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

Cleveland Browns: Paul Brown (1946-62)

Although Paul Brown founded both NFL teams in Ohio, he had much more success with the first one, the Cleveland Browns. Not only did he have more success with them, but they actually named the team after him.

Brown started coaching the team at the age of 38 back in 1946 and ran the team for 17 seasons. Despite their long tenure, he remains their longest-tenured coach and still has the most wins and best winning percentage. Overall, Brown was 158-48-8 and won four AAFC Championships and three NFL Championships.

Not only was he a big winner, but Brad Oremland of Sports-Central.org calls him the “father” of modern football:

"“Paul Brown is the father of modern professional football. He was the first Modern Era coach to racially integrate his squad, the first coach to regularly call plays for his offense, and the first to hold classroom practice sessions. The list goes on (modern pass-blocking techniques and the quarterback “pocket”) and on (year-round coaching staffs and positional coaches) and on.” — Oremland, Sports-Central.org"

Not only did he contribute everything listed above, but Oremland also says he has a “coaching forest” rather than a coaching tree. Legendary coaches such as Bud Grant and Chuck Noll began their careers under Brown which is a testament to the kind of knowledge he helped pass along.

Cleveland hasn’t had near as much success since Brown moved on in 1962, but during his time with the team, they were one of the most feared franchises in the game.