Chapin: Noll got start with Brown’s Browns

The recent passing of former Steelers coach Chuck Noll brought to mind the way my school buddies and I used to deal with the sudden success in the 1970s of the previously-crummy Black and Gold team from across the border.

To the two Pittsburgh fans of our acquaintance — I give them both credit, they were diehard fans and were on the bandwagon long before most Steelers fans from Ohio, who didn’t jump on until the team started winning — we always stressed the fact that Cleveland native Noll had played for the Browns during their dynasty in the 1950s under coach Paul Brown.

Looking back as an adult, I have nothing but respect for Noll, who died at the age of 82.

Of course, back then, I hated his guts because he was the Steelers’ coach.

His death, though, made me think of Brown who died in 1991, also at the age of 82. A recent ESPN ranking of all-time NFL coaches ranked Brown sixth — one spot behind Noll — but I think many young fans, especially Browns fans, have forgotten about or have never been informed of his accomplishments.

After very successful coaching stints in high school (Massillon) and college (Ohio State), Brown began coaching the Browns franchise in 1946 in the upstart All-American Conference. After four years and four championships there, the team was merged into the NFL in 1950.

Cleveland’s success continued with championship game appearances in seven of the first eight seasons, including NFL titles in 1950, ’54 and ’55.

Part of the reason many fans don’t know of Brown is all this happened before the Super Bowl era.

But an NFL championship is an NFL championship and the Browns own four of them (I know, it’s been 50 years since the most recent).

Brown was fired by new owner Art Modell (brilliant, huh?) after the 1962 season and went on to found the expansion Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, coaching them to the playoffs in three of their first eight seasons.

Much of Brown’s reputation with younger fans comes from his subsequent stint as owner and general manager in Cincinnati during which he was seen as tight-fisted and stodgy (though they did play in two Super Bowls).

But Brown’s NFL legacy is far from stodgy.

Among innovations for which he is credited are making coaching a year-round profession, film study, intelligence testing for players, sending in plays from the sideline (Noll was one of the early messenger guards), the draw play and the trap play, detailed practice schedules and routines, the face mask, and precise pass routes for receivers.

He was one of the first to embrace the forward pass with quarterback Otto Graham — another forgotten star — while still maintaining a solid running game and a stingy defense. Besides Noll, Brown’s coaching tree includes Don Shula and Bill Walsh among many others.

Steelers fans revere Noll and will be expected upon his death to fondly remember his success. But long-suffering Browns fans can at least find solace in the fact he was a former Brown and the knowledge that Cleveland once had a coach just as successful.

Doug Chapin is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write to him at dchapin@vindy.com.