SWC75
Bored Historian
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It’s the change your head coach season and some familiar names keep coming up- Jeff Fisher, Mike Mularkey: there’s even talk of Wade Phillips getting a fourth gig, (six if you count interim coaching gigs). It often seems that Owners and General Managers lack imagination: they’d rather go with a “known quantity”, sometimes regardless of the previous success rate of success. I decided to look at the roster of present and former NFL coaches to see how well coaches did in each of their gigs and how often they equaled or exceeded their initial rate of success. In doing this I noted that there were a lot of interim coaching gigs over the years so I limited this list to gigs that lasted at least a full season, (records as an interim coach before a full season and records for coaches fired in mid season after a full season are included).. I’ll put a ‘+’ after every record that improved in at least one gig after the first one- and was a wining record.
George Allen- Rams (1966-70) 49-17-4 .742, Redskins (1971-77) 69-35-1 .663
Roy Andrews- Kansas City Blues/Cowboys (1924-26) 12-15-1 .444, Cleveland Bulldogs (1927) 8-4-1 .667, Detroit Wolverines (1928) 7-2-1 .778, Giants (1929-30) 24-5-1 .828 +
Joe Bach- Steelers (1935-36) 10-14 .417, (1952-53) 11-13 .458
Sammy Baugh- Titans (1960-61) 14-14 .500, Oilers (1964) 4-10 .286
Bill Belichick- Browns (1991-95) 37-45 .451 Patriots (2000-11) 153-58 .725 +
Leeman Bennett- Falcons (1977-82) 47-44 .516 Buccaneers (1985-86) 4-28 .125
Punk Berryman- Frankford Yellow Jackets (1924) 11-2-1 .846, Brooklyn Lions 3-8 .273
Paul Brown- Browns (1946-62) 167-53-8 .759, Bengals (1968-75) 55-59-1 .482
Joe Bugel- Cardinals (1990-93) 20-44 .313, Raiders (1997) 4-12 .250
Marion Campbell- Falcons (1974-76) 6-19 .240, Eagles (1983-85) 17-29-1 .370, Falcons (1987-89) 11-32 .256
Dom Capers- Panthers (1995-98) 31-34 .477, Texans (2002-05) 18-46 .281
Pete Carroll- Jets (1994) 6-10 .375, Patriots (1997-99) 28-23 .549, Seahawks (2010-11) 14-18 .438 +
Guy Chamberlin- Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs (1922-24) 28-1-3 .966 Frankford Yellow Jackets (1925-26) 27-8-2 (.771) Cardinals (1927) 3-7-1 (.300)
Dutch Clark- Lions (1937-38) 14-8 .636, Rams (1939-42) 16-26-3 .381
Monte Clark- 49ers (1976) 8-6 .571, Lions (1978-84) 43-65-1 .398
Potsy Clark- Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions (1931-36) 49-20-6 .710, Brooklyn Dodgers (1937-39) 11-17-5 .393 Lions (1940) 5-5-1 .500
Jimmy Conzelman- Rock Island Independents (1921-22) 8-3-1 .727, Milwaukee Badgers 7-5-3 .583, Detroit Panthers (1925-26) 12-8-4 .600, Providence Steam Rollers (1927-30) 26-16-6 .619, Cardinals (1940-42) 8-22-3 .267, (1946-48) 27-10 .730 +
Bruce Coslet- Jets (1990-93) 26-38 .406, Bengals (1996-2000) 21-39 .350
Don Coryell- Cardinals (1973-77) 42-29-1 .592 Chargers (1978-86) 72-60 .545
Tom Coughlin- Jaguars (1995-02) 72-64 .529 Giants (2004-11) 79-57 .580 +
Dudley DeGroot- Redskins (1944-45) 14-6-1 .700, Los Angeles Dons (1946-47) 12-11-2 ..522
Mike Ditka- Bears (1982-92) 112-68 .631, Saints (1997-99) 15-33 .313
