Which NFL head coach (current or former) has had the best career as a player in the NFL?

Question

Also, what current coaches were players in the NFL?

Answer 1

Ditka and Madden

Answer 2

Mike Ditka is in the Hall of Fame as a player.  

Answer 3

The best I'd Coach/player I'd say is Mike Ditka (Prowbowl TE) or Art Shell (Probowl O-lineman)

Current Head Coaches that were Former Players:

Herman Edwards

Tony Dungy

Jack Del Rio

-thats all i know.

Answer 4

Mike Ditka, was the best player who coached.

Present head coaches, who played professionally:

Herm Edwards, Tony Dungy, Sean Payton,Gary Kubiak, Jim Zorn, Ken Whisenhunt, Jack Del Rio, Jeff Fisher, Brian Billick (drafted but never played).

Answer 5

1.ditka

2.lambeau

3.walsh

Answer 6

Coach Ditka without a doubt. Awesome tight end as a player, and even better coach.

Answer 7

Among current head NFL coaches, I think Jim Zorn (Redskins), Herman Edwards (Chiefs) and Jack Del Rio (Jags) had the best playing careers.  All were 1/2 a notch from being All-Pros.  The best may have been Tom Landry, an outstanding defensive back for the NY Giants.

One interesting thought is football has relatively few outstanding players who became head coaches.  Just to name a few, basketball has, John Wooden. Larry Bird, and Isiah Thomas (yeah, I know he stuck with the Knicks); baseball has Yogi Berra, Dusty Baker, Lou Pinella, and Pete Rose (despite the gambling, he was a good manager); and hockey has Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, and Glen Sather.

Answer 8

I don't want to sound redundant, but i must give credit were credit is due.  Da Coach has had the best career as a player.

Answer 9

Mike Ditka. Tight End CHICAGO BEARS.

I also admired Jack Del Rio, as a Linebacker with DALLAS.

Answer 10

Current coaches: i think Dungey is the only one with a SB ring (playing for PIT).