There are a litany of great coaches throughout the annals of sports. But there are only a few that stand out as influencers that live on well past their time on the field or court.
Who are some of the most influential coaches that have ever done it? Here is the short list of the most influential coaches of all-time.
Paul Brown
How about a coach so influential that a team was named after him? Paul Brown is an Ohio legend and with good reason. Brown was intelligent, but it was his innovation that influenced coaches to come after him.
He was the first to implement the use of game film, the first to take the play-calling abilities from the quarterback, and the first to give players intelligence tests to gauge their smarts. Brown was at the forefront of a rapidly growing game, becoming an influence that is still felt today.
Pete Newell
When talking about influential names in the game of basketball, you can’t get very far into the conversation without mentioning Newell. He has coached national and Olympic champions while also becoming an innovator.
He started instructional camps that hosted upcoming hoopers, while also being attributed with having used the first “over-the-top” pass. He also preached ruthless defense and disciplined offense, something that lives on in the game today.
Phil Jackson
The “Zen Master” may not have done anything in terms of x’s and o’s that lives on in hoops history, but his ability to manage some of the toughest personalities to ever hit the hardwood is something that makes him legendary.
Utilizing the masterful triangle offense, Jackson managed to take two teams with legendary tandems – the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers – and make them dynasties. Jackson would lead his teams to a staggering 11 NBA championships as a coach, showing that difficult personalities can be brought together under one roof with the right leader at the helm. Jackson showed that sometimes it isn’t about drawing up plays, but trusting in players.