In the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Avengers” series, unlimited power could be wielded by collecting all Infinity Stones. However, not every sentient being in the universe can handle the sheer energy from all six stones as the absolute power could be crushing.
In the same way, an NFL coach taking on the role of general manager, as Bill O’Brien has with the Houston Texans, is a tremendous burden. However, there have been some coaches who have handled the GM role and had success. Here are nine coaches in NFL history who were able to win while being in the front office.
Andy Reid
In 2001, the Philadelphia Eagles coach became the “executive vice president of football operations.” In essence, Reid was the Eagles’ general manager until they hired one officially in 2005. During that span, the Eagles had their most successful run in the Reid era with four straight NFC Championship Game appearances and a three-point loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. Reid still had the final say on football matters after the Eagles hired a general manager, but the results on the field were never the same.
Don Shula
From 1970-77, Shula was the general manager of the Miami Dolphins, and that was the most successful era of the Shula tenure. In 1971, Miami reached its first Super Bowl, and they followed up the loss with two straight Super Bowl wins, joining the Green Bay Packers as the only NFL team to date to repeat as Super Bowl champions. 1972 also saw the Dolphins go a perfect 17-0. When the Dolphins brought in Mike Robbie and later Eddie Jones to be general manager, Miami never had the same level of success.
Bill Parcells
The one franchise where the Hall of Fame coach had complete control of football operations was the New York Jets. Even though Parcells was doubled-up in New England, he didn’t have complete control of the roster. After two horrendous seasons with Rich Kotite, Parcells turned the Jets around with a 9-7 record in his first season and then a 12-4 mark in year two that included an AFC Championship Game appearance. After an 8-8 year in 1999, Parcells gave up coaching and stayed on one more season in the front office.
Vince Lombardi
The legendary Green Bay Packers coach was the general manager for the Packers during his entire time on the sideline from 1959-67. The Packers produced nine winning seasons, six NFL title game appearances, five league titles, and two Super Bowl victories. To date, Lombardi’s Packers from 1965-67 are the last team to date to win three straight league titles. Lombardi stayed on as general manager in 1968 with Green Bay struggling to finish 6-7-1.
Tom Coughlin
The expansion Jacksonville Jaguars gave their first coach the general manager duties as well, and Coughlin thrust the Jaguars into top contention for the AFC Central. From 1995-2002, Jacksonville went to the playoffs four times, earned two division titles, won four playoff games, and appeared in two AFC Championship Games. Jacksonville never had a winning record in the final three seasons with Coughlin.
Bill Walsh
When the San Francisco 49ers hired Walsh in 1979, they saddled him with being general manager. After going 8-24 the first two seasons, the 49ers had a breakthrough in 1981 when they posted a 13-3 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC. With “The Catch” aiding the 49ers to beat the Dallas Cowboys for the conference title, San Francisco earned their first Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Walsh gave up the general manager role after that championship season, but won two more titles with the 49ers. In 1999, Walsh returned to San Francisco as their general manager for three years with Steve Mariucci as coach.
George Allen
Washington hadn’t been relevant since World War II, but George Allen made them contenders after the AFL-NFL merger when he was hired in 1971. The former Los Angeles Rams coach took on general manager duties with Washington, and led his club to seven consecutive winning seasons, five playoff berths, a division title, and an appearance in Super Bowl VII. Washington let go of Allen after 1977 when he wouldn’t sign a contract extension.
Dick Vermeil
The St. Louis Rams gave the former Philadelphia Eagles coach full control when they hired him in 1997, and Vermeil rewarded the Rams with a Super Bowl win at the end of the 1999 season. Vermeil traded a second-round and a fifth-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft to acquire running back Marshall Faulk from the Indianapolis Colts. Faulk became a key component of “The Greatest Show on Turf” and ultimately St. Louis’ success.
Bill Belichick
19 consecutive winning seasons, 17 division titles, 17 playoff appearances, 30 playoff wins, 13 AFC Championship Game appearances, nine Super Bowl appearances, six Super Bowl wins. Any questions?
