Legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick spent the 2024 season in the media instead of on the sideline. Then, even more shockingly, he decided to take a college head coaching position, agreeing to terms with North Carolina on a three-year deal.
With Bill Belichick no longer coaching in the NFL, which active head coach now tops the league in career wins? And who holds the all-time record for victories? Here’s a look at the head coaches with the most wins in NFL history, including both regular-season and postseason.
Most Wins By an NFL Head Coach
1. Don Shula – 347
2. Bill Belichick – 333
3. George Halas – 324
4. Andy Reid – 307
5. Tom Landry – 270
6. Curly Lambeau – 229
7. Paul Brown – 222
8. Chuck Noll – 209
9. Marty Schottenheimer – 205
10. Dan Reeves – 201
11-21
11. Mike Tomlin – 200
T-12 Chuck Knox – 193
T-12 John Harbaugh – 193
14. Sean Payton – 192
15. Mike McCarthy – 185
T-16. Bill Parcells – 183
T-16 Pete Carroll – 183
18. Tom Coughlin – 182
T-19. Mike Shanahan – 178
T-19. Jeff Fisher – 178
21. Mike Holmgren – 174
22-30
22. Joe Gibbs – 171
23. Bud Grant – 168
24. Bill Cowher – 161
25. Steve Owen – 155
26. Marv Levy – 154
27. Tony Dungy – 148
28. John Fox – 141
29. Hank Stram – 136
30. Weeb Ewbank – 134
31-40
31. Marvin Lewis – 131
32. Mike Ditka – 127
33. Dick Vermeil – 126
34. Jim Mora – 125
35. George Seifert – 124
36. Sid Gillman – 123
37. Jon Gruden – 122
38. George Allen – 118
39. Norv Turner – 118
40. Dennis Green – 117
41-50
41. Don Coryell – 114
42. John Madden – 112
43. Buddy Parker – 107
44. Tom Flores – 105
45. Vince Lombardi – 105
46. Ron Rivera – 105
47. Bill Walsh – 102
48. Lou Saban – 97
49. Lovie Smith – 95
50. Jack Del Rio – 94
Don Shula Has the Most Wins in NFL History
Don Shula had one of the most iconic coaching careers in NFL history, spanning 33 seasons from 1963 through 1995. His journey began with a productive seven-year run as head coach of the Baltimore Colts before evolving into a defining 26-year tenure with the Miami Dolphins.
While Shula is most closely identified with Miami, his work in Baltimore was equally impressive. He compiled a 71-23 regular-season record with the Colts, good for a .755 winning percentage, and finished 73-26 overall when postseason games are included.
A title never came during his time in Baltimore, most notably due to the shocking defeat to Joe Namath and the heavily favored New York Jets in Super Bowl III. That setback, however, proved to be a turning point that paved the way for his historic run in Miami.
MORE: Ranking the Greatest Coaches in NFL History
Shula took control of the Dolphins in 1970 and rapidly turned the franchise into a dominant force. Within four seasons, Miami advanced to three straight Super Bowls and secured consecutive championships in 1972 and 1973.
The 1972 season remains one of the most celebrated campaigns in sports history, as Shula’s Dolphins completed the NFL’s only undefeated regular season at 14-0 before winning the Super Bowl.
Shula remained at the helm in Miami for more than two decades after that peak, guiding the Dolphins to two additional Super Bowl appearances, though both ended in defeat. By the time he retired in 1995, Shula stood alone atop the NFL’s coaching records, finishing with a 257-133 regular-season record, a 17-14 postseason mark, and a combined total of 274-147, which equates to a .651 winning percentage.
Which Active Coaches Could Finish Top 10 in Wins?
Four active head coaches head into Week 18 of the 2025 season ranked inside the top 15 on the NFL’s all-time career wins list.
Leading that group is Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs. With Patrick Mahomes and a roster built to contend for championships, Reid remains in a strong position to continue climbing the list, even if cracking the top three is likely still a few years away.
Bill Belichick ranks second on the NFL’s all-time wins list with 333 victories and owns the league record for postseason wins with 31. In a surprising move, he stepped away from the NFL to accept a three-year deal at North Carolina, embracing a new challenge at the college level.
Despite that decision, there is widespread belief that his NFL chapter may not be closed. With Don Shula’s long-standing wins record still within reach, speculation continues that Belichick could one day return to the league to pursue it.
