Wow (again).

A week after it was leaked that longtime New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick was not chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the owner of the dynasty, Robert Kraft, will also not be inducted.

Kraft, whose purchase of the Patriots saved the franchise from possible relocation, presided over the dynasty that won six Super Bowls, and like Belichick, was a Finalist for the first time, and many (including this writer) thought it likely that both would be inducted this year.   Now, it is neither.

With Kraft and Belichick passed over, we know for sure that at least one of the three Seniors, Roger Craig, Ken Anderson, and L.C. Greenwood, will be chosen.

This might be the most dramatic Pro Football Hall of Fame build-up ever, and the cries for reform have just gotten louder.

Wow.

According to an ESPN article, Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham reported that eight-time Super Bowl Champion Bill Belichick was not selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Allegedly, Belichick was informed by a Hall representative last Friday that he was not chosen.  The 50 Hall of Fame voters met previously to present cases, debate, and cast a secret ballot, and many (including some of the Hall of Fame selectors) thought that Belichick was a lock.

His case was the most complete of any coach’s case this side of Vince Lombardi.  Belichick led the Pats to six Super Bowls and 31 playoff wins (records for a head coach, 301 regular season wins, and was lauded as a mastermind whose players bought into the “Patriot Way”.  He also owns two other Super Bowl rings as the New York Giants’ Defensive Coordinator.  Naturally, the news sent shockwaves throughout social media.

J.J. Watt: 

“I can’t be reading this right.  This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something, it can’t be the actual NFL Hall of Fame.  There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick not be a First Ballot Hall of Famer.”

Patrick Mahomes: 

“Insane… don’t even understand how this could be possible.”

Jimmy Johnson:

“What a shame.. jealous ignorant voters (a few that hide behind secret ballot) did not vote one of the greatest coaches of all time into HOF.”

Tom Brady:

“I don’t understand it.  I mean, I was with him every day.  If he’s not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there’s really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is completely ridiculous.”

Julian Edelman:

“Smh.”

The news also shocked many of the Hall of Fame selectors.  In an unprecedented outburst, many of them openly stated (or strongly implied)that they voted for Belichick.  *This included Gary Myers, Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot, Charean Williams, Mike Sando, Rich Cimini, Armando Salguero, Kent Somers, Dan Pompei, Paul Kuharsky, John McClain, Lindsay Jones, Vic Carucci, Jason Cole, Eric Williams, Jarrett Bell, Dave Birkett, Pete Douherty, Paul Domowitch, Gerry Dulac, Matt Maiocco, Calvin Watkins, Sal Paolntonio and Ira Kaufman.

To his credit, Vahe Gregorian openly said he did not and gave an articulate rationale for why.

The process seems broken.

So how is this possible?

1. Mathematics.

Two years ago, the Hall of Fame changed the process, which pooled the Seniors, Coaches, and Contributor Finalists.  The 50 selectors were tasked with voting for three of the five, who last year included Maxie Baughn, Ralph Hay, Mike Holmgren, Sterling Sharpe, and Jim Tyrer, and entrance to Canton was gained by obtaining 40 of the 50 votes, or, should no candidate make that threshold, the candidate with the highest amount would be selected. 

Very few people (including many of the selectors) gave the new rules much thought, but Chicago’s Sports Historian, Jack Silverstein, called it out, showing how mathematics would lead to the smallest class in years.  Quite simply, the math was going to math, and only Sharpe entered through this group; there was no reason to think it would be different this year.

Silverstein put together a group of historians (which included the owner of this site, along with actual past and present HOF selectors) to mimic the process, and sure enough, only one candidate met the 80%.  Ironically, that candidate was Belichick.

Going back to the actual selectors, it is possible that, with knowledge of last year’s results, some may have thought Belichick was entering for sure and cast their selections for others (namely, the Seniors) so that one of them might enter.  We can’t discount that some may feel Belichick is destined to be back on the ballot next year, and Anderson, Craig, and Greenwood might not.  The numbers were going to get more than one of these five legends, especially now that the three groups are competing with each other.

