Ranking the Top 5 Head Coaches in the NFL Entering the 2012 Season

There's no real debate that Tom Coughlin is one of the NFL's top head coaches as he has now won two Super Bowls in four seasons while always having pressure on him—considering he coaches in the world's largest sports market, New York City. 

Along with Coughlin, you have to immediately consider Bill Belichick and Mike McCarthy as prime candidates for the top head coach in the NFL.

With that being said, let's take a look at the top five head coaches in the NFL entering 2012. 

5. Rex Ryan

Call me crazy, but I do believe in Rex Ryan and I think that he's an elite head coach. 

Ever since landing the New York Jets head coaching job back in 2009, he has installed a winning environment with the Jets organization—something that has been lacking in recent memory. 

Ryan has yet to have a losing season in his three years with the Jets as he's posted a 28-20 record while making the playoffs twice and advancing to the AFC Championship in his first season with the team.

Heading into 2012, Ryan has his work cut out for him considering the team's lackluster finish to the 2011 season along with the storm of Tebow-mania hitting the Big Apple. His coaching skills will certainly be tested this upcoming season. 

4. Mike Tomlin

Being one of the youngest coaches in the NFL, Mike Tomlin is certainly one of the elite coaches in the game today. 

Tomlin has continued the winning tradition with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization as he's posted a 55-25 record through five seasons with the Steelers while always contending for the playoffs.

In the playoffs, Tomlin has gone 5-3 and has advanced to the Super Bowl twice, winning once against the Arizona Cardinals back in Super Bowl XLIII. 

Tomlin is definitely a likable coach, and players certainly seem to love playing for him. Likely due to his young age, Tomlin can connect with the players at levels many coaches can't. 

3. Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy has quietly emerged as one of the NFL's great head coaches.

McCarthy is one of the few head coaches that actually calls the offensive plays, and he's certainly considered one of the best play-callers as the Green Bay Packers offense always seems to finish in the top five each and every season.

McCarthy has posted a 63-33 record through six seasons with the Packers while going 5-3 in the playoffs and winning Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Following the team's disappointing one-and-done playoff performance after a dominating 15-1 regular season, I wouldn't doubt seeing the Packers back in the Super Bowl next season. 

2. Tom Coughlin

You might find it hard to believe seeing Tom Coughlin as No. 2 rather than No. 1 entering 2012.

Yes, Coughlin has two Super Bowl rings as a head coach and both came against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, but Belichick still holds a slight edge in the rings category. 

You don't have to be a mathematician to understand that three is always greater than two—but that is by no means a knock against Coughlin. I have never seen a coach withstand pressure like Coughlin has, but he always seems to prevail and find ways to win.

Through 16 years in the NFL, Coughlin has posted a 142-114 record while going 74-54 with the Giants and winning those two Super Bowls in the past four seasons. 

1. Bill Belichick

Tom Coughlin is great, but Bill Belichick is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coach in NFL history. 

Forget about calling him the modern-day Vince Lombardi, Belichick is in a league of his own as he's found ways to dominant in a long period of time while dealing with free agency. 

Each and every season with the New England Patriots, there are always new faces—whether they're impact players or small role players. Belichick is consistently building on New England's dynasty from the early 2000s. 

Belichick has been in the NFL as a head coach for 17 seasons while posting a 175-97 record and an amazing 139-53 record with New England. 

How dominant has Belichick been with the Patriots? He has posted at least 10 wins in each of the last nine seasons. Oh and by the way, in this year's past Super Bowl run, New England had 18 undrafted free agents on the 53-man roster with eight being starters. That's simply great coaching. There's no way around it. 

Belichick is a three-time winning Super Bowl head coach and is the face of the NFL's latest dynasty. You cannot take that away from him.