NFL: Each team’s greatest head coach in franchise history
By Randy Gurzi
Detroit Lions: Raymond “Buddy” Parker (1951-56)
There used to be a time when the Detroit Lions were one of the more dominant teams in the NFL. Then, they traded away star quarterback Bobby Layne in 1958 and he wasn’t too happy with the club. Legend has it that Layne cursed the team that had four NFL Championships at the time by saying they wouldn’t win anything for the next 50 years.
It’s been longer than that and the team is still looking to win another title — they have not done so in the Super Bowl era. They also have only one postseason win since then.
Some have disputed that there’s a curse. Others even say Layne even apparently forgave the team and had no more ill will toward them after his playing days were over. That doesn’t help those who believe the team is still paying for this made mistake back in the 1950s.
Looking back at the glory days with Layne on the field, we find their best coach ever in Buddy Parker. Detroit’s coach from 1951 to 1956, Parker and Layne worked incredibly well together and the team won 47 games while losing 23 and tying twice. They also managed to win two NFL Championships, doing so back-to-back in 1952 and 1953.
Parker’s reign as head coach didn’t last for long, but he made quite the impact on the organization and gave them half of their career titles. These were truly the best days of Lions football.