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Marv Levy

Updated: Wikipedia source

Marv Levy

Marvin Daniel Levy (; born August 3, 1925) is an American former football coach who was a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for seventeen seasons. He spent most of his head coaching career with the Buffalo Bills, leading them from 1986 to 1997. After spending ten years as head coach in college, Levy was hired to coach the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1973. From 1973 to 1977, he won two Grey Cup titles with Montreal. After five seasons coaching the Kansas City Chiefs, Levy helped the Bills become one of the most dominant American Football Conference (AFC) teams during the 1990s. His greatest success occurred between 1990 and 1993 when he led Buffalo to a record four consecutive Super Bowls, although each game ended in defeat. Levy concluded his head coaching career with 11 playoff victories and four Super Bowl appearances, both of which are the most of head coaches to not win an NFL championship. After retiring from coaching in 1997, Levy served as the general manager of the Bills from 2006 to 2007. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Infobox

Position
Defensive back
Born
(1925-08-03) August 3, 1925 (age 100)Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
High school
South Shore (Chicago, Illinois)
College
Wyoming, Coe
Regular season
NFL: 143–112 (.561) CFL: 43–31–4 (.577) NCAA: 45–60–5 (.432)
Postseason
NFL: 11–8 (.579) CFL: 7–3 (.700)
Career
NFL: 154–120 (.562) CFL: 50–34–4 (.591)

Tables

· Head coaching record › College
New Mexico Lobos (Skyline Conference) (1958–1959)
New Mexico Lobos (Skyline Conference) (1958–1959)
Year
New Mexico Lobos (Skyline Conference) (1958–1959)
1958
1958
Year
1958
Team
New Mexico
Overall
7–3
Conference
5–1
Standing
2nd
1959
1959
Year
1959
Team
New Mexico
Overall
7–3
Conference
4–2
Standing
3rd
New Mexico:
New Mexico:
Year
New Mexico:
Team
14–6
Overall
9–3
California Golden Bears (Athletic Association of Western Universities) (1960–1963)
California Golden Bears (Athletic Association of Western Universities) (1960–1963)
Year
California Golden Bears (Athletic Association of Western Universities) (1960–1963)
1960
1960
Year
1960
Team
California
Overall
2–7–1
Conference
1–3
Standing
4th
1961
1961
Year
1961
Team
California
Overall
1–8–1
Conference
1–3
Standing
T–4th
1962
1962
Year
1962
Team
California
Overall
1–9
Conference
0–4
Standing
6th
1963
1963
Year
1963
Team
California
Overall
4–5–1
Conference
1–3
Standing
5th
California:
California:
Year
California:
Team
8–29–3
Overall
3–13
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1964–1968)
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1964–1968)
Year
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1964–1968)
1964
1964
Year
1964
Team
William & Mary
Overall
4–6
Conference
4–3
Standing
T–4th
1965
1965
Year
1965
Team
William & Mary
Overall
6–4
Conference
5–1
Standing
2nd
1966
1966
Year
1966
Team
William & Mary
Overall
5–4–1
Conference
4–1–1
Standing
T–1st
1967
1967
Year
1967
Team
William & Mary
Overall
5–4–1
Conference
2–2–1
Standing
4th
1968
1968
Year
1968
Team
William & Mary
Overall
3–7
Conference
2–3
Standing
5th
William & Mary:
William & Mary:
Year
William & Mary:
Team
23–25–2
Overall
17–10–2
Total:
Total:
Year
Total:
Team
45–60–5
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
Year
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
Year
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Bowl/playoffs
New Mexico Lobos (Skyline Conference) (1958–1959)
1958
New Mexico
7–3
5–1
2nd
1959
New Mexico
7–3
4–2
3rd
New Mexico:
14–6
9–3
California Golden Bears (Athletic Association of Western Universities) (1960–1963)
1960
California
2–7–1
1–3
4th
1961
California
1–8–1
1–3
T–4th
1962
California
1–9
0–4
6th
1963
California
4–5–1
1–3
5th
California:
8–29–3
3–13
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1964–1968)
1964
William & Mary
4–6
4–3
T–4th
1965
William & Mary
6–4
5–1
2nd
1966
William & Mary
5–4–1
4–1–1
T–1st
1967
William & Mary
5–4–1
2–2–1
4th
1968
William & Mary
3–7
2–3
5th
William & Mary:
23–25–2
17–10–2
Total:
45–60–5
National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth
· Head coaching record › Professional
Won
Won
Team
Won
Year
Lost
Regular season
Ties
Regular season
Win %
Regular season
Finish
Regular season
Won
Regular season
Lost
Postseason
Win %
Postseason
Result
MTL
MTL
Team
MTL
Year
1973
Regular season
7
Regular season
6
Regular season
1
Regular season
536
Regular season
3rd in East
Postseason
1
Postseason
1
Postseason
500
Postseason
Lost to Ottawa Rough Riders in East Final.
