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NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best Coaches of All-Time

By Will Osgood

Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy prior to a press conference at Rose Theater in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy prior to a press conference at Rose Theater in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the sidelines during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the sidelines during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Bud Grant (1967-1985)

There isn’t a ton of difference between Bud Grant and Marv Levy. Both won four conference championships, yet failed to win a Super Bowl. Levy coached 17 years, Grant 18. Both are underrated because of the elusiveness of their Super Bowl trophy quest.

But the similarities pretty much end there. Percentage-wise Grant was a superior coach during the regular season, coming in with an exemplary .622 winning percentage. And it should be noted that Grant had most of his success as a result of his defenses, most notably the “Purple People Eaters”.

He also benefited from the play of Johnny Manziel before the kid was born, in the character of Fran Tarkenton. That combination never got it done in the final game of the season, but may have been one of the best teams for any prolonged stretch in NFL history.

Grant deserves all the credit.

Next: Some coaches just get the job done. Who am I referring to?

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