2. Spygate, etc.

“Every battle is won before it is fought.”  That quote is from Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”, which was displayed prominently in Belichick’s locker room.  Perhaps that puts his role in Spygate into perspective?   Belichick was fined $500,000 for his role in the scandal, which is believed to have lasted seven years.  Throw in “Deflategate” and you have what some have called a tainted legacy.  “Belicheat” did trend yesterday!   Based on what selector, Armando Salguero said on the Dan Patrick Show today that one voter outright stated, “I’m not voting for him because of Spygate.”   How many others thought the same?

3. Bill Polian.

This could be the most logical one.  According to another ESPN article, Polian allegedly told voters that Belichick should have to “wait a year” because of Spygate, though hours later, he denied any involvement, stating “That’s totally and categorically untrue” and that he voted for Bill.  Strangely, a day later, he was only 95% sure that he voted for Belichick.

Perhaps Polian should just stop talking.

Regardless of whether he voted for Belichick, two things are sure:

Polian’s clubs have taken the worst of Belichick’s teams, and Polian has a lot of influence.

4. Role in the dynasty and declining legacy

This is just us spitballing, but is it possible that some voters see the Patriots' return to prominence without Belichick, Brady winning a Super Bowl without him, Belichick’s failure at UNC, and the mockery of his personal life, and that they respect him a little less?  If so, we have seen sillier reasons not vote for a candidate.

Regardless of why or if some of the selectors omitted Belichick, we will go on record and say this:

You got this one wrong, and based on what the Hall just put out, they know it, too.

*Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly put together a list on X of those who voted yes and no.

Oh, what a happy day to be a Hall of Fame enthusiast!

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its 15 Modern Semi-Finalists for the Class of 2026, down from a list of 26.

To qualify, a player must have retired less than 25 years ago and at least five years ago:

*Denotes they were a Finalist last year.

**Denotes they are eligible for the first time.

Quarterbacks (2): Philip Rivers did not advance.

**Drew Brees: SDG 2001-05 & NOR 2006-20.  After five years in San Diego, Brees ascended to superstar status in New Orleans.  Brees led the Saints to their first and only Super Bowl win, was a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, and was selected to 13 Pro Bowls.  He threw for 80,358 Yards and 571 Touchdowns.  Ranked #1 on notinhalloffame.com.  First Time as a Finalist.

*Eli Manning: NYG 2005-19.  Manning went to two Super Bowls and won them, as did the Super Bowl MVPs.  A four-time Pro Bowl and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Manning passed for 57,023 Yards and 366 Touchdowns.  Ranked #107 on notinhalloffame.com.  Second Time as a Finalist.

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

There is no surprise here, as Drew Brees should cruise into the Hall on his first attempt, and Eli Manning was also expected to advance.  Manning, who is in his second year of eligibility, likely won’t enter the PFHOF in ’26, but no worries, Giants fans; nobody (except Jim Tyrer, and we know why) was a first ballot Finalist and failed to enter Canton.

The wildcard was Rivers, who returned to the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.  Assuming he will not return in 2026, Rivers now views his new year of eligibility as 2031. 

Running Backs (1): Fred Taylor did not advance.

**Frank Gore:  SFO 2005-14, IND 2015-17, MIA 2018, BUF 2019 & NYJ 2020.  Gore was a six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who amassed a whopping 16,000 Rushing Yards (third all-time), 19,985 APY, and 99 Touchdowns.  Ranked #19 on notinhalloffame.com.  First Time as a Finalist.  

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

We thought that Frank Gore’s appearance on the ballot would negatively impact Fred Taylor, and this is precisely what happened.  Gore has significantly more yardage than Taylor, and we have a rare occurrence of a multi-time Finalist (Taylor was a Finalist the last two years) failing to get through.  As for Gore, he is the ultimate compiler and was never a top-five Running Back (well, maybe once).  Gore’s Hall of Fame candidacy fascinates us.

Wide Receivers (3): (Steve Smith Sr. & Hines Ward did not advance)

**Larry Fitzgerald:  ARI 2004-20.  Fitzgerald had a stellar career, earning 11 Pro Bowls, one First Team All-Pro selection, and was named the 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year.  Twice leading the league in Receptions as well as Touchdown Passes, Fitzgerald had 1,432 Receptions (Second all-time), 17,492 Yards (second all-time), and 121 Touchdowns (sixth all-time).   Ranked #2 on notinhalloffame.com.  First time as a Finalist.

