By Darin Can a coach really achieve success without ever suffering a losing season? George Allen didn’t just win; he revolutionized how NFL rosters were built. Famous for his “The Future is Now” mantra, Allen was a master strategist who preferred the polished veteran over the unproven rookie, orchestrating a staggering 131 trades to keep his teams in title contention. From transforming the Los Angeles Rams into a powerhouse to leading the Washington Redskins to Super Bowl VII, Allen’s relentless intensity and defensive brilliance earned him a permanent place among the legends in Canton.
Football Bio
April 29, 1918 – Detroit, Michigan – The wheeling-and-dealing ball coach who once attended Alma College, Marquette University, and the University of Michigan, George Allen, was born.
George had stints as the head man for both the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins. Coach Allen had an impressive 12 seasons in the League, as his teams posted a 118-54-5 record. In fact, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, he never had a team with a losing record during his career. His coaching philosophy was to wait for success, but he had a “future is now” mentality and successfully pulled off 131 trades during his tenure. He was voted as the NFL’s Coach of the Year in both 1967 and 1971. In 2002, at ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, George Allen was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Coach.
Conclusion
George Allen was a coaching anomaly whose impact on the game is still felt today. By prioritizing “The Future is Now,” he challenged the conventional wisdom of building through the draft, instead creating “The Over-the-Hill Gang” in Washington that became one of the most beloved and successful units in franchise history. His 118 career victories and remarkable .681 winning percentage tell the story of a man who obsessed over every detail, from special teams to complex defensive schemes. Though he passed away shortly after leading Long Beach State to a winning season in 1990, his 2002 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame ensures his legacy as a winner who never accepted defeat.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted as a coach in 2002.
- 2× NFL Coach of the Year: 1967 (Rams) and 1971 (Redskins).
- Zero Losing Seasons: Never posted a losing record in 12 seasons as an NFL head coach.
- Super Bowl Appearance: Led the Washington Redskins to Super Bowl VII (1972).
- Defensive Mastermind: Credited with popularizing the “nickel” defense and the modern use of the special teams coach.
- Career Winning Percentage: Retired with a .681 regular-season winning percentage (116–47–5).
- The Trading King: Executed 131 trades during his professional coaching career.
- Coaching Tree: Mentored several future legends and led his teams to seven playoff appearances in 12 years.
