Comments on: Sporting News’ 50 Greatest Coaches

By: Crossword Pete

Crossword Pete — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:18:33 +0000

I posted earlier in the week but apparently it didn’t take. I’ll try to reproduce. I think the omissions people have mentioned are good ones. I too had wondered where Gable and Dorrance were. Like others I also question the order. I thought Rockne and Torre should both be higher and Phil Jackson, tho I am impressed with what he has done, a bit lower. As to Leahy, I am always amazed at how he is not really respected by ND. I know the parting of ways was not totally amicable, but his numbers do speak a loud message. Maybe there is more behind those numbers than anyone ever let on. Nevertheless, second best all-time win percentage behind only Rockne is quite impressive, and would seemingly earn him a top 50 spot, though I am not sure top 15.

By: Casey

Casey — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:51:19 +0000

The article also backs up Rey who mentioned Gable and the fact that the list lacked depth.

By: Wally

Wally — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:20:45 +0000

Thanks, Casey. Backs up my argument supporting ND’s Frank Leahy … incredible that he’s not even on the list, let alone in the Top 15 where he should unquestionably be.

By: Casey

Casey — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:10:58 +0000

Check out page 4 of this link: http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20090804/?sub_id=twpD4LskEW1e&folio=CGI

By: Wally

Wally — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:20:34 +0000

Chas –
I have INFINITELY MORE respect for JoPa than for Bobby Bowden. At FSU, where academics are like the 10th priority, anyone can hide there and win a ton of football games over several decades. JoPa has run a great program with hard work and great integrity over several decades at an institution that demands more from it’s “student-athletes”. There’s really no comparison, IMO. JoPa deserves a high ranking, Bowden should be closer to #50 … or off the list!

By: Chas

Chas — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:37:51 +0000

Rey, as far as Torre is concerned, I don’t think I’d rank him as the second best baseball manager of all-time. This proves how really difficult it is to rate managers. Don’t forget that Stengel ruined his career winning percentage by taking on the expansion Mets. If you subtract those four years, he’s at .546.

Personally, I think I rate Joe McCarthy and John McGraw as 1-2, but I’ll take a further look when we get to ranking managers on Mt. Otsego. After those two guys, it gets really difficult.

Wally, Walter Alston is probably on there because he won four World Series for the Dodgers, who prior to him just couldn’t beat the Yankees, not to mention the Giants. Earl Weaver probably should have made the list over Bobby Cox, in my opinion.

By: Casey

Casey — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:29:04 +0000

Yeah – I forgot to mention ol’ Joe Pa sneaking in at lucky number 13. And to think how many more games his teams could have won if he didn’t have to look through those coke bottle glasses.

By: Chas

Chas — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:21:30 +0000

I first heard about the list on ESPN radio, and they agreed with Casey about the Noll/Shula comparison. I guess that falls into the category of rewarding longevity that Wally referred to. To be honest, I’m surprised he didn’t use Joe Paterno (and the fact that he was only three spots behind Rockne) as an example of that.

Rey, I don’t know if this was an individual popularity contest as much as it reflects the popularity of the sports themselves. That said, it’s pretty short-sighted that only four sports are represented.

By: Casey

Casey — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:24:16 +0000

Rey – great call with Dorrance and Gable. Those guys have created coaching models that many have followed.

Smitty – I don’t even care if Coach K moves up the list. I just don’t get Dean Smith at 8. Bobby Knight is at 18? Ten spots behind Smith? I think I just smelled dog pie.

And for the love of God – can we please switch Noll and Shula?

By: Smitty

Smitty — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 02:35:41 +0000

Casey – I am looking at Dean Smith and Coach K and wondering if the gap should be a little closer. Coach K’s numbers/titles are comparable and Coach K should pass Dean Smith in wins this year.

Reynell – great call on Anson Dorrance!!

Surprised with some of the NHL coaches on here that we don’t see Glen Sather.