Best-ever Cincinnati Bengals HC thus far?

[7DnBrnc53]

Wow == this is a good question. Really, remembering back to 81, those Bengals overachieved to a point. Chargers were probably the best AFC team. When Cincy played in Super Bowl 23, I think there's a better chance that they were the best in the AFC that year. The last two seasons - I think Taylor has them playing very well and it's close. Excellent job in the AFC Championship that got them to the SB and in the SB. Really tough to answer this - obviously Paul Brown is one of the greatest of all time - and he led the Bengals to a winning record in just their third, maybe fourth season. He hired Bill Walsh but placed someone else at HC.

Taylor, right now, I would say, has had the best run. The others couldn't really sustain the level of success as well as Taylor. Especially if he continues with a couple more AFC Championship Games over the next 3-5 years.

I don't think the Chargers should have made the playoffs that year. They had a terrible defense. They were lucky to beat Tampa that year in Week 15 (Denver should have been able to wrap up the division that night). The Broncos had a better team in 1981.

[Brian wolf]

The Broncos in 1981 had their chance to beat SD out of the division but went 2-3 down the stretch, with losses to the Bengals, Chargers and of course Bears ...

[JohnH19]

Hmmm…if Paul Brown is one of the 3, 4 or 5 greatest coaches in pro football history, doesn’t that clearly make him the best coach in Bengals history? Seems pretty clear to me.

[Brian wolf]

Whats crazy about Brown's tenure with the Bengals, is that he had one of the greatest what-if stories at QB in Greg Cook, who got hurt and also coached probably the best QB to never make the HOF in Ken Anderson. Anderson of course can get elected but its rare for head coaches to have the luxury of coaching extremely talented passers within a five-year span ...

[Jay Z]

Hmmm…if Paul Brown is one of the 3, 4 or 5 greatest coaches in pro football history, doesn’t that clearly make him the best coach in Bengals history? Seems pretty clear to me.

Brown never won a playoff game without Otto Graham. Those years come across like he knew how to accumulate talent but lacked the killer instinct.

[JohnH19]

How exactly does a coach show killer instinct?

[Mark]

Hmmm…if Paul Brown is one of the 3, 4 or 5 greatest coaches in pro football history, doesn’t that clearly make him the best coach in Bengals history? Seems pretty clear to me.

I think he stated early on based only on what they did with the Bengals.

[JuggernautJ]

How exactly does a coach show killer instinct?

By "going for the juggler!"

[Jay Z]

How exactly does a coach show killer instinct?

With the Bengals he was also the owner, and the organization was known for being cheap.

[JohnH19]

Hmmm…if Paul Brown is one of the 3, 4 or 5 greatest coaches in pro football history, doesn’t that clearly make him the best coach in Bengals history? Seems pretty clear to me.

I think he stated early on based only on what they did with the Bengals.

I understand that. PB built the team from scratch and won a division title in Year 3 with Virgil Carter and a seven game winning streak to end the season after a 1-6 start. He also won the division in 1973 and won the wildcard with an 11-3 record in his final season.

It’s too simplistic to say that someone is a team’s “best ever” head coach simply based on wins and losses. Zac Taylor is no Paul Brown in any way, shape or form.

IMO, it would be more accurate to title this thread “most successful head coach” if you want to fit Taylor, Wyche and Gregg into the conversation.