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# The 10 Greatest Football Coach Rants of All Time
- URL: https://www.grumpybuck.com/the-10-greatest-football-coach-rants-of-all-time/
- Published: 2026-10-13T16:54:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T16:54:47.000Z
- Description: Playoffs?! They are who we thought they were! I'm a man, I'm 40! The 10 greatest football coach rants, NFL and college, with the real quotes and what happened next.
- Author: Brad Riddell
- Tags: Sports History, Top 10, Football, NFL, College Football

Football coaches spend 6 days a week saying nothing. "We'll look at the film." "Credit to them." "One game at a time."

Then, every so often, one of them snaps. A reporter asks the wrong question on the wrong day, and a grown man in a headset turns into the most honest person in America for about 90 seconds.

Here are the 10 best, from the NFL and college, ranked by how often you still hear them quoted today. Every quote below is checked against the record, because a lot of what gets repeated online is wrong.

## 10\. Bill Belichick: "We're on to Cincinnati"

**Oct. 1, 2014\. Patriots, 2-2.**

This one is a rant in reverse. Two nights earlier, Kansas City had beaten the Patriots 41-14 on Monday Night Football, and Tom Brady got pulled late. Reporters showed up asking whether the dynasty was over and whether Brady, at 37, was finished.

Belichick gave them nothing, 5 times in a row. "We're on to Cincinnati." "We're on to Cincinnati." "We're on to Cincinnati. It's nothing about the past, nothing about the future. Right now we're preparing for Cincinnati." Then: "We're trying to get ready to play Cincinnati." And once more: "We're getting ready for Cincinnati."

![Tom Brady under pressure at Kansas City in the 41-14 loss that started the "is it over?" questions.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/chiefs_patriots.jpg)

Tom Brady under pressure at Kansas City in the 41-14 loss that started the "is it over?" questions.

![Bill Belichick at the podium.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/bill_belichick.jpg)

Bill Belichick at the podium.

![The Boston Globe ran the exchange as a transcript, Oct. 2, 2014.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/10-belichick-on-to-cincinnati-boston-globe-2014-10-02.jpg)

The Boston Globe ran the exchange as a transcript, Oct. 2, 2014.

The Patriots beat the unbeaten Bengals 43-17 that Sunday, went 12-4 and won Super Bowl XLIX.

## 9\. Rex Ryan: "Let's go eat a g--damn snack!"

**August 2010\. HBO's *Hard Knocks*.**

The day before, the Jets practiced next to a McDonald's, and some of the defense ate cheeseburgers during stretching. The practice was sloppy. Ryan's speech to the team that night, uncensored on HBO, told them to play like the New York Jets and not some other team we can't describe here, then ended with the line that made him famous: "Let's go eat a g--damn snack!"

![Not everybody loved it. The New York Daily News, Aug. 19, 2010, after Tony Dungy criticized Ryan's language on Hard Knocks.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/09-ryan-hard-knocks-language-ny-daily-news-2010-08-19.jpg)

Not everybody loved it. The New York Daily News, Aug. 19, 2010, after Tony Dungy criticized Ryan's language on **Hard Knocks*.

Ryan explained later that he always ends meetings with "let's go eat a snack." That time, something extra came out. The Jets went 11-5 and made the AFC Championship Game.

![Rex Ryan with the Jets.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/rex_ryan.jpg)

Rex Ryan with the Jets.

## 8\. Dabo Swinney vs. Tyler from Spartanburg

**Oct. 30, 2023\. Clemson, 4-4.**

Clemson had just lost at NC State, and a caller to Swinney's weekly radio show asked why the school pays him more than $10 million a year to go 4-4\. Swinney answered for about 5 minutes.

"You're part of the problem, to be honest with you," he told the caller. And the line Clemson fans still repeat: "The expectation is greater than the appreciation. And that's the problem."

![Clemson at NC State. The loss dropped the Tigers to 4-4.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/clemson_nc_state.jpg)

Clemson at NC State. The loss dropped the Tigers to 4-4.

![Dabo Swinney on the Clemson sideline.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/swinney.jpg)

Dabo Swinney on the Clemson sideline.

