Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

How do you compare both their overall pro HC careers as a whole?

Yes, include Flaherty's time with the Yankees/Hornets along with GIbbs' 21st Century return.

1) Gibbs
2) Flaherty

Both lost humiliating championship games but Gibbs never lost 73-0 ...

Had Flaherty stayed with Baugh and the Redskins, probably would have won at least another championship tying Gibbs, yet Gibbs won with different QBs.
Still, the two championships he won were unique, with Baugh being the first rookie to win as a throwing back in 1937, then stopping the Bears from three-peating in 1942.

I would give the edge to Gibbs. Three World Championships and, more important, with three different non-Canton QBs is the first thing that comes to my mind. But "edge" (thus small margin) due to the reasonable-enough 'what-if' Ray doesn't enlist and stick around DC the next few years. In his absence, Washington made the LCG in both '43 & '45. And they also started 6-1-1 in '44; only this time, losing to NYG last two games cost them! And after coming home, Ray takes the Yanks to the AAFCCG in both '46 & '47, giving Paul's Browns quite a game in the former match (and losing 14-3 for the latter not an ultra-crime)! That keeps the gap between both small enough IMO.

And why WAS Ray let go so early on in '48??

74_75_78_79_ wrote:I would give the edge to Gibbs. Three World Championships and, more important, with three different non-Canton QBs is the first thing that comes to my mind. But "edge" (thus small margin) due to the reasonable-enough 'what-if' Ray doesn't enlist and stick around DC the next few years. In his absence, Washington made the LCG in both '43 & '45. And they also started 6-1-1 in '44; only this time, losing to NYG last two games cost them! And after coming home, Ray takes the Yanks to the AAFCCG in both '46 & '47, giving Paul's Browns quite a game in the former match (and losing 14-3 for the latter not an ultra-crime)! That keeps the gap between both small enough IMO.

And why WAS Ray let go so early on in '48??

From what i read and reseached he was let go by New York Yankees (AAFC) Owner Dan Topping early in 48 after a 1-3 start

1942 Washington wins the Championship then the war hits and Flaherty joins the Navy. In 1943-1945, without Flaherty, Washington was in 2 title games and lost them both. Flaherty could have easily added to his record by coaching in those 3 lost seasons.

Sonny9 wrote:1942 Washington wins the Championship then the war hits and Flaherty joins the Navy. In 1943-1945, without Flaherty, Washington was in 2 title games and lost them both. Flaherty could have easily added to his record by coaching in those 3 lost seasons.

An interesting point. I never really considered 'lost time due to war' for coaches, but Flaherty was definitely impacted.