Trailblazers of the Turf: Unveiling the NFL’s Top Winning Coaches

A Journey Through NFL’s Winningest Coaches

On October 22, 2023, Bill Belichick joined an exclusive club by becoming only the third NFL head coach to secure 300 regular-season victories when his New England Patriots trounced the Buffalo Bills. Even as Belichick steps away from his head coaching duties, another prominent figure, Andy Reid, is hot on his heels in this elite list of victorious coaches. Reid, with the fourth-highest career wins in NFL history, has his Kansas City Chiefs set for continued triumph, backed by their Super Bowl LVIII glory.

Let us now explore the coaches who have reigned supreme in NFL history, with active coaches denoted by an asterisk.

5. Tom Landry: A Legacy of 270 Wins

Landry helmed the Dallas Cowboys for an unrivaled 29 consecutive years, marking an era of 20 successive winning seasons – another NFL record. His strategic acumen led the Cowboys to Super Bowl victories over the Miami Dolphins (Super Bowl VI) and the Denver Broncos (Super Bowl XII). His innovative approach to the game, including the 4-3 defense, saw him being recognized as the NFL Coach of the Year in 1966 and the UPI NFL Coach of the Year in 1975, and later winning a place in the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

4. Andy Reid*: A Winning Streak of 288 Games

Reid holds the unique distinction of being the only NFL head coach to have achieved 100 wins with two different franchises – the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2012) and the Chiefs (since 2013). Despite leading the Eagles to multiple deep playoff runs and a Super Bowl in 2004, it wasn’t until his stint with Kansas City that Reid could finally lift the Lombardi Trophy. With his offensive prowess and ability to nurture quarterbacks, Reid and his team, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, look set to continue their winning streak.

3. George Halas: A Record of 324 Victories

A co-founder of the NFL and the creator of the Bears, Halas wore multiple hats, earning him the nickname “Mr. Everything”. After retiring as a player, Halas returned to coach the Bears several times, leading them to eight NFL championships. His innovative T-formation system led to the biggest blowout in NFL history – a 73-0 triumph over Washington in the 1940 NFL Championship Game. Halas was recognized as the AP’s NFL Coach of the Year in 1963 and 1965 and was named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

2. Bill Belichick: Celebrating 333 Wins

Belichick is often hailed as the greatest coach in professional sports, having secured an NFL-record eight Super Bowl victories – six as a head coach with the Patriots and two as an assistant coach with the Giants. He also leads all NFL coaches in playoff victories with 31 to his name. Despite many franchises attempting to emulate his “Patriot Way”, Belichick’s absence is always felt. Should he return to coaching, he is just 26 regular-season wins short of overtaking Don Shula as the winningest regular-season coach of all time.

1. Don Shula: The Ultimate Winner with 347 Wins

After a seven-season stint as an NFL defensive back, Shula retired to pursue coaching, beginning his journey in 1963 with the Baltimore Colts. Shula’s remarkable tenure as the head coach of the Dolphins from 1970 to 1995 included two Super Bowl victories and an unprecedented undefeated season in 1972. Whether counting only regular-season wins (328) or including playoff wins (347), Shula stands as the winningest coach in NFL history.