Paddy Driscoll- Cardinals (1920-22) 17-8-4 .680, Bears (1956-57) 14-10-1 .583
Tony Dungy- Buccaneers (1996-01) 56-46 .549, Colts (2002-03) 92-33 .736 +
Cap Edwards- Canton Bulldogs (1921) 5-2-3 .714 Cleveland Bulldogs (1925) 5-8-1 .385
Herman Edwards- Jets (2001-05) 41-44 .482, Chiefs (2006-08) 15-33 .313
Dennis Erickson- Seahawks (1995-98) 31-33 .484, 49ers (2003-04) 9-23 .125
Weeb Ewbank- Colts (1954-62) 61-52-1 .532 Jets (1963-1973) 73-78-6 (.483)
Guil Falcon- Chicago Tigers (1920) 2-5-1 .286, Toledo Maroons (1922-23) 8-5-4 .615 +
Ray Flaherty- Redskins (1936-42) 56-23-3 .709 New York Yankees (1946-48) 22-10-2 .688, Chicago Hornets (1949) 4-8 .333
Tom Flores- Raiders (1979-87) 91-56 .619, Seahawks (92-94) 14-34 .292
John Fox- Panthers (2002-10) 73-71 .507, Broncos (2011) 9-9 .500
Chan Gailey- Cowboys (1998-99) 18-16 .529, Bills (2010-11) 10-22 .313
Joe Gibbs- Redskins (1981-92) 140-65 .683, (2004-07) 31-36 .463
Sid Gillman- Rams (1955-59) 28-32-1 .467, Chargers (1961-69) 83-51-6 .619, Oilers 8-15 .348 +
Jerry Glanville- Oilers (1985-89) 35-35 .500, Falcons (1990-93) 28-38 .424
Bud Grant- Vikings (1967-83) 161-99-5 .619 (1985) 7-9 .438
Dennis Green- Vikings (1992-2001) 101-70 .591, Cardinals (2004-06) 16-32 .333
Forrest Gregg- Browns (1975-77) 18-23 .439, Bengals (1980-83) 34-27 .557, Packers (1984-87) 25-37 .403 +
Jon Gruden- Raiders (1998-2001) 40-28 .588, Buccaneers (2002-08) 60-57 .513
George Halas- Decatur Staleys/Bears (1920-55) 248-98-25 .717, (1958-67) 76-53-6 .589
Dan Henning- Falcons (1983-86) 22-41-1 .349, Chargers (1989-91) 16-32 .333
Fats Henry- Canton Bulldogs (1926) 1-9-3 .100, Pottsville Maroons (1928) 2-8 .200
Mike Holmgren- Packers (1992-98) 84-42 .667, Seahawks (1999-2008) 90-80 .529
Lindy Infante- Packers (1988-91) 24-40 .375, Colts (1996-97) 12-21 .364
Dick Jauron- Bears (1999-2003) 35-46 .432, Bills (2006-09) 24-33 .421
Jimmy Johnson- Cowboys (1989-93) 51-37 .580 Dolphins (1996-99) 38-31 .551
Walt Kiesling- Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers (1939-44- including 1943 as the “Steagles” and 1944 as the “Carpets“) 16-33-5 .327, Steelers (1951-53) 14-22 .389
Chuck Knox- Rams (1973-77) 57-20-1 .740, Bills (1978-82) 38-38 .500, Seahawks (1983-91) 83-67 .553, Rams (1992-94) 15-33 .313
Rick Kotite- Eagles (1991-94) 37-29 .561, Jets (1995-96) 4-28 .125
Joe Kuharich- Cardinals (1952) 4-8 .333, Redskins (1954-58) 26-32-2 .448, Eagles (1964-68) 28-41-1 .406
Curly Lambeau- Packers (1921-49) 212-106-21 .667, Cardinals (1950-51) 7-15 .318, Redskins (1952-53) 10-13-1 .435
Wally Lemm- Cardinals (1962-65) 27-26-3 .509, Oilers (1966-70) 28-40-4 .412
Vince Lombardi- Packers (1959-67) 98-30-4 .766, Redskins (1969) 7-5-2 .583
Eric Mangini- Jets (2006-08) 23-25 .479, Browns (2009-10) 10-22 .313
Ted Marchibroda- Colts (1975-79) 41-37 ..526, Colts (1992-95) 32-35 .478, Ravens (1996-98) 16-31-1 .340
Steve Mariucci- 49ers (1997-2002) 60-43 .583, Lions (2003-05) 15-28 .349
Mike McCormick- Eagles (1973-75) 16-25-1 .390, Colts (1980-81) 9-23 .281
James Ernest Mora- Saints (1986-96) 93-78 .544, Colts (1998-01) 32-34 .485
James Lawrence Mora- Falcons 27-23 .540, Seahawks (2009) 5-11 .313