MTL
MTL
Team
MTL
Year
1974
Regular season
9
Regular season
5
Regular season
2
Regular season
625
Regular season
1st in East
Postseason
2
Postseason
0
Postseason
1.000
Postseason
Won over Edmonton Eskimos in 62nd Grey Cup.
MTL
MTL
Team
MTL
Year
1975
Regular season
9
Regular season
7
Regular season
0
Regular season
563
Regular season
2nd in East
Postseason
2
Postseason
1
Postseason
0.667
Postseason
Lost to Edmonton Eskimos in 63rd Grey Cup.
MTL
MTL
Team
MTL
Year
1976
Regular season
7
Regular season
8
Regular season
1
Regular season
469
Regular season
3rd in East
Postseason
0
Postseason
1
Postseason
0.000
Postseason
Lost to Hamilton Tiger-Cats in East Semi-Final.
MTL
MTL
Team
MTL
Year
1977
Regular season
11
Regular season
5
Regular season
0
Regular season
689
Regular season
1st in East
Postseason
2
Postseason
0
Postseason
1.000
Postseason
Won over Edmonton Eskimos in 65th Grey Cup.
CFL Total
CFL Total
Team
CFL Total
Year
43
Regular season
31
Regular season
4
Regular season
577
Regular season
7
Postseason
3
Postseason
700
Postseason
Won two Grey Cup Championships.
KC
KC
Team
KC
Year
1978
Regular season
4
Regular season
12
Regular season
0
Regular season
250
Regular season
5th in AFC West
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
KC
KC
Team
KC
Year
1979
Regular season
7
Regular season
9
Regular season
0
Regular season
438
Regular season
5th in AFC West
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
KC
KC
Team
KC
Year
1980
Regular season
8
Regular season
8
Regular season
0
Regular season
500
Regular season
3rd in AFC West
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
KC
KC
Team
KC
Year
1981
Regular season
9
Regular season
7
Regular season
0
Regular season
563
Regular season
3rd in AFC West
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
KC
KC
Team
KC
Year
1982
Regular season
3
Regular season
6
Regular season
0
Regular season
333
Regular season
4th in AFC West
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
KC Total
KC Total
Team
KC Total
Year
31
Regular season
42
Regular season
0
Regular season
425
Regular season
Postseason
Postseason
CHI
CHI
Team
CHI
Year
1984
Regular season
5
Regular season
13
Regular season
0
Regular season
278
Regular season
5th in Central
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
USFL Total
USFL Total
Team
USFL Total
Year
5
Regular season
13
Regular season
0
Regular season
278
Regular season
Postseason
Postseason
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1986
Regular season
2
Regular season
5
Regular season
0
Regular season
286
Regular season
4th in AFC East
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1987
Regular season
7
Regular season
8
Regular season
0
Regular season
467
Regular season
4th in AFC East
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1988
Regular season
12
Regular season
4
Regular season
0
Regular season
750
Regular season
1st in AFC East
Postseason
1
Postseason
1
Postseason
500
Postseason
Lost to Cincinnati Bengals in AFC Championship Game
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1989
