Great Players, Better Coaches: The 10 Best Between the Lines AND on the Bench
Davey Johnson, the skipper behind the rowdy, resilient, and unforgettable 1986 New York Mets, has passed away. For many, his name conjures memories of that World Series-winning team — a clubhouse full of characters, chaos, and clutch moments that defined a generation of baseball. As a manager, Johnson was brilliant, bold, and unafraid to let his players be themselves. He left a mark not just in New York, but in every dugout he entered.
But before he ever wore a manager’s jacket, Davey Johnson was one heck of a ballplayer.
A four-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove second baseman, Johnson was a key piece of the dominant Baltimore Orioles teams of the late '60s and early '70s. He helped them win the World Series in 1970. And in 1973, with the Atlanta Braves, he launched 43 home runs — tying a major league record for most in a season by a second baseman.
That blend of cerebral baseball IQ and raw athletic talent made him a rare breed: the elite player who evolved into an even better coach.
In that spirit, we honor Davey Johnson not just by remembering his greatest managerial triumph, but by spotlighting others who made the same leap — great players who, once they left the field, found an even higher calling from the sidelines. Here are 10 of the very best (in alphabetical order).
1. Mike Ditka
Few figures in NFL history embody toughness quite like Mike Ditka. He was a hard-nosed player and an even fiercer coach, forging a legacy that spans generations of football fans.
As a Player:
Ditka revolutionized the tight end position, bringing a physicality and pass-catching ability that changed how the role was viewed. A five-time Pro Bowler, he was the 1961 NFL Rookie of the Year and won an NFL Championship with the Bears in 1963. We was also part of the Dallas Cowboys’ first-ever Super Bowl title, catching a touchdown pass in Super Bowl VI, a 24–3 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.
As a Coach:
Ditka became the fiery architect of the 1985 Chicago Bears — one of the most dominant teams in NFL history — leading them to a Super Bowl XX victory. Known for his gruff demeanor and no-nonsense approach, he instilled a culture of intimidation and excellence that still defines that era of Bears football.
2. Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but his calm leadership reshaped the culture of the NFL. As both a player and coach, he brought intelligence, integrity, and innovation to the game.
As a Player:
Dungy played as a defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was part of the team’s Super Bowl XIII championship squad. Undrafted but highly cerebral, he even served briefly as the team’s emergency quarterback — a testament to his football IQ.
As a Coach:
Dungy made history in 2007 as the first black head coach to win a Super Bowl, guiding the Indianapolis Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI. He was also the architect of the Tampa 2 defense and laid the foundation for the Buccaneers’ eventual championship success. More than just wins, Dungy is celebrated for changing how NFL teams think about leadership and character.
3. Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola is a footballing visionary whose influence has reshaped modern soccer. While his managerial genius is widely recognized, it’s rooted in a playing career defined by intelligence, precision, and poise.
As a Player:
Guardiola was the cerebral centerpiece of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team” at Barcelona in the 1990s, playing the pivot role in midfield with tactical discipline and calm under pressure. He won six La Liga titles and a European Cup, earning a reputation as one of the smartest players of his era.
As a Coach:
Pep’s coaching legacy is already legendary — transforming FC Barcelona into perhaps the greatest club side in history, then conquering domestic leagues with Bayern Munich and Manchester City. His positional play, pressing systems, and tactical innovations have become the blueprint for elite football, earning him dozens of titles, including multiple Champions League and Premier League trophies.
4. Tom Heinsohn
Few people have been as intertwined with a single franchise as Tom Heinsohn was with the Boston Celtics. From player to coach to broadcaster, he was a constant presence in one of the NBA’s most storied dynasties.
As a Player:
Heinsohn was a six-time All-Star and the 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year. As a key member of the Celtics’ frontcourt, he won eight NBA championships alongside Bill Russell, known for his scoring touch and competitive fire.
As a Coach:
Heinsohn transitioned to the bench with ease, guiding the Celtics to two more championships in the 1970s. His up-tempo offensive style brought new life to the team post-Russell, and his coaching earned him NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1973.
5. Gil Hodges
Gil Hodges was a beloved figure in New York baseball, revered for his quiet strength and leadership both on and off the field. His impact was felt in two boroughs — first as a Dodgers star in Brooklyn, then as the architect of the Amazin’ Mets in Queens.
As a Player:
Hodges was an eight-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers, helping them win the 1955 World Series. Known for his power and consistency, he hit 370 career home runs and was one of the most respected players of his generation.
As a Coach:
Hodges led the 1969 “Miracle Mets” to one of the most improbable World Series titles in baseball history, transforming a perennial cellar-dweller into champions. Tragically, his life was cut short by a heart attack in 1972 at just 47 years old. Many believe his managerial career would have grown even greater had he lived longer.
6. Davey Johnson
As noted above, Davey Johnson is best remembered for managing the colorful, chaotic, and talented 1986 New York Mets. But before he ever penciled a lineup card, he was one of the premier second basemen of his era — a rare figure who excelled in every phase of the game and every phase of his career.