![The Spartanburg Herald-Journal, hometown paper of "Tyler from Spartanburg," Nov. 1, 2023.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/08-swinney-caller-criticism-spartanburg-herald-journal-2023-11-01.jpg)

The Spartanburg Herald-Journal, hometown paper of "Tyler from Spartanburg," Nov. 1, 2023.

Clemson didn't lose again that season. It won its last 5 games, including the Gator Bowl, and finished 9-4.

## 7\. Jimbo Fisher: "Some people think they're God"

**May 19, 2022\. Texas A&M.**

The night before, Nick Saban told a crowd in Birmingham that "A&M bought every player on their team" with name, image and likeness deals. Fisher called a press conference the next morning and went after his old boss for about 9 minutes.

"It's despicable that a reputable head coach can come out and say this when he doesn't get his way," Fisher said. "Some people think they're God." And: "Maybe somebody should have slapped him."

The SEC reprimanded both of them. A&M went 5-7 that fall, and Fisher was fired in November 2023 with a buyout of about $76 million, the biggest in college football history.

![Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/jimbo.jpg)

Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M.

![USA Today, May 20, 2022.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/07-fisher-think-theyre-god-usa-today-2022-05-20.jpg)

USA Today, May 20, 2022.

## 6\. Mike Singletary: "I want winners"

**Oct. 26, 2008\. 49ers, 2-6.**

It was Singletary's first game as the 49ers' interim coach, and it went badly. At halftime, down 20-3, he dropped his own pants in front of the team to show them how badly they were getting whipped. (The 49ers later confirmed his boxers stayed on.) In the third quarter, tight end Vernon Davis drew a personal foul, and Singletary sent him to the locker room.

After a 34-13 loss to Seattle, he said he'd rather play with 10 men than with one who wasn't committed. "Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners."

![Mike Singletary on the 49ers sideline.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/singletary.jpg)

Mike Singletary on the 49ers sideline.

![Scott Ostler's column in the San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 27, 2008.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/06-singletary-want-winners-sf-chronicle-2008-10-27.jpg)

Scott Ostler's column in the San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 27, 2008.

Davis later said the day saved his career. Singletary finished the season 5-4 and got the job full time.

## 5\. Mike Leach: "Their fat little girlfriends"

**Oct. 24, 2009\. Texas Tech, 5-3.**

Texas A&M came to Lubbock and beat Tech 52-30\. Leach blamed his own players' overconfidence, and specifically who they were listening to. He said it after the game, and when he was asked about it 2 days later, he doubled down: the coaches had failed to make their points "more compelling than their fat little girlfriends," who had "some obvious advantages," like "telling them what they want to hear."

Two months later, Texas Tech fired him, over a separate matter. Leach kept using the line for years.

![Mike Leach at Texas Tech.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/mike_leech.jpg)

Mike Leach at Texas Tech.

![The Houston Chronicle, Oct. 25, 2009, with A&M coach Mike Sherman celebrating in Lubbock.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/05-leach-girlfriends-houston-chronicle-2009-10-25.jpg)

The Houston Chronicle, Oct. 25, 2009, with A&M coach Mike Sherman celebrating in Lubbock.

## 4\. Herm Edwards: "You play to win the game!"

**Oct. 30, 2002\. Jets, 2-5.**

This one wasn't a postgame blowup. It was a normal Wednesday press conference, 3 days after a loss to Cleveland. A New York Times reporter asked whether Edwards had to talk to his team about not giving up on the season.

"This is what the greatest thing about sports is: you play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it." And then: "When you start tellin' me it doesn't matter, then retire. Get out! 'Cause it matters."

He meant it. The 2-5 Jets won 7 of their last 9, won the AFC East and beat the Colts 41-0 in the playoffs. As of 2026, it's still the last division title the Jets have won.

![Herm Edwards at a Jets press conference.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/herm_edwards.jpg)

Herm Edwards at a Jets press conference.

!["Edwards Airs It Out": Newsday, Oct. 31, 2002.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/04-edwards-airs-it-out-newsday-2002-10-31.jpg)

"Edwards Airs It Out": Newsday, Oct. 31, 2002.

