theScore's NFL Awards Roundtable: Coach of the Year
The NFL Honors will be handed out on Feb. 6, but theScore's NFL Editors are making a case for whom they feel deserve to take home the hardware this season.
theScore's NFL Awards
- Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Most Valuable Player
- Coach of the Year
Coach of the Year
Ron Rivera, Panthers
15 wins, 1st overall in NFC
After an eight-game improvement saw the Panthers finish just one game shy of a perfect regular season, Ron Rivera is the clear choice for Coach of the Year. While the play of the Panthers' defense has remained strong, Rivera and his coaching staff were particularly impressive in helping the offense to overcome concerns both up front and at wide receiver. - Dan Wilkins
Because of the amount of parity and relative similar level of injuries over the course of a season, I believe the coach with the best record should get the award. - Joe Thomson
The Panthers have plenty of high-end talent, but it takes a strong coach to keep his stars motivated during a 14-game winning streak. Suffering just one loss during the regular season doesn't happen by accident, and Rivera deserves to be recognized for his efforts. - Justin Boone
Bill Belichick, Patriots
12 wins, 2nd overall in AFC
The Patriots were plagued by injuries all season long on both sides of the ball, and lost more games to injury (245) than any other team in the NFL. Despite that, Bill Belichick was able to coach New England to a 12-4 record and its sixth consecutive AFC East title. Regardless of what you think of Belichick and Tom Brady as individuals, it's tough to dispute the fact that they're the most successful coach/quarterback duo the league has ever seen. - Caitlyn Holroyd
A seventh straight division title (and 12th in 13 years). Belichick isn't just the best coach in the league, he's the best coach in history. Just give him the award every year. - David P. Woods
Andy Reid, Chiefs
11 wins, 2nd in AFC West
It's hard to look past the 15-1 Panthers, especially for a team that didn't win its division, but the Kansas City Chiefs' comeback after a 1-5 start was just as astounding as the Panthers' achievements this season. With Jamaal Charles lost for the season, and Justin Houston for a month, Reid led the Chiefs to 10 straight wins and a wild-card berth. After their disastrous start, their defense has been as good as any in the league, and their offense had created a winning formula. Reid has been one of the most underrated coaches during his time in the NFL, but he deserves recognition for the spectacular job he's done this season. - Jack Browne
Mike Zimmer, VIkings
11 wins, 1st in NFC North
Zimmer continues to mold the Vikings into one of the NFL's next potential juggernauts, despite middling play from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings' defense received key contributions from a number of players in the infancy of their careers, including Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Xavier Rhodes, Sharrif Floyd, and Danielle Hunter, a testament to Zimmer's preparation. Minnesota is on the precipice of greatness and Zimmer ought to be rewarded for forging a winning culture. - Arun Srinivasan