Here’s how the head coaches in these NFL playoffs stack up, according to The Post’s Steve Serby:
1. BILL BELICHICK (Patriots): Hasn’t won a Super Bowl in seven seasons, but he has had to overhaul his coaching staff and his defense, and he didn’t come here to kiss anyone else’s rings.
2. SEAN PAYTON (Saints): An offensive genius who learned his lessons well under Bill Parcells and is among the elite motivators in the game.
3. MIKE TOMLIN (Steelers): No-nonsense straight-shooter who commands respect and players love playing for.
4. TOM COUGHLIN (Giants): Underappreciated the way Phil Simms used to be. Tough, old-school General Patton with old-fashioned values who has come a long way from his intractable days. A principled man with the courage of his convictions who won’t hesitate to sit a star player (Ahmad Bradshaw) for the first half in a do-or-die game for curfew violation.
5. MIKE McCARTHY (Packers): Elite playcaller and tough, down-to-earth leader of men. If there’s a Holmgren Way in Green Bay, there needs to be a McCarthy Boulevard.
6. JOHN HARBAUGH (Ravens): Hard-nosed disciplinarian who reached AFC Championship game as a rookie coach with rookie QB Joe Flacco. Needs to improve clock management.
7. JIM HARBAUGH (49ers): Changed the culture and attitude overnight and taught Alex Smith how to be an NFL quarterback. You better play 60 minutes now to beat these guys.
8. JOHN FOX (Broncos): Reshaped offense for Tim Tebow and transformed laughingstock defense into sporadic Orange Crush.
9. MARVIN LEWIS (Bengals): Somehow has survived tightwad ownership and the T.O.-Ochocinco reality show to reach playoffs for second time in three seasons — with rookie quarterback and rookie wideout.
10. MIKE SMITH (Falcons): Will fight for (and with) players. He was fined $15,000 for joining sideline fracas once. Came under fire for fourth-and-inches overtime gamble from own 30 in Saints loss. A 43-21 record, but 0-2 in playoffs.
11. GARY KUBIAK (Texans): The hiring of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips helped immeasurably, but keeping team mentally tough and united after losing OLB Mario Williams, QBs Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart and WR Andre Johnson for 10 weeks deserves kudos.
12. JIM SCHWARTZ (Lions): Would be rated higher were it not for the lack of discipline his kamikaze young team exhibited too often, especially after witnessing The Handshake. Tightly wound and pugnacious leader.