Why do NFL head coaches dress so poorly these days?

Question

I saw head coaches wearing t-shirts on the sidelines this weekend! Watching the World Cup this summer and seeinghow stylish their coaches were made me depressed to think about the slobs we have now. Why can't they take a cue from their predecessors like George Hallas and Tom Landry or their contemporaries in the the NBA and NHL and put a suit on for crying out loud?

Answer 1

I agree with you none of the coaches today seem to care what they look like. However, the top people in the NFL are the ones that call the shots. So it's the top people that are at fault. I miss the days of George Hallas,Tom Landry and many others that dressed up for a game with suits and ties.

Answer 2

The NFL has a contract with one of the sports apparel companies (Reebok I believe) and all head coaches have to wear their clothing for all but 2 or 3 weeks of the year. Jack Del Rio and Mike Nolan, the coaches for the Jaguars & 49ers respectively, have started to revive the days of Hank Stram, George Halas, Tom Landry, the great Paul Brown (I am a diehard Browns fan) and how they dressed, from the fedora down to the suits and dress shoes. I don't agree with having your head coach looking like crap, but the league signed the contract, and it's all about the $$$.

Answer 3

Actually the NFL dictates what coaches wear, not the coaches themselves. The coaches dont' have a choice in the matter.

The NFL makes all head coaches wear NFL merchandise in the attempt to promote and market 'coaches' gear better. The NFL gets a cut of the sales (as well as the teams that sell their brand) so they have a vested interest in NOT having the coaches dress nice.

Now, twice a year 2 coaches are allowed to wear suites. This NFL season it was the head coach for Jacksonville and the head coach for San Fransisco. They were allowed to wear suites for 2 games. The catch? The suites were actually designed and made by Reebok. And Reebok has the current NFL merchandise contract.

And that is just a little insight on the marketing of NFL merchandise.

I hope this helps in answering your question.

Answer 4

Look at Jack Del Rio, head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. I agree Landry and Lombardi had class. But since football is played in the elements, sometimes its hard to dress like that- although if Lombardi could do it in Green Bay, i'm not sure how much of an excuse the weather is to dress down.
I feel like the coach should dress like the head of the organization. So, I agree with Jack Del Rio. Show some class out there.

Answer 5

The knock on Cowher in his previous few years became the deferring of extra daily projects to his assistant coaches and why might the flexibility point suddenly raise now; Gruden stated he's final with MNF and BB could have burned many bridges backstage....he's kryptonite.

Answer 6

It is mostly because the coaches are restricted to only wearing Reebok attire. The suits worn by 49ers coach Mik Nolan and Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio are only allowed becuase they are specially made made by Reebok and are being tested on a temporary status and I hope they stick around. Reebok does not make the most stylish clothes only comfortable sports wear. As long as Reebok owns the rights to what the coaches can wear only a couple coaches will be well dressed as Nolan and Del Rio have proved. Send your complaints to Reebok:)

Answer 7

because they can, the NFL coachs could care less they live the most stressed out lifestyles of any coaches, cause they only have 16 days to prove they are worth what they are getting paid

Answer 8

I don't care how they look as long as they coach a good game.

Answer 9

I personaly think its good to have more variety. Technicaly they could use the constitution and say their dress and groom is a way they speak.

Answer 10

They don't have any class. And no matter what these guys where, a big fat guy looks bad in everything.