*Torry Holt: STL 1999-2008 & JAX 2009.  A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice (2000 & 2003).  The one-time First Team All-Pro finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs.  Holt has been a multi-time Finalist.  Ranked #9 on notinhalloffame.com.  Seventh time as a Semi-Finalist.

Reggie Wayne:  IND 2001-12.  Wayne was a career Colt, winning a Super Bowl there while earning six Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro.  He led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 2007 (1,510) and has significantly more Yards (14,345) than any other Preliminary candidate.  He also has 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #23 on notinhalloffame.com.  Seventh time as a Finalist (2020-26).

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

The Wide Receiver slot has been log-jammed for years, and the arrival of Larry Fitzgerald (the second lock behind Brees) clearly pushed Steve Smith Sr. aside. 

Of note, Holt was among the last seven in the voting last season, ensuring he would be an automatic Finalist, but, as phenomenal as he was, his resume falls below Fitzgerald's.  Wayne, who, like Holt, is on his seventh Finalist ballot, also looks to be below Fitzgerald, and with the current process, it is difficult to see two Wide Receivers advancing.

Also, I predicted years ago that Hines Ward would go 20-for-20, meaning he would reach 20 Semi-Finals without advancing to the finals.  As Bon Jovi sang in “Living on a Prayer, “Whoa, we’re halfway there.”

Tight Ends (1): 

**Jason Witten:  2003-17 & 2019 & LVR 2020.  Witten went to a whopping 11 Pro Bowls, with two of those seasons netting him First Team All-Pros.  The 2012 Walter Payton Award winner had 13,046 Yards with 74 TDs.  Ranked #11 on notinhalloffame.com.  First time as a Finalist.

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

Jason Witten is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.  There is no doubt of that, and thankfully, he does not have to worry about Antonio Gates, who entered last year.  If he does not enter this year, Rob Gronkowski is on the horizon and will jump over (and should) Witten.  Witten will eventually enter Canton, but the current structure does him no favors in 2026.

Offensive Lineman (3): (Lomas Brown, Richmond Webb, and Steve Wisniewski did not advance)

*Willie Anderson (T):  CIN 1996-2007 & BAL 2008.  Anderson was chosen for four consecutive Pro Bowls (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy.  Anderson has been a Finalist for the previous three years.  Ranked #101 on notinhalloffame.com.  Fifth time as a Finalist (2021-26).

*Jahri Evans (G):  NOR 2006-16 & GNB 2017.  Evans went to six consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a First Team All-Pro in the first four.  He is also a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints.  Ranked #29 on notinhalloffame.com.  Third time as a Finalist (2021-26).

*Marshal Yanda (G):  BAL 2007-19. A Super Bowl Champion with Baltimore, Yanda went to eight Pro Bowls with two First Team and five Second Team All-Pros.  Ranked #4 on notinhalloffame.com.  Second time as a Finalist (2025-26).

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

I said when we looked at the Semi-Finalists that I would be thrilled if Wisniewski, Brown, and/or Webb got into that room to be discussed as a PFHOF Finalist, but I doubted that I would be delighted.  That is precisely what transpired, and for Wiz, this is the end of the modern pool, as he falls into the abyss of the senior pool.  Webb has only one year left, and both he and Wiz are Hall of Fame material; there is no doubt about that.

As for the rest, Anderson was guaranteed to be a Finalist based on last year’s top-seven finish, and Yanda and Evans are returnees.  Anderson appears to be atop the queue, and Evans and Yanda both debuted in their respective years as a Finalist, so it should be only a matter of time for those two Guards.  The O-Line looks to be as jammed as the WR slot.

Defensive Linemen: (1) (Robert Mathis and Vince Wilfork did not advance)

Kevin Williams (DT/DE):  MIN 2003-13, SEA 2014 & NOR 2015.  Williams had six Pro Bowls and five First Team All-Pros in a career spent mainly in Minnesota.  He recorded 63 Sacks and 113 Tackles for Loss.  Ranked #26 on notinhalloffame.com.  First time as a Finalist.

