Finally, Some Respect for the Unsung Heroes

The Pro Football Hall of Fame finally got something right. No, not a player induction — though those are always fun. This is about the Awards of Excellence, and the 2026 class hitting the sweet spot: Mike Westhoff, Bobb McKittrick, and Ted Cottrell. These guys are the lifeblood of the sport, the brains behind the brawn, and for too long, they’ve been afterthoughts in Canton. It’s a good step, even if it feels a little overdue.

Let's start with Westhoff. The man coached special teams for 32 seasons in the NFL. Think about that. He oversaw units that often swung games, units that often got overlooked. He was the architect behind the "fake punt" game for the Jets against the Texans in 2012, a moment that epitomized his willingness to take calculated risks. You remember the "Miami Miracle" in 2018? Westhoff was still consulting for the Dolphins then, and while he might not have drawn up that specific play, his philosophy of aggressive, innovative special teams was certainly baked into that team's DNA. He coached guys like kicker Jason Elam, who hit 436 field goals in his career, and punter Jeff Gossett, who led the AFC in net punting average in 1989 under Westhoff's tutelage. Westhoff understood that those third phases weren't just filler; they were critical opportunities.

Then there’s Bobb McKittrick, the offensive line guru for the San Francisco 49ers from 1979 to 1999. You can't talk about the dynasties of the 80s and 90s without talking about his lines. Joe Montana and Steve Young didn't just appear out of thin air and become Hall of Famers. They had time. Lots of it. McKittrick’s lines paved the way for Roger Craig to rush for over 1,000 yards and catch over 1,000 yards in 1985, a feat that wouldn't be repeated for decades. They opened holes for Garrison Hearst’s 1,570-yard season in 1998. The 49ers won five Super Bowls with McKittrick running that offensive line room. Five. That’s not a coincidence. He had a reputation for being tough, demanding, but ultimately, he developed some of the best offensive linemen in NFL history. Frankly, it’s a travesty he isn’t already in.

And Ted Cottrell. A defensive coordinator who spent 14 years in that role for five different teams. His defenses were consistently stout. He was the DC for the Bills in 1999 when they finished third in the league in total defense, giving up just 286.7 yards per game. He moved to the Jets and had them ranked in the top 10 in total defense in 2001 and 2002. Cottrell oversaw a defense that held opponents to a league-best 3.2 yards per carry in 2001. He developed players like Sam Adams, a dominant defensive tackle, and helped shape defenses that consistently harassed quarterbacks and stopped the run. His impact on defensive schemes across the league, particularly in the 4-3 system, is often overlooked but was truly foundational for many successful teams.

Here's the thing: these awards are nice, but they don't go far enough. We spend so much time dissecting player careers, and rightly so. But the coaches behind the scenes, the guys who actually scheme up the wins, they deserve more than a special plaque. My hot take? The Hall of Fame needs to expand its main induction categories to include dedicated coaching slots, separate from the contributor category, for coordinators and position coaches. The game has evolved beyond just players and head coaches.

This 2026 class is a great start. But let's not pretend these guys are merely "contributors." They shaped the game as much as any player or head coach ever did. And I predict we'll see more specialized coaching recognitions, maybe even full inductions, in the next five to ten years.