Ernie Nevers- Duluth Eskimos (1927) 1-8 .111, Cardinals (1930-31) 10-9-2 .526, (1939) 1-10 .091 +
Mike Nixon- Redskins (1959-60) 4-18-2 .182 Steelers (1965) 2-12 .143
Dick Nolan- 49ers (1968-75) 54-53-5 .505 Saints (1978-80) 15-29 .341
Jack Pardee- Bears (1975-77) 20-23 .476, Redskins (1978-80) 24-24 .500, Oilers 44-35 .557 +
Buddy Parker- Cardinals (1949) 6-5-1 .535, Lions (1951-56) 50-24-2 .676, Steelers (157-64) 51-47-6 .520 +
Ray Perkins- Giants (1979-82) 24-35 .407, Buccaneers (1987-90) 19-41 .317
Jim Phelan- Los Angeles Dons (1948-49) 11-15 .423, Dallas Texans (1952) 1-11 .083
Bum Phillips- Oilers (1975-80) 59-38 .608, Saints 27-42 .391
Wade Phillips- Broncos (1993-94) 16-16 .500, Bills (1998-2000) 29-21 .580, Cowboys (2007-10) 35-24 .593 +
Earl Potteiger- Kenosha Maroons (1924) 0-4-1 .000 New York Giants 15-8-3 .652 +
Tommy Prothro- Rams (1971-72) 14-12-2 .538 Chargers (1974-1978) 21-39 .350
Dick Rauch- Pottsville Maroons (1925-27) 25-12-2 .676, New York Yankees (1928) 4-8-1 .333, Boston Bulldogs (1929) 4-4 .500
Johnny Rauch- Oakland Raiders (1966-68) 35-10-1 ..778, Buffalo Bills (1969-70) 7-20-1 .259
Dan Reeves- Broncos (1981-92) 117-79-1 .597, Giants (1992-1996) 32-34 .485, Falcons (1997-2003) 52-61 .460
Ray Rhodes- Eagles (1995-98) 30-36-1 ..455, Packers (1999) 8-8 .500
Bobby Ross- Chargers (1992-96) 50-36 .581, Lions (1997-2000) 27-30 .474
Lou Saban- Patriots (1960-61) 7-12 .368, Bills (1962-65) 38-18-3 .679, Broncos (1967-71) 20-42-3 .323, Bills (1972-76) 32-29-1 .525 +
Dewey Scanlon- Duluth Kelleys/Eskimos 11-9-3 .545, Cardinals 6-6-1 .500
Paul Schissler- Cardinals (1933-34) 6-15-1 .286, Brooklyn Dodgers (1935-36) 8-14-2 .364
Marty Schottenheimer- Browns (1984-88) 46-31 .597, Chiefs (1989-98) 104-65-1 ..615, Redskins (2001) 8-8 .500, Chargers (2002-06) 47-35 .573 +
George Seifert- 49ers (1989-96) 108-35 .755, Panthers (1999-2001) 16-32 .333
Mike Shanahan- Raiders (1988-89) 8-12 .400, Broncos (1995-2008) 146-91 .616, Redskins 11-21 .344 +
Buck Shaw- 49ers, (1946-54) 72-40-4 .643, Eagles (1958-60) 19-16-1 .543
Art Shell- Raiders (1989-94) 54-38 .587, Raiders (2006) 2-14 .125
Don Shula- Colts (1963-69) 72-26-4 .735, Dolphins (1970-95) 274-197-2 .582
Nick Skorich- Eagles (1961-63) 15-24-3 .385, Browns (1971-74) 30-26-2 .536 +
Red Strader- New York Yankees (1948-51) 21-24-2 .467, 49ers (1955) 4-8 .333
Hank Stram- Texans/Chiefs (1960-74) 129-79-10 .620 Saints (1976=77) 7-21 .250
Joe Stydahar- Rams (1950-52) 19-9 .679, Cardinals (1953-54) 3-20-1 .130
Harland Svare- Rams (1962-65) 14-31-3 .311, Chargers (1971-73) 7-17-2 .292
Jim Thorpe- Canton Bulldogs (1920) 7-4-2 .636, Cleveland Indians (1921) 3-5 .375, Oorang Indians (1922-23) 4-16 .200
Norv Turner- Redskins (1994-2000) 50-60-1 .455, Raiders (2004-05) 9-23 .281, Chargers (2007-11) 52-34 .605 +
Rube Ursella- Rock Island Independents (1920) 6-2-1 .750, Minneapolis Marines (1921) 1-3 .250, Rock Island Independents (1925) 5-3-3 .625
Norm Van Brocklin- Vikings (1961-66) 29-51-4 .363, Falcons (1968-74) 37-49-3 .430
Dick Vermeil- Eagles (1976-82) 57-51 .528, Rams (1997-99) 25-26 .490, Chiefs (2001-05) 44-37 .543 +
Dave Wannstedt- Bears (1993-98) 41-57 .418, Dolphins (2000-04) 43-33 .566 +
