Tom Coughlin or Bill Parcells: Who Was the Better Giants Head Coach?
By Neal Lynch
BILL PARCELLS
Inducted into NFL Hall of Fame in 2013 and was also a finalist in 2001, 2002, 2012.
In eight seasons as Giants head coach, Parcells went 77-49-1 with six winning seasons.
Bill also went 8-3 in the playoffs with 2 Super Bowl championships.
Bill’s Giants teams:
Ranked top 5 in…
- turnover ratio two times (1984, 1990)
- total yards gained, rushing yards gained, and rushing touchdowns once (1985)
- passing yards gained once (1984)
- least interceptions thrown three times (1982, 1988, 1990)
- yards allowed five times (1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990)
- points allowed four times (1990, 1989, 1986, 1985)
- defensive takeaways once (1986)
- rushing yards allowed five times (1986, 1985, 1990, 1989, 1983)
- rushing touchdowns allowed five times (1984, 1988, 1983, 1985, 1986)
- rushing yards per attempt three times (1983, 1985, 1989)
- fumbles recovered twice (1986, 1988)
- passing yards allowed once (1985)
- passing touchdowns allowed three times (1990, 1986, 1987)
- interceptions once (1990)
Bill’s longest-tenured & most valuable players under his tutelage:
- Lawrence Taylor
- Phil Simms
- Leonard Marshall
- Terry Kinard
- Harry Carson
- Joe Morris
- Pepper Johnson
- Carl Banks
- Perry Williams
- William Roberts
- Billy Ard
- Brad Benson
- Jim Burt
- Bart Oates
- Gary Reasons
- Lionel Manuel
- Mark Bavaro
- John Washington
- Zeke Mowatt
- Maurice Carthon
- George Martin
- Harry Carson
- Jumbo Elliott
- Sean Landeta
- Lee Rouson
- Byron Hunt
- Andy Headen
- Phil McConkey
- Kenny Hill
- Erik Howard
- Jeff Rutledge
- Mark Collins
- Dave Meggett
- Jeff Hostelter
- Jerome Salley
Of the Giants 32 biggest blown leads in franchise history, Parcells’ teams only have one entry – November 1987 against Washington, when they were up 16 and lost 23-19. Not only was this a strike year, the Redskins would go on to crush the Broncos in the Super Bowl.
Two of the top 10 greatest comebacks in franchise history – September 1986 vs. the Saints (down by 17) and December 1986 vs. the 49ers (also down by 17).
Other Giants “Approximate Value Career Leaders” who played for Parcells:
- Brad Van Pelt
- Brian Kelley
- Mark Haynes
- Doug Riesenberg
- Rodney Hampton
- Terry Jackson
- Beasley Reece
- Eric Moore
- J.T. Turner
- Curtis McGriff
- Brian Williams
- Myron Guyton
- Dave Jennings
- Greg Jackson
- Earnest Gray
AND THE WINNER IS…
Bill Parcells
- higher winning percentage in regular season
- more playoff appearances in less seasons
- less blown leads
- higher ranked teams
- more valuable players
Of course, some could argue Parcells had better personnel, better draft picks, a better training staff to limit injuries, etc. Let the debate RAGE ON!