NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best Coaches of All-Time
By Will Osgood
25. George Allen (1965-1977)
George Allen didn’t have a marathon coaching career the way some of the men on this list had. He spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and another six with the Washington Redskins. But in those 12 seasons, he won an incredible .712 percent of his games. He made the playoffs in seven of those 12 seasons. And he won one conference championship, in 1972 with Washington.
He was a two-time Sporting News and AP Coach of Year winner (both in 1967 and 1971).
But more than his on-field accomplishments, Allen was an innovator among coaches. Known as a tremendous motivator and hard working coach, 16 hour days for coaches came into vogue as a result of Allen and his accomplishments. Sadly, it may have also played a major role in the health complications which cost him his life at age 72.
Though noted for his draft strategy, Allen was also known for fielding elderly teams, because as he said, “the future is now”.
His entire body of work gained him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
Next: Which successful Jets coach comes in at No. 24?