Tom Flores

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Lore & Background

Flores served as head coach during a golden era where the Raiders dominated the league. He led the team to back-to-back Super Bowl victories, securing titles in 1980 and 1983. These wins placed him in elite company; he is one of just two coaches, along with John Madden who won in 1976, to bring a championship to the franchise. His tenure also saw the team navigate its time in Los Angeles between 1982 and 1995. Unlike other coaches such as Jack Del Rio or Jon Gruden who only took the team to the playoffs, Flores delivered the ultimate prize. He shares the distinction of being one of only two coaches to have coached the franchise in both Oakland and Los Angeles, a feat not matched by anyone else in the team's 64 seasons.

In Their Own Story

The path to glory for Flores began long before he took the helm as head coach. As a former player, he contributed to the Raiders' foundation during their early years. His transition from the field to the sidelines proved successful when he guided the team to its first Super Bowl win in 1980. He followed this with another victory in 1983, solidifying his status as a winning leader. The source notes that of the 25 head coaches in franchise history across Oakland, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, only Flores and Shell have coached in both the Oakland and Los Angeles markets. While Art Shell was inducted as a player in 1989, Flores joined him in the Hall of Fame much later, in 2021, recognized for his contributions specifically as a coach.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Raiders history, Tom Flores represents a specific era of sustained success. He is one of only two coaches to win multiple Super Bowls with the team, achieving this in 1980 and 1983. His record contrasts with John Madden, who holds the all-time lead in games coached (142) and wins (103). Flores also shares a unique distinction with Art Shell regarding their tenure across different cities; they are the only coaches to lead the team in both Oakland and Los Angeles. Additionally, like Shell, Flores was a former player for the Raiders, making them the only two individuals in franchise history to achieve Hall of Fame status through playing and coaching roles.

Did You Know?

• Tom Flores is one of only two coaches in Raiders history to win the Super Bowl, along with John Madden.
• He is one of only two former Raiders players to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for their coaching contributions, sharing this distinction with Art Shell.
• Flores and Art Shell are the only coaches to have led the franchise in both the Oakland and Los Angeles markets.
• Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2021, joining Al Davis (1992) and John Madden (2006).
• He is one of only two coaches to win back-to-back Super Bowls with the Raiders (1980 and 1983).