The Coach's Closet: NFL Coaches Sideline Apparel

Tony Dungy, the recently-retired head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, models here his traditional sweater-vest look.

It is always worn over a collar-less shirt, either short or long sleeves, weather permitting, and makes him look like the sweet old grandpa on the sidelines.

Its neat, precise, and approachable, just like the man himself.

Coming from a more classic and refined age, NFL coach Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest coaches of all-time, models his traditional suit, hat, and coat.

Always sharp and always presentable, Lombardi represents an older age where coaches would dress nicely, commanding the sidelines in an almost business-like way.

He dressed for success and obtained it.

Tom Landry follows in the same style of Lombardi. Landry always wore a suit and tie or sport coat and slacks, topped off with a fedora to give him a sharp, pulled-together appearance.

Its a good thing the league didn't require the suits to match the teams' colors, otherwise this era would have seen quite a few interesting suit colors, and it would ruin the sharp-dressed effect so completely rocked by Landry.

John Madden, famous for his coaching, broadcasting, video games, and video-game curse, coached during the same time as Tom Landry.

He makes our list because of a famous 'do. Not to be covered by a fedora or any other hat, John Madden styles mutton chops and a crew cut.

In the broadcast booth, he favored more three-piece designer suits than the basics seen here, but he's one face, one hair cut, and one voice that we will not soon forget.

Bill Cowher, the former coach of the Steelers, is seen here modeling the NFL version of a windbreaker. A staple in wardrobes north of the Mason-Dixon line, the windbreaker provides protection from the elements as well as loyalty to his team without making him look like a sissy.

So why is Cowher always scowling? Because that's part of his wardrobe, too!

He's not the sweet grandfather like Dungy, he's the head coach, and if you step out of line or miss a tackle, you are in for it.

Mike Smith, the coach of the Atlanta Falcons, dresses as unassumingly as his name. Seen here modeling the black long-sleeved polo with red accents, Smith could be seen all season in variations of the same shirt.

Short sleeves, long sleeves, red, white, black, any combination. Its professional, its simple, and it fits right into the NFL without creating a stir.

Bill Belichick might be the worst dressed coach in the NFL. He might be the worst dressed coach in any sport, ever. But here he is in your basic NFL polo with your basic NFL visor, very un-Belichick like attire.

Doesn't it freak you out a little?

That's better, isn't it?

As sloppy and as natty as this man is, there is no denying the brilliance of his coaching. Could it have something to do with the hobo-like appearance and the cut-up sweatshirts?

Little is known about Bill's fascination with cutting off his sleeves. Some say he just got hot one day and had an assistant do it, others think it is some kind of superstitious thing.

Either way, he makes our list because the unapproachable, curmudgeonly, hobo appearance he gives off seems to be the way he acts as a coach as well.

So whether its a sweater vest, a three-piece suit, a hobo sweatshirt, or a combination, as seen here with Mike Ditka, NFL coaches dress themselves in a way that reflects not only their personal style, but their personalities as well.

What will be the next fashion statement? Will someone bring back the suit? Or will something worse appear? How you could possibly get worse than Bill Belichick, I don't know.