George Wilson- Bears (1957-64) 55-47-6 .539, Dolphins (1966-69) 15-39-2 .278
Charley Winner- Cardinals (1966-70) 35-30-5 .538, Jets (1974-75) 9-14 .391
Lud Wray- Braves (1932) 4-4-2 .500, Eagles (1933-35) 9-21-1 .300
Sam Wyche- Bengals (1984-91) 64-68 .485, Buccaneers (1992-95) 23-41 .359
Comments:
Of the 119 coaches listed here, 20 of them had a later coaching gig in which their winning percentage was higher than the first- and was a winning record. That’s 16.8%. Of course that’s a little deceiving when you consider the success coaches like George Allen, Don Coryell, Weeb Ewbank and Don Shula and in their second gigs, for which they are probably more famous. Other coaches, like Jon Gruden, Buck Shaw and Dick Vermeil, had lower winning percentages in their second gig but they also won a championship in that stretch. Then there are Chuck Knox and Marty Schottenheimer, Johnny Appleseeds of winning, who had success wherever they went, but not always at the same rate. Some coaches, such as Joe Gibbs, Bud Grant, Ted Marchibroda, returned to the scene of their greatest success but were unable to recreate it. George Halas retired for a couple of years and then decided to come back for another decade and won a title but didn’t have quite the same winning percentage.
Comparing first gigs to second gigs, 20 coaches were winners in both. Three went from a winner to .500. 36 went from winners to losers. Two went from .500 to a losing record and one went the other way. 23 guys went from one losing gig to another. Fourteen guys went from a losing gig to a winning record. That’s out of 38 guys who had a losing record to begin with.
Of course often it’s not the coach but the situation he inherits that counts. But I suspect teams that are not in good situations don’t get the best coaches. The best guys are looking for places where they can win championships. The lesser teams have to settle for lesser coaches.
Still, rehabilitanting a failed coach’s career with a new job doesn’t seem to work all that often. And bringing in a winner is no guarantee that he’ll bring his wins with him.
George Allen- Rams (1966-70) 49-17-4 .742, Redskins (1971-77) 69-35-1 .663
Roy Andrews- Kansas City Blues/Cowboys (1924-26) 12-15-1 .444, Cleveland Bulldogs (1927) 8-4-1 .667, Detroit Wolverines (1928) 7-2-1 .778, Giants (1929-30) 24-5-1 .828 +
Joe Bach- Steelers (1935-36) 10-14 .417, (1952-53) 11-13 .458
Sammy Baugh- Titans (1960-61) 14-14 .500, Oilers (1964) 4-10 .286
Bill Belichick- Browns (1991-95) 37-45 .451 Patriots (2000-11) 153-58 .725 +
Leeman Bennett- Falcons (1977-82) 47-44 .516 Buccaneers (1985-86) 4-28 .125
Punk Berryman- Frankford Yellow Jackets (1924) 11-2-1 .846, Brooklyn Lions 3-8 .273
Paul Brown- Browns (1946-62) 167-53-8 .759, Bengals (1968-75) 55-59-1 .482
Joe Bugel- Cardinals (1990-93) 20-44 .313, Raiders (1997) 4-12 .250
Marion Campbell- Falcons (1974-76) 6-19 .240, Eagles (1983-85) 17-29-1 .370, Falcons (1987-89) 11-32 .256
Dom Capers- Panthers (1995-98) 31-34 .477, Texans (2002-05) 18-46 .281
Pete Carroll- Jets (1994) 6-10 .375, Patriots (1997-99) 28-23 .549, Seahawks (2010-11) 14-18 .438 +
