Winning a Super Bowl may be the hardest thing to achieve in sports. In fact, coaches who hoist the Lombardi Trophy are forever immortalized. However, not all of them are seen as the masterminds behind their team’s success. Here’s a look at ten NFL head coaches who didn’t quite deserve their Super Bowl ring.
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer inherited a powerhouse Dallas Cowboys roster that included stars like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. So, while he was able to maintain the Cowboys’ past success, many believe Switzer’s success was more about managing the previous team rather than building his own legacy.
Brian Billick
Brian Billick’s 2000 Baltimore Ravens team was an all-time defensive powerhouse that gave up only 10.3 points per game in the regular season. However, while Billick was supposed to be an offensive guru, but his offense was among the worst statistically. Simply put, the Ravens relied almost entirely on their defense and defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis.
Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders, in the Super Bowl, which gave him an unusual advantage. And, while he managed to push the Bucs over the edge, the groundwork for the team’s success had already been laid by the previous coach, Tony Dungy.
George Seifert
George Seifert took over one of the most successful dynasties in NFL history, led by Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young. So, although Seifert won two Super Bowls, many credit previous coach Bill Walsh as the true driving force behind those wins.
Tom Flores
Truth be told, Tom Flores’s Las Vegas Raiders teams were known more for their gritty play than for any innovative coaching on his part. While he deserves credit for managing the team to perfection, his role is often seen as secondary.
Mike McCarthy
The Green Bay Packers Super Bowl win was largely attributed to Aaron Rodgers’ brilliance. In fact, Mike McCarthy’s questionable decisions often left fans frustrated, and over time, McCarthy’s limitations as a coach became evident.
Gary Kubiak
Gary Kubiak’s Denver Broncos were anchored by one of the best defenses in recent history and they carried the team throughout the season. While Kubiak deserves some credit for managing a balanced offense, the win was largely a product of defensive dominance.
Weeb Ewbank
Weeb Ewbank led the New York Jets to a monumental upset over the Baltimore Colts, but the game was more about Joe Namath’s impressive performance than anything else. Ewbank deserves credit for the win, but it was Namath who defined the game.
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Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy was revered for his defensive coaching, but the Indianapolis Colts win was more about quarterback Peyton Manning finally breaking through for his first title. Dungy’s influence was valuable, there’s no question about that, but his struggles in past playoff appearances led some to question if he was simply just the right man at the right time.
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Dick Vermeil
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz orchestrated the St. Louis Rams’ offense, which was known as “The Greatest Show on Turf.” In fact, Dick Vermeil’s role in the championship has often been downplayed compared to Martz and quarterback Kurt Warner’s impact.
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