Who Makes Up Your Mt. Rushmore Of NFL Coaches?

Why do some drivers feel the need to veer left into the lane to complete a right-hand turn? Stay in your lane.

This and other things are on my mind today.

Let's go to Farm Lane Road. Have you seen Michigan State's new Spartan logo? I will admit my first reaction was not a positive one, but the more I've studied it, I'm starting to buy in. I wish the connector between the plume and the helmet would be fragmented like in the current logo, but a guy can hope, right? I do admit the helmet is a fierce upgrade.

On Baltimore's sports talker, the self-anointed 105.7 The Fan, Ed Norris & Co. debated the NFL's Mt. Rushmore of Coaches. The usual suspects were well-represented. Lombardi, Shula, Landry, Walsh, Parcells, etc. Hell, I half expected Bill Belichick to be thrown on the rock, too. He's a grad of nearby Annapolis High, after all.

Here's what immediately struck me: No George Halas. Nary a mention of Paul Brown, either. Now I despise everything about Chicago and Cleveland as much as the next God-fearing fan, but how do you omit Halas and Brown -- in the same sentence, no less -- and call yourself a fan of pro football?

I would have a hard time putting Landry or Shula up there for pure championship merit, but what of staying power, ideals and overall contributions to the craft of coaching and the evolution of the NFL as we know it today? Start carving.

For the record, I can omit Lombardi for Halas, Landry (in the hat), Brown (also hatted) and Shula, pre-glasses. Lombardi is more lore than legend. He didn't coach for an incredibly long time and while I wouldn't dare say he wasn't a worthy coach, he simply didn't put in enough time to earn a spot of just four.

Speaking of locals and fans, you hear the local mediaites here in Charm City often declare Baltimore 'over' the loss of the Colts 25 years ago. Not so fast, my friend. If you were watching, listening, breathing or just basically alive, you would have witnessed about 90% of this region rooting for the New York Jets this past Sunday. Yeah, Baltimore's over the Colts like I'm over Western Michigan University cheating us out of the 1993 Mid-American Conference outdoor track & field championship. Yeah, the photo finish just 'happened' the only time in three days on the 4x200 that you didn't hand the sticks out correctly. 

For the record, that would have been five cross country, indoor and outdoor titles in a row. Bob Parks, I've got your back.

Remember Syracuse losing to LeMoyne College's Dolphins back in November? I'm not surprised Jim Boeheim is 5-0 versus the Top 20 and has earned yet another 20-win season. Outside of the ACC, there's no tougher league in major college basketball than the Big East. When does Boeheim finally get his due?

How about the Mt. Rushmore of Running Backs? Would you have O.J. Simpson up there?

Michigan State by 10 tonight in the 'House That Cazzie Built'.

Regards...

~ Buy Metro Detroit's High School Basketball Rivalries at national online retailers nationwide.

Comments

[Mike]

It's chaos down there. I heard from Vic two times right after the New Year (he never gets involved with assigning until Catholic League playoffs start) in regard to filling vacancies they had. I feel for everyone involved down there.
It's not just the Catholic League. My partner in the Catholic League tells me OAA assignments come out week to week. He's playing out the string, anyway. DeWayne Jones sent me an email telling me when they post his job, he'll let me know right away. Apparently, the OAA AD's don't look kindly on their assigner brandishing a gun when a coach tells him what an idiot he is. If I knew who that coach was, I'd take him out to Mortons for dinner.

[Former CHSL Official]

Good points. I still nod to the ACC until a new national champion from a different conference is upon the throne, but the Big East could get eight schools in if things fall into place.

I hear assignments in the Catholic League are first come, first serve these days in the hands of the bean counters. How things have changed...

[Mike]

Big East is stronger than the ACC this year. Villanova is a bear, Syracuse is full of pros, and Georgetown probably has the best starting 5 in America (14-0 lead last night, then a dismantling). Not to mention Pitt, UConn, Notre Dame. Even Seton Hall is pretty good this year.