Regular season
9
Regular season
7
Regular season
0
Regular season
563
Regular season
1st in AFC East
Postseason
0
Postseason
1
Postseason
000
Postseason
Lost to Cleveland Browns in AFC Divisional Game
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1990
Regular season
13
Regular season
3
Regular season
0
Regular season
813
Regular season
1st in AFC East
Postseason
2
Postseason
1
Postseason
667
Postseason
Lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1991
Regular season
13
Regular season
3
Regular season
0
Regular season
813
Regular season
1st in AFC East
Postseason
2
Postseason
1
Postseason
667
Postseason
Lost to Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1992
Regular season
11
Regular season
5
Regular season
0
Regular season
688
Regular season
2nd in AFC East
Postseason
3
Postseason
1
Postseason
750
Postseason
Lost to Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1993
Regular season
12
Regular season
4
Regular season
0
Regular season
750
Regular season
1st in AFC East
Postseason
2
Postseason
1
Postseason
667
Postseason
Lost to Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVIII
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1994
Regular season
7
Regular season
9
Regular season
0
Regular season
438
Regular season
4th in AFC East
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1995
Regular season
10
Regular season
6
Regular season
0
Regular season
625
Regular season
1st in AFC East
Postseason
1
Postseason
1
Postseason
500
Postseason
Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Divisional Game
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1996
Regular season
10
Regular season
6
Regular season
0
Regular season
625
Regular season
2nd in AFC East
Postseason
0
Postseason
1
Postseason
000
Postseason
Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC Wild Card Game
BUF
BUF
Team
BUF
Year
1997
Regular season
6
Regular season
10
Regular season
0
Regular season
375
Regular season
4th in AFC East
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
Postseason
BUF Total
BUF Total
Team
BUF Total
Year
112
Regular season
70
Regular season
0
Regular season
615
Regular season
11
Postseason
8
Postseason
579
NFL Total
NFL Total
Team
NFL Total
Year
143
Regular season
112
Regular season
0
Regular season
561
Regular season
11
Postseason
8
Postseason
579
Total
Total
Team
Total
Year
191
Regular season
156
Regular season
4
Regular season
550
Regular season
18
Postseason
11
Postseason
621
Team
Year
Regular season
Postseason
Won
Lost
Ties
Win %
Finish
Won
Lost
Win %
Result
MTL
1973
7
6
1
536
3rd in East
1
1
500
Lost to Ottawa Rough Riders in East Final.
MTL
1974
9
5
2
625
1st in East
2
0
1.000
Won over Edmonton Eskimos in 62nd Grey Cup.
MTL
1975
9
7
0
563
2nd in East
2
1
0.667
Lost to Edmonton Eskimos in 63rd Grey Cup.
MTL
1976
7
8
1
469
3rd in East
0
1
0.000
Lost to Hamilton Tiger-Cats in East Semi-Final.
MTL
1977
11
5
0
689
1st in East
2
0
1.000
Won over Edmonton Eskimos in 65th Grey Cup.
CFL Total
43
31
4
577
7
3
700
Won two Grey Cup Championships.
