dalton and a budding star in WR A.J. Green, Marvin looks to have this team on the rise again after trading away Carson Palmer.
Mike McCarthy
Record: 68-36
HC experience: 7th year (all with Packers)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-3
Super Bowl wins: 1
Mike McCarthy -- I remember Mike back when he was a graduate assistant in Kansas City and I was the head coach. He had a tireless work ethic -- one he still has today. He learned under Paul Hackett, who learned under Bill Walsh. Mike understands the philosophy of the West Coast offense. He likes to run multidimensional formations and pass to set up the run. He is energetic and fiery but has the personality to handle the spotlight, which is important in Green Bay. He couldn't have gone to a better place for his first head-coaching job. He had Brett Favre to start and now Aaron Rodgers, two elite QBs who make the players around them better.
Mike knows that the Packers need to run the ball more effectively this year and that the defense has to at least slow down the pass. You can bet that playoff loss will be used as motivation for this team all season long.
Sean Payton
Record: 67-37
HC experience: 7th year (all with Saints)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-3
Super Bowl wins: 1
Sean Payton -- Suspended for this season after the bounty scandal, but there's no need to talk about that here. Payton is a great football coach. Period. Coming up through the coaching ranks, everyone knew he would be a talent. He is an outstanding offensive mind and playcaller during the game. He does a better job than any other offensive coordinator at mixing up run and pass and taking chances. You never know what he's going to do.
His offense is predicated on shifts and motions designed to get players in ideal matchups and confuse the defense. Of course, the key to executing that offense is that he has QB Drew Brees running it. And it gives his defense the ability to take some chances, as well, knowing it will be playing with leads.
He also has done a fantastic job giving hope to a city that was in disarray after Katrina. Anytime you go through that as a head coach and help a city gain pride back, it speaks to what you represent as a person.
John Harbaugh
Record: 49-24
HC experience: 5th year (all with Ravens)
Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 5-4
Super Bowl wins: 0
John Harbaugh -- He's done an excellent job taking over a good football team and not trying to change its identity. Coming from a family of coaches, he understood that the strength of this team was the defense, and his philosophy fits perfectly in Baltimore. He's a tough-minded guy who wants a disciplined football team that plays with an edge.
Harbaugh has won double-digit games in three of his four seasons and was on the cusp of the Super Bowl last season. But he has yet to appear in the big game, which, for a veteran team like the Ravens, is a realistic expectation every year.
With Ray Rice signed long term and some speed on the outside, this offense should take off with QB Joe Flacco running the show. Harbaugh and GM Ozzie Newsome also do a terrific job of drafting players to fit their system.
Ascending
These NFL coaches are rising stars. They have done enough to show that they have the potential to be elite coaches.
Gary Kubiak
Record: 48-50
HC experience: 7th year (all with Texans)
Playoff appearances: 1
Playoff record: 1-1
Super Bowl wins: 0
Gary Kubiak -- Kubiak coached under Mike Shanahan for many years in Denver and is still running Shanahan's offensive system today. The offense is a zone-blocking scheme that relies on bootlegs and misdirection. The difference between Kubiak and Shanahan is that Kubiak now has a team the Redskins hope to resemble in a couple of years. Kubiak has a great owner in Bob McNair, who stayed with Kubiak when the fans and media were calling for his head. Despite several disappointing seasons, McNair let Kubiak build this football team, and now Houston is in a position to make a deep playoff run.
Hiring Wade Philips was a great move because Kubiak was able to turn the defense over to him. After a playoff win last year, the question is: Can the Texans handle success?
Ken Whisenhunt
Record: 44-42
HC experience: 6th year (all with Cardinals)
Playoff appearances: 2
Playoff record: 4-2
Super Bowl wins: 0
Ken Whisenhunt -- A former NFL tight end and Steelers offensive coordinator, Ken knows what he wants to do on offense. He wants to minimize mistakes and be balanced between the run and pass. The players respect that he is a former player. He has seen it all. Players love honesty and consistency, and he has brought both to the Cardinals' organization -- one that hasn't had a lot of success or excitement in the past.
