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

Buffalo Bills: Marv Levy (1986-97)

The Buffalo Bills have had just four coaches finish their tenure with a winning record. The first was Lou Saban, who coached from 1962 through 1976 and was 68-45-4. He won back-to-back AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. It’s tempting to select him as the best coach ever, considering he did win those titles. However, the man who takes that prize home is Marv Levy.

The winningest coach in team history, Levy was 112-70 in his 12 seasons. He was also 11-8 in the postseason, as he coached the team in 19 of their 30 career playoff games. While he never ended up winning a Super Bowl, he did take the Bills to four-straight during the early 1990s which is an impressive feat even if they never did get their ring.

Not only did Levy turn his squad into perennial winners, but he was also years ahead of the rest of the NFL. Back when the league was all about slowing things down and playing physical football, Levy introduced the K-Gun offense which was basically a constant no-huddle offense.

This was unheard of in the 1990s and Levy understood that it kept defenses off-balance and out of breath. Using this philosophy, quarterback Jim Kelly put up some impressive numbers, as did wide receiver Andre Reed and running back Thurman Thomas.

The Bills have struggled to find the kind of success they had under Levy since his retirement, but during his day, they were undoubtedly the kings of the AFC.