NFL Coach of the Year

After six weeks, Davis gets nod for boosting Browns to winning record

By Michael Holbrook, Managing editor of special projects
Oct. 25, 2001

1. Butch Davis — Has got the Browns believing in themselves and playing hard in all areas of the game. As a result, Cleveland has already surpassed its victory total of last season and is proving to be a tough battle for its opponents. Just ask the defending champion Ravens about that. Davis brought the Miami (Fla.) program back from a couple of down years to make it a national title contender before leaving for Cleveland this past offseason. Now, he’s attempting to take an expansion franchise and turn it into a playoff contender in his first season at the helm. That’s probably asking too much, but don’t underestimate Davis’ determination. He’s got a young, physical defense and an up-and-coming quarterback with a corps of young receivers who have a lot of potential. The only problem is the lack of a running game. As the weather gets colder, that will become a bigger and bigger problem.
2. Mike Sherman — Has been the beneficiary of a rejuvenated Brett Favre, but his biggest move may have been pushing for former general manager Ron Wolf to trade with Seattle for RB Ahman Green. Green has become an elite back this season and Favre, a three-time most valuable player, is at his best with a running game. The Packers have also benefited from a much-improved defense, including slimmed-down run-stuffing DT Gilbert Brown and unheralded DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who collected nine sacks in five games. The Pack’s impressive 31-23 victory over the defending champion Ravens was a perfect example of Sherman’s great work as Green Bay came up with a strong game plan and executed it brilliantly to defeat Baltimore.
3. Mike Riley — Took his lumps last year as coach of a 1-15 team and has reaped the benefits of a rejuvenated offense, defense and special teams this season. He has worked well with offensive coordinator Norv Turner to let QB Doug Flutie freelance and make plays to a much-improved collection of skill players. Rookie RB LaDainian Tomlinson has been a revelation and TE Freddie Jones is on the verge of stardom thanks to Flutie’s ability to get him the ball. The Chargers’ defense has been outstanding, with future Hall-of-Famer Junior Seau leading the way. All in all, this team is rapidly heading for a big turnaround from a season ago and Riley deserves credit for ridding the team of any kind of loser’s mentality.
4. Bill Belichick — After back-to-back dismal losses to the Bengals and the Jets, and the loss of starting QB Drew Bledsoe, the Pats could’ve mailed in the rest of the season, but Belichick rallied the troops behind backup QB Tom Brady and a stout defense to crush the Colts twice and upset the Chargers. Now, there is a measure of optimism surrounding New England as Brady appears to be the quarterback of the future, free agent RB Antowain Smith gives them a running threat and the return of WR Terry Glenn strengthens the receiving corps. In the wide-open AFC, if the Pats can get on a roll, there’s no reason why they can’t contend for a playoff berth. That thought would’ve been unimaginable after Week Two of this season and credit has to go to Belichick for turning things around so quickly.
5. Steve Mariucci — Has quietly and effectively put the 49ers back near the top of the NFC West, where this proud franchise once stood for more than 15 years. After a couple of down seasons, Mariucci has rallied the troops behind a former CFL quarterback (Jeff Garcia), a running back who has undergone two major reconstructive knee surgeries (Garrison Hearst) and a young and ever-improving defense. He also has managed to overcome the free-agent loss of Hall-of-Fame WR Jerry Rice. Mariucci’s team is running the ball effectively, playing excellent defense and displaying the tenacity and workmanlike attitude of a team that expects to still be playing in January.

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2001 - 2002 Season