The 20 Nerdiest Looking Coaches

It takes a certain individual to lead a team of charismatic, albeit self-entitled, athletes to promise, to hold together a throng of pompous stars in an attempt to find prosperity.

While some coaches do it with sheer intimidation and unrelenting toughness, others do it with precise coddling and fair respect.

However, there are those who use intelligence and precise chalkboard work to be a step ahead of opponents. They seemingly expect their nerdy aura to translate to success.

While the dorky identity can intimidate, it can also play a subtle role on the road to success.

It's a stealthy process, and opposing coaches rarely see defeat coming.

Here are the 20 nerdiest looking coaches in sports. 

Enjoy.

20. Lawrence Frank

How anyone listens when this man's bursting cheeks are expanding is baffling, albeit inspiring.

After Lawrence Frank began his coaching career with a 13–0 record, a new NBA record for the most consecutive wins by a head coach to begin a coaching career, with the New Jersey Nets, fans were naturally ecstatic.

However, he was relieved of his duties in 2009 and is now the coach of the Detroit Pistons.

He has that Jeff Van Gundy swagger, but without the resume.

19. Avery Johnson

The current head coach of the New Jersey Nets, Avery Johnson is naturally known as the "Little General" for his 5'11" stature.

He garnered respect as a coach for leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance and four consecutive 50-win seasons.

While his players clearly respect him, his fans try hard to hold in their laughter when he speaks.

18. Mike Shanahan

While he did lead the Denver Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998, Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has a tendency to entertain by accident.

As shown here, his attempts to be fiery are rarely met with approval.

But with 152 career regular-season wins, he doesn't need anyone to accept his tactics.

17. Stan Van Gundy

While his real brother may be former Knickerbockers Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy, it wouldn't be surprising to find out he is actually siblings with pornographic actor Ron Jeremy.

With the Miami Heat, Stan Van Gundy accumulated a 112–73 record and is now working hard to reach the NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic.

His time may be dwindling, but his love for the game of basketball will never fade.

16. Barry Trotz

Head coach of the Nashville Predators, Barry Trotz seemingly resembles a hairy bowling ball.

The crease in his brow reeks of pressure and anxiety, while the shine on his head insinuates a stressed atmosphere.

He undoubtedly wishes he had his tedious novels close by.

15. Ron Roenicke

While baseball players aren't known as the most physically intimidating athletes, Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke takes awkwardness to a whole new level. 

A former player, minor league manager and bench coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Roenicke must be frustrated with his team's performance in the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals.

His offseason will undoubtedly consist of reorganizing his baseball card collection.

14. Dan Bylsma

Many wondered how former NHL forward Dan Bylsma coached the Pittsburgh Penguins to their third Stanley Cup Championship over the Detroit Red Wings just four months after becoming their head coach.

From this picture, his tactics are now clear.

First things first, introduce your team to the hockey puck.

13. Davey Johnson

It's clear that a reporter in the crowd made a joke about Davey Johnson's undersized hat, high socks and tight pants, and he wasn't pleased.

A former second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, Johnson brings a winning presence to a beleaguered ball club with his four All-Star Game appearances, three Gold Glove Awards and two World Series rings.

While his biggest accomplishment so far has been leading the New York Mets to a 1986 World Series victory, his future success could lie in teaching Bryce Harper the ins and outs of class.

12. Dennis Erickson

The coach of the Arizona State football program is no stranger to the college game, having been head coach for nine college teams, as well as two NFL teams in the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. 

His dorky demeanor clearly impresses his cheerleaders, and it undoubtedly fires up his team.

The fact that he can lift the spear with one hand is impressive in its own right.

11. Paul Maclean

While we can't see the pocket protector that is undoubtedly present on Paul MacLean's jacket, we realize he is showing his audience what sized pen or pencil he prefers to use when scripting his gameplans.

The bushy mustache, stylish glasses and admiration of his own hand shows us that he has come a long way since his childhood.

The head coach of the Ottawa Senators, MacLean can't possibly be outsmarted on the ice.

10. Tom Coughlin

His fiery, albeit humorous, mannerisms on the field make Tom Coughlin one of the best, and sometimes one of the more obnoxious, head coaches in the NFL.

Clearly the man is passionate, as well as doofy in his presentation, just like his lethal, albeit not-so-intimidating quarterback.

His nerdy demeanor led the Giants to a miraculous victory in Super Bowl XLII, so we'll give him a break.

9. Paul Maurice

It's understandable that the head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes is seemingly attempting to tell his players to grab the bull by the horns and ride him until the end of the game.

However, as shown by the coach's expression in the background, it's not very inspirational.

A former defenseman in the OHL, Paul Maurice became the youngest coach in NHL history to coach 1,000 games at 43 years old.

Whether his players can listen to him with a straight face is debatable.

8. Joe Paterno

While there is no doubt that "JoePa" is one of the most beloved icons ever to coach college football, there is also no arguing his consistently-comical expressions and ironic dominance, considering his being easily below 5'10" in height.

The head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions since 1966, Joe Paterno holds a plethora of impressive records, including his status as the first and currently only FBS coach to reach 400 victories.

His nerdy demeanor is embraced by all who watch him operate.

7. Bud Black

While he did win the 2010 NL Manager of the Year as head honcho of the San Diego Padres, former pitcher Bud Black is quite the dorky individual.

Whether he is calling for a pitching change or presenting a peace sign to the opposing players is debatable, but either way, it's quite comical.

His name, however, may be the best in the business.

6. Claude Noel

This face is essentially the future of the Winnipeg Jets. Hopefully, fans are excited.

A former Canadian ice hockey player and current head coach of the Jets, Claude Noel is hoping to invigorate the new Jets and bring a winning culture to the newest NHL team in Canada.

This face would be understandable if he had just sucked on a lemon.

5. Howard Schnellenberger

While this is quite the baffling site for fans, they can appreciate the head coach of Florida Atlantic University for his recruitment of Joe Namath to the University of Alabama for coach Bear Bryant in 1961.

Now in his final season as coach, this may be the last time we get to appreciate the humorous shots of pipe-smoking phenomenon Howard Schnellenberger.

It's likely he gained an affinity for Hawaiian shirts during his time in Miami as part of the staff of the undefeated 1972 Dolphins.

After he added the foam finger, it just got weird.

4. Hans Backe

Clearly a happy individual, the joyful head coach of the New York Red Bulls sports an iconic, albeit dorky look.

A Swedish former soccer player, Hans Backe is undoubtedly an inspiration to his players with a smile like this.

His scarf is clearly what attracts the ladies.

3. Ricardo Rozo

The head coach of the Colombia Women's soccer squad, Ricardo Rozo may have the most iconic expression on this list.

Perhaps he should've laid off the Harry Potter books the night before the big game.

2. Andy Reid

While the Eagles' Head Coach does remind us of George Wendt of Saturday Night Live's Superfans, it's his on-field demeanor that reeks of nerdy.

With a career regular-season record of 119-74-1, it's clear that Andy Reid understands the X's and O's of the game.

However, the playoffs require a fiery atmosphere and his 10-9 postseason record insinuates his lack of energy.

Stick to the textbooks.

1. Erik Spoelstra

The first Filipino-American head coach in the NBA, Erik Spoelstra may be the most unlikely candidate to lead the illustrious "Big Three" to prominence.

However, with 148 wins and three playoff appearances in his first three years as head coach of the Miami Heat, he is here to stay.

The clipboard is his forte.