14. Hank Stram (1960-1977)
I have some very loose connections to Hank Stram. My uncle used to spend summers at Kansas City Chiefs training camps as a ball boy of sorts, due to his family’s relationship with the Strams. The point is he may be a bit higher on this list because of that single fact than he should. Or maybe he’s ranked right where he should be.
There’s another truth, though. He is one of the best NFL Films quotes. If you haven’t seen “Matriculate the ball down the field” clip you are missing something, not because it’s the most interesting or intense clip but because it is maybe the most famous NFL Films clip ever.
But Stram’s legacy is not limited to nice family stories or his role in helping grow what is now the giant NFL Films. Stram was two-time NFL Championship coach, including winning the fourth Super Bowl ever played. He won two separate Coach of the Year awards, and in 2003 became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, based primarily on his .575 career win percentage, and .625 playoff win percentage.
He finished his career coaching the New Orleans Saints. That didn’t end so well.
Next: Which great Raiders coach is next?