Whether you're one who believes that coaches and managers of professional sports teams are overrated and overvalued, you have to admit that some just seem to have more success than others. They may even share some common characteristics that separate themselves from the rest of the lot.
In any case, we examine the top active leaders of sports teams and solicit your feedback on why you think your favorite coach is better than the ones I've picked.
On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz
Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
Despite his unquestioned success, Dr. Phil certainly has his share of detractors. They claim he is merely lucky; in the right place at the right time; an opportunist.
Being handed the reigns to a Chicago Bulls' team with Michael Jordan from Doug Collins, who had been nurturing the team to a point where they were seemingly ready to win, is one example. Another is Phil moving from the Bulls to the Lakers, loaded with Shaq and Kobe.
Yet there are others who rightly point out that coaching egos like MJ's is not easy. It takes the right guiding hand to satisfy the stars while building a sense of team camaraderie like Jackson has. And win at the same time, which Phil certainly has.
He has won nine NBA championships and is currently down 0-2 to Boston in this year's finals. He has a .700 career winning percentage. His Eastern philosophy of coaching has earned him the nickname of "Zen Master". He also applies Native American spiritual practices as documented in his book "Sacred Hoops".
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Whether or not you believe in that stuff, you can't argue with his success. And that's why he leads our list of top coaches in pro sports.
A successful coach needs a patient wife, loyal dog, and great quarterback - and not necessarily in that order.
-- Bud Grant
Bobby Cox, Atlanta Braves
Cox may not be eloquent in his mannerisms and he may not give any famous speeches, but he just goes to work year after year and produces results.
He had inherited a Braves' team that was awful and built them up from scratch starting in 1976. The Braves finally finished above .500 yet Ted Turner fired Cox in 1981. After success managing in Toronto, including a first place finish in 1985, Cox returned to the Braves as GM.
Cox appointed himself manager in 1990, and went on to win the division title for 14 consecutive seasons. His 15 division titles is a record in MLB and he is the fourth winningest manager in baseball history. He holds second place on our active list.
"Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate."
-- Vince Lombardi
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
Belichick gets No. 3 because he won his three titles in four years in an era when you just can't do it with free agency and the salary cap in place. Yet Belichick has maintained that team with Tom Brady and enough good players to overcome not having many great ones to become the modern day dynastic coach.
Yes, his team lost to the Giants last February, despite being heavy favorites, but you can't argue with his success in getting there.
I know, what about Spygate, you ask? Well, there is just too much we don't know, and likely will never know, to hold that against the man's ability as a head coach.
He has coached his teams to four Super Bowls, winning three and earning NFL "Coach of the Year" awards twice. He also led the Pats to an undefeated regular season this past year, going 16-0. He has won more than 71 percent of his games as coach of the Pats over eight seasons.
OK, I've had my say. Come to think of it, what say you?
"This has been a team effort. No one or two guys could have done all this."
- Casey Stengel, after the Mets lost 120 games in their inaugural season in 1962
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5 months ago
I'd argue that Tony Dungy is up there. The Colts weren't the fabled franchise they are now when Dungy joined the corps. He is a damn good coach. But I like the selections, overall.
from 5 months ago
Yeah, I admit I didn't go out on a limb with my selections, all three are winners. In the NFL, I also condiered Dungy and Gibbs. Gibbs had great success his first time around though his recent failings leave him short. Dungy could have been a good selection, as you say, though I hate that "Tampa 2" defense he employs. But the fact is he just isn't as successful in the postseason as Belichick has been, going only 9-9 compared with 15-4 by the Patriots coach. And Belichick has 4 super bowls to Dungy's one. The only comparison is during the regular season. But you can't ignore the playoffs.
5 months ago
Let's examine this one: Phil Jackson (down 2-0 to the Boston Celtics), Bobby Cox (32-32 and 6.5 games out of first) and Bill Belichick (Spygate and Super Bowl XLII). This piece is flawed. What about the coaches that did better than those three this season? How about Doc Rivers for leading the Celtics to the Finals? How about Tony LaRussa for keeping pace with the Cubs with nothing? And how about Tom Coughlin for silencing critics or Tony Dungy for making history last year?
from 5 months ago
You're reasoning is flawed if you think that this piece was only considering this year. It considers the entire body of all active coaches. Yes, LaRussa was considered because he's won more championships. But that run of 14 consecutive division titles by Cox is just amazing and couldn't be ignored. What has Doc Rivers done other than this year? You mean to tell me you would actually compare him with Jackson? That's ridiculous, he couldn't carry Phil's shoes. And this ain't personal because I actually do not care for both Jackson nor Belichick, but I voted with my head not my heart.
I answered the Dungy thing in my response to Benjamin. As I said, 15-4 in the postseason vs. 9-9 says it all. And you can't be serious about Coughlin?? They were ready to fire him before they got hot. Great accomplishment winning the Super Bowl. But how does that compare with winning three of them? Spygate didn't win Belichick those bowls.
5 months ago
Bob, nice points and I agree that all three of those coaches are the lead candidates for their respective sports. Jackson is by far the best NBA coach, and regardless of the Spygate stuff, Belichick is tops as well.
As for Cox, he is for sure at the top, but his failure to move past the first round of the playoffs so many times hurts his case. He still is one of the best managers ever, and probably is right now. I love how he keeps getting one year extensions because its too hard for him and the Braves to finally part ways.
from 5 months ago
Yes, Sam, Cox' lack of success in the playoffs is a downer for him. But out of all active baseball managers, Piniella only has one WS title, and LaRussa has won two. If it went just by that, then we'd have to give it to Joe Torre. But Cox has more division titles. So it's close, I admit. And as good as Cox has been, if I were picking a manager to lead my team today, it probably wouldn't be Cox. It might be Scioscia, Girardi or Francona.
from 5 months ago
Agreed. Scioscia is a great manager and I read somewhere he studies more film than any other manager. I also agree with all of your picks. You and I usually agree on everything!
5 months ago
Yeah I hear you on the Dungy argument, I was just trying to play devils advocate. I would have selected Belichick as well. I'm saying Dungy as a runner-up for sure.
from 5 months ago
I hear you, Dungy seems like not only a good coach but a decent human being as well. One thing for sure is Lovie Smith will never make my list. In fact, I was one of the few who didn't even like him during the Bears' Super Bowl year.
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