There's always debate about the best NFL coaches, but what about the greatest defensive coordinators of all time? After all, most successful coaches have great coordinators.
Many great defensive coordinators also become head coaches. However, we sometimes overlook the best defensive coordinators or the things great head coaches accomplished while serving as defensive coordinators.
Ranking the Top 5 Defensive Coordinators in NFL History
Who are the best defensive coordinators in NFL history? It's not easy to determine because some great defensive coordinators don't stay coordinators for long.
Other times, coordinators are made to look good because they work with some of the best defensive players of all time. However, we did the hard work of looking at NFL history, and based solely on what they accomplished as coordinators, we came up with a list of the five greatest defensive coordinators of all time.
5. Tom Landry
Before becoming the legendary head coach of the Cowboys, Tom Landry spent six seasons as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. During those six years, he did enough to be considered one of the best coordinators of all time. Between 1956 and 1959, the Giants reached the NFL Championship three times and were a defensive giant year after year.
Landry also helped develop the 4-3 formation into the most important type of defense in NFL history, showing how important Landry's character is to NFL defenses.
4. Buddy Ryan
Ultimately, Buddy Ryan became the father of two NFL defensive coordinators. And in that role, he was far better than his sons. He did his best work between 1978 and 1985 as defensive coordinator with the Bears, and is credited with creating the 46 defense.
During that time, Ryan coached some of the greatest defensive lines in league history, most notably the 1985 Bears team, which led the league in nearly every category. Based on that team alone, Ryan is among the league's all-time great coordinators.
3. Steve Spagnuolo
Say what you will about Steve Spagnuolo's 11-41 record as a head coach, but he is without a doubt one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all time. He has won four Super Bowls and is still working as a coordinator.
Patrick Mahomes certainly played a big role in three of those games, but Spagnuolo's defense certainly played a big role in Kansas City's two Super Bowl wins over the 49ers.
Spagnuolo's defense was also the reason the previously undefeated Patriots were held to just 14 points in Super Bowl XLII, thanks to five sacks by Tom Brady. That game, among other accomplishments, makes Spagnuolo a standout defensive coordinator despite his failures as a head coach.
2. Bill Belichick
Long before he took over the New England dynasty, Bill Belichick was a distinguished defensive coordinator. This should come as no surprise since Belichick often came up with brilliant defensive schemes with the New England Patriots, which is why many consider him the greatest defensive coach of all time.
Before taking his first head coaching job, Belichick spent six seasons as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. In those six seasons, Belichick helped the Giants reach the playoffs six times and win two Super Bowls. During that first Super Bowl campaign, the Giants conceded just 23 total points in three playoff games.
A few years later, the New York Giants allowed 10 or fewer points eight times during the regular season and only 35 points in three playoff games. In fact, Belichick’s plan to win Super Bowl XXV was drawn up against a Hall of Fame-nominated Bills team, which speaks volumes about the kind of coordinator he was before he became a head coach.
1. Dick Libo
Few people have contributed more to the game of football than Dick LeBeau, who spent nearly six decades in the NFL, including nearly 30 seasons as a defensive coordinator with several teams.
He is one of the game's greatest innovators, having pioneered the rushing offense, along with many other defensive styles. LeBeau's best years were as a defensive coordinator with the Steelers in multiple stints, where he helped Pittsburgh win two Super Bowls. Based on his contributions to the game and the length of time he spent in that role, we have to list LeBeau as the greatest defensive coordinator in NFL history.
