Brother vs. brother in pro sports history
January, 24, 2013
Jan 24
2:40
AM ET
By ESPN Stats & Information | ESPN.com
Jim and John Harbaugh will meet for the second time when they face each other in the Super Bowl in New Orleans, and it'll be another case of the HarBros making history.
They are the only set of brother head coaches to square off in any NFL game; they faced each other last season in Week 12. They also will become the first brothers to compete in a postseason game as head coaches in any of the four major North American pro sports (NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB).
However, there have been nine other sets of brothers in the three other major pro sports to face each other as head coaches. Here's how every pair has fared against each other:
Leader: Larry, 4-2
Getty ImagesHerb: Pistons (1975-78). Larry: Nuggets (1974-79, ABA and NBA); Nets ('81-83); Spurs ('88-92); Clippers ('92-93); Pacers ('93-97); Sixers ('97-2003); Pistons ('03-05); Knicks ('05-06); Bobcats ('08-11).
Jeff Van Gundy vs. Stan Van Gundy*
Leader: Stan, 3-2
Getty ImagesJeff: Knicks (1995-2002); Rockets ('03-07). Stan: Heat ('03-06); Magic ('07-12).
Leader: George, 8-4
AP Photos George: Providence Grays (1879). Harry: Boston Red Stockings (1871-81); Grays ('82-83); Philadelphia Quakers/Phillies ('84-93).
Leader: Terry, 5-4-0
Getty ImagesBryan: Capitals (1981-90); Red Wings ('90-93); Panthers ('97-98); Ducks ('01-02); Senators ('05-08). Terry: Capitals ('90-94); Flyers ('94-97); Panthers ('98-01); Kings ('08-11).
Johnny Wilson* vs. Larry Wilson
Leader: Johnny, 2-0-0
Getty Images, AP PhotosJohnny: Kings (1969-70); Red Wings ('71-73); Rockies ('76-77); Penguins ('77-80). Larry: Wings (1976-77).
Muzz Patrick vs. Lynn Patrick*
Leader: Lynn, 6-5-2
Getty ImagesMuzz: Rangers (1953-55, '59-60, '62-63). Lynn: Rangers (1948-50); Bruins ('50-55); Blues ('67-68, '74-76).
Darryl Sutter vs. Brian Sutter*
Leader: Darryl 13-9-7
Getty ImagesDarryl: Blackhawks (1992-95); Sharks (1997-2002); Flames ('02-06); Kings ('11-current). Brian: Blues (1988-92); Bruins ('92-95); Flames (1997-2000); Blackhawks ('01-04).
Darryl Sutter* vs. Brent Sutter
Leader: Darryl 2-1-1
Getty ImagesBrent: Devils (2007-09); Flames ('09-12).
Darryl Sutter* vs. Duane Sutter
Leader: Darryl, 1-0-1
Getty ImagesDuane: Panthers (2000-02).
Leader: John, 1-0
AP Photo/Patrick SemanskyJim: 49ers (2011-present). John: Ravens (2008-present).
*Older brother
They are the only set of brother head coaches to square off in any NFL game; they faced each other last season in Week 12. They also will become the first brothers to compete in a postseason game as head coaches in any of the four major North American pro sports (NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB).
However, there have been nine other sets of brothers in the three other major pro sports to face each other as head coaches. Here's how every pair has fared against each other:
NBA
Herb Brown* vs. Larry BrownLeader: Larry, 4-2
Getty ImagesHerb: Pistons (1975-78). Larry: Nuggets (1974-79, ABA and NBA); Nets ('81-83); Spurs ('88-92); Clippers ('92-93); Pacers ('93-97); Sixers ('97-2003); Pistons ('03-05); Knicks ('05-06); Bobcats ('08-11).Jeff Van Gundy vs. Stan Van Gundy*
Leader: Stan, 3-2
Getty ImagesJeff: Knicks (1995-2002); Rockets ('03-07). Stan: Heat ('03-06); Magic ('07-12).MLB
Harry Wright* vs. George WrightLeader: George, 8-4
AP Photos George: Providence Grays (1879). Harry: Boston Red Stockings (1871-81); Grays ('82-83); Philadelphia Quakers/Phillies ('84-93).NHL
Bryan Murray* vs. Terry MurrayLeader: Terry, 5-4-0
Getty ImagesBryan: Capitals (1981-90); Red Wings ('90-93); Panthers ('97-98); Ducks ('01-02); Senators ('05-08). Terry: Capitals ('90-94); Flyers ('94-97); Panthers ('98-01); Kings ('08-11).Johnny Wilson* vs. Larry Wilson
Leader: Johnny, 2-0-0
Getty Images, AP PhotosJohnny: Kings (1969-70); Red Wings ('71-73); Rockies ('76-77); Penguins ('77-80). Larry: Wings (1976-77).Muzz Patrick vs. Lynn Patrick*
Leader: Lynn, 6-5-2
Getty ImagesMuzz: Rangers (1953-55, '59-60, '62-63). Lynn: Rangers (1948-50); Bruins ('50-55); Blues ('67-68, '74-76).Leader: Darryl 13-9-7
Getty ImagesDarryl: Blackhawks (1992-95); Sharks (1997-2002); Flames ('02-06); Kings ('11-current). Brian: Blues (1988-92); Bruins ('92-95); Flames (1997-2000); Blackhawks ('01-04).Leader: Darryl 2-1-1
Getty ImagesBrent: Devils (2007-09); Flames ('09-12).Leader: Darryl, 1-0-1
Getty ImagesDuane: Panthers (2000-02).NFL
Jim Harbaugh vs. John Harbaugh*Leader: John, 1-0
AP Photo/Patrick SemanskyJim: 49ers (2011-present). John: Ravens (2008-present).ABOUT THIS BLOG
• Trending: Sports lifestyle, culture
• Sounds: The collision of sports, music
• Visuals: Photos, graphics, illustrations
• Tech: Sports technology, video games
• Dollars: The world of sports business
• Coordinates: International sports
PAGE 2 VAULT
ESPN.com's Page 2,
which entertained
readers from 2000 to
2012, is gone ... but
not forgotten.
You must be signed in to post a comment