As a Player:
Johnson debuted with the Baltimore Orioles in 1965 and quickly became a fixture on one of the most dominant teams of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a three-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star, known for his steady glove, sharp baseball IQ, and surprising pop at the plate. In 1970, he helped lead the Orioles to a World Series title. His offensive peak came in 1973 with the Atlanta Braves, when he smashed 43 home runs — tying the single-season record for homers by a second baseman, a mark that stood for decades. Johnson's blend of defensive excellence and power made him one of the most well-rounded infielders of his generation.
As a Coach:
Johnson's managerial style was defined by his ability to handle big personalities, leverage analytics before they were mainstream, and win — a lot. He took over the Mets in 1984 and, within three seasons, had them hoisting the World Series trophy in 1986, thanks to a team overflowing with talent and turmoil. He won division titles with four different franchises (the Mets, Reds, Orioles, and Nationals), a testament to his adaptability and leadership. Johnson’s career winning percentage as a manager (.562) ranks among the best in MLB history, and his influence extended well beyond the dugout, as he embraced advanced statistics and empowered his players long before it became the norm.
7. Karch Kiraly
Karch Kiraly is a name synonymous with excellence in volleyball — a rare athlete who reached the summit in both indoor and beach formats, and later elevated the U.S. Women’s National Team to new heights as a coach. He is, quite simply, the most decorated figure in the sport’s history.
As a Player:
Kiraly won Olympic gold medals in indoor volleyball in 1984 and 1988, leading the U.S. men’s team to global dominance. He then transitioned to beach volleyball, where he won over 140 titles and captured yet another Olympic gold in 1996 — the first ever awarded in the sport. Known for his relentless work ethic, pinpoint skill, and game-changing instincts, Kiraly is the only player to win Olympic gold in both indoor and beach volleyball.
As a Coach:
Taking over the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2012, Kiraly brought his championship pedigree and cerebral approach to a program that had long been in search of Olympic gold. Under his leadership, Team USA won its first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s indoor volleyball at the Tokyo 2020 Games. His coaching has blended technical precision with a deep emotional intelligence, helping players thrive both individually and as a unit.
8. Bill Russell
Bill Russell redefined what it meant to lead in the sports world. The ultimate winner, he was as dominant as a coach as he was as a player, becoming a symbol of excellence, dignity, and social progress in sports history.
As a Player:
Russell was the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics’ dynasty, winning an astounding 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons — the most by any player in league history. A five-time MVP and 12-time All-Star, he revolutionized defense with his shot-blocking, rebounding, and team-first mentality. Beyond the stats, he was the emotional and intellectual engine of one of the most successful franchises in sports.
As a Coach:
In 1966, Russell broke barriers by becoming the first black head coach in major American professional sports — and he did it as a player-coach. He led the Celtics to two more championships from the bench, including in his final season as a player. His pioneering presence laid the groundwork for generations of future leaders, and his coaching legacy is inseparable from his larger impact on sports and civil rights.
9. Joe Torre
Joe Torre’s baseball story is one of quiet perseverance and ultimate triumph. A respected player in his own right, he became a legendary manager whose calm leadership brought order and excellence to one of the sport’s most pressure-filled jobs.
As a Player:
Torre was a nine-time All-Star and the 1971 National League MVP, a season in which he led the league in hits, RBIs, and batting average. He played both catcher and corner infield with distinction, finishing his career with over 2,300 hits and a lifetime .297 average — numbers that underscore how underrated his playing days were.
As a Coach:
Torre’s managerial career didn’t take off until he landed with the New York Yankees in 1996 — and then it soared. He led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five years, creating a late-1990s dynasty built on professionalism, accountability, and postseason poise. His ability to manage stars under the microscope of New York made him one of the most respected managers in baseball history, later earning him a place in Cooperstown.
10. Lenny Wilkins
Lenny Wilkens is basketball royalty — a Hall of Famer as both a player and a coach, and one of the most enduring figures in NBA history. His calm demeanor, basketball intellect, and ability to lead from both the court and the bench set him apart.
As a Player:
Wilkens was a nine-time NBA All-Star and a masterful point guard known for his court vision, leadership, and ability to control the tempo of a game. He retired with over 17,000 points and nearly 7,000 assists, ranking among the game’s best floor generals of his era.
As a Coach:
Wilkens transitioned almost immediately into coaching, even serving as a player-coach during the early 1970s. He became one of the winningest coaches in NBA history, highlighted by leading the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA championship in 1979. His coaching résumé spans decades and includes stints with five franchises, a gold medal as head coach of the 1996 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team II,” and a legacy of class, consistency, and strategic excellence.
Legacy in Layers
Greatness in sports is often measured by statistics, trophies, and highlight reels. But for these 10 legends, the story didn’t end when they walked off the field or court — in many ways, it was just beginning. They proved that excellence isn’t confined to a single chapter, and that the transition from player to coach can unlock an entirely new form of legacy.
For some, like Pep Guardiola and Tony Dungy, coaching was the platform where their genius truly blossomed. For others, like Bill Russell and Gil Hodges, it was a continuation of leadership they had already exemplified in uniform. And in the case of Davey Johnson, whose recent passing prompted this reflection, it reminds us how multi-dimensional a sports legacy can be — and how rare it is to master the game from both inside the lines and from the dugout or sideline.
Their second acts were all about teaching, inspiring, and leading — and they just so happened to win a lot of games along the way. And in doing so, they cemented themselves as transformative figures in the history of sport.