His overall record doesn't really reflect the job he has done turning around that team. Although he rode the hot hand of Kurt Warner to a Super Bowl appearance, his biggest issue is that he's never had a franchise QB to work with -- and it doesn't look as if one is on the roster right now. His future in Arizona is dependent on whether John Skelton or Kevin Kolb turns into a reliable starter. He also has struggled with his defense, but Ray Horton will help him this year.
Mike Smith
Record: 43-24
HC experience: 5th year (all with Falcons)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 0-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Mike Smith -- He's been in the NFL since 1999, and I'm glad he's doing well in his first opportunity as a head coach. It couldn't have happened to a better guy. He's a tough-minded guy who has a great demeanor with the players, and he emphasizes defense (he was Jacksonville's DC from 2003 to 2007). He has done a great job stabilizing a franchise that was in disarray after Bobby Petrino left and Michael Vick had his off-field issues.
Smith's offensive philosophy is run-heavy and methodical at moving the ball down the field to control the clock -- which is the philosophy of most head coaches when they come from the defensive side as a coordinator. He lost both his coordinators from last season, but new DC Mike Nolan will find a way to get after the QB. That was Atlanta's Achilles' heel last year. Smith understands that he has an elite QB in Matt Ryan and needs to play to his strengths. This offense needs to make bigger plays down the field.
Smith has had so much success early in his career that now it's all about the playoffs for him. The Falcons haven't performed up to their ability in the playoffs. He needs to take the next step and have success in the postseason.
Rex Ryan
Record: 32-22
HC experience: 4th year (all with Jets)
Playoff appearances: 2
Playoff record: 4-2
Super Bowl wins: 0
Rex Ryan -- This is a big year for Rex. He has done a good job in a tough New York market (trust me, I know). When he came in, the team immediately took on his personality and bravado. He wanted people to recognize that there is another team in New York besides the Giants. He comes from a family of defensive coaches, so it's no surprise that he's a very defensive-oriented coach. Rex believes in good defense, running the football and solid special teams. Last year, he tried to open up the offense and it didn't work. He also lost touch with his locker room.
But he hired Tony Sparano to take command of the offense so he can focus on the defense. And the players love playing for him. Rex will have the defense ready to go, but the offense has been a mess this preseason.
Jim Schwartz
Record: 18-31
HC experience: 4th year (all with Lions)
Playoff appearances: 1
Playoff record: 0-1
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jim Schwartz -- A longtime assistant coach and coordinator with the Ravens and Titans, Schwartz took over a team that knew it had to rebuild. He is nearing the end of the process and has done a great job. The Lions stuck with him, and he has rewarded them. They've improved every year under him (2-14, 6-10, 10-6), and now a team that was a perennial doormat for years has some serious expectations.
This team has taken on his personality, which is extremely emotional and fiery. I like the way the Lions play, but he has to remember that, although it takes emotion to play football, you have to make decisions on the sideline when you're calm. He has to do a little better job of controlling his emotions -- and his players will follow his lead on and off the field.
Jim Harbaugh
Record: 14-4
HC experience: 2nd year (all with 49ers)
Playoff appearances: 1
Playoff record: 1-1
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jim Harbaugh -- He did a fabulous job in his first year with the 49ers, surpassing all expectations. He comes from a coaching family, and it was just a matter of time until he left college for the NFL. I watched him at Stanford; his teams were always tough and were always going to run the ball. Even with a great signal-caller such as Andrew Luck at QB, Harbaugh was running the ball. He has helped give QB Alex Smith confidence and tailored the offense to his strengths. The 49ers are going to lean on the ground game, not turn the ball over and play great special teams -- something they can do with P Andy Lee and K David Akers.
Harbaugh has instilled an attitude in this team that now expects greatness. With a Super Bowl-caliber defense, this team will be a force for years to come.
Jury is still out
These coaches have yet to define their legacies. They might be tied to a young QB or entering a season with high expectations. Either way, the full extent of their coaching ability isn't yet known.
Pete Carroll
Record: 49-52
HC experience: 7th year (3rd with Seahawks)
Playoff appearances: 3
Playoff record: 2-3
Super Bowl wins: 0
Pete Carroll -- Entering his third season in Seattle, this is a big year for Carroll. He has had a chance to build this program with his philosophy for a couple of years. The issue is that he doesn't know yet whether he has a QB to build around.