Guy Chamberlin- Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs (1922-24) 28-1-3 .966 Frankford Yellow Jackets (1925-26) 27-8-2 (.771) Cardinals (1927) 3-7-1 (.300)
Dutch Clark- Lions (1937-38) 14-8 .636, Rams (1939-42) 16-26-3 .381
Monte Clark- 49ers (1976) 8-6 .571, Lions (1978-84) 43-65-1 .398
Potsy Clark- Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions (1931-36) 49-20-6 .710, Brooklyn Dodgers (1937-39) 11-17-5 .393 Lions (1940) 5-5-1 .500
Jimmy Conzelman- Rock Island Independents (1921-22) 8-3-1 .727, Milwaukee Badgers 7-5-3 .583, Detroit Panthers (1925-26) 12-8-4 .600, Providence Steam Rollers (1927-30) 26-16-6 .619, Cardinals (1940-42) 8-22-3 .267, (1946-48) 27-10 .730 +
Bruce Coslet- Jets (1990-93) 26-38 .406, Bengals (1996-2000) 21-39 .350
Don Coryell- Cardinals (1973-77) 42-29-1 .592 Chargers (1978-86) 72-60 .545
Tom Coughlin- Jaguars (1995-02) 72-64 .529 Giants (2004-11) 79-57 .580 +
Dudley DeGroot- Redskins (1944-45) 14-6-1 .700, Los Angeles Dons (1946-47) 12-11-2 ..522
Mike Ditka- Bears (1982-92) 112-68 .631, Saints (1997-99) 15-33 .313
Paddy Driscoll- Cardinals (1920-22) 17-8-4 .680, Bears (1956-57) 14-10-1 .583
Tony Dungy- Buccaneers (1996-01) 56-46 .549, Colts (2002-03) 92-33 .736 +
Cap Edwards- Canton Bulldogs (1921) 5-2-3 .714 Cleveland Bulldogs (1925) 5-8-1 .385
Herman Edwards- Jets (2001-05) 41-44 .482, Chiefs (2006-08) 15-33 .313
Dennis Erickson- Seahawks (1995-98) 31-33 .484, 49ers (2003-04) 9-23 .125
Weeb Ewbank- Colts (1954-62) 61-52-1 .532 Jets (1963-1973) 73-78-6 (.483)
Guil Falcon- Chicago Tigers (1920) 2-5-1 .286, Toledo Maroons (1922-23) 8-5-4 .615 +
Ray Flaherty- Redskins (1936-42) 56-23-3 .709 New York Yankees (1946-48) 22-10-2 .688, Chicago Hornets (1949) 4-8 .333
Tom Flores- Raiders (1979-87) 91-56 .619, Seahawks (92-94) 14-34 .292
John Fox- Panthers (2002-10) 73-71 .507, Broncos (2011) 9-9 .500
Chan Gailey- Cowboys (1998-99) 18-16 .529, Bills (2010-11) 10-22 .313
Joe Gibbs- Redskins (1981-92) 140-65 .683, (2004-07) 31-36 .463
Sid Gillman- Rams (1955-59) 28-32-1 .467, Chargers (1961-69) 83-51-6 .619, Oilers 8-15 .348 +
Jerry Glanville- Oilers (1985-89) 35-35 .500, Falcons (1990-93) 28-38 .424
Bud Grant- Vikings (1967-83) 161-99-5 .619 (1985) 7-9 .438
Dennis Green- Vikings (1992-2001) 101-70 .591, Cardinals (2004-06) 16-32 .333
Forrest Gregg- Browns (1975-77) 18-23 .439, Bengals (1980-83) 34-27 .557, Packers (1984-87) 25-37 .403 +
Jon Gruden- Raiders (1998-2001) 40-28 .588, Buccaneers (2002-08) 60-57 .513
George Halas- Decatur Staleys/Bears (1920-55) 248-98-25 .717, (1958-67) 76-53-6 .589
Dan Henning- Falcons (1983-86) 22-41-1 .349, Chargers (1989-91) 16-32 .333
Fats Henry- Canton Bulldogs (1926) 1-9-3 .100, Pottsville Maroons (1928) 2-8 .200
Mike Holmgren- Packers (1992-98) 84-42 .667, Seahawks (1999-2008) 90-80 .529
Lindy Infante- Packers (1988-91) 24-40 .375, Colts (1996-97) 12-21 .364
Dick Jauron- Bears (1999-2003) 35-46 .432, Bills (2006-09) 24-33 .421
Jimmy Johnson- Cowboys (1989-93) 51-37 .580 Dolphins (1996-99) 38-31 .551
Walt Kiesling- Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers (1939-44- including 1943 as the “Steagles” and 1944 as the “Carpets“) 16-33-5 .327, Steelers (1951-53) 14-22 .389
