Last season, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid came up short again in his pursuit of a Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Reid, one of the league’s highest-paid coaches, it’s been a hallmark of his career. He’s well known for achieving regular season success while not being able to win the Super Bowl.

In evaluating Reid’s resume, however, it helps to look past the postseason to help measure his impact on the game. For multiple reasons, Reid deserves consideration as one of the greatest coaches of his era as well as a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Andy Reid’s success with Philadelphia

When Reid took over the head coaching duties of the Philadelphia Eagles, they were a team in turmoil. They hadn’t had a winning season in 2 years under Ray Rhodes. Reid’s first year was equally disappointing, as he went 5-11.

Reid would soon change the team’s fortunes. They selected QB Donovan McNabb out of Syracuse and before long were perennial Super Bowl contenders.

During his time in Philly, Reid went to four NFC championship games. He went to one Super Bowl, losing to the New England Patriots.

Reid may never have won the big one, but he is without a doubt the franchise’s most successful coach other than the recently hired Doug Pederson who had a Super Bowl victory early in his tenure.

Reid’s 130-93 record gives him a .583 winning percentage, third all-time among Eagles coaches, with more than five games coached.

Andy Reid’s success with Kansas City

After a long run in Philadelphia, it was clear Reid needed a change of scenery. He got that when he was hired as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.

Reid immediately turned the franchise around, leading them to double-figure wins and the playoffs in five of his six seasons. Last year he presided over the team’s first trip to the AFC championship game since 1993.

With Patrick Mahomes returning after an unbelievable season, they have nowhere to go but up in 2019.

The quarterback whisperer

Reid has a long history of getting great performances out of QBs. Consider his achievements in that area:

Oversaw the career of Donovan McNabb, the QB who brought the Eagles back from the brink of oblivion to lead them to four NFC title games and one Super Bowl.

Signed the disgraced Michael Vick after he was released from prison. Despite being out of the league while incarcerated for two years, Reid got 3 more solid seasons out of Vick.

Tailored his Kansas City offense around the modest talents of Alex Smith, paving the way for the decent but not outstanding Smith to lead the team to the playoffs four times.

Coached Patrick Mahomes to one of the greatest debut seasons from any QB all-time. Mahomes won the MVP and led the Chiefs to the AFC championship game.

The fruitful coaching tree of Andy Reid

Reid’s career has spawned a highly acclaimed network of assistants turned head coaches. His large and accomplished coaching tree includes:

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera

New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur

Chicago Bears’ head coach Matt Nagy

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott

Former Minnesota Vikings coaches Brad Childress and Leslie Frazier

Former L.A. Rams head coach and New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo

Harbaugh and Pederson won a Super Bowl and Rivera managed to qualify for one. Spagnuolo struggled as a head coach but was the mastermind of the Giants 2008 defense that took down the undefeated New England Patriots.

It’s fairly clear that Reid has left a strong legacy based on his team’s results, his success with QBs, and the coaching careers he’s helped form. There’s no doubt that when he’s done with the game, his impacts will merit induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.