NFL Head Coach

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 22
  3. Negative: 4 out of 22
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  1. Digital Entertainment News
    81
    It’s not perfect, it’s not available on next-gen systems, but for control freaks, it may be the most exhaustively complete sports SIM ever released on a console.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    76
    When Head Coach hits, it slams it out of the ballpark. Excellent structure and balance in the practice periods before game day ensure that you take your time and prepare extensively, while tasks at the front office put you in control of every aspect of the franchise.
  3. Detroit Free Press
    75
    EA Sports is best known for its other monster football game, "Madden NFL." But where "Madden" lets you control real-life players and plays on the field, "Head Coach" takes you behind the action, putting you in the Gatorade-scented shoes of a coach you create from scratch.
  5. PGNx Media
    75
    Basically, all of the micromanagement parts of the game will make fans gush with excitement.
  6. Gaming Age
    75
    It is nice to see EA Sports use their license for something a bit different.
  7. IGN
    72
    As it stands, NFL Head Coach will appeal to die-hard fantasy football fanatics and Madden franchise mode junkies, and to little else. Still, that's all EA ever wanted.
  8. GameSpot
    72
    Still, while Head Coach is ultimately an imperfect football-management simulation, it is also, almost in spite of itself, a frequently fun one. Those with a penchant for serious football management are most certainly going to find things to like about it.
  9. Gamers' Temple
    71
    So I was interested to find out if my enjoyment for football overcame my disinterest in strategic games. Well in my case the micromanagement aspect was just too much for me to overcome.
  10. GamePro
    70
    Overall, the unique approach of NFL Head Coach makes this game a smart pick for football freaks and sports gamers looking to add some analytical and intellectual flavor to their library.
  11. GamesRadar+
    70
    Chances are that NFL Head Coach won’t cure your football jones unless heavy-duty statistical simulators are up your alley.
  12. Gamer 2.0
    70
    It takes a hell of a long time to complete one season in this game, and it takes a lot longer with the PS2’s load times.
  13. Gamezilla!
    70
    An excellent first attempt. There are a number of tweaks that will improve the gameplay if it’s turned into a series and it has plenty of potential.
  14. Game Informer
    68
    Even though you are the coach in this game, you're still little more than a bystander. [Aug 2006, p.84]
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  15. GameZone
    61
    If I had to give advice to the development team, it would be to allow players more freedom in the off-season. Only allowing them two things to do between idiotic load screens is awful.
  16. GameSpy
    60
    Playing NFL Head Coach and having a good time while doing so is a daunting task, one far more challenging than taking the Browns to the Super Bowl.
  17. ZTGD
    60
    NFL head coach takes a bold leap and attempts to start something well needed in the sports simulation field, change. Unfortunately, it falters in more aspects than it flies, with horrible AI, and an in game system that makes the game feel like more of a chore than a fun experience.
  18. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    The depth to which NFL Head Coach goes to simulate its world is impressive. Pigskin fanatics will love it, but if I want stress and boredom, I think I'll stick with my day job. [Aug 2006, p.79]
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  19. PSM Magazine
    60
    If football action is more your thing stick to "Madden". [Sep 2006, p.88]
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  20. My Gamer
    48
    It falters in more aspects than it flies, with horrible AI, and an in game system that makes the game feel like more of a chore than a fun experience.
  21. eToychest
    40
    NFL head Coach is obviously targeted toward a very niche group of extreme football enthusiasts, but the game, such as it is, has been made into such a laborious, oftentimes arduous affair that even the target audience is likely to be turned away.
  22. G4 TV
    40
    There’s something decidedly satisfying seeing your hard work and meticulous planning pay off with a trip to the Super Bowl. But that trip is fraught with so many pitfalls – the most annoying being the rigid scheduling issues – that you’ll need superhuman patience to see it through to the end.
  23. The A.V. Club
    33
    The load times between each task are inexcusable, but worse yet are the games themselves, which you barely have to orchestrate.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best PS2 Game of 2006
95
#95 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
78
#78 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 4 out of 15
  1. TonyC.
    Aug 17, 2008
    10
    A revolutionary game of its time...a game that could help coaches reinforce how they want their players to be coached in specific ways, with A revolutionary game of its time...a game that could help coaches reinforce how they want their players to be coached in specific ways, with flexible draft ratings, and board room meetings with other coaches. A game that also allowed innovation of created plays, personality type, and other things. A bit slow, but really ahead of its time. It just needed to clean up a few things, like speed, but other than that, it was a great game.… Full Review »
  2. JoshC.
    Aug 30, 2006
    0
    This game doesnt even get a "1",.... Do not make the same mistake I made by purchasing this boring game, thats all i have to say about that.
  3. BigD.
    Aug 10, 2006
    8
    This is a very addicting game if you like these types of games. There is no action for you in the game at all, but if you are buying this, This is a very addicting game if you like these types of games. There is no action for you in the game at all, but if you are buying this, and know an ounce about football, you should expect that. You are the head coach in this game, not a player. I love this game, and love the idea. I only gave it an 8 because they could have done better with what you are allowed to do. The schedule is so limited in you being able to arrange your scehdule, it's almost pointless to have it there, and motivation factor is quite random, why would a running back or quarterback get upset when you tell him he did a good job after running a touchdown? There are a few other quirks, but I'm sure if EA chooses to make this game every year like their other franchise games we will see the options improve drastically. If you like the offseason stuff in Madden, you'll love NFL Head Coach… Full Review »
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