Chuck Knox- Rams (1973-77) 57-20-1 .740, Bills (1978-82) 38-38 .500, Seahawks (1983-91) 83-67 .553, Rams (1992-94) 15-33 .313
Rick Kotite- Eagles (1991-94) 37-29 .561, Jets (1995-96) 4-28 .125
Joe Kuharich- Cardinals (1952) 4-8 .333, Redskins (1954-58) 26-32-2 .448, Eagles (1964-68) 28-41-1 .406
Curly Lambeau- Packers (1921-49) 212-106-21 .667, Cardinals (1950-51) 7-15 .318, Redskins (1952-53) 10-13-1 .435
Wally Lemm- Cardinals (1962-65) 27-26-3 .509, Oilers (1966-70) 28-40-4 .412
Vince Lombardi- Packers (1959-67) 98-30-4 .766, Redskins (1969) 7-5-2 .583
Eric Mangini- Jets (2006-08) 23-25 .479, Browns (2009-10) 10-22 .313
Ted Marchibroda- Colts (1975-79) 41-37 ..526, Colts (1992-95) 32-35 .478, Ravens (1996-98) 16-31-1 .340
Steve Mariucci- 49ers (1997-2002) 60-43 .583, Lions (2003-05) 15-28 .349
Mike McCormick- Eagles (1973-75) 16-25-1 .390, Colts (1980-81) 9-23 .281
James Ernest Mora- Saints (1986-96) 93-78 .544, Colts (1998-01) 32-34 .485
James Lawrence Mora- Falcons 27-23 .540, Seahawks (2009) 5-11 .313
Ernie Nevers- Duluth Eskimos (1927) 1-8 .111, Cardinals (1930-31) 10-9-2 .526, (1939) 1-10 .091 +
Mike Nixon- Redskins (1959-60) 4-18-2 .182 Steelers (1965) 2-12 .143
Dick Nolan- 49ers (1968-75) 54-53-5 .505 Saints (1978-80) 15-29 .341
Jack Pardee- Bears (1975-77) 20-23 .476, Redskins (1978-80) 24-24 .500, Oilers 44-35 .557 +
Buddy Parker- Cardinals (1949) 6-5-1 .535, Lions (1951-56) 50-24-2 .676, Steelers (157-64) 51-47-6 .520 +
Ray Perkins- Giants (1979-82) 24-35 .407, Buccaneers (1987-90) 19-41 .317
Jim Phelan- Los Angeles Dons (1948-49) 11-15 .423, Dallas Texans (1952) 1-11 .083
Bum Phillips- Oilers (1975-80) 59-38 .608, Saints 27-42 .391
Wade Phillips- Broncos (1993-94) 16-16 .500, Bills (1998-2000) 29-21 .580, Cowboys (2007-10) 35-24 .593 +
Earl Potteiger- Kenosha Maroons (1924) 0-4-1 .000 New York Giants 15-8-3 .652 +
Tommy Prothro- Rams (1971-72) 14-12-2 .538 Chargers (1974-1978) 21-39 .350
Dick Rauch- Pottsville Maroons (1925-27) 25-12-2 .676, New York Yankees (1928) 4-8-1 .333, Boston Bulldogs (1929) 4-4 .500
Johnny Rauch- Oakland Raiders (1966-68) 35-10-1 ..778, Buffalo Bills (1969-70) 7-20-1 .259
Dan Reeves- Broncos (1981-92) 117-79-1 .597, Giants (1992-1996) 32-34 .485, Falcons (1997-2003) 52-61 .460
Ray Rhodes- Eagles (1995-98) 30-36-1 ..455, Packers (1999) 8-8 .500
Bobby Ross- Chargers (1992-96) 50-36 .581, Lions (1997-2000) 27-30 .474
Lou Saban- Patriots (1960-61) 7-12 .368, Bills (1962-65) 38-18-3 .679, Broncos (1967-71) 20-42-3 .323, Bills (1972-76) 32-29-1 .525 +
Dewey Scanlon- Duluth Kelleys/Eskimos 11-9-3 .545, Cardinals 6-6-1 .500
Paul Schissler- Cardinals (1933-34) 6-15-1 .286, Brooklyn Dodgers (1935-36) 8-14-2 .364
Marty Schottenheimer- Browns (1984-88) 46-31 .597, Chiefs (1989-98) 104-65-1 ..615, Redskins (2001) 8-8 .500, Chargers (2002-06) 47-35 .573 +
George Seifert- 49ers (1989-96) 108-35 .755, Panthers (1999-2001) 16-32 .333
Mike Shanahan- Raiders (1988-89) 8-12 .400, Broncos (1995-2008) 146-91 .616, Redskins 11-21 .344 +
Buck Shaw- 49ers, (1946-54) 72-40-4 .643, Eagles (1958-60) 19-16-1 .543
Art Shell- Raiders (1989-94) 54-38 .587, Raiders (2006) 2-14 .125
