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The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s coach blue-ribbon committee has narrowed the candidates for the coaching category from an initial list of 14 to 12 nominees for the Class of 2025. The candidates include notable figures from NFL history.
Remaining Nominees
The following coaches have advanced in the selection process:
Bill Arnsparger: Renowned defensive coordinator who won two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins and coached the New York Giants.
Tom Coughlin: Head coach for 20 years, known for leading the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories.
Jeff Fisher: Oversaw three NFL teams over 22 seasons, including the Houston Texans and the St. Louis Rams.
Alex Gibbs: A veteran offensive line coach who was pivotal in developing the zone blocking scheme used by the Broncos during their Super Bowl wins.
Mike Holmgren: Head coach for the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, securing one Super Bowl title.
Chuck Knox: NFL Coach of the Year multiple times, with a successful tenure with the Rams, Bills, and Seahawks.
Richie Petitbon: Washington's defensive coordinator during their Super Bowl victories in the 1980s and 90s.
Dan Reeves: Led the Denver Broncos to three Super Bowl appearances and coached the Atlanta Falcons.
Marty Schottenheimer: Had a successful coaching career with teams like the Browns and Chargers.
George Seifert: Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the San Francisco 49ers.
Mike Shanahan: Head coach of the Broncos during their back-to-back Super Bowl championships.
Clark Shaughnessy: Coached the Los Angeles Rams and had a long career in coaching roles across the league.
Selection Process
The blue-ribbon committee will conduct another round of voting later this month to narrow the list down to nine semifinalists, with the results announced in about two weeks. Ultimately, the committee will present one finalist to the full 50-member Hall of Fame selection committee prior to Super Bowl LIX, scheduled for February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
New Bylaws and Eligibility
In a recent update to its bylaws, the Hall of Fame has separated the coach and contributor categories, allowing each to be evaluated by distinct blue-ribbon committees. The changes also include a reduced waiting period for coach candidates, now set at just one season out of the game. As a result, coaches who were active through the 2023 season can be considered for the Class of 2025. For example, Bill Belichick will be eligible for 2026 if he does not take a head coaching position for the 2025 season.
The revised process aims to enhance the selection of deserving coaches, including those with strong ties to the Broncos, such as Dan Reeves, Mike Shanahan, and Alex Gibbs.