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

This is the biggest surprise for me.  It is not that they chose Kevin Williams; that should have happened long ago.  It is that they remembered him at all, after forgetting his existence over the first five years of his eligibility, and here he is, making his first Semi and Final.  He did so by leapfrogging two guys (Robert Mathis and Vince Wilfork), who, with all respect to those two stars, he should have been ahead of to begin with.

Yep, very happy on this one!

Linebackers: (2)

*Luke Kuechly: CAR 2012-19.   Kuechly was a strong contender to enter Canton on his first year of eligibility, as he is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.  A two-time leader in Combined Tackles, Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #3 on notinhalloffame.com.  Second time as a Finalist 2025-26.

*Terrell Suggs (Also DE):  BAL 2003-18, ARI 2019 & KAN 2019.  Suggs was the 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and eight years later, he was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 139 Sacks, 202 Tackles for Loss, and 200 Quarterback Hits.  He was also a significant part of Baltimore’s second Super Bowl, and, as a veteran, he retired after winning a second one with Kansas City.  Ranked #10 on notinhalloffame.com.  Second time as a Finalist 2025-26.

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

Two Linebackers.  Two former Defensive Players of the Year winners.  Two players who easily could have entered on their first ballot.  Two players face the same struggle as last year based on the current process.   The main difference is that Kuechly was a guaranteed Finalist based on finishing in the top seven last year.

Defensive Backs: (1) (Rodney Harrison and Earl Thomas did not advance)

*Darren Woodson (S):  DAL 1992-03.  Woodson was part of the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl Titles in the early '90s, a five-time Pro Bowl, and a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist multiple times before and has 23 career Interceptions with 11 Sacks and 967 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #65 on notinhalloffame.com.  Fourth time as a Semi-Finalist 2015, 2017, & 2019-26.

The Chairman’s gut reaction: 

Earl Thomas has the goods to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and it is curious to see him drop off after being a Finalist in his first year of eligibility.  With Rodney Harrison also dropping off, this is a good ballot for Woodson, who is the only DB left.  We saw the Hall induct Eric Allen late in his eligibility, and Woodson is in his 18th year.

Place Kickers: (1)

*Adam Vinatieri: NWE 1996-2005 & IND 2006-19.  Entering his first year on the ballot, Vinatieri was a clutch performer who won four Super Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He is the all-time leader in Points Scored (2,673) and Field Goals Made (599). Ranked #88 on notinhalloffame.com.  Second time as a Semi-Finalist 2025-26.

Vinatieri was one of the last seven from last year and was grandfathered in as a guaranteed Finalist.

To enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, these candidates must receive 80% of the vote, after it is pared down to seven candidates. 

In a separate vote, Senior candidates Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, Coach candidate Bill Belichick, and Contributor candidate Robert Kraft will also have to receive 80% for enshrinement

The Class of 2026 will be inducted on August 8.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this group of Finalists.

P

Here we go!!!

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the five names (one coach, one contributor, and three seniors) as the Finalists for the Class of 2026.

Moving forward, this group will be lumped together in the Final Round, with a candidate having to receive 80% of the vote from the 50 voters.

At most three can advance, with at least one.  Should none of the candidates receive 80%, the highest vote getter will advance.

The Coaching candidate:

Bill Belichick.  Beginning his coaching career as a special assistant in Baltimore, Belichick joined the New York Giants in 1979, worked his way up to Defensive Coordinator, and won two Super Bowls in that role.  He became Cleveland’s Head Coach, but he posted a winning record in only one of his six years.  He received another chance as a Head Coach for New England, and the rest was history.  Belichick ushered in the Patriots' dynasty, leading the Pats to six Super Bowl wins, nine Super Bowl appearances (both records as a Head Coach), and presided over the most remarkable run by any Head Coach associated with one team in NFL history.  Belichick had a career record of 333-178, a 31-13 playoff record, and also boasts three AP Coach of the Year Awards.  He was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team.

The Semi-Finalists who did not advance were: Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert & Mike Shanahan.

The Contributor Candidate:

Robert Kraft.  In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the New England Patriots, and the region has been blessed ever since.  The franchise became stable after it appeared to be St. Louis-bound, and under Kraft’s ownership, Gillette Stadium was financed, which gave the team a permanent home base.  Since Kraft took over, the Patriots have been to 10 Super Bowls and won 6.  He has also served on 17 owner committees. 

