The Shakedown: Best NFL Coaching Mustache: Contestant No. 2

Welcome back to The Shakedown!

The Mustache May holiday month is such a lovely time of year. It always reminds me of Ramadan in springtime. And it’s possible that because of this blessed period celebrating the Mustached American lifestyle, those who have abandoned our way of life are suffering.

Our friends at TheJockItch.com and the American Mustache Institute have reported that St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel’s head-first collision into the outfield wall may have been prevented—or at least the pain minimized—had he not shaved his lip garment, which of course also caused an angel in heaven to die and and fall to earth. Even a local mayor in Utah is considering shaving his long-standing mustache. What do you think will happen to him?

Regardless, our latest “Monthly Mustache Shakedown” moves forward with an auspicious look at our second candidate for the “Best NFL Coaching Mustache.” After kicking things off last week with Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher and his hybrid mustache, this week we look at a former NFL head coach who had just a little less success in the pro ranks (although he was a solid assistant). We of course refer to current Pitt Panthers top noggin Dave Wannstedt, or, as many of you referred to him in tossing his name into the hat for candidacy—“Wanny.”

While some may say Wanny and his lip curtain are not worthy, consider that not only is there a Facebook group dedicated to the fine pairing of man and fur, but Matthew J. Darnell of Yahoo!’s “Shutdown Corner” blog called the Wannstache the “7th greatest mustache in NFL history.”

Of course, as a certified mustacheologist (CM) with a Ph.D. in nuclear mustacheology from the American Mustache Institute, as well as an adjunct AMI professor of cultural lip curtainhood, I’d suggest Darnell’s ranking goes a bit too far. The fact remains, however, that not only does Wannstedt seem to be a pretty decent human being, but his mouth filter and rugged good looks remain deeply revered in the Mustached American community.

So there it is—your second candidate for the “Best NFL Coaching Mustache” as part of our latest “Monthly Mustache Shakedown.” We of course now ask for your suggestions on our final two candidates, as your comments following our Week One posting led us to choosing Wannstache.

Bring it.

Round 2 - Best NFL Coaching Mustache

Week 1 - Jeff Fisher
Week 2 - Dave Wannstedt
Week 3 - May 14
Week 4 - May 21

*For some added Mustache May reporting, check out the HallOfVeryGood report on Billy Martin.