## 3\. Mike Gundy: "I'm a man! I'm 40!"

**Sept. 22, 2007\. Oklahoma State, 2-2.**

Oklahoma State had just beaten Texas Tech 49-45\. That morning, The Oklahoman ran a column by Jenni Carlson questioning the toughness of Gundy's benched quarterback, Bobby Reid. Gundy went after it in his postgame press conference for more than 3 minutes.

"Here's all that kid did. He goes to class. He's respectful to the media!" Then: "That's why I don't read the newspaper. Because it's garbage." And about 2 and a half minutes in, pointing at the reporters: "Come after me! I'm a man! I'm 40!"

It may be the most famous press conference in college football history. Oklahoma State finished 7-6\. Gundy stayed 18 more years, and the school fired him on Sept. 23, 2025, 18 years and 1 day after the rant.

![Mike Gundy at the Oklahoma State podium.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/gundy.jpg)

Mike Gundy at the Oklahoma State podium.

!["Gundy aims tirade at writer": the Tulsa World, Sept. 23, 2007.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/03-gundy-im-40-tulsa-world-2007-09-23.jpg)

"Gundy aims tirade at writer": the Tulsa World, Sept. 23, 2007.

## 2\. Dennis Green: "They are who we thought they were!"

**Oct. 16, 2006\. Cardinals, 1-5.**

On Monday Night Football, Arizona led the unbeaten Bears 20-0 at halftime and 23-3 in the third quarter. Rex Grossman turned the ball over 6 times. And Chicago still won, 24-23, without scoring an offensive touchdown. Two fumble returns and an 83-yard Devin Hester punt return did it. Neil Rackers missed a 40-yard field goal at the end that would have won it.

Green came to the podium and hit it with his fist. "The Bears are who we thought they were! That's why we took the damn field. Now if you want to crown them, then crown their ass! But they are who we thought they were! And we let 'em off the hook!"

Arizona finished 5-11, and Green was fired on Jan. 1, 2007\. The rant got a second life as a beer commercial.

!["UNBEARABLE LOSS": the Tucson Citizen, Oct. 17, 2006.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/02-green-who-we-thought-tucson-citizen-2006-10-17.jpg)

"UNBEARABLE LOSS": the Tucson Citizen, Oct. 17, 2006.

![Dennis Green with the Cardinals.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/dennis_green.jpg)

Dennis Green with the Cardinals.

## 1\. Jim Mora: "Playoffs?!"

**Nov. 25, 2001\. Colts, 4-6.**

The Colts had just lost 40-21 to the 49ers. Peyton Manning threw 4 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and the Colts turned it over 5 times. The 49ers' defensive coordinator that day was Mora's son, Jim Mora Jr.

A reporter asked about the Colts' playoff chances. Mora's answer is the most famous 20 seconds in press conference history: "Playoffs?! Don't talk about — playoffs?! You kidding me?! Playoffs?! I just hope we can win a game! Another game."

The Colts finished 6-10, Mora was fired, and he never coached again. He has always insisted it wasn't a meltdown. He's right. It was funnier than that.

It also wasn't his first. On Oct. 20, 1996, after his Saints lost 19-7 at Carolina, Mora said, "We couldn't do diddly poo offensively," and a few other things we can't print here. He resigned the next day.

![Jim Mora at the podium.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/mora.jpg)

Jim Mora at the podium.

![The Indianapolis Star, Nov. 26, 2001.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6a/b0/6ab0eb2f-edcf-411e-aaff-39e6be3d4e39/content/images/2026/10/01-mora-playoffs-pullquote-indianapolis-star-2001-11-26.jpg)

The Indianapolis Star, Nov. 26, 2001.

## Honorable mentions

**Nick Saban, "rat poison" (Oct. 7, 2017):** After a win over Texas A&M, Saban compared good press about Alabama to "taking poison, like rat poison." Alabama won the national title.

**Mark Dantonio, "pride comes before the fall" (Nov. 3, 2007):** After Michigan's Mike Hart called Michigan State "little brother," Dantonio said, "It's not over, it'll never be over here. It's just starting." Michigan State then won 6 of the next 7 against Michigan.

**Les Miles (Dec. 1, 2007):** On the morning of the SEC title game, ESPN reported that Miles was leaving LSU for Michigan. He called a one-minute press conference to say he was staying, then won the SEC and the national title.

Which rant did we miss? Tell us in the comments.