The Semi-Finalists who did not advance are Bud Adams, Roone Arledge, Ralph Hay, Bucko Kilroy, Art Rooney Jr., Clark Schaughnessy, Seymour Siwoff, and Buddy Young.

The Senior Candidates:

Ken Anderson: Quarterback, CIN 1971-86.  Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981, and the four-time Pro Bowl would pass for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns.  He was also the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and, historically, led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl.  Anderson was a Modern Finalist in 1996 and 1998.

We congratulate the candidates who have reached this stage.

Roger Craig:  Running Back, SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93.  The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, was the Offensive Player of the Year, earned four Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro.  From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards.  Craig was a Modern Finalist in 2010 and a Senior Finalist in 2020.

L.C. Greenwood:  Defensive End, PIT 1969-81.  Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls.  A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks and was a six-time modern Finalist (1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2005 & 2006). 

The Semi-Finalists who did not advance are Henry Ellard, Joe Jacoby, Eddie Meador, Stanley Morgan, Steve Tasker, and Otis Taylor. 

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the five Finalists.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the nine former Coaches who have advanced as Semi-Finalists for the Class of 2026.

The Blue Ribbon Committee will meet virtually on November 18 and select one Finalist.

*Denotes First Year of Eligibility.

*Bill Belichick.  With all due respect to this loaded group of candidates, no one can match the resume of Bill Belichick.  Beginning his coaching career as a special assistant in Baltimore, Belichick joined the New York Giants in 1979, worked his way up to Defensive Coordinator, and won two Super Bowls in that role.  He became Cleveland’s Head Coach, but he posted a winning record in only one of his six years.  He received another chance as a Head Coach for New England, and the rest was history.  Belichick ushered in the Patriots' dynasty, leading the Pats to six Super Bowl wins, nine Super Bowl appearances (both records as a Head Coach), and presided over the most remarkable run by any Head Coach associated with one team in NFL history.  Belichick had a career record of 333-178, a 31-13 playoff record, and also boasts three AP Coach of the Year Awards.  He was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team.

Tom Coughlin:  Coughlin worked his way up the ranks and became the Head Coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.  He was their Head Coach for eight years, bringing them to two AFC Championship Games, the first of which was in the franchise’s second year.  After being fired, he joined the New York Giants, where the stoic leader led the G-Men to two Super Bowl wins (XLII & XLVI).  He retired with an overall record of 170-150 and is already a member of the New York Giants Ring of Honor and Pride of the Jaguars.

Mike Holmgren.  Holmgren won two Super Bowls with San Francisco, first as a Quarterbacks Coach and then as their Offensive Coordinator, and it propelled him to the Head Coaching job at Green Bay in 1992.  He led the Packers to a Super Bowl win at SBXXXI.  Holmgren accepted the Seattle Seahawks coaching job and took them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005.  A member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor, Holmgren had a career record of 161-111.

Chuck Knox:  An Offensive Line Coach with the New York Jets (1963-66) and for Detroit (1967-72), Knox was elevated to the Head Coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 1973, where he won the AP Coach of the Year award in his first season in that role.  He later coached Buffalo (1978-82) and Seattle (1983-91), where he won Coach of the Year Awards for both clubs, and he concluded his career with three years back with the Rams.  He had an overall record of 186-147.

Buddy Parker:  Parker was left off this stage last year after failing to make the Hall as a Finalist in 2024, but he is back where he belongs: in Hall of Fame consideration.  An NFL Champion as a player for the Detroit Lions in 1935, Parker became their Head Coach in 1951, and promptly led them to back-to-back NFL Championships in 1952 and 1953.  He left to helm the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957, where he brought them to respectability.  He had a 107-76-9 record.

Dan Reeves.  Reeves won a Super Bowl as an Assistant Coach in Dallas and was hired by Denver as their Head Coach in 1981.  He led the Broncos to three AFC Titles but could not punch their ticket to a Super Bowl win.  After he was let go by Denver, he signed with the Giants and won the 1993 AP Coach of the Year.  Later, he took over as Atlanta’s Head Coach, leading them to their first Super Bowl appearance —a loss to his former team (Denver) —and earning his second Coach of the Year award.  He had an overall record of 190-165-2 and is a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor.

