Who's The Best ?

ideamark · 05-05-2008, 10:26 PM

My first thought was, "Geez, where's John Smith, Edward Clark Gallagher, Porter Robertson, Harold Nichols, Bill Koll, Dave McCuskey..." -- but I always look at the wrestling glass as being half-empty.

Then, in reading the follow-on comments of the legendary coaches in other sports who are missing from the list, I feel pretty gosh-darn good to see Gable in the eighth position. Heck, I'm excited to see ESPN find its way to put ANY wrestling coach on its list. The glass is half-full. All's right with the world. ;-)

Mark

Ground&Pound · 05-05-2008, 10:50 PM

Didn't see my favorite, (but didn't expect to)

Bill Bowerman - Oregon Track & Field

training 31 Olympic athletes
51 All-Americans
12 American record-holders
24 NCAA champions

Co-founder of NIKE (he was Phil Knight's coach. Knight handled the business end, Bowerman developed the shoes)

Co-Wrote book Jogging which sold over 1 million copies in the 60's. It started the jogging craze that remains today.

This guy should be much more famous than he is. IMO.

M Richardson · 05-06-2008, 12:29 AM

Seems like if Bob Knight makes the list Woody Hayes should have a shot. They have always been linked in my thoughts.
Cornelius McGillicuddy needs to be on there for baseball - and I might think about John McKay (4 national championships and 9 bowl appearences, 8 of them the Rose Bowl, in 15 years at USC). I have some trouble putting Pat Riley as a "great" coach.

contini · 05-06-2008, 03:57 AM

If you put the stats side-by-side, Dan Gable is clearly superior to John Wooden. And you are hearing that from a Purdue alumni!

Stardust · 05-06-2008, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by RYou

11 Dean Smith, Basketball, North Carolina
10 Mike Krzyzewski, Basketball, Army, Duke

Dusty, are you up off the floor yet ?

That's absolutely ridiculous. I mean, obviously I'm biased.. but still... really?

Also, where is Anson Dorrance, Carolina Women's soccer coach? Really? 19 NCAA titles out of 26 years.

*sputter*

ODH · 05-06-2008, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by RYou

Casey Stengel had a horrible coaching record before he came to the Yankees. Same for Belicheck before his Patriots term.

Bobby Knight...there purely because he's recognized nationally. Would he be there if not for his antics?

My recollection was that Belicheck had just about finish turning the Browns around when he was fired.

Zapp Brannigan · 05-06-2008, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by OldShamrock

Woulda been cool to see Bo or Woody on this list.

Bo never won a National Championship, and I think Woody only won a couple.

Zapp Brannigan · 05-06-2008, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Stardust

That's absolutely ridiculous. I mean, obviously I'm biased.. but still... really?

Also, where is Anson Dorrance, Carolina Women's soccer coach? Really? 19 NCAA titles out of 26 years.

*sputter*

Coach K > Coach Smith, IMO. More coaching with less talent. Year in and year out, UNC is more physically talented then Duke.

RYou · 05-06-2008, 01:36 PM

I would think that someone who made it into BOTH the Football Hall of Fame AND Basketball Hall of Fame would warrant inclusion, at least at number 20.

This coach invented the man in motion and lateral pass.

Yea, Amos Alonzo Stagg deserves a mention here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Alonzo_Stagg

Stardust · 05-06-2008, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Zapp Brannigan

Coach K > Coach Smith, IMO. More coaching with less talent. Year in and year out, UNC is more physically talented then Duke.

Please. Maybe Smith was a better recruiter/better judge of potential talent.

Who's The Best ?

Non Wrestling Talk