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New York Jets: Top 10 head coaches of all time

By Michael Pallas

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets reacts on the sideline against the New England Patriots during a game at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets reacts on the sideline against the New England Patriots during a game at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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28 Jul 1998: General view of the new helmets for the New York Jets during the 1998 New York Jets Training Camp at the Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
28 Jul 1998: General view of the new helmets for the New York Jets during the 1998 New York Jets Training Camp at the Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /

3. Walt Michaels

Walt Michaels finished his Jets coaching career with a 39-47-1 record. Even though that record places him eighth all-time in a franchise with 19 coaches, he’s one of only four coaches to reach the AFL/AFC Championship Game in franchise history. He coached the Jets through the season in which there was a player’s strike which lasted 57 days, and the strike shortened the 1983 NFL season to nine games. Otherwise, who knows what could’ve happened to the Jets.

The Jets did make it the 1983 AFC Championship Game against the Miami Dolphins There was a heavy rain storm that soaked Miami’s Orange Bowl for the contes, which ultimately caused that game to be dubbed “The Mud Bowl.” The adverse conditions, which the Jets were probably not prepared for because there should’ve been a protective tarp on the field, played a role in them losing 14-10 to the Miami Dolphins.

Michaels is also one of only three coaches in franchise history to coach in as many as four playoff games. He is also one of four coaches with two or more playoff wins. The combination of the regular season and playoff performance of the Jets gives Michaels near top billing on this list, and deservedly so.

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