Marty Schottenheimer.  Working his way through the Giants and Lions as the Linebackers Coach, Schottenheimer landed the Defensive Coordinator job in Cleveland in 1980 and was promoted to their Head Coach in 1984.  He brought Cleveland to the AFC Finals twice but left for Kansas City in 1989 with another (unsuccessful) trip to the AFC Championship Game (1993).  Schottenheimer took some time off and was lured back by Washington, but that lasted only one year.  He returned the following season for the San Diego Chargers, where he twice took them to the playoffs.  He had an overall record of 200-126-1 and is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.

George Seifert.  Seifert joined the San Francisco 49ers as their Defensive Backs Coach in 1980 and was elevated to Defensive Coordinator in 1983.  He won three Super Bowls as an assistant coach, and in 1989 he was again promoted to Head Coach. Here, he led the Niners to two more Super Bowl wins and to five NFC Championship Games overall.  He concluded his career with three years as Carolina’s Head Coach and had an overall record of 114-62.

Mike Shanahan.  Shanahan joined Denver as their Wide Receivers Coach in 1984, and a year later, he began a three-year stint as their Offensive Coordinator, where he caught the eye of Raiders owner Al Davis, who hired him to replace Tom Flores.  That did not last long, and he was back in Denver but was let go due to a dispute between Quarterback John Elway and Dan Reeves.  He went to San Francisco, where he won Super Bowl XXIX as the Offensive Coordinator. He returned to Denver in 1995, leading the Broncos to their first two Super Bowl wins (XXXII & XXXIII) during a 14-year run.  He finished his career with three years at Washington, posting an overall record of 170-138.  He is also a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame.

The three coaches who were cut were Bill Arnsberger, Alex Gibbs, and Clark Shaugnessy.

We congratulate the candidates who have reached this stage.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced today that the Coaches Blue-Ribbon Committee has narrowed down a group of 15 candidates to 12. 

Following this, the members of the Coaches Blue-Ribbon Committee will receive an additional ballot, which will reduce this group to nine.  That will be announced in early November.

Here are the 12 Coaches who have made it to this stage.

*Denotes First Year of Eligibility.

**Denotes that they made it to this stage last year.

**Bill Arnsberger.  Arnsberger is one of the most heralded defensive minds in NFL history, having first worked for the Baltimore Colts (1964-69), where his defense brought the Team to Super Bowl III.  He would join his Cots Coach, Don Shula, in Miami, where his “No-Name Defense” led the Dolphins to back-to-back Super Bowl wins.  He took a shot as a Head Coach with the New York Giants, but after that failed, he returned to Shula and built up another potent defense (The Killer B’s) that won another AFC Title.  Afterward, he went to LSU, then Florida, and returned to the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, where, as the Defensive Coordinator again, he helped the Bolts make their first Super Bowl.

*Bill Belichick.  With all due respect to this loaded group of candidates, there is nobody who brings a resume with the accomplishments of Bill Belichick.  Beginning his coaching career as a special assistant in Baltimore, Belichick joined the New York Giants in 1979, worked his way up to Defensive Coordinator, and won two Super Bowls in that role.  He became Cleveland’s Head Coach, but he only achieved a winning record in one of his six years.  He received another chance as a Head Coach for New England, and the rest was history.  Belichick ushered in the Patriots dynasty, leading the Pats to six Super Bowl wins, nine Super Bowl appearances (both records as a Head Coach), and presided over the greatest run by any Head Coach associated with one team in NFL history.  Belichick had a career record of 333-178, a 31-13 playoff record, and also boasts three AP Coach of the Year Awards.  He was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team.

**Tom Coughlin:  Coughlin worked his way up the ranks and became the Head Coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.  He was their Head Coach for eight years, bringing them to two AFC Championship Games, the first of which was in the franchise’s second year.  After being fired, he joined the New York Giants, where the stoic leader led the G-Men to two Super Bowl wins (XLII & XLVI).  He retired with an overall record of 170-150 and is already a member of the New York Giants Ring of Honor and Pride of the Jaguars.

