NFL: Each team’s greatest head coach in franchise history

Minnesota Vikings: Bud Grant (1967-83, 1985)

One former Minnesota Vikings coach that deserves mention here is Dennis Green. From 1992 through 2001, Green was a successful coach who had only one losing season in 10 years with Minnesota.

Eight times he got them into the playoffs and even led them to a 15-1 record in 1998. While he deserves praise for his consistency and great offensive mind, he wasn’t the top coach in Vikings history.

That honor belongs to the second coach they ever hired in Bud Grant. Following a rough patch with Norm Van Brocklin as head coach, Bud Grant came in and instilled a discipline program that helped shape the franchise.

Grant was meticulous about how his players should present themselves in every aspect, including what he called the “Viking Formation,” which was how the team was to stand during the playing of the National Anthem.

"“Players held helmets in their right hand with chinstraps tucked inside while lined up along the sideline. They stood with such precision it looked as if it had been practiced, which in fact it was — each year during training camp.” — Chris Tomasson, Pioneer Press"

Grant also had strong rules against smoking and drinking and didn’t put up with dumb mistakes, even in practice. It may not have made him a favorite of the players, but it led to a record of 158-96-5. It also helped the team win one NFL Championship and three NFC titles. They never won the Super Bowl, but during Grant’s tenure, they always had a shot.