Mike Holmgren’s Hall of Fame Snub: A Legendary Coach Left Waiting

A Missed Opportunity for Holmgren

Mike Holmgren, the coach who led the Green Bay Packers to their third Super Bowl title, had a chance to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025—but he didn’t make the cut. The league announced this year’s inductees during the NFL Honors ceremony, and among the senior candidates, coaches, and contributors, former Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe was the name chosen.

A Voting Process That Works Against Coaches

The Hall of Fame selection process has become increasingly difficult for coaches due to new rules. Mike Sando, a columnist for The Athletic and a voter in the selection process, explained how these changes make it harder for coaches to get in. By grouping them with senior candidates—players who have been retired for at least 25 years—coaches now face stiffer competition against both legendary contributors and long-retired players.

Holmgren’s Impact on the Game

Holmgren’s NFL career spanned from 1986 to 2012, during which he held multiple key roles. As the head coach of the Packers from 1992 to 1998, he took the team to two Super Bowls, winning one after the 1996 season. That championship marked Green Bay’s third Super Bowl victory and cemented Holmgren’s legacy as one of the league’s top coaches.

His influence extended beyond Green Bay. Before leading the Packers, Holmgren was a quarterbacks coach and then the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, where he won two Super Bowl rings.

Success in Seattle and Beyond

After leaving Green Bay, Holmgren took on an even bigger role with the Seattle Seahawks. As head coach, vice president of football operations, and later general manager, he led the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl appearance in 2005. Though the Seahawks fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Holmgren’s leadership played a crucial role in shaping Seattle into a perennial contender.

He retired from coaching in 2012 after spending three seasons as the Cleveland Browns’ team president.

The Challenge of Hall of Fame Induction

Under the current Hall of Fame structure, coaches must compete with contributors and long-retired players for limited spots. This year, the other senior finalists included wide receiver Sterling Sharpe—who played under Holmgren for three seasons—along with linebacker Maxie Baughan, offensive tackle Jim Tyrer, and NFL co-founder Ralph Hay.

While Holmgren didn’t make it in this time, his impact on the game is undeniable. With a Super Bowl victory, multiple conference championships, and a coaching tree that has influenced countless others, his legacy is already written in NFL history. The only question now is when—not if—he will finally take his rightful place in the Hall of Fame.