6 greatest Rams head coaches of all time

6 greatest Rams head coaches of all time

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By: Jake Ellenbogen

link: http://theramswire.usatoday.com/2016/07/05/clipboard-talk-6-greatest-rams-head-coaches-of-all-time/

The previous edition of the Los Angeles Rams was an impressive franchise, compiling 27 playoff appearances, 15 division championships, 10 conference championships, two NFL championships and of course, a Super Bowl victory.

Now, we’re going to take a look at a few of the great coaches in the history of the franchise who helped make all that possible.

Dick Vermeil (1997-99)

Dick Vermeil’s first stint with the Rams was as a special teams coach in 1969. His second stint ran over three years from 1971-73 as an assistant coach. Vermeil would come back once again in 1997 to become the head coach.

Vermeil is known as a coach that got off to slow starts over the course of his coaching career, but his teams would pick up steam as the seasons rolled on.

He started off as the Rams head coach with a 9-23 record in his first two seasons. Finally, in the 1999 season, he led the Rams to a 13-3 record with quarterback Kurt Warner, who had been playing in NFL Europe.

He would also go on to win a Super Bowl that same year, defeating Rams current coach Jeff Fisher’s Tennessee Titans 23-16.

Mike Martz (2000-05)

Mike Martz got his introduction into the franchise when he was a quarterbacks coach for the team from 1992-94. The next season he became the wide receivers coach and shortly after was named offensive coordinator. Of course, he was the one who formed the Greatest Show on Turf.

Vermeil hired Martz and he left his stamp with the Rams’ offensive powerhouse that broke multiple records and created a legend in Warner.

When Vermeil retired, Martz took over as head coach and went 10-6 in his first season, which unfortunately ended in the playoffs due to a freak muffed punt by Az-Zahir Hakim. The next season Martz led the Rams to a 14-2 Super Bowl season, in which the team lost to the Patriots.

Martz had an up-and-down rest of his time with the Rams. He finished with a 53-32 record.

John Robinson (1983-91)

John Robinson was named head coach of the Rams in 1983 and remained the coach until 1991. He led the Rams to two NFC titles and finished with a record 75-68.

He posted a 4-6 postseason mark, and has the most wins by any Rams coach all time, so not putting him on this list would be a shame. Robinson was also responsible for drafting Hall-of-Fame running back Eric Dickerson, so we all have him to thank him for that one.

Robinson was a great coach who just got unlucky being in the same conference as the Chicago Bears legendary defense, as well as the San Francisco 49ers.

George Allen (1966-70)

Hall-of-Famer George Allen had the third-highest winning percentage of any NFL coach besides John Madden and Vince Lombardi. His first special teams coach was Vermeil, who went on to lead the same franchise to a Super Bowl victory.

Allen coached the Rams from 1966-70 and went 49-17-4. His impressive turnaround of the franchise from Harland Svare’s 14-31 record is what makes him stand out as one of the best in Rams history.

Chuck Knox (1973-77, 1992-94)

Ground Chuck kept the Rams winning, as he was an incredibly consistent coach. He employed two future Rams head coaches in Mike Martz and eventual interim coach Joe Vitt.

During his eight seasons with the Rams he posted a 69-49 record. He also brought in five consecutive NFC West division titles, unheard of in today’s league.

Joe Stydahar (1950-52)

The Hall-of-Fame coach Joe Stydahar coached the Rams for two years, but that was all he needed to bring the franchise their second NFL title.

Stydahar strangely resigned in 1952 after one game, but had a 17-8 coaching record. He led the explosive offense that featured Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin at quarterback and the incredible backfield of Dan Towler, Dick Hoerner and Tank Younger.