Don Shula- Colts (1963-69) 72-26-4 .735, Dolphins (1970-95) 274-197-2 .582
Nick Skorich- Eagles (1961-63) 15-24-3 .385, Browns (1971-74) 30-26-2 .536 +
Red Strader- New York Yankees (1948-51) 21-24-2 .467, 49ers (1955) 4-8 .333
Hank Stram- Texans/Chiefs (1960-74) 129-79-10 .620 Saints (1976=77) 7-21 .250
Joe Stydahar- Rams (1950-52) 19-9 .679, Cardinals (1953-54) 3-20-1 .130
Harland Svare- Rams (1962-65) 14-31-3 .311, Chargers (1971-73) 7-17-2 .292
Jim Thorpe- Canton Bulldogs (1920) 7-4-2 .636, Cleveland Indians (1921) 3-5 .375, Oorang Indians (1922-23) 4-16 .200
Norv Turner- Redskins (1994-2000) 50-60-1 .455, Raiders (2004-05) 9-23 .281, Chargers (2007-11) 52-34 .605 +
Rube Ursella- Rock Island Independents (1920) 6-2-1 .750, Minneapolis Marines (1921) 1-3 .250, Rock Island Independents (1925) 5-3-3 .625
Norm Van Brocklin- Vikings (1961-66) 29-51-4 .363, Falcons (1968-74) 37-49-3 .430
Dick Vermeil- Eagles (1976-82) 57-51 .528, Rams (1997-99) 25-26 .490, Chiefs (2001-05) 44-37 .543 +
Dave Wannstedt- Bears (1993-98) 41-57 .418, Dolphins (2000-04) 43-33 .566 +
George Wilson- Bears (1957-64) 55-47-6 .539, Dolphins (1966-69) 15-39-2 .278
Charley Winner- Cardinals (1966-70) 35-30-5 .538, Jets (1974-75) 9-14 .391
Lud Wray- Braves (1932) 4-4-2 .500, Eagles (1933-35) 9-21-1 .300
Sam Wyche- Bengals (1984-91) 64-68 .485, Buccaneers (1992-95) 23-41 .359
Comments:
Of the 119 coaches listed here, 20 of them had a later coaching gig in which their winning percentage was higher than the first- and was a winning record. That’s 16.8%. Of course that’s a little deceiving when you consider the success coaches like George Allen, Don Coryell, Weeb Ewbank and Don Shula and in their second gigs, for which they are probably more famous. Other coaches, like Jon Gruden, Buck Shaw and Dick Vermeil, had lower winning percentages in their second gig but they also won a championship in that stretch. Then there are Chuck Knox and Marty Schottenheimer, Johnny Appleseeds of winning, who had success wherever they went, but not always at the same rate. Some coaches, such as Joe Gibbs, Bud Grant, Ted Marchibroda, returned to the scene of their greatest success but were unable to recreate it. George Halas retired for a couple of years and then decided to come back for another decade and won a title but didn’t have quite the same winning percentage.
Comparing first gigs to second gigs, 20 coaches were winners in both. Three went from a winner to .500. 36 went from winners to losers. Two went from .500 to a losing record and one went the other way. 23 guys went from one losing gig to another. Fourteen guys went from a losing gig to a winning record. That’s out of 38 guys who had a losing record to begin with.
Of course often it’s not the coach but the situation he inherits that counts. But I suspect teams that are not in good situations don’t get the best coaches. The best guys are looking for places where they can win championships. The lesser teams have to settle for lesser coaches.
Still, rehabilitanting a failed coach’s career with a new job doesn’t seem to work all that often. And bringing in a winner is no guarantee that he’ll bring his wins with him.
