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

X's and O's. Offensively, Gruden is a master. He also is smart enough to leave much of the defense to the experts. He excels at in-game adjustments. (22)

Player development: Rich Gannon was one of the many players to benefit from Gruden. But in Tampa, anyway, coordinator Monte Kiffin was the one who brought the best out in the defensive players. (12)

Communication skills: His in-game intensity and "Chuckie" persona belie his composed way of explaining things. But he recently caused a bit of a split in the front office with his comments about highly regarded general manager Rich McKay's work. (8)

Total points: 86

7. Bill Callahan

Current team: Oakland Raiders

Seasons as a head coach: 1

Wins and losses: One year, one division championship and a convincing run to the Super Bowl. (24)

Personnel decisions: He didn't have to make too many when he took over for Jon Gruden. But giving Jerry Porter more responsibility was a strong move. (18)

X's and O's: Rich Gannon will tell you Callahan is as good as Gruden at game-planning and working the sideline. The stats say so, too. Callahan held his own against everyone last season, except Gruden in the Super Bowl. (22)

Player development: A truer indication will come this year or next. So far, Callahan has been using mostly established veterans who know how to perform. (10).

Communication skills: The Barret Robbins episode overshadowed Callahan's ability to reach his players as well as his predecessor did. (8)

Total points: 82

7. Steve Mariucci

Current team: Detroit Lions

Seasons as a head coach: 6

Wins and losses: The early years were rough, then Mariucci brought the 49ers back toward the top. Doing so in Detroit will take time and--early on, anyway--hurt his overall record. (19)

Personnel decisions: In San Francisco, Mariucci had less say than a lot of other coaches around the league regarding the players the Niners brought in. But he used what he had effectively. Terrell Owens became an All-Pro under Mariucci's watch, and the coach made excellent decisions at quarterback and running back. The Niners also rebuilt their defense more quickly than anyone could have expected. (22)

X's and O's: Offensively, he's very good. Defensively, he still is learning how to implement schemes to best suit his personnel. His work the past two seasons was exemplary. (20)

Player development: Jeff Garcia and Owens, two of the biggest stars in the NFL, both came of age under Mariucci. Kevan Barlow would have if Mariucci had stayed in the Bay Area. Maybe Julius Peterson and Ahmad Plummer, as well. (13)

Communication skills: The way he held the Niners together on the sideline in the playoff comeback against the Giants last season was remarkable. But he and his star player, Owens, had a rocky, sometimes distracting relationship. (8)

Total points: 82

9. Herman Edwards

Current team: New York Jets

Seasons as a head coach: 2

Wins and losses: In two seasons, Edwards has won a division title and reached the playoffs twice. He's off to an outstanding start. (22)

Personnel decisions: Edwards has been decisive at certain positions (quarterback, wide receiver). But he's brought in some players who don't particularly fit (Sam Garnes, Santana Moss) and tried to mold them to his brand of ball. (19)