KC
1978
4
12
0
250
5th in AFC West
KC
1979
7
9
0
438
5th in AFC West
KC
1980
8
8
0
500
3rd in AFC West
KC
1981
9
7
0
563
3rd in AFC West
KC
1982
3
6
0
333
4th in AFC West
KC Total
31
42
0
425
CHI
1984
5
13
0
278
5th in Central
USFL Total
5
13
0
278
BUF
1986
2
5
0
286
4th in AFC East
BUF
1987
7
8
0
467
4th in AFC East
BUF
1988
12
4
0
750
1st in AFC East
1
1
500
Lost to Cincinnati Bengals in AFC Championship Game
BUF
1989
9
7
0
563
1st in AFC East
0
1
000
Lost to Cleveland Browns in AFC Divisional Game
BUF
1990
13
3
0
813
1st in AFC East
2
1
667
Lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV
BUF
1991
13
3
0
813
1st in AFC East
2
1
667
Lost to Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI
BUF
1992
11
5
0
688
2nd in AFC East
3
1
750
Lost to Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII
BUF
1993
12
4
0
750
1st in AFC East
2
1
667
Lost to Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVIII
BUF
1994
7
9
0
438
4th in AFC East
BUF
1995
10
6
0
625
1st in AFC East
1
1
500
Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Divisional Game
BUF
1996
10
6
0
625
2nd in AFC East
0
1
000
Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC Wild Card Game
BUF
1997
6
10
0
375
4th in AFC East
BUF Total
112
70
0
615
11
8
579
NFL Total
143
112
0
561
11
8
579
Total
191
156
4
550
18
11
621

References

  1. Levy is tied with Dan Reeves for the most playoff wins without an NFL championship and with Reeves and Bud Grant for the
  2. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/LevyMa0.htm
  3. Last Word on Sports
    https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2019/06/06/marv-levy-biggest-must-win-history-runner/
  4. Jewish United Fund
    https://www.juf.org/news/local.aspx?id=447122
  5. VAntage Point
    https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/80635/80635/
  6. National Review
    https://archive.today/20120707123311/http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDZmZDg1NjYzNzhkNTBhOWRjMDExYmYwMGY4OTI3ZmY=
  7. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-nov-10-la-sp-1111-crowe-20101111-story.html
  8. The Buffalo Bills: My Life on a Special Team
  9. O'Shei, Tim (January 6, 2020). Marv's mission: Levy enlisting NFL's help to honor Greatest Generation. The Buffalo News.
    https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/marvs-mission-levy-enlisting-nfls-help-to-honor-greatest-generation/article_96c955f6-1756-58f4-8293-f3f2fb4062fa.html
  10. O'Shei, Tim. The NFL honored WWII vets at the Super Bowl. The Buffalo News. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
    https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/the-nfl-honored-wwii-vets-at-the-super-bowl-thank-marv-levy-for-that/article_3a57c938-da67-5b72-85b0-622d229e569a.html
  11. 7220 Sports
    https://7220sports.com/some-of-wyomings-best-have-called-buffalo-home/
  12. DemocratandChronicle.com
    https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2017/04/24/91-marv-levy-receives-highest-honor-coe-college/100838478/
  13. ChicagoTribune.com
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-08-04-0108040052-story.html
  14. juf.org
    https://www.juf.org/news/local.aspx?id=447122
  15. "Marv Levy named to Des Moines Sunday Register's Iowa Sports Hall of Fame"
    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120714/SPORTS/120714009/Marv-Levy-named-to-Des-Moines-Sunday-Register-s-Iowa-Sports-Hall-of-Fame?Frontpage&nclick_check=1
  16. GoLobos.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190713190548/https://golobos.com/sports/2015/5/12/GEN_20140101229.aspx
  17. NFL.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190803052158/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d800895c7/article/levy-recalls-providing-walsh-his-college-coaching-start-at-california
  18. sports-reference.com
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/california/index.html
  19. sports-reference.com
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/marv-levy-1.html
  20. profootballresearchers.com
    http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/23-03-892.pdf
  21. ProFootballHOF.com
    https://www.profootballhof.com/players/marv-levy/biography/
  22. BuffaloBills.com
    https://www.buffalobills.com/news/important-dates-in-bills-history-nov-3-1986-marv-levy-hired-as-head-coa-18010329
  23. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/coaches.htm
  24. afca.com
    https://www.afca.com/former-buffalo-bills-head-coach-marv-leavy-to-receive-2019-amos-alonzo-stagg-award/
  25. The Boston Globe
    https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/10/sports/dan-shaughnessy-bill-belichick-marv-levy/
  26. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/greatestcoach17/greatest-coaches-nfl-history-marv-levy
  27. BuffaloNews.com
    https://buffalonews.com/1998/08/01/levy-to-display-analytical-skills-on-bills-exhibition-games/
  28. "RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! The origin of the Bills Mafia's ICONIC mantra"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktxp77Autuw
  29. news.wbfo.org
    https://news.wbfo.org/post/marv-levy-returns-bills-general-manager
  30. foxsports.com
    https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/buffalo-bills-marv-levy-rex-ryan-coach-123016
  31. vindy.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190722200939/http://www.vindy.com/news/2006/jan/14/mularkey-resigns-as-buffalos-coach/?print
  32. news.wbfo.org
    https://news.wbfo.org/post/buffalo-bills-tap-dick-jauron-new-coach
  33. NFL.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190713025906/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d805a31ac/article/levy-to-resign-as-bills-gm