**Alex Gibbs.  An Assistant Head Coach and/or Offensive Line Coach for 27 years, working for Denver (1984-87, 1995-2003 & 2013), the Los Angeles Raiders (1988-89), San Diego (1990-91), Indianapolis (1992), Kansas City (1993-94), Atlanta (2004-05), Houston (2008-09) and Seattle (2010).  He won two Super Bowls with the Broncos.

**Mike Holmgren.  Holmgren won two Super Bowls with San Francisco, first as a Quarterbacks Coach and then as their Offensive Coordinator, and it propelled him to the Head Coaching job at Green Bay in 1992.  He led the Packers to a Super Bowl win at SBXXXI.  Holmgren accepted the Seattle Seahawks coaching job and took them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005.  A member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor, Holmgren had a career record of 161-111.

**Chuck Knox:  An Offensive Line Coach with the New York Jets (1963-66) and for Detroit (1967-72), Knox was elevated to the Head Coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 1973, where he won the AP Coach of the Year award in his first season in that role.  He later coached Buffalo (1978-82) and Seattle (1983-91), where he won Coach of the Year Awards for both clubs, and he concluded his career with three years back with the Rams.  He had an overall record of 186-147.

Buddy Parker:  Parker was left off this stage last year after failing to make the Hall as a Finalist in 2024, but he is back where he belongs: in Hall of Fame consideration.  An NFL Champion as a player for the Detroit Lions in 1935, Parker became their Head Coach in 1951, and promptly led them to back-to-back NFL Championships in 1952 and 1953.  He left to helm the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957, where he brought them to respectability.  He had a 107-76-9 record.

**Dan Reeves.  Reeves won a Super Bowl as an Assistant Coach in Dallas and was hired by Denver as their Head Coach in 1981.  He led the Broncos to three AFC Titles but could not punch their ticket to a Super Bowl win.  After he was let go by Denver, he signed with the Giants and won the 1993 AP Coach of the Year.  Later, he took over as Atlanta’s Head Coach, leading them to their first Super Bowl appearance, a loss to his former team (Denver), though he did win his second Coach of the Year.  He had an overall record of 190-165-2 and is a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor.

**Marty Schottenheimer.  Working his way through the Giants and Lions as the Linebackers Coach, Schottenheimer landed the Defensive Coordinator job in Cleveland in 1980 and was promoted to their Head Coach in 1984.  He brought Cleveland to the AFC Finals twice but left for Kansas City in 1989 with another (unsuccessful) trip to the AFC Championship Game (1993).  Schottenheimer took some time off and was lured back by Washington, but that lasted only one year.  He returned the following season for the San Diego Chargers, where he twice took them to the playoffs.  He had an overall record of 200-126-1 and is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.

**George Seifert.  Seifert joined the San Francisco 49ers as their Defensive Backs Coach in 1980 and was elevated to Defensive Coordinator in 1983.  He won three Super Bowls as an assistant, and in 1989, he was again promoted to Head Coach. Here, he led the Niners to two more Super Bowl wins and to five NFC Championship Games overall.  He concluded his career with three years as Carolina’s Head Coach and had an overall record of 114-62.

**Mike Shanahan.  Shanahan joined Denver as their Wide Receivers Coach in 1984, and a year later, he began a three-year stint as their Offensive Coordinator, where he caught the eye of Raiders owner Al Davis, who hired him to replace Tom Flores.  That did not last long, and he was back in Denver but was let go due to a dispute between Quarterback John Elway and Dan Reeves.  He went to San Francisco, where he won Super Bowl XXIX as their Offensive Coordinator. He returned to Denver in 1995, leading the Broncos to their first two Super Bowl wins (XXXII & XXXIII) during a 14-year run.  He finished his career with three years at Washington and had an overall record of 170-138.  He is also a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame.

**Clark Shaughnessy.  Arguably one of the first great Assistant Coaches in NFL history, Shaughnessy was a very successful college coach (150-117-17) and became the Washington Redskins Advisor in 1944.  He later served as the Head Coach for the Rams for two years and as Chicago’s Defensive Coordinator from 1951 to 1962.

Of note, those who were here last year, who did not return to this stage were Jeff Fisher and Richie Petitbon.

We congratulate the candidates who have made it to this stage.