From the top dogs to the real dogs: our five-category evaluations reveal the best and the worst the league has to offer - Special report: NFL head coach ratings

Football Digest, July-August, 2003

MIKE SHANAHAN HAS BEEN fired. Bill Parcells is coaching his fourth NFL team. Mike Holmgren won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers but has been a bust with the Seattle Seahawks. Steve Mariucci turned around a floundering, overspending San Francisco 49ers franchise, then was unceremoniously cut loose.

The only constant among pro football head coaches is that nothing is constant. It's a tough life, to be sure. Yet there always is a long line of candidates whenever a head-coaching job opens up. Even in Cincinnati.

Just who are the best and worst head coaches in the NFL? FOOTBALL DIGEST, using a points system based on five categories, decided to rate all of them. (The Bengals' Marvin Lewis and the Jacksonville Jaguars' Jack Del Rio are not included because, as first-year head coaches, they have no track records.)

The five categories total 100 points. On our scale, an 85 or above is an A; 77 to 84 is in the B range, 70 to 76 is in the C range, 63 to 69 is in the D range; and 62 and below is an F.

Here are the five categories, along with the points value for each one:

* Wins and losses. This is the ultimate determining factor in a coach's success. (25 points)

* Personnel decisions. If he doesn't pick the right players--be it through the draft, trades, or flee agency--and use them correctly, he has little chance of surviving. (25 points)

* X's and O's. How a coach devises a game plan and then puts it into motion, is a strong indicator of his skills. (25 points)

* Player development. A key for a successful coach these days, given how rookies and inexperienced players often must be counted on to make an immediate impact. (15 points)

* Communication skills. Getting through to the players, to his coaches, to his employers, and to the fans and media is a necessity of the job. (10 points)

What follows is an analysis of our rankings.

Where They Rank

Rank Coach team (points)

 1.   Mike Shanahan, Broncos (89)
 2.   Bill Cowher, Steelers (88)
      Jeff Fisher, Titans (88)
      Bill Parcells, Cowboys (88)
 5.   Bill Belichick, Patriots (86)
      Jon Gruden, Buccaneers (86)
 7.   Bill Callahan, Raiders (82)
      Steve Mariucci, Lions (82)
 9.   Herman Edwards, Jets (81)
10.   Brian Billick, Ravens (80)
      Tony Dungy, Colts (80)
      Jim Fassel, Giants (80)
      Dan Reeves, Falcons (80)
      Andy Reid, Eagles (80)
15.   Mike Sherman, Packers (79)
16.   Mike Holmgren, Seahawks (77)
17.   Butch Davis, Browns (73)
18.   Mike Martz, Rams (72)
      Dick Vermeil, Chiefs (72)
20.   Dave Wannstedt, Dolphins (70)
21.   John Fox, Panthers (68)
22.   Dennis Erickson, 49ers (63)
23.   Dom Capers, Texans (60)
      Marty Schottenheimer, Chargers (60)
25.   Jim Haslett, Saints (59)
26.   Dick Jauron, Bears (57)
27.   Gregg Williams, Bills (54)
28.   Dave McGinnis, Cardinals (50)
      Steve Spurrier, Redskins (50)
30.   Mike Tice, Vikings (46)

1. Mike Shanahan

Current team: Denver Broncos

Seasons as a head coach: 10

Wins and losses: Two Super Bowl titles override any negatives, particularly in the past two years when he didn't have all his weapons available. He's won as many titles as Bill Parcells and Jimmy Johnson. (23 points)

Personnel decisions: Quarterback Brian Griese backfired, but Shanahan continues to hit the jackpot with running backs. The secondary is mediocre, but the linebacking has been good. He finds hidden gems in the draft. (22)

X's and O's: Offensively, he's as good as anyone. Even after John Elway retired and Terrell Davis got hurt, Shanahan kept the team competitive. No one builds a more balanced offense, but he sometimes is shot down by an inconsistent defense. (23)

Player development: Look at all of the quality running backs, blockers, and wideouts. But don't look at the defensive backs and some of the defensive linemen. (12)

Communication skills: Few coaches get as much out of their assistants as Shanahan. You don't hear many fans calling for his head, either. (9)

Total points: 89

2. Bill Cowher

Current team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Seasons as a head coach: 11

Wins and losses: He's been with the same team longer than anyone in the game today because his teams produce in the standings. Still, the Steelers should have reached more than one Super Bowl under his watch. (22)

Personnel decisions: Cowher keeps getting good talent, deftly replacing the many players who have left as free agents. Pittsburgh always has a solid talent base. (23)

X's and O's: He's shown more willingness to gamble recently, which has helped the offense. However, the defense needs to regain some of its bite. (20)

Player development: This is a huge strength for Cowher. Few coaches nurture talent better than Cowher does. Don't judge him on Kordell Stewart. Instead, look at players like Joey Porter, Hines Ward, and Alan Faneca. (14)

Communication skills: Forget the manic look--he's actually a good guy who knows how to reach people. He even has a sense of humor. (9)

Total points: 88

2. Jeff Fisher

Current team: Tennessee Titans

Seasons as a head coach: 9

Wins and losses: When the Titans are healthy, Fisher puts them in contention--even in years when the talent base is fairly average, like 2002. (23)