Membership has its privileges—but none of these men carry a common card. There’s no secret handshake, no initiation ceremony, no shared letters stitched across a jacket. They don’t wear the same colors to work, yet to do their job, they all don the same headset.
They are beloved and belittled, celebrated and second-guessed. Many are household names and hometown heroes. In fact, you might know more about them than your state senator, your local congressperson, or even your governor. You could likely pick them out of a crowd—and gladly would.
Who makes up this coveted crew? The 32 head coaches of the NFL for the 2026–2027 season and I love the annual tradition of their group photo.
The “class photo” began informally—just a group of coaches gathering during their annual meetings. But the image reveals something deeper. These men know one another. They’ve crossed paths for years—playing, coaching, competing, collaborating across the league’s 32 organizations. The circle is small, and it changes quickly. After all, the NFL can just as easily stand for “Not For Long.” This year alone, new faces have already stepped into the frame. And that’s part of what makes the photo meaningful.
For a brief moment, rivals stand shoulder to shoulder. Competitors pause. The noise quiets. And the role they share matters more than the differences that divide them. You get the sense that each one knows just how rare—and how fragile—his place is. Again, it’s a simple photo. But it offers a subtle lesson and begs us to consider: What if our communities did the same
What if we made space, even briefly, to recognize those who lead—imperfectly, publicly, and under constant scrutiny? Not to ignore disagreements, but to remember the weight of responsibility they carry. Not to erase differences, but to acknowledge a shared commitment to something larger than themselves.
I encourage organizations and institutions to do the same. Make the effort to take a group photo. Help people understand they are part of something much bigger. In making this an annual tradition, others begin to notice both the pillars and the newcomers—the ones just finding their footing and the ones who have carried the weight for years. Some arrive young; others grow old in the work. It’s special. It’s meaningful. And yes, it can even be fun.
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| LOVED this class: RS 300 |
And by fun, what I mean is the analysis and sheer color commentary that this photo sparks. I've probably watched at least 10 Instagram reels on this topic. Sports talk pundits take no mercy on the strong personalities, their size and shape, the fitness and facial expressions of this group. From Kubiak's calf muscle, to John Harbaugh's cut off white socks inside his loafers, not to mention Mike Vrabel taking over both arm rests, I laughed and looked again. Yes, Kyle Shanahan does look as though he is dressed to be in the south of France. And this year, the group includes two sets of brothers: John and Jim Harbaugh as well as Matt and Mike LaFleur. The newest sibling, Mike LaFleur, the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals is 6'1". However, according to Pat MacAfee, Mike makes the coach to his right— John Brady look 6'9." (They love his Rolodex, too). Very true.
If you count closely, you’ll notice only 30 men standing and smiling. Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is missing—he was getting a haircut. Ironically, it was for the photo, but it was taken 20 minutes early, and he missed it. He later “joked he has plenty of incentive for not going one-and-done, so he can make his first appearance in the photo next year.”
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| I love this photo for multiple reasons. My Grandmother sent us Easter outfits so my mom scheduled a photo shoot. I decided to cut my sister's bangs to help her get ready. I love that my mom decided to keep the photo shoot. |
Whether it's this year, next year or ten years from now, a simple snapshot becomes something more. It tells a story of belonging and change, of continuity and calling. Faces come and go, but the mission endures and the goal for these men remains the same. #Lombardi
My favorite movie is "Dead Poets Society." In one scene Robin Williams, Mr. Keating their English teacher and an alum of the school takes his class into the hallway to look at the photographs that litter the walls of Welton Academy. The images—they're black and white. Many are faded. They are familiar and yet they are different.
Keating zooms in and begs his students to do the same. He says,
They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because you see, gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen. You hear it?... Carpe... Hear it?... Carpe. Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.I think this is the role of a coach, of a teacher, a school administrator—most leaders! make your life and especially of those you serve: extraordinary.
The tradition of a group photo captures more than a moment in time. It’s a reminder that no one stands alone, and that every role, however brief, is part of something lasting.
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