The Forgotten Architects Finally Get Their Due

Look, it’s easy to focus on the quarterbacks and the game-breaking receivers when we talk about Hall of Fame guys. Those are the faces, the names everyone remembers. But football is a team game, and that includes the guys drawing up the plays in the coaches’ booths and on the practice fields. That’s why the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s decision to honor Mike Westhoff, Bobb McKittrick, and Ted Cottrell with the Awards of Excellence for the 2026 class is such a welcome breath of fresh air. It's about damn time these unsung heroes get their flowers.

Take Mike Westhoff. The man coached special teams for 32 seasons in the NFL, a tenure that stretched from the Colts in 1982 all the way to the Jets in 2012, with a brief return for the Saints in 2017. He wasn't just a coordinator; he was an innovator. Remember the "Miracle at the Meadowlands II" in 2010? The Jets trailed the Eagles 31-10 with under eight minutes left, but a crucial onside kick recovery engineered by Westhoff's unit sparked a comeback that nearly won them the game. His special teams units were consistently among the league's best, often dictating field position and creating game-changing plays. In 2008, his Jets' special teams ranked first in the league in punt return average and second in kick return average. That wasn't an accident; that was Westhoff's meticulous planning.

Then there's Bobb McKittrick, the architect of some of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history. He spent 21 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, from 1979 to 1999, a period that saw the team win five Super Bowls. Five! Joe Montana and Steve Young didn’t just magically have forever to throw; they had McKittrick's lines. The 1994 49ers, arguably one of the most dominant offenses ever, gave up just 21 sacks all season while Young threw for 35 touchdowns and 3,969 yards. McKittrick taught pass protection like a chess master. He famously would drill his linemen on footwork and hand placement until it was second nature, turning good players into great ones. His impact on the game is felt every time a quarterback has a clean pocket.

And Ted Cottrell. A defensive mind who spent 31 years in the NFL, serving as defensive coordinator for the Bills, Jets, Vikings, and Chargers. He was known for his aggressive, attacking schemes, often employing a 3-4 defense that confused opposing quarterbacks. In 2001, as the Jets’ defensive coordinator, his unit ranked fourth in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 297.8 yards per game. That season, John Abraham, one of Cottrell’s prized pupils, recorded 13 sacks. Cottrell knew how to get the most out of his pass rushers and how to create pressure without always needing to blitz. He developed multiple Pro Bowl linebackers and defensive linemen throughout his career.

These aren't just guys who showed up; they shaped the game from the trenches and the sidelines. Their impact might not always show up on the front page, but it’s undeniably woven into the fabric of NFL history. My hot take? The Hall should have been doing this for decades. There are countless other coordinators and position coaches whose contributions are just as vital as many players already enshrined. This is a good start, but it's only a start.

I predict that within the next five years, the Hall of Fame will expand these Awards of Excellence significantly, bringing in at least five non-player personnel every cycle to truly recognize the depth of talent that built the league.