John Fox, HOVG?
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:29 pm
He's one of only four HCs (Parcells, Reeves, and Reid the other three) to lead a team to both an NFC title and an AFC title. No, absolutely not comparing the two otherwise, but he and Lombardi are the only two HCs to ever inherit a 1-win team and then lead them to a league title game in 'year 2'. And not to mention the fun-fact that each were just previously a coordinator for the Giants in a losing-effort to a Baltimore team for the title. And, no, also not comparing these two otherwise either, but Fox's first (and only) four years as Denver's HC from '11-thru-'14 makes he and Paul Brown - correct me if I'm wrong - the only two HCs to win a division title in each of their first four years with a team (well, conference title in Paul's case). In addition to leading Panthers to that very SB his second year there - and giving Belichick/Brady all they could possibly handle - Fox makes a return-trip to the NFCCG and then also earns a 1st-Rd bye before all said-and-done in Charlotte.
After coaching DBs at numerous colleges for over ten years after briefly being a Buccaneer practice-player under McKay, Fox gets his NFL coaching start under Chuck Noll in '89 coaching that very position thus helping to bring up the likes of Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake for three years. Under the obvious shadow of the Ravens' - and also Titans' - defenses in 2000, John now a DC for NYG ran quite a defense as well. This especially goes for their 41-0 thumping of offensive-power, Minnesota, for the NFC title.
Despite his primary rep as a defensive mind, a possible rep as a...'quarterback-whisperer' may very well be out of the cards but let's not say definitely out of the cards! Consider for a moment his work with Delhomme and also Tebow. And Peyton's best statistical season ever, 2013, was on John's watch.
Not a definite "must-be" inductee into the HOVG. There are still others to be considered first. But given all that's already been said, I can imagine some serious consideration at the very least. And if not ever making the HOVG, is it his time with Chicago that'll be held against him (FWIW, Fox apparently wanted Deshaun instead of Trubisky on Draft Day)? The blowout defeat to Legion of Boom in that Super Bowl?
EDIT - Big mistake! I initially said Fox and Paul Brown but completely forgot about Chuck Knox! His first five years with the Rams, '73-thru-'77, he won the division each time.
After coaching DBs at numerous colleges for over ten years after briefly being a Buccaneer practice-player under McKay, Fox gets his NFL coaching start under Chuck Noll in '89 coaching that very position thus helping to bring up the likes of Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake for three years. Under the obvious shadow of the Ravens' - and also Titans' - defenses in 2000, John now a DC for NYG ran quite a defense as well. This especially goes for their 41-0 thumping of offensive-power, Minnesota, for the NFC title.
Despite his primary rep as a defensive mind, a possible rep as a...'quarterback-whisperer' may very well be out of the cards but let's not say definitely out of the cards! Consider for a moment his work with Delhomme and also Tebow. And Peyton's best statistical season ever, 2013, was on John's watch.
Not a definite "must-be" inductee into the HOVG. There are still others to be considered first. But given all that's already been said, I can imagine some serious consideration at the very least. And if not ever making the HOVG, is it his time with Chicago that'll be held against him (FWIW, Fox apparently wanted Deshaun instead of Trubisky on Draft Day)? The blowout defeat to Legion of Boom in that Super Bowl?
EDIT - Big mistake! I initially said Fox and Paul Brown but completely forgot about Chuck Knox! His first five years with the Rams, '73-thru-'77, he won the division each time.