Nine semifinalists have been selected in the coaching category for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, featuring notable two-time Super Bowl-winning coaches, Tom Coughlin, Mike Shanahan, and George Seifert.
Also making the list is Mike Holmgren, another Super Bowl champion, following the recent voting by the Hall’s nine-member Blue Ribbon committee. The committee is scheduled to convene on November 19 to choose one finalist who will advance to the full selection committee for final deliberation in the coming year.
The chosen coaching finalist will be evaluated alongside one contributor and three senior candidates. From this group of five, one to three individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, contingent upon receiving a minimum of 80% support from the full committee.
Coughlin, Shanahan, and Seifert are among the 14 coaches who have secured multiple Super Bowl victories. Notably, nine of these coaches have already been inducted, while Bill Belichick and Andy Reid are still awaiting eligibility.
Tom Coughlin devoted 20 years to coaching with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Giants. He led the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game in their second season and again in 1999. His most significant achievements occurred post-2004 when he took command of the Giants, guiding them to Super Bowl triumphs in the 2007 and 2011 seasons, including a notable victory against the undefeated Patriots and another against New England four years later. Coughlin amassed a regular-season record of 170 wins and 150 losses.
George Seifert was integral to San Francisco’s success, initially serving as a defensive coordinator under Bill Walsh before stepping into the head coach role in 1989. Under his leadership, the 49ers captured two more championships. Seifert’s tenure, marked by consistent excellence, saw him win at least 10 games in each of his eight seasons, finishing with a remarkable record of 98 wins against 30 losses. However, his stint with the Carolina Panthers was not as successful, culminating in a 16-32 record after three seasons.
Mike Shanahan had previously been the offensive coordinator for Seifert’s championship-winning team in 1994. He later enjoyed success as a head coach, leading the Denver Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998. His overall coaching record stands at 170 wins and 138 losses, covering his time with the Raiders, Broncos, and Washington. His influence continues to resonate in the league today, particularly through coaching descendants like his son Kyle, who currently leads the 49ers.
Four other head coaches in the NFL, including Sean McVay and Mike McDaniel, learned under Shanahan in Washington, further highlighting his lasting impact on the game, especially through the offensive strategies he introduced.
Holmgren, who served as the offensive coordinator in San Francisco before Shanahan, significantly impacted future coaches, including Andy Reid and Jon Gruden, both of whom secured Super Bowl victories after coaching under him in Green Bay. Holmgren’s coaching record stands at 161 wins and 111 losses. He won a championship with the Packers in 1996 and reached the Super Bowl again the following year and once more in 2005 with the Seahawks.
Other semifinalists include Chuck Knox, renowned for earning Coach of the Year Awards with the Rams, Bills, and Seahawks; Dan Reeves, who made four Super Bowl appearances with Denver and Atlanta; and Marty Schottenheimer, who recorded 200 regular-season victories and reached the playoffs 13 times across his 20-season coaching career spanning Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington, and San Diego.
Additionally, Bill Arnsparger, who served as the defensive coordinator for Miami’s undefeated team in 1972 and contributed to a Super Bowl victory the following year, is among those highlighted.
Finally, Clark Shaughnessy, celebrated as the “father of the T formation” and the three-receiver set, rounds out the finalists list. His impressive career included a role as an advisor to Bears coach George Halas during a dominant 73-0 championship win over Washington in 1940, coaching the Rams, and serving as defensive coordinator for the Bears.