Carroll likes his teams to be physical and to run the ball to control the clock. Defensively, he wants speed on the edges and on the back end. He wants to put offenses in known down-and-distances so he can blitz and force turnovers. He's a very competitive guy and will always create competition among players -- that's why the Seahawks had three QBs taking No. 1 snaps in training camp before Carroll chose Russell Wilson as the starter.
He's a very loose coach and will have fun with the players. His personality didn't really fit in New York and New England in the early 1990s, but it fits well in today's coaching world.
Chan Gailey
Record: 28-38
HC experience: 5th year (3rd with Bills)
Playoff appearances: 2
Playoff record: 0-2
Super Bowl wins: 0
Chan Gailey -- Chan worked on my staff in Kansas City as the offensive coordinator. He's a great offensive mind. He'll take the players he has and put them in a position to have success. Offensively, this team will be fun to watch. And defensively, it should be much better. Chan understands there are raised expectations for this team, and the Bills have improved every year he's been there.
Chan is an old-school football coach. He's good with the players but very demanding. He'll get after them. Remember, he took the Cowboys to the playoffs both years he coached them (1998 and 1999). He didn't win in the playoffs, but he got there. So, as a former coach for Jerry Jones, he knows a little something about big expectations.
Romeo Crennel
Record: 26-41
HC experience: 6th year (second with Chiefs)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Romeo Crennel -- Romeo is a great guy, and I'm glad he's finally getting a chance again in Kansas City. He has inherited a team that has a lot of youth but that also has leaders. Romeo is familiar with GM Scott Pioli from their time together in New England. The players will play hard for him, and he demands respect. He'll run the defense and turn the offense over to OC Brian Daboll. Romeo is in a position to be in Kansas City for a while because the team is well-positioned in the division for the future.
Mike Mularkey
Record: 43-24
HC experience: 3rd year (first with Jaguars)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Mike Mularkey -- Mularkey was last a head coach in 2004 and 2005 with the Bills and most recently was the Falcons' OC from 2008 through last season. He was brought to Jacksonville for one reason: to get QB Blaine Gabbert to play up to his potential. That's Mularkey's job. Period. The defense has some pieces and has kept the Jaguars in games, but this offense will be in trouble if Gabbert doesn't improve. As good as Maurice Jones-Drew was last season, he had 343 carries but only eight TDs. And he's still holding out.
With a new owner, Shad Khan, Mularkey will have a chance to grow with this team.
Jason Garrett
Record: 13-11
HC experience: 3rd year (all with Cowboys)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Jason Garrett -- Having been in the Cowboys' organization as a player as well as a coach, Garrett is familiar with how things work in Dallas. He knows the dynamics of the organization and knows Jerry Jones will have a great deal of input on personnel acquisitions and the draft. But Jones will also put what he considers a winning team into the coach's hands.
The big problem in Dallas in expectations. There are always expectations with that star on the side of the helmet. And Garrett didn't live up to them last season, missing the playoffs.
He'll realize that he needs to balance the offense, running the ball more, and coach the other side of the ball, as well. In only his second full season as a head coach, he'll protect the defense more this season.
Mike Munchak
Record: 9-7
HC experience: 2nd year (all with Titans)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Mike Munchak -- Munchak has been with the Titans' organization since 1994 when the team was the Houston Oilers. He's a pro's pro and a players' coach. He has seen it all. He was under Jeff Fisher for a long time, so he understands players -- both what they're going through and how to deal with them. And the players love him.
He was the offensive line coach from 1997 to 2010, so he's going to emphasize running the ball. The keys for this team are how well Chris Johnson runs the football and how quickly Jake Locker adapts to being a starting QB in the NFL. Locker should provide an upgrade over Matt Hasselbeck because of his ability to make plays outside the pocket.
Munchak did a nice job with this team last year, going 9-7 when there weren't many expectations. I think he'll continue to do a solid job in his second year.
