Oakland Raiders Head Coach Tom Flores: The Man, the Myth, the 2x SB Champion

The Oakland Raiders organization has gained a reputation of releasing and hiring head coaches on the fly. In fact, since the reign of Jon "Chucky" Gruden (1998-2001), the organization has hired six head coaches. These six are: Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable and the recently promoted Hue Jackson.

Gruden had success in Oakland. Had Gruden remained head coach for one more season, he would have possibly received his Super Bowl win as an Oakland Raider instead of as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. However, it is what it is.

The Raiders seem to be in the hunt for instant success, but to have success you need stability. Former head coach Cable had some time to get the team stable, and hopefully Jackson will last five-plus seasons and get the Raiders to two back-to-back Super Bowls. Sounds good, but one will do :). Alongside four AFC West titles.

In days past, it seemed that the longer-lasting coaches had huge amounts of success, like John Madden, Al Davis and Tom Flores. Flores had great success as a head coach for the Silver and Black. Although Madden has the title of winningest coach for the Silver and Black, Tom Flores has three Super Bowl rings, the first as an assistant coach under Madden (Super Bowl XI) and two as the head coach for the Raiders, Super Bowls XV and XVIII.

Flores played for the Raiders for six years, from 1960-66. As a quarterback for the Silver and Black, he had his best season in 1966. Flores had 24 touchdowns and 2,638 yards passing in 14 games. He was traded the following season, but returned to the Raiders as a coach in 1979. 

The 1979 season was a great year for the Raiders. Flores had returned and was a perfect fit for the hungry Raiders. His previous experience as a quarterback and assistant coach would propel the Raiders to two Super Bowl championships.

Flores will eventually be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. His entire life was football, an...

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