Weeb and friends: Ranking every head coach in New York Jets history

Ranking every head coach in New York Jets history takes us on a 60-year journey highlighted by Weeb Ewbank. It's Weeb's world and everybody else is simply living in it. Courtesy of the only championship in organization history, Weeb Ewbank is the greatest New York Jets head coach of all-time. It's an idea that's tough to debate. The question is, "How does the rest of the list stack up?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?vlH4sRZxK710 20. Rich Kotite, 1995-1996 (4-28) Could it possibly be anybody else in the 20-spot? Of course not. It didn't matter that he coached under Joe Walton for the Jets in the 1980s. It didn't matter that he returned home (born in Brooklyn, NY and attended Wagner). His two-year stint from 1995 to 1996 ranks among the worst two years in NFL history (4-28). 19. Bill Belichick, 1997, 2000 (0-0) As painful as Bill Belichick's name is on this list, he still beats out Kotite. Ouch. The two-time (in name) head coach of the Jets, Belichick first accepted the job in 1997 while Bill Parcells dealt with ongoing legal issues with Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots. The second stint was much more painful, as his one-day reign in 2000 eventually turned into a Pats dynasty. 18. Mike Holovak, 1976 (0-1) There isn't much to say about Mike Holovak. The man lost the only game he ever coached for the Jets, in relief of the recently-fired Lou Holtz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v54sYDyCJHj0 17. Lou Holtz, 1976 (3-10) Yes, Notre Dame football fans, the great Lou Holtz coached the Jets, and he stunk up the joint. Coming from NC State, it became painfully obvious Holtz was better served as a collegiate sideline boss. 16. Ken Shipp, 1975 (1-4) Kenn Shipp took over for Charley Winner in 1975 and went 1-4 over his five games. Rank Shipp, Holtz and Holovak in any order you'd like. 15. Todd Bowles, 2015-2018 (24-40) If only Todd Bowles's 2015 magic could have lasted. His 10-win rookie campaign that didn't result in a playoff berth was the high point. Seasons of five, five and four victories rounded out the local boy's Jets coaching career. 14. Bulldog Turner, 1962 (5-9) Bulldog Turner coached the final season of the New York Titans' short three-year run. 13. Charley Winner, 1974-1975 (9-14) Charley Winner was the man before Ewbank (not counting Shipp's interim job). It was he who was tasked with handling Joe Namath's first season in the league (1975). Winner won his final six games in 1974 to finish 7-7, but 1975 was a disaster. 12. Pete Carroll, 1994 (6-10) The short Peter Carroll era was a shame. The Jets defensive coordinator under Bruce Coslet finally got his chance at the big boy job and game out of the gate strong. The 6-5 Jets welcomed in the Miami Dolphins for a Giants Stadium game for first place in the AFC East. Dan Marino's fake spike happened, the Jets lost the game and the next four on top of it. Carroll was fired following the season to make way for Kotite. 11. Adam Gase, 2019-Active (7-9) Right now, after a 7-9 record, Adam Gase fits into the No. 11 hole. No, folks... your Rich Kotite comparisons haven't held up too well. Labeling a man Rich Kotite after a handful of games without his quarterback, plenty of injuries and a terrible offensive line is a bad job by Jets fandom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vNsnWgljXhU8 10. Bruce Coslet, 1990-1993 (26-38) Bruce Coslet made the playoffs once in hir four-year Jets coaching career. Interestingly, it was the worst Jets team to ever make the tournament (8-8). Not even a friendly face in Boomer Esiason could save Coslet in 1993 (he was Esiason's offensive coordinator in Cincinnati). The 1991 team squeaked into the playoffs but the 1993 team could have been something worthwhile. They just couldn't get it done and finished the season losing three-straight (8-8). Coslet never had a winning season in New York. 9. Al Groh, 2000 (9-7) One year, one winning campaign. Al Groh is the only man in team history to accomplish the feat. The scramble replacement for Belichick bolted for Virginia following the season that featured the Monday Night Miracle and the Green Lantern Game (Wayne Chrebet in Tampa Bay). 8. Sammy Baugh, 1960-1961 (14-14) Slinging Sammy Baugh was the first coach in organization history. His 14-14 mark for the New York Titans was that much more "average" considering his teams finished 7-7 both seasons. 