Guts and Genius

August 1, 2018

From 1981 through 1991, teams coached by Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, and Bill Parcells were in nine of 11 Super Bowls and won eight of them, ruling over the NFL for a decade plus. ×Newsday columnist Glauber, who began his sportswriting career during that period, takes a closer look at how these Hall of Fame coaches came to reign over the league and continue to influence it today. He traces each man's career from early days to retirement in a regular rotation of chronological chapters--Walsh then Gibbs then Parcells--that depict how the trio interacted and competed with one another. Each had a distinct personality and strategic approach that invigorated the sport. Although Walsh is deceased, the author spoke extensively with Parcells and Gibbs and the players and confidantes of all three coaches to present a complete picture of a memorable time in league history. VERDICT The extraordinary careers of these coaches are expertly interwoven to create a delightful and insightful read.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2018
NFL coaching greats Bill Parcells, Bill Walsh, and Joe Gibbs, all in the pro football Hall of Fame, dominated the 1980s and early '90s with eight Super Bowl wins between them. Glauber, the national NFL columnist for Newsday, recounts his subjects' careers and analyzes what led to their remarkable success, noting that none of the three had auspicious beginnings (Walsh and Parcells won only two and three games, respectively, in their debut years). He also emphasizes that, though their approaches to the game were different, they all earned the respect of their players through consistency, honesty, and a willingness to adapt to their personnel. Gibbs, in particular, favored a wide-open passing game but recognized that the Washington team he inherited had a talented offensive line and excellent running backs, so he emphasized a devastating running game. Glauber shows in fascinating detail how each coach built a foundation for success both on the field and in their relationships with owners and players. This has been a great season for football books (John Feinstein's Quarterback, in particular), and this one adds to the treasure trove.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)