The Top 10 Greatest Defensive Coordinators in NFL History

Over the years, the National Football League (NFL) has witnessed the emergence of defensive gurus whose innovative approaches and relentless pursuit of excellence have left an indelible mark on the sport. From pioneering game-changing schemes to fostering some of the most fearsome defensive units in history, these legendary coordinators have not only etched their names in the annals of the NFL but have also redefined what it means to dominate on the defensive side of the ball.

The 10 Greatest Defensive Coordinators in NFL History

1. Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick is one of the best defensive gurus in NFL history. He served as the defensive coordinator of one of the most intimidating defenses in NFL history when he was with New York from 1985 to 1990, which played a big role on their way to winning the Super Bowl XXI title.

In 1991, Belichick left to be the Cleveland Browns' head coach and later their defensive coordinator. In his five seasons, he helped turn the Browns' defense into an elite unit, leading them to a playoff appearance in year two.

Following an unfortunate move to become the New England Patriots head coach in 2000, Belichick accepted a role as their defensive coordinator and would serve in that position until his retirement following the 2018 season. 

2. Wade Phillips

Wade Phillips has been a defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams during his coaching career that spanned 38 years.

An up-tempo effort has resulted in rapid turnarounds for Phillips-coordinated defenses. He knows his players' strengths and then unleashes them there, often with aggressive attack-the-hell-out-of-you schemes to create turnovers by pressuring quarterbacks.

3. Dick LeBeau

LeBeau's defenses were known for being exceptionally complicated and not prone to predictable as he would often role one blitz with a certain personal and then showed the same look only to play coverage on another down. Few defensive units were as consistently good during his tenure, with the Steelers' defenses, in particular from the 2000s, setting a new standard.

LeBeau's tenure with the Steelers was one of his most successful, as he oversaw two Super Bowl-winning squads (2005 and '08) that regularly featured dominant defenses. His work helped power the Steelers' defense as he developed and extracted the most players, such as Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and LaMarr Woodley.

4. Buddy Ryan

Ryan is best known for developing the "46 defense," a wildly aggressive, unpredictable scheme focused on pressuring the quarterback and disrupting his passing lanes. That defense was a focal point of the Bears' Super Bowl champion 1985 team and is largely regarded as one of the best defenses in NFL history.

In addition to those schematic innovations, Ryan also gained a reputation for his explosive personality and ability to push buttons with some players. He was a genius at game adjustments and wasn't afraid to scream at his players or other coaches, often getting into heated sideline confrontations.

5. Monte Kiffin: Various Teams (1983-2013)

Kiffin's Tampa 2 defense was known for being extremely fast, disciplined, and versatile. At its roots, the scheme called for a physical middle linebacker to play sideline-to-sideline in coverage with a defensive front capable of disrupting pass protection while his range secondary kept big plays in check.

Kiffin thrived most with the Buccaneers, where he played a key role in creating arguably the best defense of never time. As the leader of that unit, they ranked first in points allowed and takeaways during his time with Washington. Most believe he'll be counted on to lift a defense, including Morris himself, which needs quite a bit of work as predecessor Mike Smith's defenses were 32nd last season.

In addition to his schematic innovations, Kiffin also had a reputation as an elite developer of defensive talent. He was a brilliant in-game adjuster and molded his defense to fit the strengths of his personnel traits. This made him one of the most respected, successful defensive coordinators during an era when futility on offense led directly to vacancies at head coach.

6. Bud Carson

Carson's defensive schemes were complex and intricate, often tricky opposing offenses with many blitzes; coverage looks, and personnel packages. He was a genius at mid-game tactics and figured out quickly what his enemies were doing, so they were punished for it.

The Steelers' defense thrived under his guidance, which helped the team to win four Super Bowl titles throughout the decade. The unit was among some of the league's best, and it shows by their dominating numbers from 1974 to 1979.

Carson eventually left the Steelers to become defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, where he transformed one of the worst defenses in the NFL into a conference powerhouse. Part of his success came from raising the games of guys like Clay Matthews and Hanford Dixon.

7. Vic Fangio

Vic Fangio is a well-respected defensive coordinator and has been in the league for over 30 years with various teams. He is a no-nonsense, tough defensive coach who can assemble stingy units year after year with inferior talent.

Fangio had the most success in his career when he served as a defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14) and Chicago Bears. He helped put together one of the best defenses in football with the 49ers, dominating their way to a Super Bowl appearance following the 2012 season. He turned the Bears' defense into one of the best units in football and helped them to a playoff spot during 2018.

His success, consistent performance, and getting the most out of his players have given Fangio a reputation for being one of the best defensive coordinators in all football. His dedication to the fundamentals and his malleability on a play-to-play level made him an incredibly valuable coach for every team he ever worked with.

8. Jim Johnson

Johnson's most lasting triumph came in the early 2000s when he was defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. This era saw the team's defense be considered one of the top defenses in the league, with players like Brian Dawkins, Jeremiah Trotter, and Trent Cole playing excellent under Jim Johnson. The defense was the key to the Eagles returning to the Super Bowl in 2004.

The NFL coaching fraternity lost a strong voice when Johnson died in 2009, but his reputation as one of the best defensive strategists to ever set foot on an NFL field will live forever. It changed the sport with his innovative schemes, and he maximized player performance.

9. Lovie Smith

Lovie Smith, a longtime NFL defensive coordinator with over two decades of experience across multiple teams, is widely regarded. He is most famous for his numerous roles with the Chicago Bears, where he assembled one of the best defenses ever seen then and helped lead it to a Super Bowl appearance in 2006.

In Smith's nine years with the Bears, his defenses were perennially one of the best each year as Chicago won their division three times and went to a Super Bowl. His Tampa 2 defense was all about team speed and secondary players with versatility, traits that would define his philosophy as a head coach and go on to be even more successful at other teams.

10. Dom Capers Various Teams (1986-2018)

A former No. 1 overall pick, Jenkins played for 13 seasons in the NFL and caught passes from great quarterbacks like Kurt Warner, Jay Cutler, Kyle Orton, and Dwayne Haskin.

The main attributes of Capers' defense are its complexity and multiple defensive formations. He is renowned for his creativity with blitz packages and coverage schemes that make it difficult for opposing offenses. Rankings: His defenses usually rank in the top 10 of key statistical categories under Ryan. Points allowed, turnovers forced, and sacks.