7. Eric Mangini, 2006-2008 (23-25) The greatest shame and "what could have been" on the entire list is Eric Mangini. The man who knew personnel extremely well made a great partner to Mike Tannenbaum. The young duo built what many considered to be the best roster in the league (sans a quarterback). Rex Ryan took advantage of that roster, but it was Mangini who helped build it the right way (with offensive linemen in mind, first). If only Mangini knew how to play nice with ownership. He should have been the Jets guy for many years. Who knows what would have happened had Brett Favre not gotten injured in 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?viojOwMBS9fU 6. Joe Walton, 1983-1989 (53-57-1) Joe Walton finished just four games under .500 and boasted a couple of tremendous teams, including the 11-win 1985 team and 10-win 1986 team, but neither squad could get to the AFC championship game. His offensive lines were oftentimes weak but his offense was mainly high-flying. Ken O'Brien, Al Toon and Wesley Walker dazzled the fans on most Sundays. In addition to his head coaching duties in the 1980s, he was also the offensive coordinator under Walt Michaels in 1981 and 1982. His one playoff victory keeps him No. 6 on the list. 5. Herm Edwards, 2001-2005 (39-41) Although Walton has 14 more wins, Herm Edwards edges him out due to his two playoff victories and three playoff appearances (the most in franchise history) in five seasons. Herm Edwards was exactly what the Jets needed in 2001---a no-nonsense guy who preached personal responsibility. It worked well with a ready-to-win roster. 4. Walt Michaels, 1977-1982 (39-47-1) Walt Michaels edges Walton for one reason: he had the much tougher job. Sure, Walton's overall stats look better, but he took over a great team from Michaels. Michaels, on the other hand, was handed a losing program in 1977 and eventually turned it into a winner. He was the defensive-minded coach behind the New York Sack Exchange, and if not for A.J. Duhe and dirty field tactics by Don Shula's Miami Dolphins, the Jets would have taken on the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl 17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vkD_DdSz7PjE&t 3. Rex Ryan, 2009-2014 (46-50) Yes, Mangini and Tannenbaum were the true architects behind the 2009 and 2010 Jets teams, but Rex Ryan was one hell of a coach---the perfect coach at the right time. Just as the league started exploding with the pass (thanks to the rules), Ryan went with ground-and-pound. With Darrelle Revis literally taking away one side of the field, Ryan designed elaborate blitzing schemes that helped cover up the fact he didn't have a true edge guy. In the end, the lack of an elite quarterback hurt, and an inexplicable slow start in Pittsburgh will forever haunt the franchise---the team's last playoff game to date. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vRaO09necaCU&t 2. Bill Parcells, 1997-1999 (29-19) Those who hate Bill Parcells need to get over it. The man changed the Jets' fortunes. From 1960 to 1996, the Jets made the playoffs seven times. From 1997 through 2010, they made the playoffs seven times. That uptick was thanks to Parcells and his rebuilding of a franchise, a culture that allowed Edwards, Mangini and Ryan to carry on the success. Parcells absolutely messed up as it pertains to Belichick and the fax Kraft sent in, but who's to say the same result doesn't happen if Parcells was upfront with his assistant immediately? Parcells will forever be a Giant, but just as he did for the Pats, he changed the Jets' entire culture with the team's first AFC East division title and the fourth AFC championship game appearance in 1998. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vBgS3SYiFVq8 1. Weeb Ewbank, 1963-1973 (71-77-6) Weeb Ewbank is the only champion on the list. He's the no-brainer pick for No. 1. Ewbank's partnership with Namath led the way. There's no question his defenses also paved the way, especially in 1968, but the way he handled young Namath meant the world. Also winning two titles with the Baltimore Colts (1958 and 1959), he's the only man to win championships in both leagues (NFL and AFL).

Weeb and friends: Ranking every head coach in New York Jets history

Ranking the greatest coaches in New York Jets history takes us on a 60-year journey highlighted by Weeb Ewbank.

Ranking every head coach in New York Jets history takes us on a 60-year journey highlighted by Weeb Ewbank.

Aaron Glenn’s NY Jets are betting on evolution (with Justin Fields)

Should Armand Membou be the NY Jets’ top draft target?

New York Jets interested in TE prospect not named Tyler Warren?

Weeb and friends: Ranking every head coach in New York Jets history

Ranking the greatest coaches in New York Jets history takes us on a 60-year journey highlighted by Weeb Ewbank.

Ranking every head coach in New York Jets history takes us on a 60-year journey highlighted by Weeb Ewbank.

More Articles

Aaron Glenn’s NY Jets are betting on evolution (with Justin Fields)

Should Armand Membou be the NY Jets’ top draft target?

John Simpson to attend New York Jets fan’s wedding(?)

New York Jets interested in TE prospect not named Tyler Warren?

Comments