  34. Legendary coach Levy visits Alouettes training camp. Canadian Press via TSN. June 11, 2008.
    https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=240385&lid=sublink06&lpos=headlines_cfl
  35. Marv Levy would be interested in Buffalo Bills job. BuffaloRumblings.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
    http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2016/12/30/14123502/marv-levy-buffalo-bills-coach-rex-ryan
  36. Game Changers: The Greatest Plays in Buffalo Bills Football History: Marv Levy, Jeffrey J. Miller: 9781600782756: Amazon.com: Books
  37. Between the Lies: Marv Levy: 9780983061939: Amazon.com: Books
  38. Marv Levy to be honored at World Series. Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
    http://www.profootballhof.com/marv-levy-to-be-honored-at-world-series/
  39. Mawicke, Megan (January 19, 2017). Marv Levy Pens Children’s Book About Cubs’ World Series Win. WBBM. Retrieved January
    http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/01/19/marv-levy-childrens-book-chicago-cubs-world-series/
  40. Maiorana, Sal (February 19, 2017). Marv Levy pens children's book to celebrate Cubs championship. Rochester Democrat and
    http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2017/02/19/marv-levy-pens-childrens-book-celebrate-cubs-championship/98133048/
  41. The Buffalo News
    https://buffalonews.com/2020/02/07/the-nfl-honored-wwii-vets-at-the-super-bowl-you-can-thank-marv-levy-for-that/
  42. WKBW
    https://www.wkbw.com/sports/buffalo-bills/marv-levy-announced-as-member-of-canadian-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2021
  43. Bills Wire
    https://billswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/19/jim-kelly-marv-levy-pump-up-buffalo-bills-crowd-titans/
  44. Yahoo! Sports
    https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-marv-levy-sends-good-191311770.html
  45. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/17/sports/pro-football-bills-levy-has-prostate-cancer.html
  46. Fink, Heather Hedrick; Mikesky, Alan E. (2013). Practical Applications in Sports Nutrition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p
  47. The Buffalo News
    https://www.newspapers.com/image/875439633/
  48. The Des Moines Register
    https://www.newspapers.com/image/132556840/
  49. Canton Repository
    https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/pro/pro-football-hof/2025/08/02/marv-levy-100-year-old-nfl-hall-of-fame-coach-birthday/85490787007/
  50. Marv Levy Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks – Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/LevyMa0.htm
  51. profootballhof.com
    https://www.profootballhof.com/players/marv-levy/biography/
  52. pro-football-reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/index.htm
  53. Syracuse.com
    https://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/2011/09/poliquin_all_these_years_later.html
  54. Raiders.com
    https://www.raiders.com/news/making-the-case-former-raiders-head-coach-tom-flores-deserves-a-spot-in-canton
  55. SI.com
    https://www.si.com/vault/1994/10/17/132277/no-joke--four-straight-super-bowl-losses-have-made-buffalo-bill-coach-marv-levy-a-target-of-jests-but-seriously-folks-hes-one-of-the-nfls-best
  56. "Chicago's Own Marv Levy, the Best Since Papa Bear"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190713032543/https://chicagolymag.com/web/2016/12/chicagos-own-marv-levy-the-best-since-papa-bear/
  57. Cleveland.com
    https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2013/01/two_hall_of_fame_coaches_who_a.html
  58. Pro-Football-Reference.com
    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/LevyMa0.htm
  59. Buffalo Bills
    https://www.buffalobills.com/news/marv-levy-named-to-the-canadian-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2021
  60. Coast Reporter
    https://www.coastreporter.net/national-sports/former-alouettes-head-coach-marv-levy-tops-2021-canadian-football-hall-of-fame-class-3627135
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