The Biggest Coaching Fits in NFL History
Traditional sports have become somewhat of a wellspring for the fashion-forward. Rugby shirts dominated the transition from summer to fall this year, while low-profile vintage track shoes steadfastly remain the go-to sneaker option for celebrities and art directors. Tunnel walks are as closely monitored for emerging trends as red carpets and runways. But as the temperature begins to drop—like, really drop—few popular sports remain viable as a source material for winter styling. Football, a sport whose season begins in September and concludes with the Super Bowl in early February, may be the exception. While professional football players have about 20 pounds of gear and about three hours of physical activity to temper the chill, NFL coaches only have their wardrobe and their own screaming to keep warm.
The styling of a football coach is a delicate balance. Obviously, the outfit should be easy to move in since they are often running along the sidelines to keep up with the action. And yet, it must also be professional. On the gridiron, a coach is the most easily identifiable member of a particular team—it’s not a stretch to say that visibility makes them unofficial ambassadors for the city their team represents—and their clothing, in a sense, serves the purpose of visually communicating leadership, team spirit, and good ol‘ brawn.
Naturally, these unspoken sartorial requirements have led to some incredible NFL coach fits. (If we were talking non-NFL, June Jones, head football coach at the University of Hawaii from 1999 to 2007, would surely take the cake with his leis and aloha shirts.) From the ten-gallon hats and shearling jackets favored by the mythically named Bum Phillips of the Houston Oilers, to Tom Landry and his immaculately tailored suits and mid-century fedoras, to long-time coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, and his ascetic mastery of the hoodie, perhaps this winter will be the one where we take our fashion cues not from the tunnel, but from the sidelines.
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Weeb Ewbank, 1969
One of the first coaches of the modern era to really put that shit on, Wilbur Charles “Weeb” Ewbank not only brought the Jets their only Super Bowl, but looked amazing while doing it.
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Tom Landry, 1970
Of course, the real don dada of NFL coaching fits is Tom Landry, known for popularizing the 4-3 defense, winning two championships, and always being dressed to the nines.
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Norm Van Brocklin, circa 1972
The head coach of the Atlanta Falcons should always be allowed to blast cigs. They need it.
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Jerry Glanville, 1980s
Was Jerry Glanville, head man for the Oilers in the ’80s and the Falcons in the ’90s, a good coach? Not particularly. He had a losing record in both college and pro ball. Did he look sick as hell while doing it? Absolutely.
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Bum Phillips, 1980 AFC Championship Game
This is how all men named Bum should dress, regardless of their job.
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John McKay, 1981
It is very possible that this is the best outfit of all time. The Buccaneers' creamsicle aesthetic was heavily ridiculed at the time—it didn't help that the team was beyond abysmal—but history looks back on it fondly. When your coach can pair this sweater with this hat, how bad can things really be?
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Bill Walsh, 1982
Simply one of the best to ever do it, both on the sidelines and at the clothing rack. Bring back NFL coaches wearing giant collars and billowy pants.
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Raymond Berry, 1985
This was the very beginning of the sick jacket era. Raymond Berry—and Pat Patriot, one of the greatest logos ever conceived—we salute you.
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Mike Ditka, 1987
The inspiration for countless Halloween costumes, SNL sketches, and sweater vest aficionados, Mike Ditka really did something when he put together this outfit.
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Buddy Ryan, 1987
Who will be the next NFL coach brave enough to wear green pants?
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Chuck Knox, 1987
The jacket is exceptional, but I will also direct your attention to the gold bracelet on Knox's right arm.
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Tom Flores, 1987
This was right around the time when coaches stopped opting for knitwear and instead gravitated toward performance wear, and at the intersection of that was 1987 Tom Flores, with his Raiders sweater and Nike sneakers.
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Art Shell, 1989
All you rope hat bros have Hall of Fame tackle-turned-coach Art Shell to partially thank for getting the movement off the ground.
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Jeff Fisher, 1994
The mid-’90s were, fittingly, nirvana for NFL coaching style.
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Dennis Green, 1994
How do you expect to win over a locker room if you aren't speaking the language of the time? In 1994, that meant a jacket just like this.
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Marv Levy and Don Shula, 1995
Two of the most storied minds in league history at their absolute sartorial peak. This photo should be framed and proudly displayed in every single coach's office.
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Rich Brooks, 1995
Did Rich Brooks—a renowned coach at the University of Oregon—have a little too much dip on his chip when he jumped to the NFL? Yes. But, importantly, he also had too much drip.
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Tony Dungy, 1996
As strong as their current look is, it really is astounding that the Bucs ever steered away from this colorway. It is perfect.
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Bill Parcells, 1997
What if Tony Soprano coached da friggin‘ Jets? Bill Parcells in this all-Starter getup is, spiritually, the closest we will ever get.
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Mike Nolan, 2006
As we entered the 21st century, coaching attire became mostly bland and unforgettable, but not in Mike Nolan's closet. The only coach of the HD television era to throw on a suit and tie deserves props for trying this. Because of his courage, we'll give him a pass on that garish suit lining.
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Bill Belichick, 2010
The man, the myth, the monogram hoodie.
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Bruce Arians, 2015
Arians is a steadfast Kangol man, and in 2013 he tried to get The Shield to allow his preferred headwear on the sidelines, to no avail. Luckily, he was able to find one in a similar style made by New Era, an official partner of the NFL.
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DeMeco Ryans, 2024
Again, this is just a really slick team-issued bomber, but Ryans layered it nicely atop a turtleneck (with a tiny but effective pop of red just underneath the collar, too) for this frigid playoff game in Baltimore.
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