Ron Rivera
Record: 6-10
HC experience: 2nd year (all with Panthers)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Ron Rivera -- I'm excited Ron finally got an opportunity to coach in the NFL. He's from my hometown, and I've known him since he was in high school. He knows exactly what he needs to build a successful football team, and, following John Fox, there were pieces in Carolina. He wants to run the Chargers' offense, which is balanced with the run and the pass, and he takes shots deep. He already had great RBs and a vertical threat in Steve Smith, but needed a big, athletic QB with a strong arm. Enter Cam Newton.
A former linebacker with the great Bears defense of the 1980s, Ron knows the importance of a strong presence in the middle. That's why he drafted LB Luke Kuechly to go along with Jon Beason. Ron is starting to build his defense.
I spoke to him at the Super Bowl, and, like all first-year head coaches, he had some growing pains. But he feels better prepared going into this season.
Leslie Frazier
Record: 6-16
HC experience: 3rd year (all with Vikings)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Leslie Frazier -- Leslie is a class act. He won a Super Bowl as a cornerback with the great 1985 Bears team. Players respect him and will play hard for him. He has taken over a tough situation in Minnesota, inheriting a team that thought it was ready to win immediately but now needs to rebuild. On top of that, he is starting a second-year QB in Christian Ponder and his best player, RB Adrian Peterson, is coming off a major knee injury. Leslie likes to play a Tampa 2 defense, relying on the front four to get pressure on the QB. But the Vikings don't have enough players on defense to run it as the Bears do right now.
There's pressure on him this season. He needs to show improvement in his third year, coming off a 3-13 season, to keep his job.
Pat Shurmur
Record: 4-12
HC experience: 2nd year (all with Browns)
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
Super Bowl wins: 0
Pat Shurmur -- Shurmur is in a difficult situation in Cleveland. He didn't have success last season with second-year QB Colt McCoy, and now he has to start rookie QB Brandon Weeden. The Browns are rebuilding and don't have enough firepower on offense to win the AFC North. Shurmur is a West Coast offense guy from the Mike Holmgren coaching tree. He wants to spread the ball around and protect the QB. He needs a complete back to run the offense and finally has that in Trent Richardson -- if Richardson can stay healthy.
The problem is that the Browns have a new owner who will be measuring this season on improvement from last year, but he might hire someone new after the season regardless.
First-year coaches
With no body of work on which to evaluate these coaches, they are listed in no particular order.
Joe Philbin -- Philbin is in a tough spot in Miami. He has taken over a team that had to clean house on offense because of off-field issues (Marshall, Chad Johnson) and just traded one of its best defensive players (Vontae Davis). Philbin is trying to instill a new offensive system, change the philosophy, and build the team in his mold. Coming from Green Bay, he expects success.
However, this team passed on several QB options and will be starting rookie QB Ryan Tannehill without many offensive weapons. Philbin is tied to Tannehill. Tannehill will determine Philbin's success as a football coach early in his career.
Chuck Pagano -- Pagano is a good defensive-minded coach who was the DC for the Ravens last season. Hiring him was a good move for Indianapolis because he will hire good coaches around him, such as OC Bruce Arians, who will help develop Luck. Pagano understands that the Colts are in a complete rebuild, but he couldn't have walked into a better situation. He has a couple of years to mold this team and grow with the organization. Plus, he has a franchise QB in Luck. In a couple of years, we'll know what kind of coach he is by how much progress this team has made.
Greg Schiano -- A longtime head coach at Rutgers, Schiano takes over a Bucs team that didn't handle success well. He built a program at Rutgers based on discipline (and not necessarily blue-chip recruits) and led a team that competed hard and was successful late in his tenure. He will try to instill the same toughness in Tampa Bay, bringing accountability. He's a focused coach and a taskmaster. He'll give this young team tough love, which is exactly what it needs. There is talent on this team, especially after a great offseason, but Schiano's success depends on whether QB Josh Freeman can develop.
Dennis Allen -- Allen, the youngest coach in the NFL (39 years old), is facing a definite rebuild in Oakland. There's a lot of coaching to be done there. He has to ingrain his philosophy, starting with cleaning up the lack of discipline and exorbitant number of penalties being committed. With Al Davis controlling so much for decades, Allen has to change all that. GM Reggie McKenzie and Allen understand that there will be growing pains. However, because of a terrible cap situation and a lack of draft picks, their hands were tied this offseason. It will be difficult for Allen to have success this season.
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