During the NFL’s 100th anniversary, the league released a list of all-time head coaches. However, two-time Super Bowl champion Raul Allegre shared exclusively with Bolavip US the one major name he believes was unjustly left off the list.
Not many foreign players have accomplished what Raul Allegre did in his football career. The Mexican kicker began his NFL journey as an undrafted rookie in 1983, but his story was far from over.
Allegre impressed several teams with his kicking skills, yet it was with the New York Giants where he found the most success — largely due to being surrounded by one of the best coaching staffs the club has ever had.
Exclusive: Raul Allegre reveals the head coach the NFL snubbed from its all-time list
Throughout history, the NFL has seen countless remarkable head coaches — from those who saved struggling franchises to those who built dynasties that dominated for years. While the league honors greatness, not all legendary coaches received the recognition they deserved.
In an exclusive interview with Bolavip US, Raul Allegre, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Giants, shared his thoughts on this matter. Having played under two coaching icons — Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells — Allegre offered unique insight into their impact.
The former kicker recalled how Bill Belichick was closely involved with the Giants’ special teams early in his career. While Allegre acknowledges Belichick’s place in football history, he strongly believes the NFL hasn’t given Bill Parcells the credit he truly deserves.
“[Bill] Parcells belongs in the conversation of the greatest coaches of all time,” Allegre told Bolavip US. “He took teams that were in serious trouble and turned them around in just two or three years.”
Despite winning two Super Bowls with different quarterbacks, Parcells was not included in the NFL 100 All-Time team. This omission surprised many, including Allegre, who believes Parcells was unfairly overlooked.
“For me, Parcells and Belichick both have to be there,” Allegre said when naming his all-time top five head coaches. “When the NFL celebrated its 100th anniversary, they released a top-10 list, and Parcells didn’t make it — but Don Shula did. Don Shula won a lot, but I consider Bill Parcells a far better coach than him. Parcells won Super Bowls with two different quarterbacks who aren’t even Hall of Famers.”
Quarterback-head coach duo: The key to success
Consistent success in the NFL is rare, and according to Raul Allegre, the key lies in finding a strong quarterback-head coach duo.
“There’s always a combination of a good head coach and a good quarterback,” Allegre explained. “Today, it’s Andy Reid with Patrick Mahomes; back then, Paul Brown had Otto Graham. It’s always about that combination — a head coach who provides structure and a quarterback with a winner’s mentality.”
For Allegre, this is why Bill Parcells deserves greater respect. Despite never having an elite quarterback, Parcells still found a way to win championships.
“He never had that great quarterback,” Allegre said. “Yes, Phil Simms was good, but Parcells won with both him and Jeff Hostetler, his backup — and that’s something that deserves extra recognition.”